Go for my RN or Not?

Going back to nursing school a tough decision to make after being out of school for a while. I returned to school in March of this year and I am currently going for my Associate in Allied Health care. I am doing this program online through South University.So far I am holding an A average. It's different because I was a C average student while I was doing my LPN, I do have a few Bs. I guess I did not take school as serious as I should. Now I feel disappointed at myself if I get a grade less than 100.My counselors always give me that pep talk that I am still maintaining an A.

My academic counselor is encouraging me to return to school for my RN. I have all my prerequisites and he informed me that it would take less than a year to complete this program. I started to look at some schools. I have been asking myself if this is what I want to do after I graduate in March 2016.Another field that sparkled my interest is Medical Sonography. I am interested in the obstetrics area of the sonograms. So at this moment, I am contemplating the pros and cons for both. I do enjoy nursing and I do want to continue in the health field.I have some time left to think but one of the nursing schools is accepting applications in July of the previous year for the following fall.

Working with Hospice Patients

To work with Hospice patients requires a lot of compassion and patience. As a nurse you have to be strong and confident.  You have to somewhat shut off your feelings or you will be crying on all your cases.I usually say to myself I have to be the strong one and remember why I am there. I am not only there as a nurse for the patient,but I am there to provide support to the family too. During this time , you will see different attitudes and moods coming from the family.It is the only way they know how to cope with the situation. Some might be angry, sad and some might even tell you how to do your job. I do not take anything personal. Sometimes you might even be in the middle of a family feud.
Sometimes you have to be strong for the family or teach them how to be strong. I educate them on the dying process and I keep them up to date on the condition of their love one.
My role is to keep the patient comfortable and pain free during their transition.We do not use the term dying out of respect for the family.I provide ADL, Vital signs and monitor the patient very closely by documenting his or her condition including the vital signs every1-2hrs.
Once the patient respiration falls below 12, I notify the RN in charge of my patient. When the patient expires, I do the post mortem care and the RN pronounces the time, the date and notify the physician and the funeral home chosen by the family.The RN completes all the paperwork including the paperwork for the funeral home.
I also do my final notes.
The funeral home comes to pick up the patient and then I can leave and end my shift for the day.
I really enjoy it, I have learned so much and the experience is amazing.My passion is to help the sick and helping patients or clients during their transition.

My toughest case was when I worked in long term care.I  workedwith this patient for a while.During her transition, the family couldn't make it to be there with her on time. They all lived either out of state or an hour or two away.After her postmortem care was completed by the CNAs, I sat with her and held her hand until she took her last breath with a smile.That moment really touched my heart, I shed a few tears.

The Day of the NCLEX

The day you have been waiting for is finally here.You are anxious and ready to get this over with. You wake up extra early to go over your flash cards and your notes.

On the day of my NCLEX, i woke up and had a healthy breakfast. I did not wake up extra early to go over any of my notes.I wanted to have a clear mind not an overloaded mind.That would cause my mind to go blank during testing. I got myself ready for the day and I was on my way to the testing center. I followed this guide that I purchased from Barnes & Noble the author was Lippincott. This guide taught me study techniques and how to prepare myself mentally and physically for my exam. I left home early to arrive at the center 30 minutes before my scheduled time so that I may relax in my vehicle. I left all my belongings in my car which is one of the requirements including my cell. I said a little prayer asking god to bless me so that I only have to take this exam once.I was sitting in a small cubicle with a scratch paper that I had to return once I was done and a pencil.It felt like a movie set with cameras all around and an examiner to monitor.I had up to 3 hours to complete the test. I also could have taken a break or gone to the bathroom but your time is still running. The first couple of questions are practice questions.I did 80 test questions and it kept going that is when I stared getting nervous.My classmates told me that if the questions do not stop after 80 that meant I failed. The questions stopped in the 100s.

It was finally over. There was this website that one of my friends refer me to which I paid to have my results online within two days.While anticipating my results, I had two sleepless nights. On the second day, I pulled it up and there it was the four letter word capitalized saying PASS. Unfortunately, it did not give me a score. The following week, I received my official passing letter from the State Board of Nursing along with my Temporary License. I took a week off after that to get plenty of rest. I did have a job in line with a company that I was already working for as a CNA. Now I have been an LPN for the past 6 years. 

So for those of you out there don't be scared to take the LPN NCLEX. Study and practice and you will be find. Take a deep breath and walk into the testing center with confidence saying to yourself "I got this".

Good Luck!