take time off?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2012

I really suggest that you accept a part-time, on-call, or per diem (PRN) position as an LPN so as to not completely drop out of the nursing workforce. The face of nursing has permanently changed, and an inexperienced LPN who has held a license for several years without ever having worked as a nurse is usually not viewed favorably these days.

The experience is what really matters. One day a week is better than nothing at all. I wish you the best of luck with your educational endeavors!

chevyv, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2012

I agree with TheCommuter. Staying home for me was great, but I took care of myself by working a couple of weekends per month. Maintaining some form of independence was a godsend for me. I found out during my last 6 months of nursing school that my sig other had been having an affair. I never ever would have imagined this could happen to me. Thankfully, I had a job and didn't feel totally dependent and forced to stay due to lack of finances.

I'm not saying this would ever happen to anyone else. It's just that you never know, in this economy, what is around the corner. It's good to be marketable! Good luck and enjoy your babes.

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 8, 2012

I also agree with TheCommuter. Per diem weekend jobs are wonderful for many parents. Weekends pay more, and if your husband has a weekday job, then there is no need to pay for childcare.

If you choose to leave nursing completely for years, then maybe you should just apply for RN school when you are ready and forget about the LPN to RN bridge.

clearblue3 · Feb 9, 2012

Thanks for the replies! I in in the 3rd of 4 semesters right now and I should probably just keep going! I agree with your advice to not drop out of the job market completely...it just makes me nervous to quit school and look for the right LPN job because what if I can't find one! Yes, such a scary economy now. And I don't think I will ever want to start over in an RN school program ...way too much work :-) You are talking about a BSN program right RNperdiem? Chevyv, I remember your name from previous posts with you i think! Didn't you go to Moraine Park? That is where I am now :-) Thanks again everyone!!

chevyv, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2012

Chevyv, I remember your name from previous posts with you i think! Didn't you go to Moraine Park? That is where I am now :-)
Yes I went to MPTC! How's it going there? There are LPN positions opened at Samaritan ( which is also county owned so you get retirement even if your per diem). I worked there as a CNA and loved it! You should check it out.

clearblue3 · Feb 10, 2012

Hi chevyv!

Things are pretty good at MPTC. I can't remember how long ago you were there, but people have said that things have really changed in the last couple of years. I guess they made the classes harder to try to up NCLEX scores, which must be working because I think the last pass rate was close to 100%. I have CHA1 right now and mental health (I am part time). They switched all of the classes from 8 weeks to 16 weeks which so far seems nice. More time to study for those tests! :-) I would have to say that I have pretty much liked all of my instructors, which makes things so much easier and more enjoyable. And there isn't that lottery for clinicals anymore, you just register online and get what you get, but no one has complained so far. I am on the BD campus and all of the clinicals are pretty close so not so much fighting about location :-) Anyways, thanks for the heads up about Samaritan! Is that in West Bend?? I live more between columbus and sun prairie so it would be a little far, but I think I will stick with school anyways. Some days I really stress about it all because being home with the kiddos leaves no study time until they are in bed and we are also homeschooling so it is just hard to do it all sometimes...but it is like that for everyone I think. Everyone has lots going on whether it is kids or work etc. Thank goodness I got in part time before they phased that out! I just couldn't do that full time craziness right now...but woudn't it be nice to be done that much faster....:-) Where are you working now?

chevyv, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2012

I went part time the entire time I was there. I don't think I could have done it full time with my children! I graduated in 09 and took some time to relax before taking the NCLEX in March of 10. Samaritan (yes, WB) is kind of far for you. I worked as a LPN at Golden Living in BD for just over a year. I am now working as a RN at Milwaukee Cnty Behavioral Health. I work .5 and really like it. Always did love mental health! I also was just happy to land a job. Market is so tight right now.

Complex health was tough to do in the 7-8 weeks we did it in. We told them they should make it a full semester because there is way too much material to cover and nobody could remember any of it. Have you had Deb at all yet?

I still can't believe they phased out part time. How do people who work full time handle that schedule? Yuk!!!

clearblue3 · Feb 10, 2012

I thought I remembered you working in corrections! No, I haven't had Deb at all...I haven't heard of her so maybe she isn't teaching in BD anymore?? Did you have Maggie at all? She is phenomenal in my opinion. She expects us to know a lot, but she is incredibly intelligent and just one of those people who is always up to date on the latest knowledge and skills. Anyways, I can't believe they phased out part time either. There actually aren't many people doing part time right now so I guess it isn't as popular as I would think. I only know of one person that is working full time so I suppose that is why. It just seems like such a nice option for those who can't do full time. I guess they thought that we part timers forget too much with clinicals and classes so spread out. And yes, sometimes it is harder to remember some things after not having clinicals for several months, but it always comes back to you and I don't feel behind the game or anything. Just thankful that I started when I did!