carebear_21

I live on the eastern shore of Maryland and I am working with Disabled and mentally disabled patients, here I start out making $9.00 and after my training period(90 days) I will get either a .50 to .75 cent raise depending on how many employees they hire. Right now I am working 7 days on/7 days off 11:00pm-9:00am and will be working 2-3 days a week during the day shift until I go back to college in January. The day shift makes $8.50 an hour but for around the area the pay is not bad. The good thing about the place I work is that you can decide what shifts you want to work. When I am going to college I will work Fridays 3:00pm-11:00pm and both Sat and Sun 9:00am-11:00pm and will be making $10.00 an hour at that point. ~Carebear~

I am working a 7 days on/7 days off shift right now which is overnight from 11:00pm-9:00am as a CNA but plan on starting back to college for my pre-reqs for RN in January and will be going from the over night shift to the weekend shift where I'll be working Fridays 3:00pm-11:00pm and Sat-Sun from 9:00am-11:00pm at night. The place I work at is really trying to help us out with college because the area I live in Nurse's are wanted badly. In the NICU there's only 5 nurses for all shifts and in Pediatrics I believe there's only 4 or 5 nurses for all shifts as well. ~Carebear~

Would it make more sense for me to take my Math's and English's, and my phlebotomy certification classes as well as a few other pre-reqs at a community college and then transfer over to a BSN program? I don't have a lot of money at the moment but I would like to eventually try to get accepted into marymount university in arlington va. I need to save some money up first and get most of my debt paid off and a really reliable car since I will have to do quite a bit of driving. I hope to be able to apply to marymount university in Augest 2007, I plan on talking to marymount to see which credits will transfer over, since the community college I am going to swears that it will. I am not only thinking about this because of the money situation but because I did not do very well in math, chemistry and biology in high school. I was a little bit of a slacker and I would like to take the chance to improve my GPA. Tomorrow I am going to go talk to an advisor and see what options I have available to me. I am also thinking about marymount university because they have housing and I will most likely need it since I cant afford to live on my own right now. Just wanted to see what everyone thought, have any of you taken pre-reqs at a community college and transfered over before?Thanks. ~Carebear~

When I graduate from nursing school in another 3 and a half to 4 years I want to work as pediatric nurse, since eventually I want to become a pediatric nurse practitioner that seems like a logical choice. ~Carebear~

Hi, I just wanted to say that you can get certified to take blood from people, what you would want to look into is a phlebotomy certification course at a community college. It should last anywhere from 3 months to a year depending on what the requirements are for that particular school. I am starting my pre-reqs for nursing in Augest and I will also be taking 2 classes through the year for my phlebotomy certification. If you want to do CNA training keep looking into the local nursing homes near you, many of them offer training multiple times during the year because they have a hard time keeping CNA's once their contract of employment is up. Well atleast that's the way it is around this area. I went to 4 different nursing homes before I got in to a training program but trust me they are out there. I'm not really sure about radiology, I do know that most places require you to have atleast a 2 year degree around this area, I'm not sure if they offer certificates for radiology or not. I have always wanted to be a nurse, it's been a passion of mine ever since I was little. I love helping people and want to make people as comfortable as possible when they are going thru traumatic times. I have had many experiences with nurses at hospitals that have made me realize it truely is what I want to do with my life. I plan on going to a CC and getting my ADN and then doing a RN-BSN online program and eventually I want to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and get my PhD in nursing. So as you can see I have many years of school ahead of me. I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do. ~Carebear~

Wow, am I confusing or what lol. I just got a call from my old boss asking me to come back to work as a PRN nutrition aide, they are willing to pay me $10.00 an hour and they will work around my schedule. I feel lucky, although I want to do CNA training I guess I should consider going back to my old job, they are offering more money than what a CNA would get around here and I can still get to know some of the nurses at the hospital. Actually there is one nurse who is really friendly to me as well as a doctor, they seem to really appreciate me and think its great what I am doing. I am definately still looking into phlebotomy. If I get my old job back I can talk to some of the Phlebotomists and see if the hospital does any phlebotomy training and maybe see if I can shadow someone. I will be working Monday and Friday from 6:30 to 3:00pm and every other weekend and attending school on Tuesdays,and Thursdays and maybe take a psychology class wenesday morning.I just have to make sure I dont get too burnt out! being a nutrition aide really isnt that bad, your on your feet all day running back and forth between floors but as a nurse your on your feet all the time anyway. Anyway, the patients really appreciate you although I think most would prefer the food to be a little better LOL. Thanks eveyone. Me and my crazy questions, my brain is on overload from all this thinking!

Should I take the 2 extra classes required to get my phlebotomy certification? There really arent many jobs for phlebotomist around the area, but I have been told getting certified in phlebotomy will help me once I get to nursing school...I plan on applying to the nursing program itself in 2008. I have a lot of pre-reqs to go thru. I cant get into any of the CNA programs that I hoped for so I am going to try finding just a regular part-time job once I find out what my schedule will be for this fall. Just wanted to know what you all think...thanks. ~carebear~

Classes for Fall 2006: English 111, Algebra, Medical terminolgy, and maybe SDV 101 orientation to Health Care. Classes for Spring/Summer 2006: Program: ADN When started pre-reqs:Fall 2006 When you plan to apply for clinicals:Not sure Projected graduation: Hopefully 2009 or 2010, depending on how many pre-reqs I can get thru. Most nervous about:Not getting into ADN program once I finsih my pre-reqs and doing terrible in Algebra!!! Want to be a nurs because: Ever since I was a little girl I've been in and out of hospitals and have always enjoyed the company of my nurses. It's been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember to help other's in pain, and to just be there to talk to if any of my patients were to ever need me! Your inspiration: All the pediatric nurses out there who make a difference!!! My parents, my boyfriend and my aunts and cousins who are nurse's and are proud of what they do every day. Previous jobs/carrer:Not working at the moment but i'm trying to get into a training program at a nursing home for CNA training.

This may sound kinda silly but what is a care partner???

Thanks everone :). I have decided to wait for the the next CNA classes at the nursing home. The receptionist told me to keep calling every week to see when the next training begins. I think I am going to my phlebotmy certification though. I will only have to take 2 extra classes, since english 111 and medical terminology are pre-reqs to get into the nursing program and also for the college I want to get my bsn at. The nursing home will allowme to work whenever I can, I will not have set days or hours to work, the position I will be taking will be PRN. which means I can come in whenever I am available.I am really looking forward to getting my pre-reqs out of the way, the advisor said that it should only take about a year, but I was given a list of classes that would be beneficial to me if I dont get into the nursing program on the first try. Thanks for your advice! ~carebear~

Wow, so i'm looking into about 4 to 5 years just for my ADN? If I take all my pre-reqs and co-reqs??? I'm actually going to the RN-BSN advanced Route online as well. Then I plan on getting my Master degree as a PNP. So it's look like i'll be in school for another 8-9 years. Don't you have to work as a RN for a while to even be able to get your master's degree???

I really want to be a CNA and I was hoping I would be able to take classes at the local nursing home near me but they are not having training classes for another 6 months or longer. The college I got accepted into offers a CNA course that's 5 weeks long, and is from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday...and the cost is $1,400. It requires me to have TB testing done which I already have, and documentation of Hepatitus B documentation which I already have as well.I was thinking after I get my financial aid taken care of I could do that during the day and at night take 2 classes and get a head start on my phlebotomy certification. Of course I wouldn't be able to work for about 5 weeks until after I complete the CNA course but I think it would be a good idea. We really cant afford for me to be out of work much longer so that seems to be my best bet.My goals are to first become a CNA, then get my degree in phlebotomy so I can work as a phlebotomist for a while, take pre-reqs for the RN program, go thru a RN-BSN online program and eventually work my way up to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I'm looking to be in college for the next 7-8 years but I figure it'll all be worth it and the more experience and the more certifications I have will help me in the long run. My question to you is, would you take a CNA course thru a college for $1,400, while knowing that you can get CNA training for free thru a nursing home? The only thing keeping you from waiting is that you really need a job and dont want to go thru all the hassle of finding a job now just so you can quit in a few weeks??? Any advice would help. Thanks Amber

How long does it normally take to finish your pre-reqs? I know I have atleast 5 classes to take, plus a couple more that they recommend taking if for some reason I am not accepted into the program the first time I apply. I also must meet the requirements of the college itself and make sure I take classes that will allow me to start my RN-BSN program after I pass the NCLEX exam. I am also going to be taking courses for Phlebotomy, there are only 4 classes and 2 classes are also pre-reqs for the nursing program. On an average should it take about a year to finish?Thanks. The reason I am asking is because in about 4 years, my fiance and I will be moving to California, I am in virginia now and I would like to be able to atleast get my ADN here and not have to worry about transferring to another college once I get there. Of course this all depends whether or not I get accepted into the program or not on my first try. I am a good student and have never gotten anything lower than a B+. My GPA is a 3.87. So hopefully I wont have any problems. ~carebear~

jlhalloween, Like you I was also a MA student, but unfortunately I had to tranfer out after I found out that my credits would not transfer, not even my math's and english's bc i was in an accelerated program and my classes were only 5 weeks long. How long was your program? Do you enjoy what you are learning as an MA? I start my pre-reqs for the RN program at a local community college in augest and for a while I was considering doing the LPN course so that I could eventually bridge over, but a friend of mine who is a nurse informed me that after my first year of my ADN, thru the college I am going to go thru I will be able to sit for the PN-NCLEX exam. My suggestion to you is to look around, see if you some of the programs will allow you to sit for your PN-NCLEX after your first year. Do this only if the waiting list at the college is not long, or if there is no waiting list. Luckily for me, my college has no waiting list but is first come, first serve. If all the colleges you apply for have a really long waiting period before you are accepted I would suggest looking into the LPN-RN bridge program. Good luck with whatever you decide. ~carebear~

KCOrn2b, I am also getting ready to start my pre-reqs in augest. I am supposed to go to an information session on nursing before I can schedule my classes. I have already taken A&P1 and 2 but unfortunately my credits did not transfer from my other college, since it was an accelerated proram and the classes only lasted 5 weeks. I got A's in both classes. You will be fine, from what I remember if you study you should have no problems. I'm getting ready to take my placement tests this upcoming week, English and Math. I am pretty sure I will have to take a developmental class in Math though. I have been studying all day and plan on studying for the rest of the week. The best advice I can give you is if you have any problems talk to your professors/instructors immediately. I have watched many of my classmates fail because they didnt understand the way the instructor taught. I wish you luck. ~Carebear~

Thanks everyone :), I think I was alittle confused about the difference between the placement tests and the entrance exam into the actual nursing program. After I take my placement tests I'm going to sign up for my classes ASAP.

Are there any PNP's out there? As a student I have a long ways to go before I get to the point where I can actually say I am one but it's my ultimate goal. I have been doing a lot of research on different career paths once I get my BSN and the most appealing has become PNP. I plan on going to the university of virginia school of nursing in Charlottesville, va and was wondering if there are any of you here who are have actually attended the University of VA??? Do you enjoy being a PNP???I know I love it because I love children. I spent most of my child hood in and out of doctors offices and when I was 11 I was diagnosed with Diabetes. The office I went to was run by NP's. I didnt even know they had and option for endocrinology. Well I have to run, but I hope to hear from some of you, and look forward to getting to know you. ~Amber~

I was just wondering if you take the pre-entrace exam at a community college before or after you do your pre-reqs? I know you have to take a english and math test before you start taking classes but if you fail a portion of the test will they allow you to do it over, will they put you in a non-credit class first before allowing you to continue on? I am very good at English but suck really badly at Math and may need a refresher course. I see a lot of Math links here but I am one of those people that only learn when I can actually see someone else doing it. Thanks. Amber

So here's my dilemma, I have decided after many many hours and days of consideration that my ultimate goal is to become a RN and I plan on going to a 2-year college,which I think I mentioned before and then doing my RN-BSN-MSN online eventually. The problem is my instructors at the college I recently attended keep pressuring me to do something else, something more challenging. They've even went as far as to write letters of recommendation to medical schools even though I have never even really considered medical school as an option. I mean they used to write me notes on my exams actually saying I should be in a more challenging environment. It got to the point where I had other students getting jealous of me and they were not exactly happy that I was doing so well and getting the instructors attention. I have had 2 different medical schools call me and ask if I would like to come up for an interview. One of them being John Hopkins University. The reason for this I believe is bc one of my instructors is a pediatrician and is also on the board of admissions at JHU. I have tried so many times to explain to them that I want more of a one on one environment with my patients and many doctors do not have the time usually for that type of interaction. I, myself have been to the hospital many times and have had really bad luck with doctors! The nurses are the one's that I remember, the one's who cared weather I was comfortable and not in pain. How would you handle a situation like this? I do not want to come off as being ungrateful, because believe me I am. I mean it's a great honor to me to know that they believe in me so much but I wish they would respect my decision.

Thank you for replying back to my post so soon. I am excited about pursing both my education and career choice. I will be attending an ADN program and I think I will receive my associates degree after completing 69 credits. I am also excited about becoming a CNA. I never been more excited about anything in my life! I am going to look into as many RN-BSN online programs as I can. I was originally thinking of going thru the university of phoenix online but since I have a couple years to decide I am going to take my time looking. The advisor I am talking to at the college i'm about to attend recommends I take the RN-BSN online because the waiting lists are horrible around here for a 4-year college. Some of the waiting lists around are 3-4 years long. It's really good to know that you enjoy the program you decided to go with. It gives me hope :). I may even decide to do my MSN online as well. Thanks. ~Carebear~

It's me again lol, I am looking into training to become a CNA thru a nursing home near me, so I can get some experience and also make atleast a little bit of money while Im going to college so I can survive. Are any of you or were any of you CNA's before pursing your LPN or RN programs? Would you recommend becoming a CNA first? I would like to get into the medical field as fast as possible. I am also going to become a (CPT) certified phlebotomist technician thru the community college before I start taking my pre-reqs for the RN program they offer. ~Amber~

I have a quick question to ask you, have any of you ever done a RN-BSN online program??? I am new to this and I will begin taking my pre-reqs for the RN program at the local community college in northern virgina. My advisor has asked me if I plan on getting my BSN eventually and to be honest I plan on pursing it as soon as I graduate and get my associates degree. I had no luck with getting into a 4-year nursing program, not even to start taking pre-reqs and I have a 3.9 GPA so I thought maybe I could try a RN-BSN online program but I wasn't sure if any of them were really that good? If you know of any please please let me know. I would so appreciate your advice and any comments you may have are also appreciated. Thanks. ~Amber~

Hello, I was just wondering if any of you have done a RN-BSN online program? I just got accepted into a community college and will begin taking my pre-reqs in the fall, along with getting certified in phlebotomy. My advisor has asked me if I plan on getting my BSN. I would like to go to the 4-year colleges around my area but they are very very hard to get into for the nursing programs. I have applied to many and finally got into the community college. I was asked which BSN program I would like to get into because they want to make sure they can put me in courses that will transfer over eventually. This college is wonderful, 2-year programs seem to focus more on the clinical aspect of nursing around virgina then some of the 4-year programs I have looked into do. If you have done a RN-BSN online program which one's would you recommend? Also I am planning on becoming a CNA thru a local nursing home as soon as I can find out when their next training class begins. If not they do have CNA class at the community college I am going to but the cost is unbelievable.I think it would be good experience for me and the reason I am looking forward to becoming a CNA is because I think that it would be a great place for me to start. It would allow me to understand a little more about what I plan on doing. I know CNA is a lot of grub work, but I don't care what I have to do to help other people, I am sure I will get attached to some of my patients, but I think the reason most of us decide to become nurses isnt for really for the pay, we are all here to help people who need us and that is what has really made me want to become a RN. I have medical problems and have been to the hospital many times in my life and I can tell you that I would not of made it thru some of my visits without the help of the nurses who were always there by my side. I just wanted to say keep up the good work, and remember every day you go to work, you make a difference in atleast one person's life!!!

hey strugglinginva, I finally went to nova to ask them about whether or not the 2-year waiting list was true or not and like your friend I was told that it really does all depend on who gets application in for finishing your pre-requisites first. Also if you apply and get denied it gives you a chance to take classes that would be beneficial to you but arent necessarily required. I decided that I am going to start my pre-reqs in September 2006 and also take a couple classes on phlebotomy and get my certification for that. I am currently working at the hospital near me and they would be willing to hire me part-time as a phlebotomist if I decided to take that route. So I am. I wanted to thank you for sending me a PM and giving me advice. Thanks. Carebear_21

Jen, are you a current student at NVCC?