Hello ALL!
My name is Michael (aka. DountainMew or just Mew). I am 23 years old and I wanted to take just a quick few minutes to introduce myself to you all here at allnurses.com!
I am 23 years old and a brand new student looking to become a Registered Nurse. I have been working solidly (is that even a word, gosh) since I was 17. I never knew what I wanted to do, ever. I have worked sooo many jobs it's almost (or at least I think it should be) embarrasing! I guess you would call that "job-hopping." Anyway, if there was a profession called, "Job Hopper" I fear I would have earned awards upon awards.
That, probably ISN'T very funny. That's okay though, heh.
I am married and I have a stepson with my wonderful wife - however I do not look at him as a 'step'son. He is mine as far as I am concerned and he knows no differently so far, heh. He is my little GUY and he is three years old.
After many, many months of researching, asking questions, meeting different people, talking with friends and friends of friends I have decided that I know what I want to do for my life long career! (This, is good and VERY exciting news, for me at least, ha!)
My reasons behind choosing Nursing then, you wonder? OKAY OKAY, I'll tell you!
I have looked into so many different career paths, colleges, gone to libraries, searched online - you name, I think I probably have tried almost all of the ways possible in finding information about careers. I have found that the Medical/Healthcare profession is one that hasn't and I don't believe will ever fade away like a fashion or become obsolete. Unfortunately, people always get sick and bad things happen to all people. As morbid as this sounds, that is good for those in the Medical field, right? (Gosh, that sounds horrible!) So having said that, it's a solid profession. It's not going anywhere. My family and I won't even have to worry about where the next paycheck is coming from and for that matter worry about living PAYCHECK to PAYCHECK (which really, really .. sucks, sorry).
Secondly, I LOVE .. LOVE people! (Can you tell, or no?)
I love talking to people, meeting people, getting to know people. I love HELPING people. I thinks it's such an awesome feeling and state of mind to know you are or have helped someone. To run into someone somewhere and recognize them and think to myself, "Oh hey! I helped that person out with "this" once!" Okay, so maybe into the medical field you see so many people it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to recognize everyone or even a portion. But, nonetheless, to know that what I will being doing day in and day out is HELPING people .. wow, that's awesome!
So, here I am. I definitely have hurdles (spelling, again) to jump and a ways, a WAAAYS to go. But I believe once you get your mind set on something (especially someone like myself) that THAT is all you need. Self-motivation and determination.
Here is where I'm at right now. I'm attending a Community College (a rather large one, actually) here in Iowa. I am having to play the catch up game and taking certain courses that I have to take to refresh my memory of things I learned in High School. The LPN/RN Nursing program at my institution has a waiting list almost a year and a half long (eww). So, I'm working on my Liberal Arts right now. I'm taking classes to earn my Associate of Science degree and then whenever that window comes open for the Nursing Program I want to jump into that. I've chosen this community college because it's right here where I live and it's very, very cost efficient compared to the Universities and Private schools/organizations around my location as well. I don't think it's the most TIME efficient means but for myself (being that I have a family), I believe setting my priorities is the most important. I'm not completely wasting time because I'm educating myself while waiting for the openings to come up at my college.
Here's my long term goal: Keep studying with my college for my AS degree and when the opening does arrive I'll take it and work towards my ASN (well, they call it an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing - ASDN - same thing though). Since it IS a Community COllege and they only provide two year programs I want to transfer to Univerity of Iowa (U of I) once I'm finished with my ASN to go and study/complete my BSN. That's the long term.
NOW for the VERY FIRST QUESTION!!! YAY!
Here is something I've asked many people for as far as advice (and where this site was also referred to me from): Is what I'm doing 'advised?' I am taking the 150 hour CNA class as an elective right now. Once I have the certification I would like to apply to hospital/clinic/what have you and begin working as a CNA while I work towards my ASN. Once I have my ASN I'd like to try to get a promotion or look for another position elsewhere as an RN (because my ASN will give me the RN cert, right?). And then work as an RN while working towards my BSN degree. Does all that make sense? Is that a good idea or is it discouraged? My PERSONAL (though ignorant of the matters and also uneducated) opinion is that I feel the EXPERIENCE would be invaluable for later use down the road. I feel I would be able to learn what a good CNA does and how the position operates and then a couple/three years down the road move up to a position of RN. This would allow me to gain experience as an RN for when I get my actual BSN.
Welp, I am DONE. I promise. I apoligize for the book. Ack! But this is my prologue - I mean introduction - to ME! I want to thank EVERYONE here for the advice that will be given now and in the near and far future! I know it will be INVALUABLE to me down the road and aid me in the success I am desire! Thank you so much guys! And thanks for the warm welcome (I read it earlier on another post, I cheated, *sigh*).
Sincerely,
*Michael. (aka. DountainMew or just "Mew")
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