Am I setting myself up for failure

[Reallyconfused0160]

Hi everyone.

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this. I'm not a nurse, but want to become one. I am from Worcester, Massachusetts and will be attending Quinsigamond Community College for an ADN. I've already have an Associate's degree from QCC in Liberal Arts, as well as two Bachelors, Urban Studies and Business Admin.

I've looked into the Accerlated BSN programs, but financially it's not for me, and probably wouldn't get accepted! I do have 3.0 and above in all my degrees.

I like the Quinsigamond Community College's set up as where it's not a competetive program. I went to the health session and they explained how the competetive programs can really be a downfall, because you'd be obviously competing with each other for the highest GPA's and for instance- if one year you applied, if your GPA was 3.8 and there was a spot for another person, and their GPA was a 3.9, you'd get knocked down and it could keep happening. So at least QCC has a fair program even though the wait list is until 2012.

Some questions I have:

I took A and P 1 (5) years ago, they accepted it and I'm allowed to go into A and P 2, but I am very fuzzy on my A and P 1 material, forgot a lot of it so I'm wondering if I chance it and take A and P 2 or retake A and P 1.

If I don't retake A and P 1 and go into #2- will I do terrible in Microbiology- even if I re-studied the material for A and P 1? I am only taking two classes, A and P 2 and Intermediate Algebra, because my math classes expired (over five years).

Chemistry: I haven't taken any Chemistry since high school, I'm 33.

Just wondering if I'm setting myself up for failure for Medical Micro, A and P 2, and the TEAS? Or do I just go in it, hit the books, study up on the A and P 1 material, then take the TEAS in December? I can't be officially waitlisted until I pass the TEAS.

I have all my other pre-reqs done, mostly, but just wondering if I should retake AP 1. Will AP 1 help me more in passing the TEAS than AP2? Is Chemistry suggested to pass the TEAS. The only downfall with that is that I put myself later in the waitlist!

I am thinking about taking a class that's held three times to study for the TEAS.

I was also very surprised to see how new grads don't get jobs so fast. I have always wanted to be a nurse, but things such as bodily fluids, death, sick have always kept me back. I think a lot has to do with maturity, and now I'm ready.

I have a hard time with seeing people pass away- is it something that you get used to? My aunt is dying of cancer and it's so hard emotionally and I wonder how I'd do. I am a male, but taking care of people is something I desire. I want to eventually go into the field of addiction in nursing. I am facing a prescirption addiction right now, but finally getting help. I know what it's like to be a patient, as I'm sure know many of us do and want to give back. For some reason , I don't see myself doing any other thing than nursing.

Now, I am a little squemish when it comes to bodily fluids, sticking needles in people, cathedars, poop, pee, cleaning vomit but I beileve that my fears can be overcome. Once you get used to it...then it's just another day right?

I'm wondering if I should do the LPN program, then the LPN bridge. I just kick myself in the behind for not putting myself on the waitlist years ago, I would have gotten in sooner, not have had to do the TEAS, but I can only look forward. And why are nurses so mean to each other?

Is anyone else here from MASS? My mom is about to retire from nursing as she's in her mid 50's and has worked in the State Hospital for 25+ years. I sure know she is ready for retirement but waiting a bit longer for a bigger pension. The state hospital doesn't do 401 K.

She has only her ADN but makes a pretty good amount of money, around $50 an hour, but I think when she became a nurse, it was a little different. I've often heard her say that 50.00 an hour for what she does sometimes doesn't matter because of the job and I guess after more than 25 yrs in nursing you get burnt out.

Any advice would really be appreciated. I could get into Becker College's nursing program but will not pay that amount of money for the same education I could get at a Community College and I only have 23 thousand dollars left in undergrad financial aid (loans only now because of my bachelors). One year there would consume all of that VS the QCC's program which is only 18,000. Then I'd eventually move on to my BSN. Gosh I'll be the BIG 40 before all is said and done.

I've often thought of taking the phemlomoist (sorry don't know how to spell it) (Blood taking) program in the meantime so I'll better understand how to take blood. Has anyone gone this route?

[GrayMatter]

I think some of this will depend on several things- how well you did in AP1, your overall science knowledge, your desire to overcome your addiction, and your commitment to studying.

Some of it depends on how difficult and in depth the courses are at your school. I once took a sophomore level human physiology that was as hard as a gradute level biochem course I took LOL...but also took an AP2 course (technically the equivilent of the physiology) that seemed extremely easy. So there's just a lot of variation- how good are you generally at science? I don't know anything about the TEAS, how in depth is the science on the test?

As far as seeing people pass away, I think it's hard for anyone. I am not a nurse, but hoping I will be able to deal with it. I took care of my mom at home during her last few weeks of life and she passed away in my arms. It was the hardest thing I've ever experienced, but I felt blessed as well....to be able to hold and give comfort and express my love and gratitude to the beautiful woman who gave me life as she took her last breaths.....inexplainable. Death is part of the cycle, I'm not sure how I"ll deal with it either, but life is messy and sometimes death is too. I figure it's something I'll need to learn how to cope with.

Best of luck to you!!

[MotivatedOne]

Wow...$18,000 for your ADN from a community college...that's ridiculous!!! I'm hoping it doesn't cost me more than $6000 including the cost of books and uniforms for my ADN program.

Like GrayMatter said, it really depends on how confident you are with the knowledge you retained from A&P 1.You could probably check out an A&P book from the library and brush up on a few things before taking A&P 2. Or use your new book as a reference.

I took A&P 1 and Micro together in the same semester and ended up getting a C in A&P and a B in Micro. Taking Chemistry helped me with Micro more so than A&P did. I didn't remember a thing from A&P 1 when I took A&P 2 over the summer but I ended up with a C in that part as well.

If you feel a little weak in chemistry since you haven't taken it since high school, maybe you should start by taking an intro to chemistry class.

I would recommend becoming a CNA rather than a Phlebotomist. You'd get to see more and experience more if you were to land a job as a CNA.

Good luck!!!

[Reallyconfused0160]

Thanks for the replies. Well, yes, I am working on my addiction and finally getting help. It takes a lot to talk to your doctor about it. The drug that helped me the most seemed to have turn on me. It's oxycodone. After I get off this stuff, I want nothing to do with it. My doctor has put me on a taper down schedule, and I'm going to be referred to someone who can prescribe Suboxone. I was always the type of person who said addiction couldn't happen to me, but believe me, it can happen to anyone no matter what your status is.

Just admitting the truth to your doctor that you have a problem is one of the biggest steps I've taken. I do get pain here and there, but sometimes I think its the percocet that's causing my body to be in pain by craving it. I was in severe pain, so it did do its job and greatful that I was prescribed it, but it's one of those things that makes you feel happy when you're down, but I don't want it anymore after seeing what it can do. I'd rather just stick to Motrin or a non narcotic, as I'm on Tegratol for a nerve problem.

Anyways....I am not too sure about the A and P course. I got a C+ in #1 but barely, but most of it was memorization, that I think will come back to me.

$6000. is surely cheap for an entire RN program, are you being re-imbursed? Maybe you can do it that way? I have most of my electives out of the way, but the clinicals at the community college can cost anywhere from $700. to a thousand. Each credit is $140 or so at my college.

I heard the TEAS covers just about everything and really in depth with Science. I will review my Science and I'm retaking a math course, and I'll take the TEAS study course. I dont think all schools have it, as the school I just started at implented it in 2007. People who applied to nursing before then, were not required to take it. I'm thinking of taking a Chemistry class, because I really do need some refressers on that.

2012 seems so long away to even begin a nursing program. I don't know what I want to do, teach in schools or nursing. I've worked with kids before, and always had this inclin that I wanted to be a teacher, but a nurse at the same time! Don't know why my mind is wandering at 33 years old...and I still don't know what I want to do when I "grow up"!

[MotivatedOne]

Each credit hour is $50 at my school. I'm hoping to use the tuition reimbursement that my current employer provides. It will cover half of the cost of tuition and give me a textbook allowance...however much that is. Every little bit helps!!!

[GrayMatter]

If you want to work with kids and also be a nurse, perhaps being a school nurse would be an option? Or maybe teaching health education or something? I am a science teacher and hope to start nursing school in sp 2010. I used to love being a teacher, but now instead of just teaching science in a relevant and hands on way, I find myself teaching to a state mandated multiple choice test with bureaucrats breathing down my neck....I am 36 so I totally understand being 30 something trying to figure out what you want to be. Don't worry it will come to you.

[Reallyconfused0160]

WOW $50.00 per credit. Gosh it seems like you hit the lottery. I want to move there and go to that school.

When I went to the state college, (Worcester State College), some of their fees were just highway robbery. (not including books, that's crazy too)

$120.00 Parking Fee per year

Undergraduate Courses = $130 per credit

Administrative Fee

Undergraduate = $85.00 per credit

Technology Fee = $10.00 per credit

Capital Improvement Fee $125/semester

Student Teaching = $75.00 per course

Lab Fee = $60.00 per course

Art Model Fee = $25.00 per course

(I'm not sure what additional fees they added on for the nursing program, if any) But what irritated me about the way that WSC billed was that they had "state supported classes VS non state supported classes". So it was more expensive to take a non state supported class. (Online courses and most night courses were non state supported and they tacked on so many fees)

What I didn't get was, if you registered for, I believe 5 or more DAY supported classes, the 5th class...6th class...etc were free. You could take the same exact courses, just say you wanted to take 6 courses, but you couldn't go during the day, and took 3 of them during the day, 2 online, and one at night, you'd be paying crazy fees, at least $2500.- more because they weren't all state supported, and you wouldn't get the 5th and 6th class for free.

At the community college the costs are

Tuiton and Fees for Massachusetts residents are $132 per credit of which $24 is for tuition and $108 is for the educational service fee. For all other students the cost is $338 per credit of which $230 is for tuition and $108 is for fees.

Plus the lab fees of 45, parking 20, student ID etc. So it's a bit cheaper than the state college. They don't do the crazy state/non state supported system, so I am taking online courses because they won't cost so much.

I believe, but I'm not sure, that for high demand courses, they add $700.00 per semester once you enter the actual nursing program. I can't complain because the cost for the private school is about $30 grand (I believe per year). The school right down the road has no wait list for nursing, but their NLEX or NPLEX scores are about 30 percent lower than the community college (that's strange).

It's tempting to be able to go to a school with no wait list,and it's very competetive, but I'm sure that I'd get in because they have seats available, but the $!

[MotivatedOne]

I'm not sure why it costs you $700 for your clinicals. I mean, what exactly are you paying for? Do the sites charge you to use them?

I'm taking 13 semester hours this Fall and my total cost for the semester is $764 including all fees. I will be taking one clinical course...Nursing 1.

I took the TEAS test twice. The first time my composite score was a 76 (the minimum at one school was a 75) the second time my composite score was a 78. The school that I was applying to with the 78 requires you to score within the 40th percentile on each portion of the test. I think I scored a 28 in science so therefore I wasn't even considered for admission to that program. The other school, where I scored the 76 put me on the alternate list. I was #10 out of I don't know how many. But to make a long story short I was later accepted into the program. I'll start August 17th and it can NOT get here soon enough!!!

I'm glad you're getting help with your addiction. We've lost 2 nurses on my unit due to a narc addiction.

Don't feel bad about still trying to figure out what it is you want to do. Although I'm 26 and I've already decided nursing was for me, I still go back and forth wondering if I'm making the right decision. When I was younger I told myself that I was either going to be a pediatrician or an elementary school teacher but I never asked myself why??? Why would I want to work with children? I finally figured it out...because I'm a big kid! I still don't know what I'd like to specialize in though. I thought peds but I want to be where the excitement is...in my opinion the ER or OR but I'm also being drawn to L&D or Midwifery or maybe even someday become a CRNA...Wow, I guess I still dont' know...only time will tell.

Just take it day by day, look forward to the future and try not to focus so much on the past...seeing as how it's something you can't change.

Take care and if you need a friend along the way feel free to send me a pm with your messenger screen names!

Tiff