ICURN_STL

Do you currently work? In my area, many hospitals will hire student nurse techs. And yes, basically these are patient care techs with a different title because they are students. They perform the same duties as PCTs, but they are basically a shoe in to be hired as a GN once they graduate from NS. They are given 3 mo to pass the NCLEX. If it is not taken or passed within the 3 mo period, they go back to being a PCT until they do pass. If they do pass, they continue on in their RN orientation in which ever specialty/ unit they were hired on as GN. This may be one way for you to get your foot in the door of a hospital before you graduate. I started at the organization I currently work for as a SNT 2 mo before I graduated to get my foot in the door. Have now been with them for 10 years. I will not comment on your fiance as many of the others have already echoed anything I may have said on the subject. Try not to be defeated before you start. To quote a cliche, just take it one day at a time, and try not to dwell on that which you cannot change. Put your energy into that which you can control. Work and study hard for the NCLEX and realize your dreams. They rest will work its way out. Congratulations to you and your classmates for success in making through NS. It is no easy feat. And good luck to you all in your quests to fulfill your dreams in nursing. You won't regret your decision.

You are never too old to learn or change careers. I was a medical assistant for 10 years before I decided to go back for my RN. I was 41 y/o when I started on my gen ed credits and entered the RN program just shy of my 43rd birthday. If I can do it, anyone can. Good luck to you in your quest for your nursing career. You will not be sorry!

I'm part of the percentage that has been attacked by a patient on more than on occasion, both physically and verbally. However, on those occasions it was almost always a patient who had a history of chronic dementia and/or psych diagnosis. I can hardly blame the patient in instances like that. The other times when it wasn't a patient with those types of problems, my employer did, in fact, back me up when I have set boundaries and limits with the patient.