phoenix72

I'm 34 and a pre-nursing student. I'm also an avid writer and have been torn between becoming a Journalist and a Nurse. I register for classes again on 11/16 and need to have made a choice by then. One of my goals is to be able to travel and have some fun on weekends once I hit 40 and my kids are older. I was wondering how scheduling works in the hospitals? I know there are 8 and 12 hour shifts, but how hard is it to get a weekend or two off per month? I'm sorry if this sounds naieve, but I don't want to go into a career that may end up being wrong for me.

It's funny because I left the world of HR and I seem to be spouting law here on this board and awful lot. It sounds to me like your professor did violate ADA by refusing to wear the amplifier as it is a simple request and does not place undue hardship on the professor. As far as everything else, I can't say that I see it as discrimination, sorry. I've always coached employees that if you know something is against the rules, do the right thing. If others were wearing sweats, don't wear them yourself if you are aware that you are not supposed to. You are only responsible for yourself, no one else. I agree with the other posteer who stated that outside of accomodations, you should be treated like every other student. That said, I agree that you need to put this aside for now and focus all of your energy on passing the test. After that's accomplished then you can turn your attention on helping future students. You are a very strong person and passing this test will show them not to underestimate those individuals with disabilities/ special needs.

I have to agree with the others. If you're able to afford the gas and time that the drive will demand, I'd go for it. In the same time it would take to become a LPN, you could be a RN. Good luck!!!

It's hard to say whether those are pre-reqs or remedial courses. I looked into a LVN program at a technical school (equivalent to your LPN) and took their test as well. All I needed was a current CNA license because my test came back high enough. When I looked into the LVN program at the JC, I needed 4 pre-reqs (Science, Math, English, and one other I forget) to apply. I have sense decided to go straight to a BSN program at the local university. Have you asked your admissions rep? They should be able to explain this to you. By the way, I'm all for stepping out on faith to pursue your dreams. I'm doing the same. Good luck to you.

You'd be doing her a huge favor if you did that. Before leaving to go back to school for nursing, I was in Human Resources and we've terminated people for this very reason. The hospital would be bound to do so should she keep on this course.

The problem lies mainly in that nursing instructors are paid very low wages. Those nurses who are qualified to instruct make much better pay working as a RN, so why teach? In order to end this shortage, nursing instructors need to earn a higher wage. Higher wages means more instructors, thus more programs, and more grads. IMHO

I don't work in a hospital yet, but I did work in Human Resources for a major corporation (working primarily in Staffing for a number of years)and I think it may actually make things worse. I forsee administration coming down harder on the nurses and expecting them to do more than they already do. It takes a forward thinking company to see that positive reinforcment and adequate staffing actually help a company's bottom line. Most see them as additional expenses. I hate to say it, but it's true. We can always dream, though.

I went to MT school and there were a few guys in class. They were/are in high demand and none of the girls had problems with them working on us. In fact, we often preferred it because their hands were naturally larger and they were more easily able to grasp the large muscle groups (no offense to female therapists intended). They had a clinic at the school and our male therapists had quite a few clients. I think so much is how you present yourself. Good luck with this!!

Are you set on catering to little old ladies only? There are a lot of widowers out there who could probably use some help, too. I'd say be VERY specific in the naming because there are a lot of fetish pervs out there who would love a "Nurse and More". :angryfire What about "YouRN" (suppsed to be Your RN but may be a bit confusing). You could also do something like "An RN 4 You" or "Nurse on Duty". That's a hard one. I love the idea, though! Let us know what you decide.

I have four children, a spouse, and family as well. I would be upset, too. Do they always hold graduation this way, or is this sporting event the cause?

You'd think these guys would learn after being passed up for jobs time after time. My brother was like this, he'd get passed up time and time again but he'd always come up with an excuse.

Damn! Need a study partner! Way to go!!!

I've left positions over the years, taking a salary cut for the learing experiences available, and I always caught up quickly. I agree that you answered your own question. Go for it!!!

Okay, it it's too late for you then it's REALLY too late for me, as I'm 34 and starting new, as well. I'll be just shy of 40 when I graduate. Interestingly enough, I want to get into the same field of you. It's been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. I say go for it!!!

My mom is in school and has the same test taking block. She also cannot retain anything she reads. She finally began reading her text book out loud and recording it on micro disk. She then plays it everywhere she goes until it's stuck in her brain. The harder concepts she'll break down into her own words. Maybe this will help you to retain it. She has also said that the test block has gotten better because her knowledge of the material is so strong that she can't wait to get it onto paper. I don't know if this will work, but I hope it does. Hang in there.

Please, please stick it out. I gave up on nursing last year out of frustration of all the hoops I'd have to jump through to get back into school after a very long absence. That coupled with the stress of knowing I'd have to pull near perfect grades was enough to send me running to the K-12 Teacher arena. My heart wasn't in it, though, so I finally decided to just take my lumps and reapply to the school that stressed me out so badly in the first place. The bad thing is that I've waisted a year. You are on the right track. Stick with it and you'll do great. This is a rough patch, but you can make it through. Anyway, I may need someone to coach me through Microbiology when I get there so I'll need you to return the sympathetic ear...

This was beautiful and heartbreaking. As a pre-nursing student, I'm so touched by what you've written. It serves as a great reminder to remember all of the loved ones in a time where it so instinctual to focus on the mother. In addition, it shows how even though things don't always go the way we'd like, a good Nurse is still caring for her patient's current and future well-being. Thank you again for sharing.

I'm 34 and will be taking my prereqs in January, then applying to the LVN problem at my CC. It's wait listed so I'm not sure when I'll begin. After that, I'll transfer to another branch of the CC where they offer a LVN to RN program. I'm not completely sold on a BSN yet, but I'll probably get there somehow...As I look at it, I'll be at least 41 by the time I'm done. There's still plenty of time!!!

Wow! I am humbled...I only have 4. I have three boys, ages 13, 10, and 8. My baby girl is turning two on the 27th. I'd have more but hubby put his foot down and got a vasectomy. It's a sickness, I think (lol).

This is the conclusion I first came to when I read the post, too. Is it possible that she meant it this way?

I don't have anything constructive to add but just had to chime in. I cannot understand someone misrepresenting their religious beliefs period but to do it to get time away from their newborn is alien to me. When I had my babies, even their father couldn't pry them out of my arms with a crowbar for the first month. I understand exhaustion but jeez...

I'm not offended at all and I'm diagnosed for a disorder. I copied it and sent it to my Therapist. Sometimes it's just nice to laugh and not take the darn thing so seriously. Thanks for the chuckle!!!

I know how you feel. Our Community college, also in California, has the same lottery process.and like you, I couldn't win a lottery if I were the only name in the box. To make it worse, our school will accept students from ANYWHERE, no residency preference. The outlying schools all have residency preference. What's happeining is that their students are applying to both schools and we are only able to apply to the one. Not fair. I won't go into how frustrated I am about it because I'll go on and on. It's infuriating! I spent years in a corporate job I hated and have just now been given the opportunity to return to school. I could go through our community college on grants and fee waivers but still never reach my goal of being a nurse because of this joke of a selection process. I've applied to enroll at our State University because their BSN program is GPA driven. If I get in, I'll have a BSN by the time it will have taken me to get an ASN at the CC. I've even looked into getting my CNA again and then taking an LVN program then a bridge program to RN. However, it's still a bone of contention for me that I should have to go to such extremes. All I can say to you is that you are not alone and the disappointment is shared by a lot of us. You WILL become a nurse if you put your mind to it. Push through and be determined. That will seperate you from the mediocre.

I hate to say it, but this is very true. I worked in HR until quitting to go back to school. I was horrified with my last raise. I had been praised by everybody and their father about my quick turnaround and outstanding service. Yet, I got the smallest raise in my department because we were only allotted a certain increase percentage and there were a few others who needed to be adjusted to be brought up to the minimum for their level. I ended up getting less than a guy who spent all his time at his girlfriend's house in another city while he was supposed to be "in the field". This is when I decided HR wasn't for me. What happened to the ideology of you reap what you sew? Anyway, I'm certain that the review needed to be turned in at a certain time to get the raise in the system. However, you should be given a formal meeting to discuss it. There is always a case for an adjustment if need be. Ugh! I hate corporate politics!!!

I was an HR Manager before leaving to become a Pre-nursing student. I LOVED our EAP and can say that we never got any reports of who used it, who didn't etc. It is confidential and a wonderful resource. I wouldn't hesitate to use it again in the future, if need be.