Tealeaf72

thanks so much for your advice... i really appreciate it. I know the job is tough and the money is not great (CNA) but it probably would be a good experience and really give me a feel for the Industry. Can you tell me what the pay is for a CNA in MA? I am hoping it is over 10 an hour... but I am worried it may not be. I really would love to hear it is at least 15 but i think I am dreaming. Do hospitals pay better than LTC? Thanks again.... :)

Has anyone seen the article in the boston globe today about Massbay? The nursing program is frozen right now to new applicants. I am a little concerned because although I wasn't in the program, I was taking a lot of my science classes there anticipating possibly applying... Does anyone know anyone currently in the program & how serious these issues are? Are they likely to be resolved? What is this school's reputation in general? http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2007/07/10/nursing_program_frozen_at_massbay/

Hello all, I having been taking many science courses in preparation for possibly entering a nursing program... but I have not made a definitive decision as to whether this is the path I want to go. I am just not sure whether I would enjoy it and I find it is very hard to know for sure whether I would like a job until I am actually doing it. This would be a career change for me. I want something that is interesting, pays well and has flexibility. Would being a CNA give me a good perspective as far as whether this is the right career for me? It would at least get me into the medical field and I would get a feel for the environment. I know how hard CNA's must work and I have the utmost respect for people that do this job, but I also am concerned that CNA's probably do a lot of things nurses don't deal with on a daily basis... and I worry it would not be a fair representation. I am concerned that they do a lot more of the less desirable tasks..and that this could turn me off to nursing and won't be a fair representation. I really would like to get a feel for the environment and whether it is something I would like. I don't want to get a distorted view of nursing... but I want to gain experience and make some money while I am in school. I understand even as a nurse I would have to do some things that are not pleasurable, but I don't want to unfairly bias my opinion if I did a job that really wasn't comparable at all. I want to also get into the environment to meet people in the field. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also where would I take a program in MA (live in south eastern part of MA)? The only one I know of is the red cross program and this is a combination home health aide/Nurses aide program and costs 800 dollars. If people think this program is worth it then I would pay and do it... but I don't know that I need the home health aide training unless it would open up more opportunities somehow. Thanks for your advice.

Hi, I am taking pre-requisites to get into a nursing program and was hoping some of you nurses wouldn't mind providing some feedback... I would really appreciate it. I am hoping to get some honest advice about the schools below and their nursing programs. I am looking for any and all feedback... both positive and negative. Even if you didn't go to these schools yourself, I am curious as to what your opinion of them is within your profession and how you feel they stack up.... and how well they train their students. Thank you so much. Mass Bay Massasoit Quincy College Middlesex Community College Thanks in advance....

Would anyone mind telling what their B.S GPA was when accepted to a direct entry graduate nursing program? I am trying to figure out just how competitive these are. Any other hoops you had to go through to get in? thanks

Hi, I hope someone might be able to offer me some advice... I am feeling very disappointed lately and feel nursing is going to be an uphill battle for me due to competing goals in my life. I am in my mid thirties and recently married. Due to my age, my husband and I want to try to have kids as soon as possible. We don't want to have to put this off several years in case we run into problems and for various other reasons. I also am trying to make a career change into nursing. I have been taking pre-requisites and have been doing well. I spoke to the admissions people at Mass Bay and just asked them what happens if you become pregnant while in their program, assuming that a nursing program that has mostly women in the program would make accomodations for someone who was pregnant if they were doing well in the program. I was told that I would have to leave the program and it would be difficult to get back in. She said very difficult, not impossible, but due to the competitiveness much less likely. I feel so discouraged. Are all nursing programs like this? I thought of all professions this would be one that would be understanding of the fact that life sometimes happens along the way. I have never heard of such a thing before. They said that it was due to you not being able to perform the clinical duties. I had hoped in these situations they would work around this and allow you to do duties that still allowed you to work in a nursing capacity but with less physical risk etc. Is it unreasonable to expect this from a program? This is very important to me.... but so isn't having children. The earliest program I could even attempt to get into would be fall 2008 for a full time program or spring 2008 or spring 2009 for a 3 year part time program... assuming my grades were excellent. This is going to put me at around 38 or maybe even 39 before i could finish a program... and we want to have more than one child.. Never mind knowing whether you will end up with fertility issues that delay things even more. Does anyone have any advice for me? The other thing I thought of is trying to get pregnant now, have a child and go to school with a baby. This doesn't sound like a very fun idea either... although I know many of you women have struggled though this and gotten through... Does anyone have any advice, or any thoughts on other Mass. RN programs that might be a little more understanding? I have a bachelors degree already and was going to do an ADN RN program. Seems to be very few accelerated Nursing programs around, and I wasn't sure that was a route I wanted to go or not. Thanks for your help.

Hello, I was hoping someone could give me their opinions. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology that I received 10 years ago. I am looking to make a career change into nursing. My goals are to have an interesting, rewarding, fulfilling career that pays well and has flexibity. I want to have children and want to have a job that offers flexibility - Big factors for me are flexibility, good pay and an interesting career. Nursing is interesting to me so I am pursuing this option. My biggest goal is to have a career that works with our life goals. My aspirations at this time are not to necessarily get an advanced degree in nursing, I have other goals that are more important to me at the moment (having children, having financial stability etc.). I spoke with several nurses yesterday who have masters degrees. They were very helpful, but had a very different point of view of what I should be doing. I was planning on just going towards a 2 year associates degree to get an RN. For starters, the community college programs are much more affordable. My understanding was that nursing jobs are in high demand and an AD degree/RN is perfectly acceptable and will get me into the field with no issue. Also they don't require me to take GRE's or have 9,000 references for the program... basically I don't have to jump through as many hoops to get into these programs... although there may be a wait from a lack of teachers. That is a possible issue. The women I spoke with had a very different perspective. They strongly felt I should not do an AD degree, but should pursue a dual degree - BSN/Masters... some of the reasoning made sense but other aspects didn't necessarily fit in with my goals. They said I can do an accelerated program since I have a BS already... and it would be the same time commitment, but would cost more. Then if I did want to move forward with a masters to become a NP down the road I would be in a better position... (I do agree with that aspect, but at this time am not very interested in becoming an NP....though that could change)....also they said I would have a hard time getting a job coming out of some of these 2 year AD programs??? They seemed to have a bias against anyone with a 2 year nursing degree... but explained it as these nurses would not get the same opportunities and would not have the same experience, education....etc. I have never heard that before... I thought RN's at every level were in demand. I was told I would be fine if I just wanted to work at a community hospital but probably wouldn't get into a hospital in the City. I am not sure I even have a problem with just working at a community hospital... though it would be nice to have other options as well. Maybe my goals are just different than theirs? Here is my issue... the schools that offer these dual programs in my area or even an accelerated Bachelors degree program are very expensive private schools. It will cost me at least 3 to 4 times as much if not more to get a degree from one of these schools. I guess my question is , how accurate are their opinions? Or are their opinions just personal bias based on their own choices. They definitely felt I would be limiting myself with an Associates degree. Is this true? thanks in advance for your honesty....

Hello, I was hoping I could get some opinions on my concerns on this vaccine. I am currently taking pre-requisites to get into a nursing program. Over the past 6 months I have had bizarre medical issues that include numbness in hands and feet, weakness, fatigue, electric shock like sensations etc. I have seen a neurologist and rheumatologist. I am hoping to rule out MS, but we don't really know yet. The MRI looked pretty good, with no obvious lesions.. but there were a couple minor abnormalities. I have an app't at a MS center in the next couple months to get another opinion. In the mean time I have realized that I need to get a hepatitis B series of vaccinations to be accepted into any nursing program. I am very conflicted over this. After doing some research online, I have found that there is some controversy over this vaccine. I know there were hearings on the safety of the vaccine at one point and rumors still persist that the vaccine has caused auto immune reactions in people, including people who feel they developed MS and lupus after receiving these (as well as many other disorders). I know there is no hard evidence/studies on this and the evidence is anecdotal... but there seems to be a lot of controvery on the internet. Due to my current health problems, I am extremely concerned and do not want to get this vaccine... at least not until they have determined what is wrong with me. My primary care doctor will not write me a waiver to get out of taking the vaccine, even just for a year. She feels there is no proven evidence that shows this has caused any problem. I wonder how she would feel if she had my health problems? Another huge concern of mine is that my husband and I want to get pregnant and because this vaccine has to be administered 3 times it would take almost 6 months to fulfill the requirements. I want to try to get pregnant very soon and just do not feel comfortable getting a live vaccine while pregnant... regardless of the fact that it is considered "safe" during pregnancy. I found more information on the internet by mothers who received the vaccine shortly before or during pregnancy and feel it is related to their child developing autism. I have found doctors that are also concerned. Am I being overly paranoid here? I feel like my possibly career choice is on the line because of this issue and my anxiety over this. I don't think I could take the chance of getting the vaccine while pregnant and that will prevent me from getting into a nursing program. I also don't want to jeapordize my health situation since they don't know what is wrong with me. Thanks for your help....

Hello, I am 34 years old and looking to make a career change into nursing - I was hoping I might be able to get some advice from people who have gone down this road. I have worked in financial services since I have been out of college (since my early twenties). Although I had done well there, I realized it was just not an industry I was passionate about. All my life I have been interested in everything medical. On some level I am sad to have wasted so much time in the financial world, but thankfully I can say I met my wonderful husband there (so it was worth it). I have decided on nursing for many reasons. First, I find it extremely interesting and feel it would be a rewarding career. The 2nd reason is because I really want a career that will have flexible hours and will pay well. My husband and I would like to have children and I would like to work flexible hours if we have children, but still need to make decent money. I live in MA where the cost of housing is brutal. My question for all of you is as follows.... How hard is it to get into these programs in the northeast/specifically MA? I am taking some science pre-req's now. I have almost finished biology and have an A. Next semester I will take chemistry and A & P 1. I feel confident that I will work towards and hopefully will receive an "A" in both of these. I am very concerned because I have been told there is a shortage of teachers, and right now even if you apply to the program there is no guarantee of acceptance at any time. The particular school I am taking courses at will review all the people trying to get into the program every year and based on grades and credits at that school it determines whether you will get a spot. If you don't get in you don't end up on any kind of wait list... they just reevaluate you again next year against a whole new crop of people. What is my best chance of getting into one of these programs? Are there any easier ways to ensure acceptance into a program? Are there any programs in MA that you would recommend (I live in the so. shore)? Finally if I get pregnant in the midst of this, how is that going to impact my acceptance into a program? Due to my age... my husband and I wanted to start trying very soon. It is very hard because we feel we have competing demands right now. New career vs. having children.... Thank you so much for your advice.