[coffeejavule]

Oh my god! I just noticed there is an Iowa Forum! There's not forums for the state of "Iowa" ANYWHERE! Ha! Sorry, I'm very shocked!!

I'm here in Des Moines and I'm actually getting ready to start classes for my CNA and then I'm gonna be applying for a job. Any tips guys? Like, my resume` doesn't have jack on it for medical criteria. =/ Bleh, it's all pretty much customer service, accounting, office and call center stuff. *sigh*

Also .. is it a good idea to go to DMACC here in Des Moines or should I look somewhere else? I'm planning on attending DMACC for my CNA classes. But what about when I get ready to start for my A.S. and my RN? I know DMACC has a two year waiting list for their Nursing Program. But I'm thinking if I get my A.S. there than I'm in good shape because right around the time I get that, I'll be able to slide right into the Nursing Program.

Thoughts, guys? ..

[Tanzanite]

[quote]Originally posted by coffeejavule
[b]Oh my god! I just noticed there is an Iowa Forum! There's not forums for the state of "Iowa" ANYWHERE! Ha! Sorry, I'm very shocked!! [b]

Hi, Coffeejavule! "Is this heaven? No it's Iowa!" He He.
If you've got young kids, www.babycenter.com has a very active Iowa site. Hopefully we can get this site active, as well. I love Allnurses .com .

As for applying for a C.N.A position, as long as you've got your certificate you'll be fine. Usually many people start their medical proffesion as a C.N..A , so employer's won't be concerned that you've worked in other fields.

As for the D.M.A.C, I have no advice, so i'll let the other's answer your questions.

Congrats for finding this board!

[debblynn13]

hi coffeejavle,

Glad to see another Iowan. Go for the CNA....infact get the 120 hour aide class. Then go to Methodist in DM and try to get on there. That is where DMACC goes for clinicals.

I am in the first year at DMACC now. I have looked at the pass rates for the Nclex and DMACC does as well as anyone in this area.

After you get your CNA, then start taking the prereqs and all support classes. By the time you get them all done the two years will fly by and you will be ready to go. It is MUCH easier dealing with just the nursing classes and not have to worry about those support courses.

I have heard about the AS to BSN program they have at Iowa in Iowa city. It is suppose to only take one day a week for a year to get through it. But they don't tell you there are a few prereqs for that one too. So if perchance you get all your support classes done for the DMACC nursing programs and you still aren't in the actual program, you might want to find out what other classes Iowa (or your choice of colleges) will want for support classes and take them at DMACC too. I think Iowa requires chemistry and foreign language which DMACC doesn't require. I would DEFINATELY take the chem at DMACC unless you are very competent in it. I hear it is VERY difficult at Iowa.

Ok so I've been ignoring my studies and must get back. I have a test in Assessment and in Foundations on friday. Oh another class you might consider is Medical terminology. I have a quiz on med terms in my SKills class on thursday.

later
Debblynn

[francine79]

I go to Mercy, which seems to be a good school. However, if it weren't for the two year waiting list at DMACC, I'd be there. Here's pretty much what I tell everyone. There's always something bad about every school. However, you get out of your education what you want regardless of where you go. I took 2 years of classes at DMACC (changed my major) and I liked it there. In fact, I really miss it. It's a big school, lots of resources, lots of student activities. I go to Mercy, there are no school activities and their library is pretty much the size of one classroom at DMACC. In fact, I often use my library card from DMACC for research purposes for my classes at Mercy.
However, you need to pick the school that bests fits your lifestyle. I chose Mercy because there is no waiting list and I can be out in the workforce when I would just be beginning my program at DMACC. ( I had all my prereq's done so I still would have had to wait 2 yrs.) Even though it costs more at Mercy, I'm better off because I will be making more than what I will owe in the 2 years I would have been waiting to go to DMACC. So for me, it didn't fit.
By all means, if DMACC fits your lifestyle, don't waste your money going anywhere else.

[debblynn13]

hi Francine,

Mercy is a good school too. I have a friend who graduated from there last year. The one thing she mentioned that made it easier for her in the transfer from nurses aide to nurse was the fact she already worked as an aide at Mercy before she got into the nursing program. I think that experience in the hospital that you will be training in is invaluable. I am not working in the field at this moment tho I did do nurse aide work many many years ago and I am currently an EMT-B on our local fire rescue. Even that exposure has given me a step up from the people coming in cold. So I would suggest anyone thinking about starting the nursing program to get right in the middle of the field and experience it.

So when will you graduate, francine? I'll be an LPN in the spring but plan on staying on to get my RN the next year.

Well back to studying......later
debblynn

[francine79]

I won't graduate until May of 2005. Mercy doesn't offer an LPN, which I think kinda sucks because I'd like to be able to get out and use the information I already have, plus I wouldn't be thrown right in. I could ease my way in.
But I guess community colleges are the only schools that offer an LPN.

[CCU NRS]

I am not from Iowa so I am not sure what some of those things are, but I digress what I would liek to ask If you would like to indulge my curiosity is a two part question.


Here goes 1. Do you now or have you ever worked in the medicla field prior to this or do you have family working in the medical field?

2. What prompted you towards nursing?

[LisaRN2B]

Originally posted by CCU NRS
I am not from Iowa so I am not sure what some of those things are, but I digress what I would liek to ask If you would like to indulge my curiosity is a two part question.


Here goes 1. Do you now or have you ever worked in the medicla field prior to this or do you have family working in the medical field?

2. What prompted you towards nursing?

He can't answer you, he's banned from the BB.