need help on life changing decisions please

beck_79 · Feb 27, 2008

I was in the same boat as you a couple years ago. I had a BFA and no money, but I decided to go back to school full time for nursing. I took out student loans to cover my tuition, but still need to work full time to pay living expenses. I took a few weeks off one summer and got my CNA. I work 3 days a week, full time: the Baylor night shift + and extra 8 hour shift a week. I study at work during the quiet times (as well as studying every waking moment I have). The school and instructors say they don't want people working while in school, but the reality is, many of us just have to! I'm working full time, in school full time and doing just fine with my studies, and if I can do it anyone can. :) It's hard work, but doable.

It is a hardship right now, and very expensive, but I keep remembering that it will be worth it in the end.

Good luck!

chocokitten · Feb 27, 2008

I worked full time(32 hours/week) throughout all 5 years of nursing school (while being a mom and wife). Plus I knew several "accelerated" student and they ALL worked. Most were LPN's etc, so they couldn't just quit their jobs to work, especially since their companies were footing all or part of the bill. A lot of hospitals, nursing homes, and even assisted livings offer tuition assistance and reimbursement. Which place you choose to work at depends on your current cerifications/level of edu/expected standard of living.

If this is what you want to do GO FOR IT! Don't be scared :) It's possible, if you put your mind to it!

:up:

Becca608 · Feb 27, 2008

Work and nursing school are doable if you are organized.

In my case. work and nursing school are doable if you are disorganized and don't mind being stressed.

Student loans are a great help. I don't think borrowing less than 1 year anticipated salary is unreasonable. I have about 20K in loans. Now some classmates have like 60 K in student loans. I don't know that I could do that.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2008

Really look deep into your true self, and perhaps make a list of WHY you wish to be a nurse!? Many people have misconcieved notions of what a nurse really is, and wow...do they get a big suprise when they are already up to their nose in dept, can't really change their minds and stop...and well...I have seen it!

Nursing is a good career as far as open options on particular practices you can choose. Money is good, and if you choose right...your personal time is still somewhat in tact.

Just the other day I was seriously asking a collegue of mine...why in the heck did I pick a career that is labor intensive for good (I have no interest in administration...been there done that hated it!). Of course I said this as my shoulder ached from a particularly hard day of turning patients that were 300lb plus and couldn't move on their own...OUCH! We all laughed and said...well...ummmmm not sure but oh well now huh? LOL!

I guess somewhere in my heart I pictured myself getting more responsiblity in my career and less back breaking labor...man what I off base! But again, it is the path I chose working as a floor nurse, which seems to be my calling (my shoulder would disagree though..LOL!).

Talk to nurses and get their oppinions too, like you are doing here, but try to find some real people to talk to...the body language is as important as the words.

Read some of the vents here too...these are common probelms that happen often...how would you like having some of these happen to you daily, weekly, monthly or what not?

Think well of your career choice, make sure it is a good fit with you and your personal goals in life! Especially if you have children!

Good luck!

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2008

:

Hello all!
I am currently in web and graphic design but I am considering a career change into nursing (interesting huh?). I already have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. What is the best way to go about this career change. CNA? LPN? RN? Money is an issue because I don't have much of it. Because of that would it be better to become become a CNA or LPN and then get a job at a hospital that would help with my tuition for becoming an RN. I've looked into accelerated BSN programs (since I already have a BS) but I don't think I can afford it, plus they usually recommend that you don't work. I have to work to pay my bills! Everyone on these forums seems so nice so I was hoping to get some good advice from people who have more knowledge on the subject than me. Thank you!

Disclaimer: What I always say to people considering a career change....nursing is like any job. HARD and not ALWAYS appreciated. From patients/families treating you like a butler to doctors screaming at you because you can't read their mind, not everyone will treat you great. DO your research and think about why you want to be a nurse. We all have different reasons for it, but in the end, we find it fulfilling enough that we can't IMAGINE being anything else. Look at descriptions online, and read nursing vents/articles/stories, etc.

Ok, got that done, ready?

Nursing is available on all levels. CNAs typically are MUCH more labor-intensive and task-oriented. Personally, (and this is what i do while going to school) you get VS, transfer/ambulate patients, bathe, clean, pick up, sort equipment, feed, assist nurses with task(hence the title aide.), do the pick up work that the nurses just can't do in addition to their required duties. Every place is different, but those are some of the basics. You are not paid well to start (even after 15 months, I work at the best place in town for acute care and make only 10.36/hr plus a 1.25 shift diff for nights-12.5 hr shifts. You are taken for granted sometimes, and you are the first-line for the nurses.

LPNs answer to RNs, generally. And depending on your state act, usually can't do much with IVs, and actual extremely acute patients who need a RN constant assessment(such as post-ops, neuros, changes in condition, unstable patients, etc.)

RNs are the ones who are generally in charge, doing a lot of the nursing care and giving most meds, starting IVs, inserting foleys, etc.....you have a lot of education and thus, a lot of responsibility.

Education-wise....(and I know there are a lot of people who argue the diff between BSN and ADN nurses...DO NOT START A OFF-TOPIC ARGUMENT!!!!)

There are 2 major ways to get your nursing degree. Associate programs are generally 2-year programs, offered generally at community colleges(plus-cheaper classes, minus- not as well-funded as BSN programs.) You usually have to have required pre-reqs done before applying for admission (and many schools REQUIRE that you have taken the CNA course). You spend 4 semesters going through different rotations and then you graduate. Generally, the focus is on learning HOW to be a nurse, and how to do tasks. how to take care of different patients.

BSN programs (generally) have more of a clinical focus and a management spin. If you want to work in administration, you need to have this. They are 4 year programs and you graduate with a BSN.

Regardless of which degree you have, once you graduate you take the same exam...the dreaded NCLEX.

LPN programs usually last 2 semesters and a summer rotation....then you grad and take boards. You can bridge over into RN programs, but usually have to have 1-2 years LPN expierence to do so.

Money-wise. There are different hospital scholarships out there, but they usually require 1 year employment committment once you accept funds for a school year. So they lock you in to wherever they may have a need once you graduate. Also, the federal gov will probably NOT supply you with student loans, since you have a Bachlor's already. Private lenders are out there, and you may need to go that route.

I work 36 hrs a week, at night, and go to school for (at the moment) M class, T class and W/R clinicals...clinicals are 8 hrs, and class is 3.5 hours each class day. I try to work M nights, and then F/S cause I have to. I have little outside life....which is ok for now...it's a small sacrifice for the two years I've done it. I've done this for the last 15 months. Advice is NOT to work for 1st semester, or keep whatever job works with school. It's overwhelming. :uhoh3: Once you get the hang of it in 16 weeks, then you can look around for tech jobs.

Hope this (loong) post helps. also, check out the student nurse forum. lots of good advice and tips about being a NS.....(shameless plug in hopes of getting good allnurses attention :yeah: )