No school til 2012, now what?!

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I'm done with prereqs, and now I'm on the waitlist for Fall 2012 to start NS. So now what do I do besides lurk here at allnurses?!!! Ok, I've got two young children to keep me busy but I SO want to start school! Anything nursing related? good books? something?! Help :)

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You could take some classes towards your BSN.

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I've taken EVERYTHING I can already except for upper division GE which I don't think I can take until I know where I'll go for RN to BSN :) I live rurally so I'll probably try to get my BSN eventually, maybe online even.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I'm done with prereqs, and now I'm on the waitlist for Fall 2012 to start NS. So now what do I do besides lurk here at allnurses?!!! Ok, I've got two young children to keep me busy but I SO want to start school! Anything nursing related? good books? something?! Help :)

Are there any Co-Reqs you can take and get out of the way, or as a previous poster stated work on classes for maybe a future BSN?

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Can you get ahold of your program's course list? I just found out that my BSN program (I start in June) doesn't have a specific pathophysiology course. If I had time, I'd love to take that. Ditto medical terminology. And Infectious Diseases. I'd find some cool but helpful support type classes and take those as to not get rusty and to give me a leg up once my program started.

Also, I would consider becoming a CNA (that's what the Nursing 106 course is in my program.) Practice makes perfect and it's never too early to get some experience (assuming you're not a CNA already.)

Or heck, just spend time with your kids!

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Maybe you can find some part-time work in the medical field. Working as a nursing assistant in a hospital would be a great way to start becoming comfortable providing basic nursing care, interacting with patients & other providers and just becoming familiar with the inpatient hospital environment. Working as a nursing assistant in nursing home is often very physically heavy work, but you'd get darn good at giving quick baths, doing safe transfers, and dealing with frail elderly. Working as a home health aide could introduce you to the daily obstacles faced by those with debilitating health issues. Working as a unit clerk in a hospital would give you exposure to the workflow at the nurses' station and to common orders and medications if the unit clerk is responsible for order entry. Working as an EMT in medical transport would give you a glimpse to patient homes and health facilities as well as allow you become familiar with common patient issues (eg pts on dialysis, with COPD, etc).

Some of those roles also require extra training, but sometimes local community colleges or vocational centers offer that type of training for a reasonable price.

Hopefully, this time can be more than just waiting to start school, but it can help build a foundation for your future practice.

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Specializes in LTC.

Wowsers !!!! I'm getting a little ancy just waiting to go into my last semester for the fall.

You can work, relax, and just enjoy this time before school starts.

Or apply at other schools that have a shorter waitlist.

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Hey this is really good advice. I hadn't thought about taking classes that weren't specific to the program. My school has an online medical terminology course, I'm DEFINITELY signing up for that! I wonder if I could find a pathophysiology course online...

If there was a local CNA program, I really consider that but I haven't found one yet. I live pretty rurally so I don't know if there's anything. My locally hospital had a CNA training program a while back but I don't think its still happening...

thanks for your ideas :)

Can you get ahold of your program's course list? I just found out that my BSN program (I start in June) doesn't have a specific pathophysiology course. If I had time, I'd love to take that. Ditto medical terminology. And Infectious Diseases. I'd find some cool but helpful support type classes and take those as to not get rusty and to give me a leg up once my program started.

Also, I would consider becoming a CNA (that's what the Nursing 106 course is in my program.) Practice makes perfect and it's never too early to get some experience (assuming you're not a CNA already.)

Or heck, just spend time with your kids!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, I think I'll look into any local CNA training programs and some of the other positions you mentioned. Thanks for the advice! It would be nice to work in the field and get familiar with the setting...

Maybe you can find some part-time work in the medical field. Working as a nursing assistant in a hospital would be a great way to start becoming comfortable providing basic nursing care, interacting with patients & other providers and just becoming familiar with the inpatient hospital environment. Working as a nursing assistant in nursing home is often very physically heavy work, but you'd get darn good at giving quick baths, doing safe transfers, and dealing with frail elderly. Working as a home health aide could introduce you to the daily obstacles faced by those with debilitating health issues. Working as a unit clerk in a hospital would give you exposure to the workflow at the nurses' station and to common orders and medications if the unit clerk is responsible for order entry. Working as an EMT in medical transport would give you a glimpse to patient homes and health facilities as well as allow you become familiar with common patient issues (eg pts on dialysis, with COPD, etc).

Some of those roles also require extra training, but sometimes local community colleges or vocational centers offer that type of training for a reasonable price.

Hopefully, this time can be more than just waiting to start school, but it can help build a foundation for your future practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was going to go to the 1 other nursing program in the area. Had applied and everything to get a BSN and they discontinued it! Thankfully my community College has a ADN program or I'd be screwed!

Wowsers !!!! I'm getting a little ancy just waiting to go into my last semester for the fall.

You can work, relax, and just enjoy this time before school starts.

Or apply at other schools that have a shorter waitlist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yep, did all my co-reqs too. And I've taken all my transfer classes for a BSN already. I was going to go for a BSN at HSU and then they went and closed the program!

Are there any Co-Reqs you can take and get out of the way, or as a previous poster stated work on classes for maybe a future BSN?
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If you can't get your CNA maybe try to volunteer at a hospital or a LTC facility?

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