studentdeb

I am not a nurse or even a nursing student anymore, but do visit this site occassionally. My niece graduated from Lorain County Community College in Elyria with her RN last year. They have a good reputation also, but do have wait lists. I believe Cuyhaoga Community College has a wait list also. As for hospitals there are so many in this area, just from the Cleveland Clinic which has linked with several hospitals such as Fairview, Lakewood, Lutheran and then you have Parma and Southwest hospitals as well as MetroHealth. All of these are in Cuyahoga County and then in Lorain county there is Elyria Memorial and Community Health Partners. These hospitals are all west of Cleveland or on the West side of Cleveland. There are many more East that I don't even know about. There are several very nice communities also to live in with very good schools such as Bay Village, Westlake, Olmsted Falls, Avon, Amherst. Once again there are good ones east of Cleveland that I don't know about. Pay seems to be pretty good also, my niece started out making $26 as a PRN working evening shift and I believe she already has gotten a raise. Good luck!!

First of all I am not a nurse nor a nursing student any longer, but I know exactly what you are talking about. I went round and round with my decision to go or not to go to nursing school. I took all the pre-reqs, got accepted into the program several times, started one semester, but gave it up each time. At least you have been plugging along and doing it, that's more than I did so I will always wonder. I am horrible at making decisions especially when it came to nursing, I ask everyone what they think hoping it will help, but for me it never did. I finally decided to get a job in a hospital and it helped alot. I learned I didn't want to do nursing, but even after that I still wonder. I did finally get a job working for Social Security and it's a good job, has good benefits (flextime and good vacation and sick benefits), pay is decent (not as much as nursing), but that's ok. I finally came to terms with myself that I liked the field of nursing, but I didn't want to do the hands on stuff, I didn't enjoy the smells of the hospital and knew I wouldn't be able to do it in the long run. I still visit this board and enjoy reading the posts and still post occassionally. I still question my decision. thats probably why I visit this board often, still think about going to school, and even this semester wondered if I would get another acceptance letter (I had reapplied in January because I wasn't sure still) but didn't get a letter so that was good. I guess for some of us decision making is very hard and we second guess ourselves everyday, I did it over and over every single day, but it's ok, just try to follow your heart. Take some time for yourself and see where it takes you. If you don't enjoy being around sick people all the time, then you need to rethink the whole nursing thing. For now, staying in the government is the plan, I already have 15 years so I want to build more time towards retirement but will continue with school to obtain my bachelor's degree. Not sure yet, Social work possibly or I might do the Business route since that will help in the future for promotions. My niece graduated from nursing school in May and is working in the area she wanted and she seems to like it, but honestly I wonder because she is working PRN and will not work but 1 or 2 days a week. Then when she has to work, she complains about it, but states she is ok once she gets there. I sometime think she went into it for the money. Don't be so hard on yourself, but I guess you will have to make that decision soon before spring semester. Do what is good for you and what you really want to do. Good luck in what ever you decide. Sorry I am not much help, but wanted to let you know that you are not alone regarding decision making. Take care Debi

I never made it to become a nurse. Completed all the pre-reqs and even started one nursing class and dropped out. It took me awhile to realize I didn't want to be a nurse. I love the field of nursing, but I decided I didn't want to go through the schooling, and just putting up with all the stuff that nurses put up with. I worked for a short time as a Unit Secretary and my reason for obtaining that job was to "observe" and find out as much as I could. I learned that I didn't like the doctors and how they treated everyone, I didn't like the holiday work, I didn't want to work weekends, I didn't like listening to the nurses complain, and just the craziness of being there. One thing that also clinched it for me was one morning when I came in the horrible smell from a patient who had C-diff. So one day after a bad day on the way home I decided I was going to quit and when I got home I had a message on the machine with a job offer. That was my sign and I knew what I should do. I now work for Social Security as a legal assistant making $6.00 more an hour than the hospital paid me and since I am on a career ladder position it increase over the next two years, I get 10 paid holidays a year, 1 sick day per month and 2 vacation days per month with a flextime schedule. I do get to work with people in this job when I monitor hearings so it's not totally away from people, but I do alot of paperwork and one day I heard a co-worker state that the cases we worked on "were people's lives" and I had a renewed feeling about working in an office than I had ever had before. Now as I am working on each case, I realize that my work is important because if I don't do my work it will affect someone who is sick or disabled and needs benefits. I still believe I am meant to be in Human Services and will pursue my Social Work degree but will always stay in the government but realized that I wasn't meant to do the hands-on type of work. I do like my job and the people I work for and I truly believe that our attitude also affects how we do in our jobs. I can't recommend nursing or not recommend nursing, but for me, it just wasn't to be. My niece is a new nurse and seems to like it, but she refuses to work full-time so that is a downfall if you really need to work full-time. But I also think there are ups and downs in any field and we can only decide for ourselves what is right, but I do think there are alot of people pursuing nursing because they think they will make alot of money and hopefully they will be happy in the field. Thanks for reading if you read this far. Debi

That's what I ended up doing. I took all the pre-requistes and was for sure I was going to go for nursing, but I am not now and my courses are applying to a Bachelor's in Social Work. My A&P's and Micro classes all count toward the number of sciences I needed and I needed sociology and psych classes anyway. Now granted I could have taken easier science courses but I have always been interested in the workings of the body so I wanted A&P anyway and I think I enjoyed those classes more than I would have just regular Biology courses. I also shadowed and worked as a unit secretary to help me decide it wasn't to be for me. I love the field of nursing though and someday maybe I might end up going back and trying again, but for now, I know I cannot do it. Debi

I guess I don't understand. Are you going to school and going to make money for your mother? I know you are young, but it is YOUR life and you have to live it. No amount of money will make you happy if you do something for someone else. You act as if nursing pays alot of money, I mean it pays pretty decent, but you do have to work full-time and gain experience to get more. There are many other fields you could earn alot of money in. I know Social Work doesn't pay as well, but it doesn't pay that bad either. You're idea of possibly doing both would be good to gain both experience but you're talking alot of school also. you sound like nursing isn't what you really want and if that's the case, how do you think you can make it through a tough program and then graduate and be a good nurse if it's not in your heart? Please do some research and see if you can find something else that you would really enjoy doing. You can make good money in other fields also such as the legal field. Trust me or you will be like me, a much older person still trying to find "what I want to be when I grow up". Take care Debi

Apply for a job working in a hospital as a CNA or unit secretary and take the time to make sure this is what you want. This is what I did. I took a job as a unit secretary and it helped me so much. Although I love the nursing field, I realized that I don't want to do nursing at this time in my life. I've spent the last few years pondering it and applying to school, getting in and giving up my spots. I also took all the pre-requisites but those classes are still useful for obtaining my bachelor's degree. Nursing is a good field if you can handle it, but by the sounds of it, you do not really want to do it. I remember the day I came it and the smell was horrible from a patient that had C-diff I believe. That pretty much opened my eyes that I don't really want to deal with that stuff. What I also realized is I don't want to work holidays and weekends now. So I have since quit my job and am moving on. Some days I feel like I regret it, but deep in my heart I know this isn't for me. Working at the hospital helped to realize that I do want to work with people so I am going to pursue Social Work. The pay isn't as good in most places but that's ok for me. I just accepted a position with the federal government and after school can try to obtain a social work position with an agency and stay with the government where the pay is pretty decent. There are so many areas you could go into within the medical field. Instead of saying what your parents want you to do, you need to figure out what it really is YOU want to do and make a decision based on that. There are many things you could go to school for that would help you down the line of owning your own business. Please do no take a nursing spot from someone who truly wants to be a nurse. The spots are too hard to come by these days. Take care. Debi

I agree with you. I just quit a Unit Secretary job because I didnt' like it. It also helped me to realize that I do not want to do nursing. I didn't like the rude doctor's, the craziness around the desk, the very low pay and working holidays and weekends. I was just offered a position with the government working M-F, flexitme, 10 paid holidays and other benefits plus good pay. It opened my eyes that you really have to be someone special to work in the hospital. I know I could do the work, but want to be able to do things with my family and be able to take time off when I want and not have to worry about finding people to fill in for me etc. I am still interested in Social Work and still may pursue that part-time as they have those positions with the government also. So yes getting in the hospital is a good idea for people who are not sure, it helped me quite a bit. I so much appreciate what nurses do much more than I did before. Debi

I just started as a unit secretary and have spent my 3rd day today on the floor and the secretary that is training me appears to be crabby all the time, she never smiles, seems to get aggravated when she is taking off orders if there is alot and makes me feel like I am bothering her. I've tried joking with her and she just doesn't budge from her "stone" like appearance. She makes me want to run out the door. I know she probably wasn't given a choice to train me, but she could act as if she is a little happy. I can't wait until I start on my own so I can learn better and just enjoy being there. From what I've seen, there are few nurses in this floor who seem crabby and unhappy, but the majority seem to be fine and are very nice. It's a shame that people get that way in their job, I guess maybe they need to make a change so they can be happy again. Debi

Well I checked and there is not extra pay for working the holiday. I think that really stinks. They really have you because if you want the job, you have to suffer with the holidays and no extra pay. I just think that they should pay time and 1/2 for holiday time. I know someone who works for a facility who does receive that for holidays. I wonder if it could be that I am a part-time employee. But they do offer PTO for part-timers so I don't really know. Anyway, thanks all for your responses. Debi

Thanks for the responses. I did look at the calendar and the rest of my weekends for the year do no fall with holidays. My next holiday, if I am correct will be Thanksgiving (which my husband will not be happy about) but I figured I will be on dayshift and can get home for dinner. The other question I now have is should I expect to get extra pay for the holidays? Thanks Debi

Hello everyone, I am hoping to gain a little insight here. I applied for a Unit Secretary position at one of the hospitals in my area and was hired for a 40/per pay position. I understand that this includes holidays and every other weekend and really didn't have a problem with that. They told me I will have to work July 4th which falls on a Monday this year, but just found out today that my weekend will fall the weekend before the 4th. Is this normal for you to have to work the whole weekend as well as the holiday? I was thinking my family could do a cookout the Sunday before so it wouldn't be a big deal that I would work the 4th, plus it's dayshift so I could still see the fireworks if we wanted. I guess I thought that if a person is scheduled the holiday, they would be off the day before, from what I can tell nothing changes from the normal schedule. Maybe I just don't know much about working in a hospital, this is my first healthcare position. Thanks for your input. Debi

What are they? I've never heard of these.

Thanks for sharing. It's good to learn what is happening. I will definitely share this information with her. Glad to hear your mom is doing well. It's encouraging to hear good reports such as this.

I don't think she felt any lumps, but I don't really know if she did self-exams very well, but was pretty good about getting her mammograms until the last two years. I hope your results turn out to be good. Good luck and thanks for the kinds words.

Hope your sister is doing well. Thanks for sharing with me.

My sister went to see another doctor (although it was still within Kaiser) but this doctor was more thorough. this doctor spent time with her explaining and showing her pictures and told her the options available to her. I guess the other doctor pretty much said "we need to remove the breast, how about next week" Anyway, the doctor told her she has ductal carcinoma with necrosis, stage 3 and that it is a very agressive cancer. The surgery is scheduled for the 4th of April and they will do the mastectomy. Of course she is very scared, but hopefully everything will turn out ok. Of course, now I am worried about myself and will get a mammagram scheduled soon. thanks for all your input and kind words. Debi

Well she lives in Ohio and has Kaiser insurance. She had 4 biopsies because after her mammogram, they saw four spots, three looked the same and one was different so they decided to biopsie the one that looked different. That one came back "precancer" so they decided to biopsie the other ones and those are the ones that came back cancer. I too questioned why they want to remove the whole breast. I guess there are two located close to the nipple and the doctor told her they can't cut the breast in half or something like that. Of course I wasn't there so I don't know the exact words. She did ask to see another doctor which she will do this week. But I don't hold out much hope that this doctor will be any different. My experience with Kaiser hasn't always been good (I have it also). What's weird is the day after she got this news, there was a story on NBC nightly news about how doctors are performing mastecomies even when they could have done lumpectomies because they can get more money. I couldn't believe it. Thanks for your input, I need to talk to her further and see what she is going to do. I know she's worried that if she ventures outside of Kaiser, she won't be able to pay for it. They really do not make alot of money and she doesn't work. Debi

Thanks I appreciate your input. It just seems funny to me that she wouldn't see the oncologist before surgery. She has asked to see another doctor for a 2nd opinion. She is very distraught over this and since we just lost our dad to a heart attack 3 weeks ago, things are even worse. They told her she would also have to do chemotherapy and she is scared to death of that. Thanks again Debi

hello all My sister was just diagnosed with breast cancer and they want to remove the breast. What I don't understand is the doctor suggesting this is a general surgeon and one of his specialties is Breast issues. She did have biopsies and 3 came back cancer and the 4th was precancer. Shouldn't she be seeing an oncologist before having surgery? This is with Kaiser and I'm worried that they are not giving her all her options. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Debi

Thanks everyone for your input. It makes me feel better to know that this is a drug that is used often. I just hate taking drugs, I guess. Today is my second day on it and I did have a little lightheadedness yesterday but that was about all. I really do want my blood pressure under control and will get this weight off. I hadn't realized but since last June I gained 20 pounds. I had alot of stress last year and guess I didn't pay attention to the weight. My dad passing a few weeks ago on valentines day really was an eye opener for me. He passed suddenly in his sleep of a heart attack at 67. The autopsy showed his heart was twice the size it was supposed to be and he had hardening of the arteries really bad. We knew he had an 80% blockage but as for anything else, if he knew he didn't tell us. This has made me realize that my own health was not good and that will be me if I don't take care of myself now. I am currently 42 with two small children and I really want to be around when they grow up. I really appreciate the kind words regarding my dad and all the information you have shared with me regarding Atenolol. I will continue to take it and watch for side effects and keep in touch with my doctor. Thanks again

Susan- Thanks for your response. I get a little panicky with new drugs. I don't like to take them at all, but I know by blood pressure is very important and will keep track of any side effects. It's amazing how time gets by us and we become so unhealthy. My dad passing has really opened my eyes. Thanks again Debi

hello, I am not a nurse, but I have a question regarding Atenolol 25 mg. if anyone knows anything. I went to the doctor yesterday and my blood pressure was up again 156/102, last week at another appt it was 153/109 so I was concerned. According to the doctor, my past visits my blood pressure has been up and down. She put me on Atenolol 25 mg. to help with the blood pressure and I had told her that sometimes it feels like my heart is beating so hard and feels like it's going go jump out of my chest. I just looked up about this drug and not sure I like what I read. Anyone know anything about it? It appears that people on this drug have to be weaned off of it, plus it's side affects do not appear to be that great. Should I request to go see a heart doctor? I asked her about getting a stress test and she didn't seem like I needed one. I also have to mention that my insurance is Kaiser so I have to get referrals to specialists. A little history, I am about 100 lbs overweight and just recently lost my dad so that could be contributing to the blood pressure. I did just join weight watchers so I am hoping to get this weight off and hopefully feel good again. If anyone has input they could offer, I would appreciate it. I really hate taking new drugs although I took the first one this morning. Thanks Debi

I didn't know there was an online program that you could do without prior medical experience. I am very interested and haven't seen anything posted regarding how labs are done (unless I missed it) From what I'm reading, you do the lecture portion online, find a clinical site in the area you live, but is there a lab portion? Somewhere to practice what is being learned? Thanks in advance Debi

Maggie, hello again. I did receive an email telling me that you tried to send me a private message so I had to go in and delete some messages, my box was full so now I can receive messages again. I am looking into reapplying with my school also. I don't know if they can put my application back into the pool or if I have fill out a new one. My prerquisites are all finished too, but I hear my school has a waiting list of like 400-500 people so I may have to wait until possibly next spring. But like I said I need six classes for the BSN so I could finish them and then when it came time to work towards the BSN, it would only be nursing classes. My niece is in her final semester and will graduate in May. I am so envious of her because I could have been almost done also had I started way back when she did. She really does seem to like it and is looking forward to when she can go to work. But sometimes life gets in the way and if it's meant to be, we will get through it. Take care and talk to you soon Debi

Maggie, I see from your posts that you did decide to drop at this time. I hope things get better for you over the next few months. My mom passed away 3 yrs ago this March from lung cancer at age 65. It is very hard to lose a parent, we always feel they will still be here. Thank goodness I still have my dad, but he is a cancer survivor so life is precious to him now. Did you reapply to the program or maybe you don't need to? I am waiting to hear about a few jobs, but plan to reapply to the nursing program for either fall or next spring. I know we have a hugh waiting list so it might not be until the spring. But I think I might finish the classes needed for the BSN, I need 6 for that. I believe the both of us were meant to go for nursing, but we just keep having things get in our way. Hopefully someday we will find our way. Take care Debi