Oh, when you reply, you can use my email address:katet.simpson@gmail.comI don't think this visitor message system sends updates when a message comes through, luckily I just happened to have noticed it last night and I'll probably miss others because I'm not on allnurses all the time.Thanks!

Oh, that's cool, I didn't realize we're the same age-you are a couple steps ahead of me though! I'm hoping to start an RN program at the community college here this Fall. I was really back and forth about whether to keep my old job or to get some medical experience as a CNA, and so far it seems that those in the know have all thought it is really valuable to get that experience, so glad to hear you echo that! I grew up in Winchester, VA-a smaller town than Cville about 2 hours north. My husband and I lived in Harrisonburg before we came here-we both did undergrad at JMU. Harrisonburg is another small-ish college town, but very different than Cville. I really don't know too much about the town you are living in now (size, that sort of thing) to compare it to, but like I said, I really like Charlottesville and it seems most everyone I talk to really enjoys it here. The only negative thing I would say about it, is it can be a little uppity-most of that stems from some elitist-type attitude that can come from UVA, but I really don't think it's too bad. It's just big enough here that we have a lot of the stores and that sort of thing that we didn't have in the other places I've lived, but it still has a smaller town feel. I said earlier that there is a hippy type vibe, but I don't know if that's the right word-the towns I live in before we're a little more "country," and Charlottesville tends to have a more ecclectic people and just more culture in general that what I had experienced before. Have you always lived in South Carolina? I can definitely see how you are nervous about moving-it's exciting though at the same time! Are you hoping for the surgical trauma burn icu, or are you open to any dept. at this point? And you're fiance is in med school too?! Wow, we really have a lot in common! So, he is actually interning here now, or he will be in a few months when you all move here? And you've already bought a house as well? You guys are all set! You'll have to let me know where it is. We live on the north end of town, off Route 29. We rent in a townhouse complex, but I really like our place.The only bad thing I've heard about UVA hospital is the parking, but you may be used to that already? Employees have to park in satellite lots and then ride a shuttle in, so you have to allot an extra 15-20 minutes to get in and home. You are allowed to park in the visitor/patient garage on weekends/nights though. One of the guys from my CNA class has been working at UVA for a month or so on the psych ward and he loves it so far. He is also looking at starting the RN program this Fall. I'll definitely let you know how it goes once I start next week-wish me luck, I'm a little nervous as well! Were you a CNA at a hospital or in LTC-any insight you have there would be great!Who is the human resources person you are working with at UVA? I dealt with George Thompson and he was great, but I think he mainly does the CNA's. I also just randomly contacted them last Fall to set up a shadowing opportunity (ironically it ended up being the same dept. I will be working on now) and I believe the woman that set that up for me was a the "new nurse" human resources rep. She was really nice....