Well I am still standing and took my boards october 12, 2005 and as of october 14, 2005 I went from GPN to LPN and nothing could have given me more joy.  so good luck to all those getting ready , I knoow how you feel.

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Lakeea Moore GPN

That's great you passed your boards.  I just graduated on December 22nd.  I haven't sent in my money yet to get a date for the boards.  I will in January.  Was the boards tough?  We took a lot of practice exams in school and they were pretty easy.  I am hoping the boards are not too different from the exam at school.  Good luck to you.  Do you have a job yet?

Hey delores.  There are some IV training programs out there.  What State are you looking at ?  I probably know of some.

Hi,

I graduated July 1, 2004  with HONORS :-)  I studied very hard, worked at Ochsner Clinic Lakeview during the day from 7am - 4pm and went to school from 4:30pm -10:30pm. Monday thru Friday and by the end of the day  I was worn out. I almost gave up so many times but, I managed to get through it.   I passed the Nclex on the 1st try.  ' Giving all thanks and praise to God, because I  could not have done it alone' 

My  husband and family was very supportive and helped me alot, they did whatever it took. My mom & sisters took turns cooking for me and  my husband, they helped me study for tests, they let me practice the new stuff I learned at school on them, they prayed for and encouraged me to keep going.

My co-workers and fellow MA's encougraged and helped me to study, and they covered for me when I would sleep too long past lunch time.  They wanted me to do good and finish school and become a Nurse, & the other MA's knew that if I could do it they could too! and they were All at my graduation to cheer me on!

I started out many years ago as a CNA and worked for six years taking care of a lady in her home, and when she passed away I decided to  better my self and I went to school to become a Medical Assistant.  I graduated and  worked hard for many years at Ochsner clinic and then one day I saw an ad in the newspaper for an  LPN night school..................................... and the rest is history.

Becoming a Nurse had been my life long dream and today I am a Licensed Practical Nurse,  living in New Orleans and working at Ochsner Clinc Foundation  and loving the fact that I can make a difference in  this world by being compassionate and caring when people need it most.

I love being a NURSE!!!!!!!

I plan to continue on one day to become an RN.

 

AdraeLPN

 

 

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AdraeLPN

Hi there....thought I might respond to this topic....I went back to school to become a LPN in Sept 04, graduated 2nd in my class in July 05 and took some time to find a job...this May I began working as the Clinic Nurse at an outpatient substance abuse treatment program in the Albany, NY area...I have about 130 adults and 20 or so adolescents that I do a range of nursing care functions for...health assessments, TB testing (ppd), referalls for obtaining Primary Care Practioners in their communities as well as Medical Aspects of Addictions groups and Coping Skills Groups.  I spent 16 years in the substance abuse field as a counselor and worked  my way up to the Director of a collaborative project between substance abuse treatment and foster care families. I left a full time job as a Clinical Director at an outpatient program to go to school full time...I received a scholarship that had a stipend from my home town hospital and away I went.  I was one of the oldest students in my class...46 yrs old at graduation, and I graduated second in my class, Salutorian!  suprised me!..passed my boards on the first go round...although when the computer turned off on the 85th question, I just knew I had failed.....lol.....I love my job!!!  I get to help people in a very holistic way....the disease of addiction is psychological, biological, social and spiritual....too often in the field where the 'bio' parts overlooked...without a healthy diet, and chronic disease conditions stabilized, the chances for someone to hold on to their sobriety is slim....In my position I also serve as a resource person for the staff....I felt welcomed and appreciated from day one and I know my being here has helped others....their are challenges in this work...but there is in every field....I make an effort to focus on wellness with both the clients and the staff...I have training as an auricular acupuncture detox specialist and we are looking into adding this as part of the 'alternative' health services the clinic offers....exciting days!!!  So...there's my story....I am proud to be a new LPN!!! 

hi! i graduated in january passed NCLEX 1st time.  I work in behavior health. I love it.

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suzie

MESSAGE BY: headtrauma1

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I'd like to 'shout out' to all newly graduated and newer LPN's (under 5 years) to the field.

How has life been treating you? What areas are you working in? Are you enjoying your work as a nurse? How have you been received by your co-workers and supervisors?

I'd like you to see this web site as a place you can come to to share your joys, frustrations, ask questions, ect. Don't be afraid to post things!! I'd really like to hear from some new people!! I've been an LPN for 11 years now and have a lot of experience, from home health to long term care and now am working in an acute care facility. I love the new challenges and would love to hear from some new nurses!!

Welcome!

Headtrauma1  

REPLY FROM: DXTIRADO

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Greetings.  I am new here so please bear with me.  I have just begun training in the LPN program in Chesapeake, Virginia.  I have gotten involved in a mentoring program with the 'upper classmen', however we (LPN's) have not begun our clinical rotations as yet.  I think its a great idea to have someone who may offer some assistance and guidance asside from the clinical instructors.  Any and all help I/we can receive from the more experienced students is always helpful.  I dont know at this early stage if we will be partnered up with someone actually practicing in the field.  It would be beneficial to all of us.  I will keep you posted.  Thank you.  David Tee.

Headtrauma;  Just in from taking some of my classmates to sit there boards, still waiting for my ATT from bne. Guess I got caught in the great paper shuffle of 2006. Anyway, alot of my classmates have passed and are at work as we speak. Many have started at rural hosp. settings, Med/Surg of course, and one girl found an awesome clinic job @ 17.50/hr, of course in a major city. And a great number of my classmates are doing the Nursing Home thing. Geriatrics just isnt my bag...more of a trauma junkie myself. Must come from my EMS background, just never could get that out of my system. Anyway, looking forward to boards and getting to work. Holla back with any advice, sure could use it.

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jonnybogey

Hey Jonny-B..Good to hear from you!

Taking your boards soon, huh?? Well, your confidence sounds high and you sound like you have a good head on your shoulders...so I'd get one of those NCLEX prep books for review and you'll do fine. If I would offer advice, it'd be this...stay current with nursing trends, research, news, ect. Get yourself a couple of journals. AJN, Nursing 2006, LPN 2006 are all good. Advance Magazine has a journal specfic to LPNs as well called Advance for LPNs. It is important to stay on top of your practice. Take your time and ease into your new job, whatever it may be. Don't think because your first job isn't in the ER or whatever, you won't find satisfaction. I'd dive into whatever position you get and learn as much as I could about the meds, the procedures, the patients, their diseases, ect. Look at it as a learning experience. There are very few nurses who get out of school and have their first job actually live up to their expectations.Learn, learn, learn.  Be a teamplayer and a resource for other staff.(where the journals come in) Don't be afraid to ask questions...ask a lot!!  Respect the knowledge of those around you...nobody likes a hotshot who won't listen to anyone....and most importantly: Be the kind of nurse that you would want taking care of someone you love.

What area of the country are you from??

Best of Everything!

Headtrauma1

 

 

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Be the Change You Want to see in the World.

Headtrauma;  Thanks bunches for the info, really appreciate it....looking forward to just getting in there and making a difference. Your right as rain, I fully intend to soak up as much as I can as far as learning goes, and stay level-headed, not too cocky, but comfortably confident. Sure appreciate the heads up in the journal dept, will be sure to use it.  I'm currently living in the middle of Texas, a pretty small, rural community, but looking forward to moving into the Dallas-Ft Worth area within the next few weeks. The opportunities are greater there as well as the income potential. Where do you hale from, and I assume your work in either ICU, or ER with a name like headtrauma....what's up with the name?  Look forward to hearing from you again..

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jonnybogey

Actually, I work in an HIV/AIDS clinic in Pennsylvania. 

Headtrauma1

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Be the Change You Want to see in the World.

Hello headtrama. I have just sit my board exam in February and I pass.  But, because I was trained out of the US i dont know who to contact or what agencies to get intouch with.  My license is for ct.  Any one with information i would be greatful.

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dottyp