[Heidi W]

Hello all,
I just got a job at a local hospital on the Pediatric unit as a PCA. I'll work in the evenings every other weekend. I'm really exicted about it! I'm going to school at the local CC and applying for NS for Fall 08. I already work with elderly pts. as a home health aide, but I have always wanted to work in pediatrics! And I thought that this would help me when I get my LPN. I know it's alot to do, but as a hha I have alot of time that my pts are sleeping or I'm in the laundry room so I get to study alot at work.
Has anyone got any advice/stories that might help me?

[dad2fivegirls]

xxxxx

[PedsRN&momto5girls]

HELLO!!!! Do you know Lorinda? I ask you that so I don't give away where you may be. I think I know who you are because our nurse manager just today in staff meeting described our new PCA exactly the way you just described yourself. Let me know! Thanks!

MelissaGN and mommy to Kaylee-10, Megan-8, Chelsea-6, Hannah-4.5, Sarah Grace 2.5, and 4 Angels In Heaven

[Heidi W]

That's me!!! She said good things I hope?

[PedsRN&momto5girls]

Oh my gosh!!! It's such a small world! I don't get on here very often, but how cool! I was a PCA before I graduated. I'm doing the graduate nurse internship right now. Being a PEDS PCA will be wonderful experience for you and if you end up wanting to stay there when you graduate nursing school your chances are very high of getting the RN job. I won't be on my night shift for a while (until close to the end of my orientation) so I don't know if I'll see you or not, but GOOD LUCK and Welcome!!!!

[Heidi W]

It is a small world! I met another girl on here who's going to school w/ me too! I hope we can run into eachother sometime. That's one thing I miss out on, working in home health, is having co-workers/friends to talk to. So you think it's a good decision to go PCA-LPN-RN?

[PedsRN&momto5girls]

Honestly, no. I think just go for RN right from the get go, especially if you want to work at the hospital where you are starting your new job (trying not to name the name) after you graduate. I know they are getting away from hiring LPN's. Not that I agree with this decision, but I think it's pretty much what's going on. Hope this helps.

[Heidi W]

I've heard that, but the CC just started their ASN program and they said I have to get my LPN before I do the RN program, but I'm hoping I can just keep going and get my RN pretty fast.

[PedsRN&momto5girls]

How about going to one of the 'other' private nursing programs (affiliated with the hospitals)? Especially since you are now working at one of them you can probably get the auxiliary scholarship. They also do tuition reimbursement. Just a suggestion. I just know that with the CC you will have one extra semester (through the summer) that you wouldn't have to do if you went with one of the private nursing programs.

[Heidi W]

Really? I thought about doing the hospital's nursing program, but I just don't know if I can afford it! What is an auxillary scholarship? And how much would I have to work to get the tuition reimbursement?