wad1224

btw, I'm queer/bisexual but I don't feel the need to broadcast it. When I do open up to people regarding my sexuality most seem to be really surprised. At the end of the day its nobody's business, I only speak up regarding it if someone is talking trash. I wouldn't check a patient but most certainly do in my personal life and with coworkers. You can't control who you fall in love with/are attracted to.

Hello, just putting this up to see if anyone out there is going to be enrolling in the LPN program at QCC in Worcester, MA this upcoming fall? I'm enrolling in the program with the intent to eventually become an RN. It's the quickest way to get into the field of nursing, start making a little money, and knock out the equivalent of two semesters of clinical experience. They've streamlined the LPN -> RN track and most of the other programs accept LPN advanced placement students regularly. Though I'm a second degree student, I'm currently taking Statistics and Biology along with A & P I/II this summer in order to make sure that I'm in lock step with the students starting in the RN program. I'll have just about all of my prereqs done except for microbiology. Anyways, if anyone else is out there and wants to link up on here by all means hit me up.

Triciaj, this is the best piece of advice I've read yet on this thread...As a college grad, now nursing student, who's underemployed making minimum wage in Eastern Massachusetts where rents are so high its creating a housing shortage. I feel your plight Studentworker! I've been chewed out a few times for the exact same reason, even after planning for the inclement weather, and I'm 27. Living within your means for most working class people just isn't doable, especially if your a younger person trying to get through school. Unless mummy and daddy can cover one's school costs like those wealthy enough to be spared the juggling act of work and school, most people struggle just like you are doing when it comes to getting a degree. I remember once having to go into open for Chipotle as an undergrad in the middle of a noreaster for christ's sake. I was late, got chewed out for it, and wouldn't you know we had less than a dozen customers in my whole 8 hour shift! Such ********. Just remember this as you get older, employers, especially corporate owned establishments such as the place you probably worked at, don't give a **** about their employees. It's all about the money in America, hence the lack of benefits for most low wage workers, an unlivable minimum wage, on top of the mind numbing stagnation of real wages in relation to monetary inflation . You need a plan to be successful in this day and age in America, being a hard worker just doesn't cut it anymore. Stick with it, keep on grinding and come up with a plan to dig yourself out of that type of work. Most importantly, make sure what your studying in school will lead to gainful employment in the future. As the first one in my family to go to school, I was so naive about that kind of stuff. I'm working as a maintenance guy at a ******* grocery store with a previous B.A. while I complete my prereqs for nursing. The job sucks, the hours aren't enough, and $11.00 an hour is a ******* joke, but its a MEANS TO AN END. That being said, I know tires are expensive as hell when your dirt poor, but they are an absolute must in snowy climates. Even my old 2000 Camry has some pretty nice tires on it. Trust me the money is worth it for a new pair of tires, and if you keep up with the maintenance schedule on the old cars you'll be in good shape. Ditch your American made piece of **** and buy a used Japanese car when possible. The replacement parts are cheaper, not to mention they are just better built and don't turn into money pits as they age. I bought my Camry and got it on the road, including registration and a new muffler, for under 1500 dollars total, you just have to be resourceful (I taught myself some light car maintenance to save money). Buy a Chilton's manual for your model car, and teach yourself with youtube videos. I thought I could skimp on something my last car needed like you and I ended up totaling it going 20mph down a country road in the middle of the storm (it was the brakes that were going). I think it was wise of you to stay at home, but not calling out with a valid reason is no bueno. Like one of the other bloggers said, tell them its a family emergency. My mother works as a charge nurse in the ER and while its a pain to call out, sometimes its necessary (under extremely rare circumstances). I do agree with you though that the pay isn't worth it for potentially junking your car, but get those baldies replaced, dust yourself off and get a new job. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...and now you know the downsides of calling out without a "sufficient". Moments of failure help to define one's character, getting fired happens to the best of us.

What's going on everybody? I didn't know if anyone on here is applying to Greenfield Community College for the fall 2018 semester so I figured I'd post this and see if anyone else is in the same boat? I know its a bit of a long shot for me to get in seeing as I'm in the progress of taking Biology this semester, but I hold a previous B.A. from Umass-Amherst. I'm also enrolled in Psych. of Human Development, and statistics, so maybe that will boost my prospects. I'm hoping my previous degree will also make me somewhat of an attractive candidate, though I'm nervous that may be a dis qualifier in and of itself. I didn't do all that stellar overall, only a 2.9 GPA. I still have yet to take the TEAS as well, but I'll never know if I don't give it a try. i also applied to STCC as a backup, though I've learned their program is also very competitive to get into. Worst case scenario, I'll apply to a couple of ADN programs in June that have Spring semester start dates as well. I've also thought of applying to the ABSN programs at Umass Boston and Amherst campuses, but I'd like to try for the ADN programs to save money. Anyways, if there is anyone else out there applying to this program, by all means say hello and lemme know how everything is going. - Peace

I'm leanin more towads the ADN route as the more reesearch I do. For one, I just cannot justify taking out a private loan for an ABSN when I'm still eligible for 17,000 in stafford student loans. That is more than enough to help me cover the complete cost of an ADN program and probably a good chunk of an RN to BSN program while I'm at it. I'm also thinking of getting my CNA certification and working while i complete a program. As things stand right now, I'll pretty much only have clinicals to complete when if I get into a program for next fall. I'm hoping the CNA experience at the very least will help me get comfortable with handling patients, but it could also be a good way to network and get my "foot in the door" so to speak. Anyways, keep me posted on how things go with you and your ADN and I'll do the same :-)

I'm looking to apply there next fall as well, but I still have to knock out about 4-5 more prereqs as I only have Nutrition and Psych done.

While I'm only in the prereq phase of my RN slog, I must say the people who are saying that the patient has a right to know their caretakers sexuality are wrong in every context. My mother, an RN for over 40 years, has informed me that you don't even have to provide the patient with your last name, let alone your sexuality. However, they do have the right to refuse care from a particular nurse if they so choose. Furthermore, if the patient is in a critically short staffed hospital, they'll only be delaying their care that much longer if they insist on another nurse, aide, etc.

I plan on it but I have to get some more prerequisites done before I apply. I'm going to apply in the fall semester of 2018

What's good everyone? New pre-nursing student here getting ready to start my slog to the RN finish line this upcoming spring semester. I finally finished my first B.A. this past year after taking a long break and I'm finally ready to tackle nursing school. I'm 27 years old and chomping at the bit to get into the field of nursing. It's something I've seriously considered since I was a teenager but I kinda gave up on the dream because I genuinely didn't think I had the intellectual capacity to hack it in the field of Nursing. I changed my mind after meeting some real badass nurses at the Tufts picket line and strike this past summer. I'll be honest, my Undergrad GPA from Umass-Amherst wasn't all that stellar at a 2.9, but I took both Psychology and Nutrition both with solid B's, and it wasn't really until my last full-time semester that my grades started slacking (D, withdrawal and an F). Besides that little mishap, I was largely a B student, but didn't have the patience or money to repeat my failed course (It was a nearly 200 person computer science course and I was battling a pretty tough bout of untreated depression, working nearly 40 hours a week with a full course load) I'm on track to knocking out Statistics, Life Span Development, General Biology, Microbiology, as well as A&P I and II by the beginning of the fall 2018 semester. While I have the prerequisites all figured out, I'm still at a loss as to what to do in regards to what programs I should apply to: ADN, BSN, ABSN, or reach for the stars and go for the direct entry Master's program at Umass Medical School. Ultimately, my goal is to follow in my mother's footsteps and become an ED nurse (she just celebrated her 40th year working as an ED nurse, and 45 years altogether including her years as an LPN - F*****G WONDER WOMAN) and I'd like to eventually acquire the highest possible level of qualifications you can hold as a bedside ED nurse. I'm in total awe of what you guys/gals do, and I think I have the temperament to handle it but I know things may change. My mother personally thinks I'd be better suited as an ICU/CCU nurse, but I digress. Initially, I was leaning more towards the ADN and RN to BSN route but my mother (who holds an ADN having worked in nurse management and currently as a head charge nurse at a Boston area hospital) has been pushing me to look at the accelerated programs due to the trend towards only hiring BSN grads at just about all of the major hospitals in the Boston area. I also think my research heavy, dialectical seminar-style undergraduate experience make me well suited to handle the academic rigor of the ABSN programs I've read up on. The main reason behind my interest in the ADN route over ABSN programs is cost. They are a fraction of what it'll cost to attend an ABSN, but the cost benefit of having a BSN in about the same time is very alluring. I've considered the ABSN programs @ Umass- Amherst, Umass-Boston, Umass-Dartmouth, and the relatively new program at Salem State. As far as ADN programs go I've considered Mt. Wachusett, Bunker Hill, Quinsigamond Community, Roxbury Community and Laboure College. Any and all advice, criticisms and the like for this overthinking, yet determined aspiring nurse are greatly appreciated.