SueBeeRN

Hi Fortunato!! I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy in May, 2009 and have (so far) went from 275 lbs to 160. In my opinion, it's a whole lot easier to do this job (12+ hours straight on your feet) at a normal BMI level. I, too, have tried Weight Watchers, Jenny, Atkins, etc etc..only to be disappointed in yet another failed weight loss attempt. I suffered from depression, HTN, high cholesterol and pre-diabetes. I'll be the first to admit, I did a bunch of soul searching before going through this drastic surgery. When doing research, I was a little scared of the gastric bypass, and didn't like all the complications of the lap-band. I found the VSG and was totally sold. I got the surgery and have not regretted it for a second!! I'll tell you, if anyone says 'weight loss surgery is the easy way'- I will totally argue. It is not easy having to watch everything you eat for the rest of your days. Food-related holidays (ie: Thanksgiving) just don't hold the same appeal. You really can only eat a few bites of whatever and then feel like you have a bowling ball in your stomach!! It's really weird- especially if you are used to eating muliple plates full of food!! Anyway, You HAVE get in all your protein (70+ grams/day) and all your water every day no matter what. There are days where I have to drink a protein drink before I go to bed!! I have to take vitamins every day, but I am off all my HTN and high cholesterol meds. I have also been able to cut way back on the depression meds. My MD could not be happier with my results. I have more energy now than I sometimes know what to do with- so I've started exercising- UGH!! I totally could ramble on for days- but please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions I could answer for you.... SueBee

I had the sleeve done at the end of May and am ABSOLUTELY happy with my decision. I've lost 55 lbs so far!! I researched both the sleeve and lap-band in depth, and found the sleeve to be the better choice for me. The reasons are: - I would not like to have to go back and forth to the doctors office every few months for fills, etc. With the sleeve, you only go to the doctor when it's time for checkups and such- no 'maintenance' to be done. -I like the freedom to be able to eat what I want - only in MUCH smaller amounts. It seemed like with the band, there were a lot of restrictions on different types of foods. There also seemed to be a lot of 'rules' with the band (ie: chewing, size of bites, etc). -Last, there seemed to be more reports of complications with the band. Don't get me wrong, the sleeve has complications- but there seemed to be much less incidences. Most of my research was done at www.obesityhelp.com. The only 'warning' I have is that a lot of insurance companies still consider the sleeve experimental- so it's harder to get approved. I ended up being self-pay and am waiting for insurance to reimburse me. I hope that helps... feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Hi there! I live in NC. My fingerprint and background check information was sent in to the BON May 12th. I got my ATT May 16th, and tested May 25th. I didn't want to wait too long. I start my new job on 7-20 and wanted another chance to take the test if the 'unthinkable' happened!! Good luck to everyone!!

:yeahthat: I'm so sorry Sue.

I just checked pearsonvue's quick results, and I PASSED!!! Oh goodness, now I'll have to change my username from RN2BE to RN!!!

Hello All!! I am scheduled to take my test tomorrow (5/24) at 8am. I have done TONS of QBank questions and took the Kaplan course. Lordy, I hope I can sleep tonight and am not a bundle of shaking nerves by tomorrow. SueBee:wtosts:

May, 2009 graduate from NC here!! I applied for 7 jobs. I actually interviewed with 4 of them at the hospital I currently work at. I was told that 'position was filled by another candidate'. HOW FRUSTRATING!! I put my application in and was offered a position at another local hospital in their new grad program:yeah:. I was told that there were over 100 applicants for less than 10 slots- GEESH!! Pay is a little over $20/hr + shift diffs. Good luck out there everybody!

WA-HOOOO!! According to my countdown clock... I've got 158 days left until May 15, 2009!! I am in the last part of Neuro now (final is next Monday)... then Holiday break. Then it's "The Final Countdown"! :monkeydance: :yelclap: :cheers:

Hi! I just wanted to respond to your questions. I am a 2nd-year ADN student at DTCC. I have to say that the clinicals are really good- the instructors make sure that we get an opportunity to do a lot of skills and see a lot of procedures in many different areas of the hospital. I do feel like I am receiving a solid education. However, like the poster above, nursing school is definitely what you make of it! As for the waiting list, they are making changes since I was accepted. Apparently, they require you to have most of your pre-reqs completed and a certain score on the NET test to be accepted into the program. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions about the program. I'll be happy to answer as best I can.

The CNA certification for NC used to be administered by Promissor, but I think they have been taken over by PearsonVue. You can find the current information for CNAI at http://www.pearsonvue.com/. Look under Health, Medicine, Pharmacy and Nurse Aids Then go under North Carolina Nurse Aid 1 and Medication Aids That should give you all the information you need about trainining, what skills you will need to know, and how to schedule to test. I hope that helps- Good Luck! Susan

I can attest to the CNA program at Durham Tech. It's really good (and fairly cheap). Good luck with your search!

We use Smeltzer & Bare.

:yeahthat: I moved to NC (Raleigh/Durham) area from Upstate SC several years ago, and I was sticker-shocked about how expensive it is to live here!! Housing, insurance (both home and auto), food, gas, etc etc.....

ADN Class of 2009 (Spring)..... seems like forever away!

GREAT post!!! :yelclap: