Help????????

U.S.A. Georgia

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i really want to become a nurse and im just starting to apply to schools to start my pre reqs so i thought that it would be a good idea if i worked in the hospital as a unit secretary to learn how a hospital operates first hand. So i look up jobs and of course you either need experience in a hospital or a certificate. now i have experience with front desk work at a dental office. But my problem is im looking for a school with a certificate program for a unit secretary or health unit coordinator. I found a few in georgia the only problem is i live in east atlanta and the closest one i found is in vidalia. i have found similar programs in atlanta but the cost 13 THOUSAND dollars, and i cant be in debt before i even start nursing school. So my question is does any one know of a certificate program that is closer or can i possibly do it online or do i need to look under another title?

THANKS in advance

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

My suggestion would be to skip the secretary training and learn nursing assistant instead. Many unit secretaries I know were former CNAs but I don't believe I know anyone who came in from the outside and started as a US. I am not in Georgia however, so I really am not familiar with the various schools there about, but 13k seems a LOT of money for that training.

There is an online set of lessons here:

http://deptets.fvtc.edu/nursing/index.htm

and there is a CNA forum here on allnurses.com

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

I have to agree with P_RN above!!!

The best work for a future nurse would be a cna position. You can learn a lot as a unit clerk, but it would delay your education. The time you spent in school to become a unit clerk would better be spent on pre-req's for nursing school. CNA classes are short in length and you can find free training!!!! 13K to become a unit clerk and make $8-10/hr is not a good investment. If you really want to be a nurse, take a cna course, meet with a nursing school advisor, choose your pre-req's, and keep your eye on the goal of becoming a nurse!!!

This is only my opinion, but I feel that it is good advice!!

Sincerely,

Jay

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I had no idea you had to do schooling to be a unit secretary? I'm new to the nursing school thing as well, so I'm looking for advice too. I already have a B.S. in Community Health and a minor in Psych....but work in finance...are there any routes you all would suggest in trying to get hired for nights at a hospital without any experience?

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