maryruth

Now that sounds like a good plan! I am glad you have the luxury of time on your hands. I know how much daycare can cost too! That is the reason why I had to stay home and go to Rio because we could not afford daycare for a newborn and a toddler but now they are getting older it cost a little less. I hurried myself to get through bio201,bio205,hcc145 this last semester and took little more than I could chew because I just want to get back to work. Being a stay at home mother is driving me nuts. Another thing you could do if your waiting to be expected to the RN program is go ahead and take your NUR156 & 157 and become a CNA. If you have a long wait you can work as a CNA and gain some kind of healthcare experience. They use to make that class a requirement but now it is no longer a requirement which is cool.:) I'm going to take those classes this semester and I hope to get hired on somewhere that will help pay for my tuition. That way I wont have a huge loan to pay at the end. But that is all wishful thinking. Good luck on your CHEM class and let me know how it goes at RIO because I will be taking that in the spring. I am thinking RIO or chandler/gilbert cc, if you tell me RIO is hard I'll do the later. GOOD luck to you!

My hats off to you if you plan on duing 12credits and stay at home with all your kids. When I started off with RIO I started with nine credits and I had a four month and a two year old. I stayed home the entire time with them and it was very difficult to study/babysit/houseclean etc. I started off with the easier classes and I made it but I hardly remeber my four month old daughter during those times because I was so busy. Then I went to the more difficult classes 13credits and I did alot worse. I recommend trying to get some kind of a babysitter if you plan on doing full time with RIO. BIO201 with RIo is almost like taking two full classes...the amount of the work they give you equals just about that. BIO205 is not to bad at all and its labs are easy. I think if you did just bio201 and bio205 together you'd just fine but no more than that to start off with. I'd make the first semester be your trial and error if you can handle those credits then do a little more the next semester. You'll be taking on alot more than you know and if your in the thick of it, it will be to late to turn around ya know. If you decided to go ahead and do a full 12 credits I recomend having a babysitter a few hours a week, if anything to save your sanity. This last semester was the last time I go to RIO. I am now getting into the harder classes (bio202, chem, mat122). After how much I struggled with bio201 at rio and the amount of work they gave us, I think I would be better off with a regular college. Btw, yes chem is still preqs, but hcc(130) is not a preqs. Hcc145 is now in the "required" classes and so is psy101. They changed that after I took hcc145 and psy101....of course...*sigh* but at least when I am in the program I don't have those classes to worry about.

Is the nursing program at chandler/gilbert CC held at the pecos or williamsfield campus?

I've taken BIO156, BIO201, BIO205, PSY101, HCC145, and my humanity classes at RIO. BIO156 is helpful for those of us who have not done a bio class at all or in many years. The key things I think they want you to get out of bio156 that is helpful in bio201 is the Kerb cycle, protiens, celluar makeup etc. In BIO201 they touch on those things a little bit but not as in depth as bio156. I don't know you can try and test out of bio156 but if you fail the test just know it helps you a little bit in the over all understanding in bio201 and even bio205 a little bit. Far as chemistry yeah they touch some chemistry aspects in bio201 and a little in bio205 but I have never had a chemistry class in my life and I did just fine without taking the CHEM class beforehand. BIO205 is a fun class and you can take that in any order it really does not matter much where/when you take it. The labs in BIO205 are pretty easy and the reading is easy going. Now bio201 has huge/long labs and a bit more reading. It is a time consumeing class for sure. I totally aced psy101 that is a really easy class just got to be good at essays. HCC145 is a snap....just study all your quizes because they use all those questions in the midterm and final. One thing I hate about RIO and I don't know if the other schools do this but it doesn't matter if you did all your homework and did well on them....your grade all comes down to your midterm and final. You got to make a 60% on both tests. So, the little bit of your points in homework wont help your overall grade at all. PTF hours of homework for nothing.

If you lived in Japan then Hawaii cost of housing should not scare you to much. It is the biggest shock to mainlanders because they are use to reasonable housing prices, expect for New York and Califorina people.:) My friend lived in Japan and it was nuts how much it cost to live there. Lived in a very small studio but loved the atomospher of Japan. If your happy living in a smaller place for big bucks then this should be no problem. I look at it as a trade off...yeah I am losing my big Arizona home for something half its size but I am gaining the beach, ocean, jungle, awesome wheather and the best views around! The hard part I think for me and my family is adjusting to the culture. We are only exposed to mexican culture and are use to being the majority. So, being around many other cultures and dealing with obivous and not so obivous prejudice is a little out of our league. I am up for that challenge though and hope it makes me a stronger person and my kids stronger.

You may apply for the nursing program even when you are in your last semester of your preqs. If you just have a couple of preqs left they let you apply early....it helps because it gets you on the list a little sooner. They date/time stamp it. You have to request the early application/packet and give proof that your in your last preqs classes like a registration receipt.

What are your likes or dislikes about living on the windward side of Oahu?

Thank you everyone for all your information. I looked into all those places and so far Banner and the department of health through kidscare is the cheapest.:) I wish this was for the RN program but I am still three preqs from the RN program. This is for the CNA application. Rio Salado's application packet says I am required to show that I have all my shots, finger print clearance card, physical and proof of all my preqs along with the application. They said if I don't have all those those things with the application that I shouldn't bother. I decided to do CNA suddenly because I realized I only had to take NURS156/157 and I thought it would be nice to get the experience esp if there is a big wait for the RN program...at least I can be working and doing something in the field. I have alot of pent up energy right now because I am a stay at home mom and I miss working so much. :)

Mattsmom, Which school did you go to?

I have friends who live in Surprise. My friend delivered both her babies at Thunderbird hospital. It is a little bit of a drive but not to bad from Surprise. I hear alot of good things about Thunderbird esp their labor and delivery unit. Surprise is a pretty good area right now to buy some nice homes and new neighborhoods but kinda a bummer on the traffic and shopping but its growing fast. Good luck!

Ok here is the deal. I just lost my health insurance and it may be a few months before I get any back. So, I got to pay out of pocket for a physical and immunizations &titer and tb test now so I can try and get my application in for this fall. I called up my doctor I have now and get this he says he doesn't do immunizations and all that for adults just for his kids patients ptf. So, now I got to find a doctor who will examine me and do a titer and tb test. Anyone can referrer me to a fairly inexpensive doctor?? Or do I need to go somewhere else for my titer and tb tests?? My mother does not have my immunizations records and I don't know my old high school address and I doubt they'd still have my records because it was one of those small christian private schools in Colorado. So if anyone have any info on some good doctors (on the east valley) and any info on where/how you got your titer/immunizations would be awesome! Thanks.

I don't want to be igorant but what is the full name of KCC? I know UH is for university of Hawaii. Is the wait list for KCC and UH longer than HPU? Do you think one can work part time and still keep up in the RN programs in either UH or KCC?

Thank you for all the replies. I am not to surprised to hear that there is alot of abuse to the elderly. It is one of the things I have to consider if I can handle jerky people who will do that. Do you think it is just because they are burned out or just bad people? Or way under staffed? I think that is another reason why I'd like to try Geriatrics is because I know there is a real need for it. If you do get burned out from it, is it easy to cross over into something else? Someone mentioned they liked LTC because it gave them a chance to know their patients a little more and able to give them better care/attention than in a hospital. However, how much does it effect you more if a patient died there rather than in the hospital under your care? I guess what I am saying how do you cope with the grief? Is there a higher turn over for deaths there than in the hospital? Sorry for the silly questions. Do you think its better in a hospital or at LTC? Which is more exciteing or rewarding?

I am a nurse student right now. I am thinking about getting into geriactrics when I am out of school and I'd like to hear the pros and cons of geriactrics. All my family want me to go into it but lets face it what do they know...I want nurses who are actually working in geriactrics to give me the straight up truth about it. Reason why I am thinking of geriatrics is kind of personal reasons. I saw how much my grandmother's last few years of her life was spent and it broke my heart. Nobody wants to "deal" with old people and I think they get alot of crap/abuse for it. But the other thing that scares me is how some can be extermly rude and mean too. I had both sets of grandparents...the very nice and the very cruel. Any info/opinions would be great thanks!

Wow thanks for the reply and you actually answered my questions! Thank you for the newspaper website too. Waimea is actually a place I was interested in because what I've seen it looks nice. I like the country look and not to into the jungle. So, I am happy to hear that there is a hospital there. I'll have to look it up! I take it there is probably a little one over by Kona too? I heard it from somewhere that there is a movie theater in Waimea or another town close to it and groceary story. Long as I'm twenty miles from those things I am a happy camper. I noticed alot of the homes on the big island have the tanks for collecting water. Is that a good deal or should I stick with getting a place with city water? Thanks for the tip on which hospital is better. I am not to worried if I will find a nurseing job there just worried if I will be expected. I am also worried that my husband will not find a job there. He is in the retail job market. He is going to school right now trying to get a computer science degree. If I do move there in a few years my girls will only be in 1st to 2nd grade and not in that "cocky" stage yet but the school thing is what concerns me the most. I can deal with crappy comments and know what to expect from rascist but they are just so innocent. I understand how you feel about other people moving into your islands/state because I felt the same way when califorina and people from back east moved to colorado and bought up all the best land in the mountains and drove everything up for the people who've lived there for generations. They made it almost impossible for my family to live there and now they struggle to get by in an condo. I can understand the resistentment esp the more beautiful the place the more you want to keep it close to you and closed off to others. Seems anywhere worth living is turning into a huge city (all of califorina and now where I live Arizona). When I move to Hawaii it wont be for a cheap thrill of living somewhere that is "paradise". I want it to be apart of my family and I want to make roots there. No cookie cuter home, something I will hand down through the generations along with the land and tell stories of the old days. Nobody does that anymore....nobody keeps family erlums, homes, and family history. I want to go to the big island this January or March. Any tips of where to go sight seeing and maybe do a little searching for job/home?

Thank you for the websites they came in handy! So what is the book you are studying for your NET exams? I bought a study guide from the school and I hope its good enough.

Ops yeah I meant the microbiology. I can see how some of it can be applied in the real world for the spreading of bacteria/diseases etc but everything else ...I don't know I guess I am bored with it. I think the class would be so much more fun in a real class setting but doing it online is so boring! Far as A & P I can totally see how you really need to know ALL of it. However, I think I would have an easier time with A & P if I had like a 3D model of the muscles and bones because just reading it to me after awhile it starts to sound the same to me and unlike you I can't visualize it. I am one of those people that have to touch/feel it and stare at it along time for it to click in my head. I guess I shouldn't be taking online classes huh. Anyone know any good places I can get 3D models on the skeleton/muscles etc? I have an atlas but its almost the same as the text book.

Thanks for the help guys. I just wanted to let you know I passed. My teacher was nice enough to let us know that our practice quiz questions would be on the test and that helped alot. I was surprised she picked some really easy essay questions though. I boned up on the harder ones so for a change the essay questions were easy to me. Well now I know what to expect out of bio205. It is the bio201 that is kicking my butt. I wish I could talk to someone who is already a nurse and just ask them how much of this stuff you learn in class comes into play in the real world as a nurse. Then maybe I would feel a little more motivated about it all.:)

Anyone have any tips on what to study for? I know the objectives blah blah but its so much information its ridiculas! Any help would be apperciated. Thanks.

I read your post BiBikerRN on the other thread about the big island. It got me interested. I've been there once before many years ago (15yrs) and I stayed in Hilo for a month. I did not like Hilo because back then it had some big time racisim against me there (just cause I was white and from the mainland). I loved the landscape though. Far as I could tell the big island was just as pretty as Oahu (I still have yet to see Maui to compare). So, I guess I'd like to know has Hilo changed any? Back then they were very clanish. I know it must of grown since 15yrs ago but by how much....back then there was one small mall and a movie theater. How different is it now? What do you love/dislike about the big island? How is the community....are there any good churches there? Is there anything else fun to do besides a water sport on the big island? Which side of the island is the best and worst to live? I noticed that the housing is cheaper on the big island but it is more expensive in the areas of the north and west side. Why is that? What is the job market there like for normal jobs? Is everything centered around tourism like the other islands? Where is the worst and berst places for a nurse to work there? Does the school system there have a bad rep like the other islands (ie, poor teachers and rasicism)? Would it be miserable for a child from a mainland to go to school/make friends there? How expensive is the private schools? How is the big island different compared to the other islands? (besides being bigger and less populated than oahu)? Any info would be cool. Thanks!

Thanks for the info! Its all what I've pretty much heard from my brother who lives there, from my books, and others online. When I was in Hawaii I was loving the geography of it all but at least my eyes where not shut to all the racial things going on or the cost. It didn't bother me because I was just a tourist ya know. I also realize that Oahu is different than the other islands and I am planing on looking into the big island and maui again. This is something I will not rush into because I have a family. If it was just myself I would have no problems packing up and living there even just for a year or two. However, kids need stability and need to feel safe/comfortable. Sometimes its all about timeing too I guess and right now it sounds like its not a good time to be over there (cost of living). Anyhow, I'd still apperciate any info or links you have.

Just curious what everyone has to say about what is the biggest misconception that everyone has about Hawaii??

So, what is the joke about the book exactly? Whats the core of it you think is totally unrealistic? Whats the biggest misconception you think everyone has about Hawaii?

Whats your guys opinion on the best town to live in? I like Prescott because of the old town feel but is it safer? I like Prescott Valley because of all the new stores. Then I like the other sournding areas like Dewey because its a little more rural. I know the further away you get from Prescott and Prescott Valley the cheaper it is. I was just wondering which town you guys like the best and why? And in each town how long of a drive is it to the hospital? Whats the traffic like?

Been to Hawaii twice (big island & Oahu). My brother goes to the unversity of Hawaii and is a good source of information about Oahu etc. Anyhow, I was considering living there with my family and working there as a nurse after I get out of school. I've been researching about Hawaii etc. I found this book called "So you Want to Live in Hawaii?" by Toni Polancy and has some good stuff in there. It gives you the pros and cons and everything you need to know about housing & cost of living to the culture etc. For those of us who are in LALALA land about Hawaii its a bit of a bum kill but hey you need to know the truth before making that big of a move esp if your moving your kids. Like someone said it's like a third world country well I don't know if I'd go that far (been to Italy) but it is pretty darn close and lets just say Honolulu is the least American city I've ever lived/been to. Even if your an American there is some big adjustments to be made because it really isn't like a typical American city/culture. I don't know about Maui though but I hope to vacation there this comeing December 2006 and find out.