I am trying to figure out or convince myself if you will, that I could handle it as a nurse.
I was never very studious, but I feel now that I am a bit older and wouldn't be living in dorms or surrounded by friends that I'd be more focused.
I was never truly great at science or math in school. I usually don't like gross things, but as I have gotten older, I can handle more and don't get grossed out as easy. (like when having to pick up dog poop from an 'accident' or vomit, i'd gag).
I am not confident in myself to remember all of the patient care rules or procedures. For some reason, I just doubt myself because I don't feel like I would ever know what I was doing.
I have thought about being a CNA before to maybe learn a little bit about it, but I'd probly make less than I do now which what I make is pretty pathetic. But I guess if it truly would help then I should look into it.
I am worried about the cost of returning to school, I already have $25k in student loans and live about 2 hrs from the nearest accredited nursing program, and I would need to work through school because if not, I cannot pay the bills. At least my boyfriend would be able to help out as he did when I was recently laid off. (I have a new job now, though..:>)
Did anyone out there have any of the same or related concerns and perhaps able to shed some light on me, or maybe smack some sense into me? lol
I have thought about nursing for YEARS now, but I just don't think I could afford the cost and would prefer to not add to my mass amount of current student loans.
I have thought in the past of moving to NC, and then I discovered how much less expensive their schooling is. Also a better market for my boyfriends web design career he has tried to get started, but there just isn't a market around here for it so he works in the same field as I do.. which is not even close to the web design he went to college for!
Perhaps becoming a CNA would allow me to experience what nursing could be like and if I can handle it, moving to NC and finding a job perhaps would be easier as I'd be certified, and most nursing programs in NC require you to be a CNA to be accepted to the program.
http://nursing.about.com/od/becomeanurse/bb/beforenurse.htm - "before you decide to become a nurse". things to consider about being a nurse. lots of links to information about what skills you need to become a nurse. and, what if you're really bad at math and science is discussed.
it's amazing what maturity and a different attitude toward something can do to change your performance. one of the reasons i put off going to nursing school for a number of years was a fear of chemistry. i was avoiding it like the plague. finally, i had to choice, it was the only thing left to take. i was just determined to buckle down and do it. i not only did it, i aced it to my surprise. it wasn't that i was dumb at all. as a kid i just didn't know how to study so i didn't do as well as i did as a college student. and, as the years have gone on i've gotten better at studying (which is a skill that you do learn and get better at over time) and my grades have improved dramatically. now, when i take a class, because i do still take classes from time to time, it is rare that i get anything below an "a" or "b".
here are links to sites by colleges on how to study that you might want to look at. now, that you are matured they should make more sense to you!
i don't know about nc, but here in california the tuition at the community colleges where many of the adn nursing programs are is only $20 a credit hour for residents of the state. you have to have lived here for a calendar year to be considered a resident. at the time i went to nursing school out here, there was no tuition at the community colleges. my total nursing education cost $40, $10 a semester for an activity fee we were required to pay plus the cost of our textbooks and uniforms. i went to an eastern university for my bsn and it cost much more.
i went to nursing school knowing nothing about nursing and got a job as a nursing assistant between my first and second years of school. it helped pay the bills and helped me learn how to give basic nursing care to patients, but that is all. i think that most people go into nursing with no prior experience in the field. being a cna is not going to help you with the most important things you will need to learn as an rn. rns are problem solvers and leaders. much of the rn programs focus on the problem solving process. cnas do basic nursing care and it does not involve the kind of problem solving and leadership that you will be learning as an rn. what you do as a cna is learned in the first semester of nursing school. everything after that is way over the skills of a cna. put another way. . .the rns are the chief cooks and the cnas are the bottle washers.
Daytonite, BSN, RN
1 Article; 14,604 Posts
chicy724. . .i'm posting some weblinks for you that you need to read, they are not long articles
it's amazing what maturity and a different attitude toward something can do to change your performance. one of the reasons i put off going to nursing school for a number of years was a fear of chemistry. i was avoiding it like the plague. finally, i had to choice, it was the only thing left to take. i was just determined to buckle down and do it. i not only did it, i aced it to my surprise. it wasn't that i was dumb at all. as a kid i just didn't know how to study so i didn't do as well as i did as a college student. and, as the years have gone on i've gotten better at studying (which is a skill that you do learn and get better at over time) and my grades have improved dramatically. now, when i take a class, because i do still take classes from time to time, it is rare that i get anything below an "a" or "b".
here are links to sites by colleges on how to study that you might want to look at. now, that you are matured they should make more sense to you!
and here are websites that have information about nursing and how to become a nurse:
i don't know about nc, but here in california the tuition at the community colleges where many of the adn nursing programs are is only $20 a credit hour for residents of the state. you have to have lived here for a calendar year to be considered a resident. at the time i went to nursing school out here, there was no tuition at the community colleges. my total nursing education cost $40, $10 a semester for an activity fee we were required to pay plus the cost of our textbooks and uniforms. i went to an eastern university for my bsn and it cost much more.
i went to nursing school knowing nothing about nursing and got a job as a nursing assistant between my first and second years of school. it helped pay the bills and helped me learn how to give basic nursing care to patients, but that is all. i think that most people go into nursing with no prior experience in the field. being a cna is not going to help you with the most important things you will need to learn as an rn. rns are problem solvers and leaders. much of the rn programs focus on the problem solving process. cnas do basic nursing care and it does not involve the kind of problem solving and leadership that you will be learning as an rn. what you do as a cna is learned in the first semester of nursing school. everything after that is way over the skills of a cna. put another way. . .the rns are the chief cooks and the cnas are the bottle washers.