shiftingtides

Relational skills is a real thing. And many businesses and managers value that type of skill as much or more than others. Someone can be taught to put in an IV or assess a patient, but it's much more difficult to teach someone how to fit in with your team. I can understand being a private person, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the people trying to make small talk with you. Chatting about things most people don't generally think of as private (like where someone is from, if they have kids, how long they've been a nurse, etc.) is how people get to know each other and it is not generally an effort to poke into one's private business. That being said, if you staunchly oppose answering even the most innocuous of questions, then just state that to the person. Stick with that rule at work. If you open up to several of your coworkers but refuse to even make mundane personal small talk with others, you may appear to be rude rather than private. Asking someone if they "have papers" is not small talk, and I don't think it can really be compared to chatting about someone's new car or asking general small talk questions.

OUCH at that image. ? I think that hospice nursing really embodies the idea of holistic care. I've worked with many hospice nurses and have nearly always been impressed by their knowledge and "bag of tricks," so to speak.

You are my hero! Thank you.

I had the same experience. But I also feel like I really learned the material. I'm glad I went through Portage. I'm finishing A&P II and Micro through them now. No cakewalk, that's for sure.

You can finish the one through Portage pretty darn quickly (a couple of weeks if you really devote yourself). It isn't easy, per se, but it isn't much harder than the community class version I took years ago. It's one you can plow through, and Geneva College is regionally accredited. I got my A&P through them, and I learned a ton.

It depends on how badly you want to become a nurse. Believe me, I get it. Waiting for anything stinks, especially when you want it badly. I am a very impatient person by nature. And there is a ton of waiting involved in nursing school (prerequisites, applying half a year before the programs actually start). But if you really want it, get started on those prerequisites as soon as you can!

You didn't answer the question.

In related news, how does one ignore a user on AN?

I'm glad you figured out it is doable for you. Masks are annoying, but are required everywhere in this line of work at the moment (as far as I know). Best of luck to you with your exam!

Thank you!

Thank you. You make some very good points. The competitiveness and intensity don't bother me, as my test scores are great and I have very good grades (and a prior bachelors/masters), but I don't have the option of moving right now and there are no direct entry MSN programs local to me. I think I will likely either do an accelerated BSN (I have a great local option for this), or I will just be patient and finish via a local community college. Mostly I'm frustrated that the programs near me don't start more often than once per year. Patience is a virtue I'm working on. ? Thanks so much for your replies!

Well, I am an LPN, and I know of several online LPN to ADN and LPN to BSN programs (University of Arkansas, Indiana State, Hutchinson Community College, Excelsior, etc.) As I said in my OP, with in person clinicals, of course. I was kind of hoping there was something similar to these programs at a direct to MSN level (for financial aid purposes). But thank you for your feedback. I kind of figured but thought it couldn't hurt to check for similar options at the MSN level.

As the title says, does anyone know of any direct entry MSN programs that can be done remotely, with monthly-ish travel to the site for clinicals (didactic online)? Doesn't have to be an NP program. I know this is a long shot, but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask. Thanks!

I would imagine that library hours may not be as accessible as they would normally be right now, either. Some are likely to not be open for a while yet at all.

Ouch.

This seems crazy to me. Are they being scanned some places purely to charge the patient for them? Maybe it's because I work at a nonprofit, but we don't scan anything for patients, supply wise. They aren't being charged for chucks, purewicks, or toothbrushes either. If I have to change a canister in someone's room, I just grab one and change it. Do you have to scan that kind of stuff at some hospitals?

I would die before I put my mother in a LTC center. That is not to bash the people who work in LTC, most are wonderful. But I will take care of my mother like she took care of me if she ever needs it. And I would consider it to be a privilege. The same goes for my MIL.

I'd agree with another poster that the job you're describing now mostly goes to MAs, and usually at quite a bit less than $20/hr. Look at job postings in your area and see if there are offices still hiring nurses. Likely getting your LPN would be a better fit for this kind of job, when you look at the cost in time of getting that versus your RN. Again, it might still not pay quite what you're looking for, but it will pay better than an MA. Looking at your local market should help you to decide the right path. Community health will likely be something that will require a greater time investment. I would guess at least a bachelors. Good luck! I find it admirable that you know what you want, the pay you need, and that you are willing to be honest and straightforward about it when seeking advice.

I work in a float pool at a hospital, mainly on PCU and med-surg. My duties are what the prior nurse on here said (everything but a few, very specific things like starting blood), and my support/training was what every nurse here gets, 6-12 weeks of orientation plus a new grad residency program.

Not all states have that cheap of community colleges. In Colorado most are 15k+ for an ADN (not counting prerequisites). Compare your options, and your difference in income.

Have you considered trying nights? Far less BS than during days, in my experience.

PA might be faster for someone who is not already a nurse, and the training doesn't necessarily assume that you've put in as much time in a medical field as an NP education might. A year or two of prerequisites (if you are very devoted) then two years of school. But that assumes a person could at least quit working for two years. Just tossing that out there.

That is awful. That DA is an *** and a ***********.

I would take the chance with the ortho job. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If you want to work as an RN for a while, I would highly recommend going for either an associate's degree, or, if you have an affordable option in your area, an ABSN. I know that coming from your background you may view having an MSN as a bigger plus than it really is in nursing (NP MSNs aside). Coming from a similar background as yours, I thought the same. But in nursing, it is more about the license than it is about the number of years you spent on your education. In many places, an RN with an ADN will earn exactly the same salary as an RN with an MSN. I know that's tough to picture coming from a business background. Once you get an RN, increasing your education to a BSN or MSN can be done online (again, excepting NP, which can be done mostly online save clinicals), and you can finish a BSN very quickly once you have your RN. I would recommend taking the least expensive route to the RN, then evaluate from there what you need for where you want to work. In some areas, hospitals will require a BSN, but a BSN versus a non-NP MSN will not make much (if any) difference in your salary or ability to get a job.