New to Ohio and frustrated

tomkat612 · May 21, 2004

I appreciate everyone's input. I am in the Dayton area, Centerville to be exact. I considered staying in my program in Michigan but w/a husband and 4 kids it just was not a choice. Of course my love is nursing, not going into it for anyone else but my want to care for people. The degree does matter because I understand there is more a nurse can do than an LPN. I have actually considered working as a phlebotomist until I can get into school. I am just really confused as to what to do at this point and I have also been told that the good LPN programs have waiting lists as well. I do have an appointment June 8 with Wright State for their BSN program and will wait to see what they have to say. I know for a BSN I already have most of the prereq's out of the way just a few extras I would have to take but only a couple. I won't give up because this is definately what I want to do. My husband is a great help in that he constantly tells me that is where I belong and that nursing is my true calling.

Thanks again for all the input it is greatly appreciated.

Dixiedi · May 21, 2004

...
The degree does matter because I understand there is more a nurse can do than an LPN.
...

Excuse me, I AM a nurse. An LPN, Lisenced Practical Nurse!

Sad to hear you chose Ohio.

LeesieBug · May 21, 2004

Excuse me, I AM a nurse. An LPN, Lisenced Practical Nurse!
Sad to hear you chose Ohio.

For pete's sake....she wasn't trying to imply that you are not a nurse. Don't nit-pick at someone who hasn't had any experience in nursing, yet, over their choice of language, and turn it into an insult.

Welcome to Ohio,Tomkat! :) Good luck in finding a program that fits your needs.

AmyLiz · May 21, 2004

For pete's sake....she wasn't trying to imply that you are not a nurse. Don't nit-pick at someone who hasn't had any experience in nursing, yet, over their choice of language, and turn it into an insult.

Agreed. Don't take it personal.

Tomkat...you may want to look around at the various hosptials' websites if you want to take a job in healthcare while you go to school (or wait on the waiting list like I'm doing). http://www.mvh.org, http://www.ketteringmedicalcenter.org are the websites for Miami Valley Hospital and Kettering Medical Center Network, which are both closer to your part of town. Good Sam (http://www.goodsamdayton.com) and Children's (http://www.cmc-dayton.org) are more north of town. You could look for Nurse Aid, Patient Care Tech, phlebotomist, or even dialysis tech (which is what I'm doing thru MVH) positions. Most hospitals will pay (or help pay) for your schooling, which really helps out.

Good luck to you & feel free to PM or email me with any questions. :)

Deb123j · May 21, 2004

Agreed. Don't take it personal.
Tomkat...you may want to look around at the various hosptials' websites if you want to take a job in healthcare while you go to school (or wait on the waiting list like I'm doing). www.mvh.org, www.ketteringmedicalcenter.org are the websites for Miami Valley Hospital and Kettering Medical Center Network, which are both closer to your part of town. Good Sam (www.goodsamdayton.com) and Children's (www.cmc-dayton.org) are more north of town. You could look for Nurse Aid, Patient Care Tech, phlebotomist, or even dialysis tech (which is what I'm doing thru MVH) positions. Most hospitals will pay (or help pay) for your schooling, which really helps out.
Good luck to you & feel free to PM or email me with any questions. :)

I live in Centerville also and am trying to get a job as a CNA in a nursing home, and it seems darn near impossible. I have no nursing experience and need to be sent to CNA training, but I've heard that nursing homes do that frequently. However I'm having NO luck. Any suggestions???

Rigby · May 21, 2004

Excuse me, I AM a nurse. An LPN, Lisenced Practical Nurse!
Sad to hear you chose Ohio.

Never mind that negativity, TomKat, most of us know what you meant. You have the right attitude by being flexible and willing to get to your goal by whichever route presents itself. Many very good nurses, both LPN's and RN's, have started out as nursing assistants and progressed from there. It doesn't matter where you start, just so you have a goal and a way to achieve it.

I suggest you check out the job boards at the hospitals near you and see what's offered. At the hospital where I work, we use PCA's (Patient care assistants) who do not have or need any certification, just in-house training for the job. We also use CNA's (Certified nursing assistants) who MUST have state certification. Maybe you'll discover a way to get a job where you can get the patient care exposure AND tuition assistance to help you. When a place opens in a nursing program, you'll be ready! Glad to know you're in the wings!

AmyLiz · May 21, 2004

I live in Centerville also and am trying to get a job as a CNA in a nursing home, and it seems darn near impossible. I have no nursing experience and need to be sent to CNA training, but I've heard that nursing homes do that frequently. However I'm having NO luck. Any suggestions???

If you're in Centerville, Debbie...have you tried Bethany Lutheran Village? They'll train you. Check out http://www.lssma.org/jobs/current.html

If all else fails, you could sign up for the Nurse Aid Training class at Sinclair. It's 6 credit hours & you will be a CNA after you complete the course. All you would have to do then would be to take the state exam and you'll be snatched up by any nursing home fast!

Deb123j · May 21, 2004

If you're in Centerville, Debbie...have you tried Bethany Lutheran Village? They'll train you. Check out www.lssma.org/jobs/current.html
If all else fails, you could sign up for the Nurse Aid Training class at Sinclair. It's 6 credit hours & you will be a CNA after you complete the course. All you would have to do then would be to take the state exam and you'll be snatched up by any nursing home fast!

I did try Bethany (actually it's accross from my church Epiphay Lutheran) but they didn't seem interested in me. :crying2:

I've looked into Sinclair's Nurse Aid Training Class, however it's during the day and I work 1st shift right now. I'm trying to get into a nursing home so I can work 3rd. :crying2:

AmyLiz · May 21, 2004

I don't 'know about summer quarter, but Fall quarter they usually have a Saturday class that meets from 8-4:30 every Saturday for 10 weeks. That's what I did last fall when I was working 1st shift, M-F. It made for long days, but I actually enjoyed it. Went faster than it would seem.

I'm surprised about Bethany. Usually they are looking for CNAs all the time.

(btw...I'm Lutheran too! :) )

tomkat612 · May 21, 2004

Excuse me, I AM a nurse. An LPN, Lisenced Practical Nurse!
Sad to hear you chose Ohio.

I worked in hospitals in Michigan as a PCA while doing my prereq's and I know LPNs could not dose narcotics, push meds and the nurses had to sign off on all their charts. I didn't mean to offend anyone, I never said you weren't a nurse. I said for myself, I would rather be an RN. If you noticed I also said I was willing to become an LPN until I can get my degree.

I also did not choose Ohio, I would never have left nursing school in Michigan if given a choice. My husband was offered a position here and for him and his career it was just too good to pass.

Although I will say since being here that most of the people have been very nice and it is a beautiful state.

AmyLiz · May 21, 2004

You may want to try & call One Lincoln Park, Heartland of Centerville, Heartland of Kettering, Walnut Creek, or 10 Wilmington Place too, just to see if they have training classes or any other ideas.

AmyLiz · May 21, 2004

Tomkat...here's a link to the Ohio Board of Nursing's website and their list of schools for you to get your RN. http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/pdfs/RNlist.pdf

Springfield has a couple schools, including a diploma program. Just a thought. Also RETS Technical Center in Centerville has an LPN program. http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/pdfs/pnlist.pdf