Stuck between a rock and a hard place

[N1colina]

Okay, I am having a huge dilemma. I will be graduating in March from Excelsior (hopefully, if I pass the CPNE) and then if I pass my boards, will have my RN by this Spring. I am currently working in a Family Practice setting as a LPN and can not decide if I want to stay or go to the hospital. I know I'm thinking too far ahead but I do need to give my boss an idea of the decision I am going to make. Of course they are going to increase my pay a few more dollars an hour, but not as much as I will make in the hospital. My other intention is to gain experience in the hospital, benefits, and appreciate the idea that I will be kept more busy. The things pushing me away from the hospital are the hours, weekends, and holidays. I am spoiled with the Mon-Fri 8:30-5 schedule! Anyone else ever in the same dilemma? What did you decide?

[N1colina]

I'm currently working on the LPN to RN program through Excelsior as well. How do you feel about the program? Do you feel you're prepared? I'm so worried about this because I'm not sure what to expect in the end..tell me more about your experience. Have you done any hands on clinical things? What exactly is the Cpne..I'm only about 3 classes in so any information would be great.

To tell you the truth, I don't think anyone feels totally prepared for the hospital after graduating from Excelsior, unless they've had previous hospital experience as LPN....but that's why they say you'll get the experience as a graduate nurse. I do have additional clinical experience from a local hospital school of nursing in my area that I previously attended, but that was over 4 years ago now....the CPNE is a 3 day performance in nursing exam where you have to test out on certain skills. The first part is 4 lab stations where you perform on dummies IV push, IV piggyback med, sterile drsg change on wound, and IM/SubQ injection. Then there are 3 PCS's (patient care situation) where you care for 2 adult patients, and one pediatric. Go to Excelsior's website to get more info about this....it's very extensive and I can't possible tell you all about it in one paragraph...lol

[kkluczynski]

To tell you the truth, I don't think anyone feels totally prepared for the hospital after graduating from Excelsior, unless they've had previous hospital experience as LPN....but that's why they say you'll get the experience as a graduate nurse. I do have additional clinical experience from a local hospital school of nursing in my area that I previously attended, but that was over 4 years ago now....the CPNE is a 3 day performance in nursing exam where you have to test out on certain skills. The first part is 4 lab stations where you perform on dummies IV push, IV piggyback med, sterile drsg change on wound, and IM/SubQ injection. Then there are 3 PCS's (patient care situation) where you care for 2 adult patients, and one pediatric. Go to Excelsior's website to get more info about this....it's very extensive and I can't possible tell you all about it in one paragraph...lol

thanks for the info

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Best of luck on your CPNE and boards!

Hospital work will (unfortunately) require nights, weekends and holidays. That part you'll have to decide on your own if it fits into your life.

You will learn a tremendous amount of experience in the hospital setting though. Don't sell yourself short! You have time as a LPN and a working one at that. You have patient experience. As far as feeling out the hospitals in your area, well, you'll be doing that by applying and actually getting a hospital position before leaving your office. The Excelsior school is based in your home state, I am sure they are familiar with it.

I am an Excelsior graduate and in my state, I have never had a problem getting a job due to the school I attended. I'm not saying this is always the case, but it has worked for me. I even got a job offer at a Level I hospital prior to even graduating because I spoke with a director who happened to be testing at the same location. The directors I interviewed with all said they like EC grads because of their discipline, self-motivation and ability to attain their goals.

Best wishes to you and your future!

[TheNurseIsIn]

How about giving home health a try on a PRN basis to see how you like it? You could even do that now with your LPN.

:)

[N1colina]

Best of luck on your CPNE and boards!

Hospital work will (unfortunately) require nights, weekends and holidays. That part you'll have to decide on your own if it fits into your life.

You will learn a tremendous amount of experience in the hospital setting though. Don't sell yourself short! You have time as a LPN and a working one at that. You have patient experience. As far as feeling out the hospitals in your area, well, you'll be doing that by applying and actually getting a hospital position before leaving your office. The Excelsior school is based in your home state, I am sure they are familiar with it.

I am an Excelsior graduate and in my state, I have never had a problem getting a job due to the school I attended. I'm not saying this is always the case, but it has worked for me. I even got a job offer at a Level I hospital prior to even graduating because I spoke with a director who happened to be testing at the same location. The directors I interviewed with all said they like EC grads because of their discipline, self-motivation and ability to attain their goals.

Best wishes to you and your future!

Oh really? That's great that they recognize those traits about us! Thank you for your advice and support. You give me hope! :)

[N1colina]

How about giving home health a try on a PRN basis to see how you like it? You could even do that now with your LPN.

:)

I was thinking of doing that, as well but most positions I looked at require at least 1 year experience in the hospital