SarahLPN2RN

I just wanted to let everyone know this program was wonderful for me, although significant changes have been made since I started. I went through my LPN program in the mid 90's, worked a bunch of years, and then I had kids. I made the choice to stay home with them. Thirteen years later I decided to go back to work and pursue my RN. I was terrified, rusty, and had no idea if I could do it, (and btw, I homeschool my 4 kids). I got a job at a local nursing home (I think their only requirement was that I had a license and a pulse), and after being thrown in the deep end with virtually no orientation, found out that, yes, I could still do it. I enrolled in Excelsior's ADN program. It was hard. I learned so much. I went on to get a job on a med-surg floor at a local hospital, the training and experience there was super helpful. Between all my responsibilities, I really could not have gone through a traditional nursing program. Excelsior has awesome resources to study for the CPNE, and I used all of them, but I could not have gotten through it without Rob's Review. So, now four years (almost 5) after starting the program I am done, I graduate this February!

I'm an LPN and I took a 13 year hiatus. I was terrified no one would hire me. However, there are alot of long-term facilities that only care that you have a license and a heartbeat. Be prepared to jump into the deep end, sink or swim. I didn't stay long at the nursing home that first hired me, just long enough to have some 'recent' experience on my resume. Good luck!

Hi, I am in the Excelsior LPN-RN program. If you want to see how the website works there is a course demo: http://www.excelsior.edu/course-demo . As far as the course options, if you take the course option at $510/credit hour for 12 credits they waive the $495 fee. It also allows you to use federal financial aid. The exam option is the least expensive, but no financial aid. It is completely up to you to set a time frame for completion. The conference is a hybrid of the above two, costing about half of the courses and twice the exam only. The confrence is testing out and you can use financial aid. Also, there is a specific week you are required to test, which lends some accountability. There are weekly dicussions and a short quiz each week, both of which I have found helpful.

There are true LPN-RN bridge programs that do not require clinicals, but instead require proof of proficiency through exam. Excelsior College is all online except the clinical capstone exam at the end of the program (the CPNE). Excelsior is accredited. From Excelsior College's Accreditation - Excelsior College - excelsior.edu, "The associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs in nursing at Excelsior College are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The ACEN is a specialized accrediting agency for nursing recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)."

The CrashCourse A&P videos on youtube helped me. After watching the videos I had a mental framework to dive deeper into the course materials. Hope this helps.

diddyL24, Makes me wonder what is being taught in LPN schools these days. I graduated from LPN school in the mid 90's. We were taught to do head to toe assessment, then (right or wrong) the Med/Surg unit I worked on used RN's and LPN's almost interchangeably (with few RN only duties - admission assessments, hanging blood, and IV push meds). There are probably differences from state to state in LPN skill/responsibility. I entered the Excelsior LPN-RN program hoping to gain a deeper understanding of nursing concepts. I'm sorry you feel unprepared by the program.

I read both. Thanks Pixie for all you input, it really is helpful and encouraging.

Anyone else? I will be doing the courses. Advice from anyone who has started or finished?

Renew your license, but consider taking a year to do something completely unrelated, or maybe do volunteer nursing, where you travel for a year. After several years in the hospital, I needed a break from health care. I took a job as a nanny, moved to another part of the country, made some great friends, and I met my husband. I returned to nursing when my contract ended. I not recommending you become a nanny, just think of doing something different for short term. It gave me the space and perspective I needed.

UPDATE: I landed 3 interviews, and received 3 job offers! I start orientation latter this month with an organization that I think is a really good fit. I hope all you stay at home moms are encouraged, I was so scared that I couldn't go back, but I did, and you can too.

So, it seems like you're not really committed to being a nurse. Perhaps, maybe a CNA to start with may give you the clarity and insight into the profession as to whether or not this is the profession for you. Many hospitals/ nursing homes will train you to be a CNA for free.

Update...I applied to several places online over the weekend, I have TWO interviews scheduled this week! Yay.

I'm a LPN. I've had great experience in the coveted acute care, I've worked LTC and home care. Then I made a life choice that was right for me. I left work to stay home with my children. Now after four kids and many years latter, I want to return to work. My license is current, my BLS renewed, BUT, I have no references and the last place I worked was so long ago they don't even have my employment records anymore. I may be a little rusty, but IMHO am still a good nurse. So, any advise? Or am I banished to 'The land of no return' for nurses?

Deebuzz, I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience. All acute care nursing is hard, but it sounds like you were in a toxic work place. So, for all of you who don't understand where she's coming from, congrat's on never having to experience that. I am truly glad if you've never had a supervisor lie to your face, had to deal with a physician who stopped caring 20 years ago, coworkers with personal problems they brought to the job, or a myriad of other factors that make a toxic work place. Every work place has its challenges, and nursing has diverse areas to practice. Instead of shaming each other, maybe we should be encouraging each other to find our own niche.

Sorry you had such a terrible experience. As far as being a new nurse in home health/ hospice, it's fine. The problem is your agency. No matter who (LTC, agency, or hospital) hires a new nurse, it's their responsibility to properly orient. I worked home health for several years. I don't know what state law is where you are, but in NY, employers have to supply personal protective equipment. I know it's hard to find jobs right now, but seriously, I would never walk into a situation where they refuse to give report, not knowing if I have the skill set necessary to take the job. Be assertive, know where your boundaries are and what you're comfortable with, it's your license on the line.