What a bummer.. Wait time to start NS?

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

Specializes in Neuro ICU.

Hola everyone..

I was so excited to get my prereq's done fall semester so I could start Nursing school.. I guess I didnt plan too well, because the three community colleges I called said it's at least a semester wait..

I dont want to forget everything I am learning now by waiting a year...

How long did you have to wait & did you work at a nursing home/ hospital, or a different job..

I currently have a job at a Fire department doing fee's, which I cant stand & I so badly wanted to just start school full time!

Any advice would be so appreciated!

Specializes in Cardiac.

So you must be in Phx? Because the wait in Tucson is 3 years. Consider yourself blessed.

Have you considered a PCT job. I learned a ton of skills as a tech. Phlebotomy, dressing changes, wound care, foleys.....

Specializes in Neuro ICU.

I typed the original one wrong, sorry, they said it would be at least a year wait... yes I'm actually in Mesa.. What is a PCT? And what would I have to get to do that... And also do you know what they pay is for that?

Thank you!

Specializes in Cardiac.

Patient care technician.

The pay is usually around $12-15 (if you can find a good place).

Some hospitals have their own PCT training programs, with a 1 year contract. Then you could also utilize them for tuition reimbursement.

Specializes in Neuro ICU.

Oh that would be awesome! Thank you! :) ... do you know how long training is for that?

Specializes in Cardiac.

Oh it depends on the place. When I originally went through tech training I think it was 9 weeks long (paid, of course.) Check out your hospitals websites.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Hola everyone..

I was so excited to get my prereq's done fall semester so I could start Nursing school.. I guess I didnt plan too well, because the three community colleges I called said it's at least a semester wait..

I dont want to forget everything I am learning now by waiting a year...

How long did you have to wait & did you work at a nursing home/ hospital, or a different job..

Oh my goodness...to only have a semester or two wait. Like Cardiac said, here in Tucson the wait is 3 years and increasing. I expect to hear that it is 4 years any day now. Pre-nursing students are increasing exponentially.

You could take your co-reqs while you are waiting, and you could take BSN pre-reqs if you think you might want to do an RN-BSN someday. You could learn a foreign language and/or take classes that really interest you.

Specializes in Neuro ICU.
Patient care technician.

The pay is usually around $12-15 (if you can find a good place).

Some hospitals have their own PCT training programs, with a 1 year contract. Then you could also utilize them for tuition reimbursement.

I have been calling around all morning for this.. I cant find any hospita that offers that.. I really want to get out of my job & start something at a hospital or something, so if you know a name of any place that does that, I would even drive to Tucson & stay with my mom at her house in Casa Grande.. I just really want to start at a new place...

Everyone says I have to at least have a CNA, which as far as I can see, only makes like $10 an hour, and I make 13 now, so I cant really go lower...

Any advice would be awesome!

Thank you

Specializes in Cardiac.
I have been calling around all morning for this.. I cant find any hospita that offers that.. I really want to get out of my job & start something at a hospital or something, so if you know a name of any place that does that, I would even drive to Tucson & stay with my mom at her house in Casa Grande.. I just really want to start at a new place...

Everyone says I have to at least have a CNA, which as far as I can see, only makes like $10 an hour, and I make 13 now, so I cant really go lower...

Any advice would be awesome!

Thank you

I sent you a PM...

I have been calling around all morning for this.. I cant find any hospita that offers that.. I really want to get out of my job & start something at a hospital or something, so if you know a name of any place that does that, I would even drive to Tucson & stay with my mom at her house in Casa Grande.. I just really want to start at a new place...

Everyone says I have to at least have a CNA, which as far as I can see, only makes like $10 an hour, and I make 13 now, so I cant really go lower...

Any advice would be awesome!

Thank you

When I went through my medical assistant program, I went to Phoenix college. At that time they had a patient care tech program. Call and see if they still offer it. In my opinion Phoenix college is an excellent place to learn! The staff was great!!

I know im so nervous I hope i get in the the fall.. I have been waiting for a year as well.. I feel like i have to crack open the anatomy book again because I forgot everything... I seriously cant wait until March 20th or whatever the placement date is!!!!!! I hope so bad I get in. I guess we will see! Im sick of my job just let me in already!! I soooo feel your pain!!! Good Luck to you!!

Try applying for one of the Banner or Scottsdale Healthcare nursing school programs. They don't work off of the waitlists and if they like you - you can start pretty quickly.

Use the free time to start some of your BSN pre-reqs. Nurtrition. Bio 205, etc.

Don't worry about forgeting stuff. The A&P will come flying back to you as you learn different subjects.

Seriously, try for one of the hospital-sponsored programs. No waiting and Banner interviews something like three times per year.

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