LPN to RN

I'm 57 years-old and getting ready to go back to college!

Yesterday was one of my biggest days getting 'ready' for the RN program that starts October 6, 2008 and finishes December 20, 2009. At 2 p.m. yesterday I had a meeting with my advisor, Candice T. She was expecting receipts showing I'd had a drug test (urine) and background check (fingerprinting). The paperwork for financial aid was done using our 1040 from last year and a letter of support was promised from Teresa L. (Thank-you soooo much.)

They got copies of my drivers license, medical insurance, social security card, current CPR card and current TB test (2-step). Actually, there was a whole page of single spaced "lists" of information they needed. GED results (from 1969!), practical nursing transcripts from my school that is now closed! and (oh yeah), my current LPN license!

Tomorrow is the doctor's appointment to get blood drawn for 'titers' to see what immunizations I need (even if I think the shots are harmful to my body) and a completed "physical" that says I can lift 40 pounds and work long hours on my feet. I've decided to quit fighting against the immunizations because if I choose to do nursing, it's part of the package!

Early yesterday morning I mapped out my route for the day starting with the drug testing station close to home and then going downtown to the (massive!) Columbus Police Station for the FBI and background check. Then back to the library to make hideous amounts of copies and a swing back home to freshen up before my 2 p.m. appointment with Candice whose birthday is today!

I took her a small gift basket that delighted her no end! Mostly, I think, because she didn't expect me to remember it was her birthday.

At the front desk, the receptionist (who has assisted me several times) asked if I had been there before. "Enough to know that tomorrow is Candice's birthday" I said as I was ushered right in.

After that it was the dreaded financial aid's office. She also asked me my name even though I sat in front of her last week. (But that's okay. I can't remember names or faces very well.) After handing her the worksheets Jim had filled out for me, she entered some numbers into her computer so fast that her fingers seemed to fly over the keys. She quickly showed me the results. (That I'm very happy with.)

I can get $19,000 in Stafford Loans and must pay $5,000 during the 14 months I'm in school that comes to about $350/mo. (No interest). Of course, I'm indebted to "Uncle Sam" that $19,000 after I finish. (Total cost of the course including textbooks and uniforms is just about $24,000.)

I'm searching the Internet and anyplace I can to find additional scholarships for nurses. I know there must be a LOT out there.

Also, I'm looking for volunteers (your assignment) to ask around and/or search for scholarships that might apply to me. If you'd send me the link(s) or information, I'll check them out and/or apply for them.

Jim is better. (Big Smile). He's been back to work the last two days (not smiling as much as I am). When he's home, he has to rest a lot but we're thankful that he can at least walk about and go 'back' to work.

I'm picking up some extra nursing hours (that doesn't seem much like work) while I can. The nurse who usually works on my days off is going to be gone for a couple weeks so I offered to pick up most of the hours and my company said "sure".


Wish we could all gather around a big ole campfire tonight. Tell stories (for those who are storytellers) play music and sit quietly in the night. Well, we can dream of it and be encouraged.






Take Care on the Journey,


~Linda





Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com

One Giant Step for Linda Meikle

Dear Family and Cyber Friends,

Today was the day for the entrance exams at Behecker College! For me to be considered for acceptance, I had to make 850 (not sure where that number came from), so I've been studying and worrying and studying some more - especially the math and basic algebra!

Jim's been helping me even though he's sick in bed, and my friend, Buffy spent some time reviewing with me. She can instantly see right through any algebra problem. But, I still felt very shaky about the math and really hoped my angels would amplify the encouragement and helpfulness from others!

So today at 1:30 p.m. I sat down for the 4-hour test - and finished at 3:30 with a score of 1,032.

The preceptor of the test looked at my score on the computer and did a double-take. Then she said "OMG" as she patted me on the back. "I think that's the best score we've ever had" she quietly squealed.

Funny, on the computer screen as you answer the last question and click for your final score (at least 850), it says "please remember to be quiet". (Others are still taking the test). I reminded the preceptor that we were suppose to be quiet, but we were both excited and it was hard to keep quiet.!

Later, my advisor said, "See I told you that you're smart." I pointed to the little golden angel pinned on my blouse and said, "She helped".

Actually, there's a story about that little angel too! Before leaving for the test, I was looking for a pencil sharpener and remembered that Sandy had sent me one for a Christmas present a couple years ago that I'd never opened but had sitting next to the computer. I opened the package - and it wasn't a pencil sharpener at all!!!!! She had wrapped two very tiny packages and put them into a cutest little container that had a picture of a dog (like Sheba) on it. Inside the miniature container was the tiny little angel and a set of angel earrings. I don't know how long that "pencil sharpener" box has been sitting there, but I suspect I've been carrying it around for several years!

Well, my smallest "Go-for-it" (the name of all my angels) arrived at just the right time and place!

By the way, for tests these days one does not need pen, pencil, calculator or scratch paper! The questions and answers are done with a computer and the calculator is on the computer screen. They give you scratch paper and well-sharpened pencils which are returned at the end of the test.

My next appt. is Tuesday July 15 when I turn in my paperwork for financial aid and a million other forms of paperwork that is required in today's technology society. (Immunization records ((from how many years ago?)), health records, drug screening, background check, physical from the doctor, letter of recommendation from a RN, tax papers, and more!)

Jim is still having very bad back problems and has been off work (and mostly in bed) all week. He's afraid he's never going to recover, but I assure him that back spasms do eventually resolve themselves. He's been to the emergency walk-in clinic, our medical doctor and to the local chiropractor several times this week.

Chiropractic care is something that he's never been exposed to, so they've spent a lot of time with him explaining everything they do and believe in and are giving him several types of treatments and adjustments. We love the new chiropractors in town Drs. Heather and Greg Prenger.

It's been stressful, but we are survivors!

Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com

Linda Meikle, RN (Again)

Like a bride-to-be writing her soon-to-be married name, I'm practicing a new name!

If I told you that I'm planning to start the RN program on October 6, 2008, would you say, "Oh yeah, you've said that before!"

If I told you that there are no prerequisites such as Algebra or Chemistry, would you think maybe I had a chance?

If I told you that even though I told everyone that at my age, it's crazy to change from LPN to RN because I'll make less money as a entry-level RN than what I'm making now, would you still think it's worth the time and trouble?

If I told you that when my good friend, Neil, asked me if I was sure I really wanted to do this at....(he stopped from saying "at your age"), would you agree? (I reminded him that one is never to 'old' to move forward in life.) I'll be 60 when I'm finished and maybe 61 by the time I take state boards!

A couple things happened lately that started me on this path again. First of all, my hubby believes in me and won't let the dream die! Then, I started getting this RN magizine that I did NOT order and it had so many articles about being a travel nurse. (They pay housing and everything!). And, about this time, Jim started riding the bus to work and noticed a new school, Bohecker College very near our home. He suggested I check it out!

I discovered they don't require any courses to start. And, they don't include all those subjects that have been so difficult for me in the past. So, I made an appointment and got an advisor who is thrilled that I have the courage to take this step right in the middle of my life! She's also very positive and helpful.

Jim says he will support me 1,000% because he knows that deep in my heart, getting my RN was a goal I always wanted, even if I SAID I decided not to.

He sent me an email with a picture of a ladder going up into the sky and said, "I will hold the ladder for you!"

Please remember me on Thursday, July 10 from 2-6 p.m. as I take the entrance exam. I've purchased the review books and am feeling pretty good about how I'm doing on the review questions. But, my educational background did not provide me with many basics one needs to build on for continuing education - especially in math and science.

When I'm done, I'm going to write a small booklet with examples of math problems and how I learned to remember the rules and sell it on eBay!

I have to tell you this funny illustration that Jim and I came up with for remembering the graph points. If you don't know what a Cartesian Graph is, here's a link.

So, here's how I will remember the graph if asked to plot (-2, +4). Where we live in our apartment complex, we have to pick up the dog poo from the yard. Sometimes, I take the dogs out and Jim goes back out to pick up the dirty work. Using the graph and the post on our side patio as "0", I can tell him exactly where he needs to walk to find the little pick-up spot. Straight out from the post and to the left would be something like (-2, +4). If you don't know what the graph is, just have faith, it works for us!

For measurements like the radius of a circle, we use a pancake as an example. First of all, I have to memorize the definitions such as what circumference and surface area means in the first place. Then I can figure out how to solve the problem by using common items like traffic signs, car windows and even food items.

Then there are those questions like if I have an order to give 0.1 mg of epinephrine and it come in a vial labeled 1:10,000, how much do I give? (I know that one from experience.)

So hip-hip hurray for me and follow my progress in this adventure from now until December 20, 2009 when my class graduates!

Did you know I may have become a registered nurse when I was 19-years old but grandma was so sure that Jesus would come before I finished school, that we decided on less education at the time!

What a journey it's been, but not that one yet!

Take Care on Your Journey,
~Linda

Home: http://dustyangels.blogspot.com