hannabear1

Hi! I just took my boards mon. and it shut off at "75" and I didn't know what to think but I found out 2 days later that I passed-thank god!- I too used the springhouse study questions mostly. and I took a review class which helped tremendously. like everyone else says, remember ABC's, maslow's hierarchy, prioritizing care, APIE(assessing before implementing), and delegating-I got a lot of those questions-even a couple like 'a pediatric RN floats to med./surg. floor for the day, which patient would you assign them?' I got a mix of everything. also be sure to know the IV calculation formula in case you get a math question-and know your lab values too. my class also told us that if one of the answers says "call the physician," it's most likely not the answer. good luck! I'm sure you'll do great-just stay focused!!!! also, take your time when answering each question and read every choice before anwering....

have you ever thought of travel nursing, you can travel around the US on temp. assignments to get familiar with the areas without having to make a commitment right away-and they pay for all expenses, even fully furnished apartment with health benefits. it's a great way to go!!

have you ever thought of travel nursing, you can travel around the US on temp. assignments to get familiar with the areas without having to make a commitment right away-and they pay for all expenses, even fully furnished apartment with health benefits. it's a great way to go!!

born2 b, I agree. I started as a cna in '94. I went through a job-training program that paid for it in my state. after a few years I decided to go on to get my RN. while I was in school, after the first semester, you are eligible for your cna licensure, no test needed. I don't think 2wks training is going to get you far-you can check out your local area nursing homes or hosp. for training classes. it's a great way to get your feet wet and feel comfortable in the health care setting. it will definitely benefit you through school. and if you do get a job in the hosp. the nurses are usually more than willing to show you and maybe even let you do things (under their supervision), knowing your a student nurse. also, after the 3rd semester of school, you can obtain your LPN license and start working as a nurse before you grad. but make sure you finish school, a lot of people get there LPN and quit, it's only 3-4 more months and it's worth it..I got my LPN and then grad. with my ADN 3m later(still waiting to pass the boards) but like I said, it IS worth it...good luck!!! p.s. I couldn't tell you what the pay rate is around your area but it can range between $8-$12 depending on where you work. agency does pay more but you need a little experience first. it will all go by pretty fast-it may not feel like it at first, but when it's done, you'll look back and say, "wow, I can't believe it's over already,"

why can't we go back to paper and pencil-at least you can skip a question and go back!!

why can't we go back to paper and pencil-at least you can skip a question and go back!!

I hate to tell you this but anyoneone who can just graduate from Nursing school IS competent-it's just a matter of whether you are a good test-taker or you have too much anxiety taking the test. I cannot believe you would insinuate someone to be incompetent if they failed at 75. there are a lot of reasons for it.

I just took my boards end of feb. and got 263 questions and still failed. I did pass my LPN with flying colors though. I have a friend whowas in my similar situation and finally passed. would've been nice if my state sent me my license and said "oops" it doesn't make sense that some people pass at 78 questions and some people pass a 206 questions but can fail at 263 or 85. I say, if you can just graduate from nursing school-you've passed! congrats. to you and good luck!!!

I just took my boards end of feb. and got 263 questions and still failed. I did pass my LPN with flying colors though. I have a friend whowas in my similar situation and finally passed. would've been nice if my state sent me my license and said "oops" it doesn't make sense that some people pass at 78 questions and some people pass a 206 questions but can fail at 263 or 85. I say, if you can just graduate from nursing school-you've passed! congrats. to you and good luck!!!

sounds like the DON needs to be replaced. I have been working in LTC for a while and never heard of anything this bad. things go on but this tops it. "voodoo?" this girl is seriously disturbed. another thing is that I believe it is against labor laws that noone is allowed to work more than 2 shifts (16h) /shaving at least 2 or more h off in between. get a new job, there are a lot better places than there. and your just starting out-write a letter to your board of nursing and let them know what's going on, maybe they can send someone to investigate the situation. I'll tell you one thing-it's the residents that are suffering in the long run...best of luck and keep your head up and stay strong!!!

I am so glad this is posted. I too want to become a traveler in the near future. I need to pass my RN boards first and take it from there. it sounds like a great opportunity to see the country and make new friends all over. a lot of people go through life without ever leaving their backyard, not me-I want to take advantage of what life has to offer and explore-there is so much out there-more than enyone can see or do in a lifetime. I'm excited that these companies do the travel nursing..you can e-mail me also to talk more about it...

don't take this the wrong way but has anyone thought that maybe suzy k really wanted to ask 'what's the difference between an LPN and an RN?' her quote of "LPNs do the same thing as RNs, they just get paid less!" [This message has been edited by hannabear1 (edited March 28, 2001).]

well JMP, I'd like to let you know that you will learn while you work. as a student, you are only getting your feet wet-once your on the floor the real learning begins-don't ever think that you have to stay in school for the rest of your life, it's a whole different ballpark in the real world... I commend you wanting to get your BSN. I too am a recent grad. but have been working in the field for over 7 years.

To theboss, you are very lucky to be able to work in the hospital as you do. I wish people around here where I live would be open-minded to LPNs in the hospital. we are just as capable if not, some are more capable than RNs. Unfortunately, the only position an LPN can get here in the hosp. is in geropsych. if that. otherwise, you work in nursing homes if that's what you prefer. I don't mind it but I do want to work in a hospital, but until I pass my RN boards, geriatrics is where I am for now. And to "theboss", good for you to speak up... [This message has been edited by hannabear1 (edited March 27, 2001).]

I have been in the nursing field for 7 years. I started out as a CNA which I obtained through a job-training program paid for by the state. It was the only way I could afford training. After a few years working in geriatrics, I felt I needed a change, to do more than what I was doing. So I decided to go back to school. It was a struggle-having to work and manage school at the same time. I worked in SICU with heart patients for a little while during school until after the third semester of an ADN program and obtained my LPN license. I did finish the program but was able to work as an LPN with better pay. I have since then been continuing to work as an LPN through an agency which is very good pay, and I am able to make my own schedule and not have to deal with the politics that go on within the facilities. Right now I am struggling to try and pass my RN state boards. I am working with geriatrics because in my area the hospitals do not hire LPNs. I have been at one facility pretty regularly over the past few months-I actually am a former employee there so it makes it nice to see familiar faces. As I am there, they have RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and Unit Aides. To tell you the honest truth, I don't really see a big difference between an LPN and an RN-there are LPNs there who are in charge because there aren't enough RNs. In my opinion, if it weren't for LPNs, who would fill the positions to take care of the people? also I feel that LPNs are a big help to RNs in that they save RNs a lot of time. I know that working as an LPN until I pass my boards will only increase my understanding and respect of how important LPNs, CNAs, and Unit aides are. It is definitely true that we are all here to help take care of our clients, to work as a team-THAT IS THE POINT!! So all you veteran LPNs and new LPNs-don't ever let anyone tell you that it is a waste of time.....