dbledutchs

Thank you, I'm happy it's winding down, I'm so sick of studying and could really use a nice break. But my job will start right away, and I have some reading to do for that as well. I went to a school in New york, not the city, in a small town near where I live. I would give the name, but since this is a public forum I would like to remain a bit annonymous. I guess I just have to accept that it's over now, and all the friends I have made are now going to be gone. I guess it's tough because I don't have any friends outside of nursing school, besides my husband. It has always been hard for me to make and keep friends. I will also be working with older woman, who I'm afraid I won't have anything in common with. So it will be back to being alone again, since my husband and I work opposite shifts. Oh well, not much I can do but forge ahead. Thanks Marie

thanks everyone for the quick replies. I do think the transition is what is getting me. I made many friends and now I feel like I have to start again, only the woman at the office I'm going to are much older, so now I feel like I won't have anything in common with them. I'm also afraid I'll just loose contact with all the friends I made because everyone will be busy working. I'm feeling the ending more than I'm feeling the beginning. I hate starting again so many times. I guess if I hate it, I can always do something else...I just want to feel excited, but I'm just not. Marie

Hello, just wanted to ask a question. I'm going to be graduating from my LPN program on the 15th of August and was offered a job at a doctor's office (opthamologist). I'm excited and terrified. In some respects I'm relieved to have something, but it also feels like the door has closed and there is no escape hatch, I'm stuck. The job is full time, I really only wanted part time, because I have three kids, but I figured I better take it because it's either that or LTC, which means weekends and holidays. I'm not sure if it's my nerves about actually being a nurse, or my ambivalence about this office, but I'm so scared. My husband works overnights, so we will rarely see each other, and I'm not sure if it's worth it. Has anyone else felt like this fresh out of nursing school? It seems my classmates are so excited and can't wait to get out there, but I could use a couple more months of school, if not more. I really like school and just don't want to leave. Just looking for some support, since I'm feeling a bit alone these days. Thanks Marie

Hello all, this forum has helped before, so I'm hoping it will again! I am currently in LPN school and I work as a CNA every other weekend 14 hour shifts each day. I have three kids, and a husband and all that jazz. I want to quit my job and focus on school, but don't want to burn any bridges. I'm afraid to talk to my nurse manager, because they have already said that I can't be per diem and I have to work 40 hours in a two week time span. We are also very short, so they are not going to be happy. I'm actually calling in tomorrow (first time ever) because I'm so exhausted from school all week. Any advice? I love my job, but just can't do both. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks Marie

Thanks for the advice. I've been out of the working world for 7 years raising my kids and I thought other mom's were bad with there competing and back stabbing, until I re-entered the work force! I do agree with the poster who said the blurb about woman, and how we seem to just never be satisfied and are always putting each other down. It reminds me of a song, it says something about how the woman go out all dressed up for each other. We just want to be prettier than the next woman who walks through the door. I'm going to just go in and do my jobs. I'm not there to make friends, I'm there to work. It just makes the whole atmosphere unpleasent, because you know they are just waiting for you to do something or say something so they can go "tattle" or talk behind your back. Oh well, I guess you just have to roll with it and not let it get in the way. I think of all medical advaces we have achieved and how far nurses have come and for us to get caught up in that catty behavior is so embarrasing to our profession. I think there should be a movement to bring maturity back, make it a goal to keep your mind on your work and not what someone else is doing. It may be corny, but I think it is much needed! Thanks again everyone!!!

I just have a quick question. I'm currently going to school to be an LPN, and I work every other weekend, double shifts as a CNA at my local hospital. The question I have is about professionalism. There are a lot of catty, mean, horrible CNA's where I work, and they often go behind each others back and say mean things, or hurtful things and then someone says something to another one, you get the picture. At what point does high school end and a professional career begin? Will I still experience this crap as an LPN? I'm working LTC, is this just par for the course? Does it ever stop, will being an RN make a difference, environment, or perhaps just plain job change? I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice, I mostly just ignore it, I do my job and I go home. My main concern is the residents and their safety, not what Suzie says behind my back. Any advice would be much appreciated. Marie

I too am going to school this fall and working about 28 hours a week. I also have three kids and a husband. I am also a CNA and am actually going to work every other weekend, two double shifts. I know it's going to be hard, but it's only a year, and you can do anything for a year. I'm just going to take it day by day and get through it the best I can. See if you can do shifts on the weekends, I like it because I have all week to focus on school and the kids, and every other weekend for the family. But I don't know how much work I'm in for yet either. Hope I helped, and I know we can get through this!!! ---Marie

I want to thank everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to the store tonight to get some "supplies" for my nose! At this point I think the anxiety of smelling the smell, is actually worse than smelling the smell. I've always had anxiety issues, I'm thinking I should seek some medical guidance on that one...but I've always thought that was the weak way out. At any rate. I know I want to do this, I am DETERMINED to do this and I will do this. I just have to get past that odor. I did figure out that I think it may be the polypropaline(not sure if that is how you spell it) they use in the dirty linen bags. That mixed with the dirty linens just gets me every time. Can that be an allergy? Or is that something you just have to adjust to? Thanks everyone! I'll let you know how the ol' factory goes tomorrow! Marie

I'm just starting out as a CNA, I just finished my first week of training. I'm going to school to be an LPN in the fall. Today we went up on the floor for the first time, and I kind of had an anxiety attack. The smell kind of slapped me in the face, and my heart started racing and I felt sick. It took a while to get the feeling to go away, but it scared the heck out of me. I'm fine with sight, I can handle people, I'm learning the material, but the smell gets me every time. Other's said I would get used to it, but I'm just so afraid I won't. And the thing is, I was only in the hall! What happens when I'm knee deep in, well you know. Any advice? I'm not going to quit, even if I gagged every day. This is far too important to me. I'm just hoping for some encouraging words, and perhaps a trick or two! Thanks so much Marie

I want to thank everyone for their advice, it's really helped me through this process. I talked to the nurse manager today, and she said that she would be flexible and help me through school, she also said that once I become an LPN, she would be interested in hiring me because I would already know the facility. So, I'm going to try it, if it gets too much, I'll just have to leave the CNA job and focus on school. But if they are willing to help, then why not just give it a shot!! Thanks again! Marie

Thank you so much for the advice, I really think that is the way to go about this. I liked what you said about knowing the facility. Truth be told, this is the hospital I want to work at anyway because it's really close to my house. Now, I've already been hired, can I still go back and say oh by the way. When I went for the interview I didn't know I had gotten into the school, I actually found out that afternoon. Can I call them back and still propose this? I figure either way it will give me an answer. They will either welcome me or not and if they don't, then I guess that's my answer. I have to see where I left my back bone...I think it went in storage. Thank you so much. Marie

Well, this morning they offically called and offered me the CNA position, which is kind of cool, but I'm still a bit undecided. I have to call them back tomorrow and offically accept or decline. I think my only option is to be straight with them and explain that I was accepted into school and if they will be flexible with me, I'll be more than happy to accept the position. But what do they really have to gain here? I mean, there are only 10 spots in this CNA thing, and a ton of canidates, they can surely call the next guy on the list if they have to be "flexible" with me. Any thoughts? I really want to do both, but my husband thinks I'm taking on too much. I'm just afraid I will regret my decision either way. It's such a tough call, and I want to thank everyone on here who has given advice, it really means a lot to me! It reminds me of that song....should I stay or should I go? If I go there will be trouble, if I stay it will be double. it's not really the same thing, but it just popped in there. Thanks so much Marie

I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and advice. It's been a difficult year for us and there are still so many decisions to be made. My husband is working nights now, so I can go to school during the day and our youngest won't have to be with a sitter. That was important to us. I'm thinking of taking the CNA position, because that starts in June and I won't be going to school until September. By then I will be part time anyway, and I'm hoping that if I explain to them that I was accepted into the LPN program that they will help me out and not schedule me on the days I have school. I think I have to work every other weekend, but other than that it will only be 20 hours a week (listen to me, ONLY 20 hours a week!!) I do want to go on to get my RN eventually, but I would like to work as an lpn for at least a year or two before I do. We have an lpn to RN bridge program that I could probably get into if I wanted to go that route. The only courses I have to take besides all the nursing ones is A&P I and II. I have everything else, plus I have a high GPA. So since there isn't much I can do this summer, I thought working would be the best idea. I'm a bit terrified, but I'm hoping with the support of my family I'll be able to do this. Thanks again to everyone! Marie

I already have most of my pre-req's. I only have to take one class besides my nursing courses. I guess I'm not sure about how that would all work, since they are desperate for CNA's at the hospital. They said they would train me for three weeks, and then I would be part time, but I have to sign a contract to work there for a year. I know they give tuition reimbursement, but I think it's only after 6 months and school starts in September. I'm just really confused. I would try doing both, but my husband says that I would burn out quickly. With three kids, a job and going to school after being home for 6 years, he says it's just too much. Would I ever even see my kids? I know this is all my decision, and nobody knows my situation better than I do and I know I can't have it all. I know I really want to go to school, and I've already been accepted, but I really want to earn some money, because with our business gone it's going to be tight. Ugg...these decisions are so freakin' hard aren't they?? How much work is LPN school? Am I just kidding myself thinking I can do school and work part time with three young kids? Any advice there?? Thanks so much, this really means a lot to me. Marie

Okay, I really need some advice, found this forum, everyone seems really helpful and warm, so I was hoping to pick a few brains. My husband and I owned a business together and we have three children that I have stayed home with for 6 years. In February my husband was injured and we now have to sell our business. He actually got another job, that isn't physical at all, and is doing a lot better. We decided that it was time for me to go back to something. I've been wanting to go in the medical field for about three years now, so I figured this was my chance. I applied at a local LPN school and was just accepted (I'm so proud of me!!). I also applied to a local CNA program that will train you for free if you sign up to work for the hospital for a year. My question is, we could really use the money right now, but I would really like to go to school, because it's only a year. I'm afraid that if I do the CNA thing I will never move on because there will never be a time that we don't need the money. Can you work and go to school at the same time? My kids are 11, 5 and 3, two are in school and my baby will be starting preschool in September (3 days a week). I want to earn money, but I want to bite the bullet and just go and get my LPN. Any advice would be so helpful. Thank you so much. Marie