Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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The FTCC LPN to RN Program by CAROLYN STOVALL Some call it a Bridge Program; others call it an Advanced Placement Option. Whatever the name, here's a great opportunity for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to continue their nursing educa- tion to become Registered Nurses with an associ- ate's degree. Why would LPNs want to continue their nursing education? There are a number of reasons. With many changes in the health care industry, today's nurses are caring for patients in a more complex, technologically advanced medi- cal environment. The job market for LPNs and the opportunity for advancement are limited. Nursing homes, doctor's offices, clinics and limited hospital opportunities are available for the LPN entering the nursing profession today. An LPN can advance to the next level of nursing professionalism by be- coming a registered nurse. FTCC has had an advanced placement option for many years. However, the program has been revamped with the implementation of the new curriculum implemented by all North Carolina community colleges. FTCC implemented its new curriculum in the fall of 2010. The revamped Advanced Placement Option will be offered for the first time in the summer semester of 2012. The program will continue to be three semesters in length. Students entering the new program, however, will be a separate cohort from the students already in the program. They will enroll in three nursing courses: Nursing 214 Transition Concepts, Nursing 221 LPN to ADN Concepts I and Nursing 223 LPN to ADN Concepts II. The unique feature of the new program is that it is mostly online with evening clinical options. The online offering will make the program more conveniently accessible for the LPN who With many changes in the health care industry, today's nurses are car- ing for patients in a more complex, technologically advanced medical environment. works while enrolled in the program. Applicants wanting to apply to the program must have at least 3,600 hours of work experience as an LPN. Applicants must also have completed all the prerequisites for the nursing program including chemistry, biology and Algebra I and take the TEAS test V. The applicant must also meet all college admission requirements. Applicants should apply by the Jan. 30 deadline for all health programs and must have completed all co-requisites up to the point of entry into the nursing program. This would include ACA, English 111, Psychology 150 and 241, and Biology 168 and 169. The student may be enrolled in the computer course required for the program during the summer starting the program. It is anticipated that there will be many applicants seeking admission during the first ad- mission cycle, so applicants will do well to position themselves competitively prior to the admissions process by completing all co-requisites. Applicants will be ranked according to grade point average and number of courses completed. The Biology 168 and 169 courses must be completed within the past five years and the computer class must be completed within the past seven years. Seating for the first class is limited to 20 students. The nursing faculty members at FTCC are excited about the opportunity to make this goal more achievable for LPNs who are in- terested in advancing their careers in nursing to the next level. Let us help you make that impor- tant career advancement! Find out more at www.faytechcc.edu. SENIOR CORNER Nutritional Risks: The Warning Signs by MARTHA OWEN & SUSAN GUY Two of five seniors who live alone (44 percent) have at least four warning signs of poor nutritional health such as eating alone, taking multiple medications and illness, according to research conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network. The following, from the Home Instead Senor Care network and Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), are warning indicators that a senior could be in trouble. • The loneliness. More than three-fourths (76 per- cent) of seniors who live alone eat alone most of the time, according to Home Instead Senior Care network research. Suggestion: Try to make sure your older loved one has companionship at home or in a congre- gate meal site. Two of five seniors who live alone (44 percent) have at least four warning signs of poor nutritional health. • The multiple meds. Nearly three-fourths (71 percent) of seniors take three or more different medications a day, according to research. Suggestion: Talk to your senior's health care team about how medications might be impacting your older adult's appetite and discuss with them what to do about it. • The lack of healthy staples. For a number of reasons, important staples for a good diet are not always found in a senior's kitchen. Suggestion: Talk with your older loved one about their favorite recipes — or yours — that incorporate healthy products. • The illness. Many older adults are struggling with health conditions that impact eating. Suggestion: Discovering favorite recipes from the recipe box and making mealtime a social event may help. • The physical problems. A fourth of seniors who live alone (25 percent) can't always get to the grocery store any more, nor can they shop or cook for themselves. Suggestion: Tap into neighbors and compassionate friends. Call your local Area Agency on Aging Office or Home Instead Senior Care. 14 UCW AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 • That smelly fridge. Check out expiration dates of food in the refrigerator when you're visiting a loved one. Have you noticed an increase in spoiled food? Suggestion: Package food in small portions and label in big letters with the date. • The suspicious grocery list. If you go to the store for Mom, and the list is mostly sweets, then she may be headed in the wrong direction with her diet. Suggestion: Help her put together a grocery list, reminding her of all the wonderful foods she used to cook for you. • Those important details. When you're visiting a senior, check out things like skin tone — it should be healthy looking and well-hydrated — as well as any weight fluctuations. Suggestion: A visit to the doctor can help ensure your senior is healthy. • The empty cupboard. An emergency could trap a loved one home for days. Suggestion: Prepare by stocking back-up food, water and high-nutrition products such as Ensure® in case a trip to the store isn't possible. • The support. Isolation is one of the biggest threats to an older adult. Suggestion: Encourage your loved one to invite friends to dinner. If you can't be there, develop a schedule of friends and neighbors who can stop by for lunch or dinner. Or call your local Home Instead Senior Care office for assistance. For more information about the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, go to www.n4a.org. Learn about the Home Instead Senior Care network's Craving Companionship program at www.mealsandcompanionship.com or contact your local office at (910) 484-7200 or visit their website at: www. homeinstead. com/647. MARTHA OWEN & SUSAN GUY, Owners of Home Instead Senior Care, Contributing Writers. COM- MENTS? editor@upandcomingweekly.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM CAROLYN STOVALL, Nursing Depart- ment Chair/ FTCC COMMENTS? edi- tor@upandcomingweekly.com