matcha-cat

You sure do seem to get defensive at peoples' "snarky-ness" for someone who is preaching to ignore it.

I know this is probably going to come off as dramatic, and if that's the case, then I'll appreciate outside perceptions of the situation gratefully. I've worked for the same company since I was 16 years old. I worked for them for 4.5 years, and I even worked at a store in a different state, basically doing cashiering and department-manager work. It's all I know, and I'm a creature of habit.. I quit back in May because my husband and I were moving and I wanted to take summer classes at the college, and although the course (CNA course) ended back in August, I've been too terrified to go out and try to get a job as a CNA (or RNA, in this case, as I've yet to test). I've only ever had 1 other job interview for office assistant-type work, and although I got the job, I turned it down because my other manager offered me a full-time position. I'm not a "people person" and even striking a conversation with a stranger is an event for me. It also doesn't help that I can be a bit shy and bashful, but I'm mostly just a quiet and reserved person... I did well in my clinicals, although it took me until the 4th day (out of 6) until I felt comfortable working with residents. I was able to get by with making small talk for the most part (and if I felt too awkward or didn't know what to say, being smiley and positive was and is my go-to persona) but I just felt overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I didn't know. I'm not talking about textbook knowledge, like vitals, safety/fall prevention, urine/feces, symptoms, etc. but more like how the facility ran, and especially the preferences and needs of the residents I was working with. I'm guessing all of this is probably something the facility would go over during orientation? I never got to look at patient care plans during my clinicals, so each week, on our clinical day, I had forgotten a lot about what I'd learned about the patients previously and the CNA I was shadowing would dance around my questions about the care plan, I think because she felt she was too busy to show me or because it would be too time-consuming for me to try and study it when I was only there for a few days. It made me extremely nervous interacting with people whose personalities I didn't know well, and not knowing their personal routine (who likes to be woken up when, who likes to be woken up early but wait an hour to start getting ready, those who can use the toilet but want help wiping). I keep imagining my patients or residents getting annoyed at me trying to learn their routine... Or me being awkward with their care as a new nurse assistant. I've practiced my skills on other students, but it's a lot different when working with the elderly, who are slow-moving and seemingly in a lot of pain. I don't want to make them uncomfortable. And most of what I did in clinicals was prepping residents for breakfast and feeding them. As I typed this post out, I started remembering the things I learned in my course and my clinical experiences, so I feel a bit better about the foundation of what I know for this role, although I'm still quite scared of working in an entirely new place because of my lack of people skills and because I'll have to learn the culture and flow of the new work place... I'll also be putting my skills to use almost for the first time, and by myself. I'm also terrified of getting my application rejected before I can even ask for an interview (again, I haven't taken my CNA test yet, but I wanted to start working as soon as I move).. I want to work at a hospital because I feel as though it would work better with my personality and I think I would find it more interesting, although I am entirely aware of the fact that many hospitals want CNAs with experience. I'd be grateful for any place, though. Anyways, I hope this post didn't come off too long or too whiny. I realize that most of my fears are either me just way overthinking things, as I tend to, or are (to some degree) normal feelings associated with starting a new job in a new career. And I guess that what I'm trying to accomplish by this post is perhaps some relief by venting, and perhaps others could share their experiences starting out as new CNAs, nurses, or healthcare professionals. I also hope that this post was easy to understand and didn't jump all over the place. It's almost 4AM; I haven't slept yet and I don't think I will.

I think this topic has been mentioned a few times on here, and I think what most people were getting at was that if you get your MSN before working as an RN, employers will find you too overqualified to work as an RN, and they will also find you too inexperienced to work as a NP. I don't know what the general consensus is on that, though. If someone could clear that up, it would be great.

Thanks for everyone's comments; I really appreciate them. :) Right now I'm leaning more towards taking the classes at separate times. I need to try and make an 'A' in all of my classes, I believe... I can start taking courses for the second semester of nursing school, too, and knock some of it out. The only problem, is that I'm worried about how I'll do in A&P and Chemistry (even when taking them at different times). So if I can't get into this school's nursing program, even after all of that, then I have to spend more money at other colleges who have like 10 or more pre-reqs that my ideal school does not have. So all of the time spent studying for the 2nd-semester nursing classes would be all for naught.

I think trying to make As would be ideal since the nursing program is competitive. I'm not sure how competitive, and I can't seem to find any information on that when I search for it. There are only 6 pre-req classes (the school I'm at now has like 12-15..) so each class is going to carry a lot of weight, and that's not a lot of classes that people have to study, overall (assuming they don't take the classes all at once).

It's Foundations of Organic and Biochemistry... I've also heard of people finding Organic Chemistry to be very difficult, as well. *sigh*

Awhile back ago I asked if taking Chemistry and Biology at the same time was okay, and the general consensus was that it should be okay. I was going back through the school I'm interested in's page on requirements and it seems as though they changed their biology course to biology - human anatomy (it's possible I missed it the first time when reviewing, but I remember thinking it was weird that Human Anatomy wasn't a requirement seeing as it is for so many other programs, and I had gone through that page several times). I didn't think taking Chemistry at the same time as Biology would be a big deal since Biology was always pretty easy for me, but Chemistry is a whole different story. Chemistry was extremely difficult for me when I was in high school, and I had even taken a prep class for it (though to be honest the prep felt like an elementary science class with how easy the work was). One thing I have to say is that I've learned to study and think in a much smarter way than when I was in high school, so I have that going for me. My study skills growing up were abysmal, I never did homework, so it's hard for me to gage what kind of person I am now when it comes to schoolwork, overall. I don't think I have to take any other classes. There's only about 5-6 pre-reqs and then the TEAS exam, though I believe the other pre-reqs can be covered by previous credits I earned at other schools. English -- I might have to potentially retake since I made a B in it, and I'm not entirely sure how competitive this nursing program is. I just know it is competitive. The other thing is is that I'm trying to earn my CNA certification so that I can work, and right now I don't really know how to gage how much of that will cut into my school time. Right now I'm trying to re-teach myself math, and I'm simultaneously studying for the TEAS exam, so I'm trying to juggle all of this around. I would potentially like to work as a CNA while in school, too. I've heard countless times how hard A & P is, and I know Chemistry can be difficult for a lot of people and it definitely was for me. :( I want to apply to nursing school as soon as I can because I feel like I've already wasted a lot of time going in and out of college, and I'm ready to start my career and move into the next stage of my life. If I take one course at a time, then I won't be able to apply to nursing school until 2019. If I take both at the same time and do poorly in both classes because I couldn't handle them simultaneously, then it'll be the same situation all over again. The plus side, is that my school allows me to work on the second semester of nursing school while waiting to get into the program, so I could be doing that work while waiting to apply, while taking Chemistry and A & P at different times. Sorry for the long post! I'm just stressed, and I feel like I have so much to learn in such little time, and that there are a lot of factors that I need to weigh.

I have pretty much the same problem as you. I've never really done well in school. I simply couldn't pay attention. I ALWAYS did bad in class because I could never stop day-dreaming. It wasn't until I got into high school (and decided I wanted to change) that I really started to evaluate why I was doing so much more poorly than my peers. I realized... I simply didn't know how to listen, and I didn't know how to learn. I did somewhat well in high school. My sophomore year I actually pulled off all As and a B! Though after that might grades still varied from As and Bs and Cs. I tried too hard to learn, so I overcomplicated things instead of just making a connection. Learning how to drive a car is pretty easy, huh? But if I used the same tactic that I was using in high school to study, then I would never have learned how to drive a car. I've been in and out of college, with my grades all varying. The classes where I could easily learn in school without studying I made As in. I basically either made As or failed. Now, fast forward 3 years out of high school... I was diagnosed with ADD and Autism. I wish I had gotten diagnosed as a child so I could have gotten help and formed good study habits and a better mindset towards school work, but it came down to either I'm going to change myself, or I'm going to fall between the cracks and not do what I want with my career/life. My doctor prescribed me an ADD medication that works really well (I had tried different ones in high school, but they never worked for me). It gives me this "mental energy" in order to stay focused. When I first started taking it, and I would skip a day's dose, I could see the ramifications quickly. I wouldn't feel like doing anything and my mind didn't want to "think hard". Now, I've been taking my medications for several months, but it's like it's trained my mind to be more articulate, detail-oriented, and productive even when I miss a few doses. Of course, I still do a lot better when I'm on it because again, it gives me this "mental energy" or alertness that I otherwise don't have. You should definitely look into talking with a psychiatrist and seeing if she/he can help with finding you a medication, possibly. I'm doing much better now. In my summer CNA course, I pulled off an A+ because I studied! and I've actually always loved learning, but now I have the attention span to really do so. Medication alone won't help you- you have to learn how to learn and to be detail-oriented and productive. You have to train yourself and make yourself. A major thing for me was also changing my attitude. It took a long time, but I kept telling myself that I'm intelligent, that I can handle this work, and that I am going to be a nurse. It's mind-boggling how well self-confidence can influence your work. When there's something difficult that I need to learn, and I have the confidence that I can tackle it, I simply know that I'm going to learn it and I do, with over-analyzing it and coming out dumbfounded. I can't tell you how good it feels for me to finally be able to learn the math that I've spent my entire life struggling with. Also, to help me maintain my interest while studying, I have to have things happening around me.. Small things, like having a burning candle, or having music, nature videos, color-changing lamp, or even just having my cockatiel sit and clean himself on my knee while I study. It keeps me focused, and basically, with ADD, you have to figure out ways to work with it. Good luck! If this is what you really want to do, you have to put in the effort!

Huh? You're a junior in nursing school? Then that means you must have a history of doing well in your classes if you were able to get into nursing school and make it up to this point, right? To suddenly drop your courses out of nowhere seems a little bit hasty; if you have time, you should try to evaluate why you did so poorly on your exams this time. How did you study this time versus all of the other times? Try talking to your instructors about the exams and look over it yourself, if you can. Dropping those classes is a big decision to make that you'll have to figure out for yourself.. You know you best. Do you think you can be confident enough in your abilities to turn your grades around with hard and smart work? What happens if you drop these courses?

Out of curiosity, how does pineapple juice help with coughing?

I'm really sorry to hear that you're experiencing that. When I did my CNA clinicals, I sometimes was treated rudely (though most of the time, people were very kind). I had no choice but to ignore it- I was polite and had a good attitude, and if I needed somebody to show me something again or I had a lot of questions, I asked, even if I was afraid a person would get annoyed or think less of me. My mentality was: I'm competent, I'm here to do a job, and to keep patients safe. It might take me longer to learn a particular thing, but I WILL learn it, and if you get annoyed with me asking a question, then tell it to your diary. (I never spoke to anyone rudely, rather, I was just assertive when I asked my questions or said that I needed help)

Yessssss... I'm a very quiet person and I don't communicate in the same way other people do. I have very awkward social skills and I don't know how to make small talk. I generally overcompensate by smiling a lot, but I get called snobby or rude, even though I try to always make sure I speak with a polite tone, where you can hear me "smiling" while I talk. I've had people completely switch their personalities from being bubbly and laughing with their friends, to looking at me and practically rolling their eyes or scoffing, even though I'm speaking politely and am smiling. I don't know what more I can do differently. I won't ever be extroverted and in the same mindset as them because I have a differing personality, so I don't know what else they expect me to do. Even recently in my CNA course, a girl I was carpooling with told me she thought I was "cold" before we started talking (as in rude or unfriendly). I either get called "really sweet" or "really rude" depending on how a particular perceives me.

I don't know if that depends on the hospital? The hospital that my husband is a corpsman at has them wearing their blue digital uniforms. Even the doctors will sometimes wear their military uniforms. The hospital that he got laser eye surgery at had their corpsmen wearing the same uniforms, as well.

My husband is in the Navy. This morning he had to go to work early for a meeting about how they are no longer allowed to carry their phones on them at work, so he has to keep his locked up in an office due to this event. EDIT: I should say the meeting was more about the event and behavior, and that losing phone privileges was a consequence.

Your thread title is "This is really mean, but I have to say it..." I'd say that people would be pretty interested in knowing what you were about to throw out. I don't understand what the purpose of your comment is?

There were people on here who were rude before she began throwing attacks back. I know nursing isn't sheltered, but I do feel like sometimes people's remarks or tones can be unnecessary. And I'm not just talking about this particular thread. I've seen this happen many times in the 4 or so months I've been a member. I'm not saying to not criticize her attitude about the ordeal, but there's a difference between criticizing and insulting. Your last paragraph- I don't think there's anything wrong with her complaining about her first day. Saying that if she complains about her first clinical day she'll torpedo herself is a bit over-dramatic, isn't it? I don't think it's any indication of what she'll be like as a nurse. I don't know how old OP is, but people develop maturity and wisdom as they get older. My mom will be quick to laugh and tell me about how much maturing she did between 20 and 30. If her attitude is problematic or unjust, we can talk about it without being nasty, is all I'm saying. I guess I can just imagine myself coming home to complain to my husband about my job, as I did when I worked in retail. I'd vent a bit, and he'd talk to me and give me advice. It wasn't a big deal, I thought, and I'd change my attitude the next day because I knew I was being a baby, but it just felt good to vent because I'm human.

I totally see where people are coming from in feeling insulted by the "menial tasks" that OP complained about, I just also thought it would be taken with a "grain of salt" by responders. I guess that I also neglected the fact that this is a public forum about nursing and is filled with people you don't know, so comments that you could make with your family or friends won't be taken the same way by people in the profession.

I've noticed that a lot, as well. It's silly. But, on the other hand (and I'm just bringing this up because of the discussion that's been going on) I do see other users on here quick to tell people that they shouldn't be nurses over minor things, as well. One of the very first posts on here told OP to "do us all favor and not become a nurse". It goes both ways.

We do, yes, but the point is is that people generally come to this website to seek advice or at least understanding, and I believe that's the why forum exists, yes? So mocking comments (to me, at least) seem irrelevant. I know I am probably taking the situation seriously, but that's because it's frustrating to see experienced members on this website act so rude, completely without warrant. I've been a member on this website for a few months now, lurking around on threads, and countless times I've seen a user with good intentions (and even attitude) get attacked or at least mocked and it ends with them saying they're done with the thread, despite trying to explain themselves and stay neutral. Oh, and then if they get on the offense after being ridiculed, they then proceed to get attacked and told they need a better attitude and that nursing isn't for them. On top of it all, a lot of times when one user starts mocking the OP, several other users join in and gang up on the OP. It becomes more than simply attacking an argument. So yes, I suppose I do take the situation more seriously because it is frustrating to see these "enlightened" users hypocritically attacking people who came on this website for help. Yes, that person can just turn off their monitor or not visit this website, but that defeats the purpose of the forum. And again, I'm talking about people who are nasty to others when it wasn't at all necessary. Someone will post a thread and the first comment that is thrown out is snarky (mocking) in nature.

Yeah, that's true, but there are posts that are clearly meant to be spiteful or mocking, and at times, when the recipient hadn't come to argue but instead to discuss an issue or vent, like in this case. When is that appropriate? I also realize, that at times there are users who get nasty with users because they simply don't want people to disagree with them and obviously that's not excusable. But then I question why people would continue to "bicker" with this person, continuously, when it's obvious that they just won't agree with you, and then act pompous, as if they're better, despite stooping to their level and having a petty, meaningless argument. There was an argument on this website recently, where there were several pages worth of comments attacking a user (and he was attacking back, admittedly) but people kept fighting with the OP even though his comments clearly were absurd and held no truth. The people who kept fighting with the user I've also seen be quick to jump on others for their "behavior".

This quote is the one that stuck out to me: "To me, it just sounds like a bunch of petty, dramatic whining followed by fake 'outrage' at being misunderstood." I just think it was an over-the-top and offensive statement. I realize that it's whiney, but at the same time, it's okay to whine every now and then. It was her first day in clinicals and yeah, wiping up poop isn't what you'd imagine to be doing in nursing school. I'm waiting to take my test to be certified as an NA because I want to gain more patient-experience and because I think it would be good for me to learn this aspect of care. During my clinicals, I didn't think the work was "for me" so again, I can't really blame OP for venting. That's all it was, was a vent. Helpful criticism is great, but some of the feedback was an attack from the start.

I think your first comment was helpful, as well, but it was not your comment I was strictly referring to. OP instantly got attacked for venting. She's a student, for crying out loud. I've done things and have started jobs with higher expectations and was disappointed, and yes, I had an attitude about it, but I realized what the issue was and I changed my attitude to accept it and learn as much as I could from it. OP quickly threw this in and admitted to it, and then other people attacked her for being whiney. THAT'S where the problem is.

D*mn. People on this forum are harsh. Who cares if it's whiney? It's okay to be whiney at times. She already acknowledged that it was just her first day, and she was just venting. Because everybody always has the perfect attitude towards a frustrating event, 100% of the time. Apparently not. This site can be incredibly helpful and there are a lot of great people on here, but sometimes there are users who are quick to be rude or sarcastic, and then attack users when they dish the attitude back, ironically.

What about people who work full-time jobs that are necessary but are still making minimum wage, while also taking care of a family? All of the people that make a big-time company run, but still get paid pennies despite working full time and being grown adults? Are these people supposed to not have children? If they get an education, leading to a nice salary, who is going to fill in their shoes? And like one of the previous posters said, by your logic, if it's immoral to take money away from people who you don't want to help, then why should I pay taxes towards fighting fires that I didn't cause, or to paying cops to stop criminal activity in a neighborhood that's not my own? Society isn't take-all, give-none. Or, at least, it shouldn't be. Everything that you have and enjoy now has come at the expense of your fellow-citizens and government. Your education, your nice roads, your restaurants that have passed sanitary tests... Everything. And I'm not sure how you can say having to pay a bit more in taxes is immoral, but letting someone suffer is not? My husband and I don't have a lot of money now (we're both working on our college degrees) but I would gladly pay more money for strangers to help alleviate their suffering.

This.