Aprilj09

Same here! ?

My TCH application still has me listed as "under consideration." This thread is making me feel like I shouldn't get my hopes up, though. Anyone's status change from this?

Me neither ?. I'm totally stalking this page for updates LOL

Hey! I applied for Texas Children's on the 11th. Any other late appliers hear anything from them yet?

Hey, everyone! I'm looking to apply for a position at Baylor Scott and White's Brenham location later this year. I'm having trouble finding details on application dates, though. Does anyone have any input? Also, perhaps a silly question, but would it be rude to call HR to find out these details? Background: I'm currently pregnant and working on my BSN. With so much on my mind (and to prepare for with a new baby!) I want to use some of this time to prepare my resume and pencil in these dates so I don't forget. BONUS: Any info on working at the Brenham location?

Hi, everyone! Just as the title says, graduation with my ADN/BSN is getting close and I want to know about experiences with nurse residencies in Oregon. DM me if you'd rather not publicly post about a particular hospital. Also, does anyone have any experience with applying to nurse residencies from out-of-state before making a move to the state? (I am from Texas). Thanks, everyone!

Thank you! Social work has always been a passion of mine! However, my husband practically staged an intervention with me about it, telling me that ANY career BUT social work was a good option for us. He's right, though, as we do live in a red state, social work is massively underfunded and social workers are just as underpaid, not to mention the job stability is just not there. I'm glad I made this post. I'm getting a lot of replies about becoming an MA or an LVN, but after doing a lot of soul searching, it hit me: why not just jump in and see what happens? So, I'm going to shoot for my ADN and go from there! I actually feel really good and motivated. Enough overthinking all of this, I'm just ready to start doing it.

Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that your post really stood out to me and it has actually had me reconsidering my post. Here's what I've been thinking: 1. You're right, what if I do like it? I'll never know if I don't try it out. 2. There's so much to learn and do in nursing, and that's exciting to me. I like the idea of constantly learning, and I really like the idea of a challenge. 3. I was worried about not having a normal, consistent schedule for my family. Honestly, working three days a week (although I know I would be on call, too) wouldn't be a bad gig. 4. Thinking long-term about my family, the nursing pay would be nice. It would be nice to not have to worry about money and to live comfortably. Also, if something were to happen to my husband and it would just be me and the kids, nursing is an in-demand job and the pay is pretty good (we would definitely set money aside). 5. Since it's in-demand, that means we could pretty well live anywhere we want and I (in theory) wouldn't have much difficulty finding a job. 6. Although being an MA and LVN does sound nice, the pay and job demand isn't there. I've met so many LVNs who have regretted not going the full RN route, and since I have this time to actually focus on school, why not just go the full BSN route? I guess I've been thinking that I love helping people, I'm not squeamish, I don't have any difficulty keeping calm in a crisis, and everything medical-related is interesting to me. It hit me that most of the books I read are medical-themed (currently reading Bill Bryson's "Body"). I looked at the course curriculum for both the RN and BSN degrees, and everything totally piques my interest. The question of "Why WOULDN'T I take this route?" kind of hit me hard. Anyways, I just wanted to tell you thank you for your post! I feel like you helped me have a major breakthrough in my career dilemma.

Oh, goodness. I wish I had totally dismissed money from my post. I've always been drawn to helping, educating, and taking care of people. I've worked in a hospital, and I don't like the environment. I've just always dreamed of working in a doctor's office or clinic. I'm not trying to make a lot of money from it, just a livable wage to contribute to my household. The community college courses for both LVN and RN are very reasonable and we're able to pay for them out of pocket. I'm so sorry this has become such an issue in this thread, I'm just trying to help create a better life for my family so it's not just on my husband.

I hear you, and this is something I've struggled with for a while, that is, whether nursing is for me or not. Truth be told, I took a semester of nursing pre-reqs last year, but then started doubting myself (even though I made A's) and switched to Education this year. I've come to the conclusion that I would love to be a nurse outside of bedside. I know it most likely wouldn't be the highest paying job because I would actively be avoiding working in a hospital, but honestly, as long as I'm making at least $20/hr, I would be totally okay with that. I wish I hadn't mentioned pay in my post--that seems to be what everyone is targeting! I'm definitely not looking to get rich off of nursing, and I apologize for coming across that way. What truly makes my heart sing is the idea of working in a clinic setting, especially public/community health. There's nothing that would make me happier than to be a nurse in that environment. I know that working outside of the hospital is for me, and working within the hospital is NOT. I would love to do social work or counseling, however, I've heard too many terrible stories about taking a social work job in my (very) red state. Basically, it's not what you go into if you're looking for something stable. Many counseling jobs require a Masters degree, and that's just not an option at this time.

Totally true! I appreciate all the advice you've given me.

Yes, I appreciate all of your feedback! I would totally take a pay cut if it meant having a more low-key job. Pay is least important to me. Also, you confirmed my suspicions about the more education, the better the opportunities.

Thank you for your response! Honestly, I'd totally take a pay cut if it meant a low stress job. Low stress away from the bedside sounds amazing to me. I totally had a feeling that some experience at the bedside must be gained before moving into a different setting. I get that it has to happen in order to move on. I guess I will just have to suck it up and do what it takes.

Hello, all! After working in clerical hospital roles in multiple facilities and having an up close view of what nurses do on a daily basis, I have realized that I would DREAD working bedside in a hospital. I'm wondering, though, is it possible just to head straight to a clinic or doctor's office upon graduating? Also, is an RN or LVN more likely to work in one of these roles? Honestly, my absolute dream would be to work in a public health setting! I would love to work with underserved populations. Basically,--and I feel bad saying this--I am looking for a relatively low-stress nursing job (although I know they're all stressful to a degree!). I've witnessed so many resuscitations (more attempted than successful), death/dying, and sudden emergencies and I am just NOT looking to have that be part of my job. I want nursing to be for me, but I'm afraid that my desires may not be reasonable or possible. I hate to put it this way, but I would strongly reconsider moving forward with nursing if it meant that this were not possible. As I said, I feel guilty admitting all of these things, but I truly am interested in nursing because I feel great satisfaction from helping others, I'm a natural advocate, I keep calm under pressure, and I love to read about everything health-related. I've viewed both the RN and LVN courses at my local college, and every subject seems completely thrilling to learn about. Also, for background, I live in the Houston area, am in my mid-twenties, married, and have a baby on the way. A good work/life balance is important to me as we want additional children and I certainly want to be involved in their lives. Currently, I'm considering all nursing avenues, and a Bachelor's degree is as far as I'm willing to go at this point (I definitely would be eyeing a public health degree if I did take this route!). Also, as far as the LVN vs. RN question, I've met a lot of LVNs who have expressed regret for not pursuing an RN degree because of pay and wanting more opportunities. All I'm seeking to do is make a decent paycheck for a comfortable lifestyle and to work outside of bedside. Basically, I'm at the point where I'm tired of thinking/debating what I want and start doing--and that means finding what works for me and not settling! I am finally feeling liberated and ready to do this! Any thoughts or advice on any of this is more than helpful to me--I would appreciate it so much! tl;Dr: Debating between LVN, RN, or BSN--whichever will offer me the most opportunities of working outside of bedside. I do NOT want to work bedside upon graduating and am wondering how possible this is to avoid. I would strongly reconsider the nursing path if this were NOT possible.