Chantels1

I always love threads like this. It makes me feel so "normal"! I am 32 working on my pre-reqs and hope to apply to the nursing program after the fall of 2008!!! Yay. Our program has an average of an 18 month wait, so I won't get in until 2009 or 2010. I will be 37 almost 38 when I graduate with my Associates degree!!!! It sounds so normal now, but I feel odd when talking to the 18-21 yr olds in my class. So glad there are a lot of others like me out there. Chantel edit - Forgot to add that I am a SAHM to 4 kids with an older (by almost 20 yrs) husband. So I am planning for the future and in case he goes before me, I need to have a way to support myself and my family. I love the compassion of nurses and feel that I am a very caring and giving person, so Nursing fits me perfect.

Thanks. I am hoping it isn't as bad as I am anticipating. Cellular respiration and glycolysis was really hard for me to grasp. Since microbiology works a lot on the cellular level, I hope it isn't all difficult for me to grasp. I should end up with an A in BIO this semester though and I am hoping having it there fresh on my mind will help out a bit. Chantel

My school has priority registration based on your sSN#. This semester I was 3rd out of 4 days, so Anatomy was full. I found a spot in Microbiolgy though. Is it OK taking Micro b4 Anatomy & physiology? I am taking Bio right now, so at least the basics will be fresh in my mind. Typically the progression at my school goes Bio to Anatomy to physiology to microbiology. I don't seen any reason why I have to take in that order though do you? The only pre-req is Bio. So that is covered. Thanks for the help!!!

My advice would be to stick out this class, then decide. If you drop now you will always have the what if's....... Maybe volunteer at a local hospital and see if nursing still feels right. Either way, don't give up just yet! Good luck. Chantel

My bio instructor is like this too. Encouraging struggling students to drop... My advice is to ignore the instructor and get a tutor. Sometimes hearing something explained in a different fashion is a big help. I like the advice on reading with a highlighter too. Good luck!

This should probably go in the Nursing student section, but I thought you all might like to see this anyway. I was just looking up pictures on the net to convince my husband to quit smoking. I came across this site on how to do a lung exam and thought I would share it. http://medicine.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/lung.htm Chantel

I second the dayplanner/calendar it really helps. Also, prioritize. Make sure that you keep school a priority. Pampered chef party or studying... definitely go for the study time. Yeah, you will have to give up some family time to complete all your work, but don't devote all you time to studying either. Also, give it a couple of weeks and you will get into a routine! Good luck and don't give up! Chantel

Think of it as job training. We all have to learn to work with people we don't like. Fortunately you know it's only 3 years! Good luck coping!

My husband is on his way back to the ER this morning. I will give you a brief report of his accident. Please note that I am not seeking professional advice. I am just curious. Anyway, Thursday he was in an accident at work. The Earth Mover he was operating rolled over and he managed to jump clear, but landed on his shoulder and neck with his head bent over to the left. Anyway, he was life flighted to the hospital. He had lost consciousness. DX was a skull fracture, broken clavicle and 3 broken or seperated ribs along his back. Having kids I was not able to spend all my time in his room with him, so I missed a lot of information. He was disoriented and confused, so he doesn't remember much either. The skull fracture caused CSF to drain out of his right ear. He was admitted to the Neuro trauma unit for observation. He was up and walking by 6 pm Thursday night. Friday morning he was released even though he was still draining fluid. He had minor amnesia, but good thought process and his nursing assessments were all good. Yes, he was released from the Neuro/Trauma ICU.... Anyway, he has been home and on 500 mg of Hydrocodone for pain and on Keflex for prevention of meningitis. He has been in a lot of pain from the clavicle break. More than I would consider normal, but I am not experienced at all. This morning he woke up and his face is tingling and he has mild Palsy to the right side of his face. I called his Dr. and he advised to take him to the ER and my husband wanted my adult step-son to take him. Of course I protested and wanted the step son to watch the kids so I could go, but he insisted I stay with the kids. Anyway, my husband is fearing meningitis. I think this could be caused from the skull fracture, but am confused by the late onset. There is no other signs of meningitis. He has no fever, no confusion, pupils are equal and normal. Considering his pain level (he ran out of Hydrocodone last night) his heart rate and respiration are good. My question is whether or not the late onset of Palsy is normal with a skull fracture. I believe the fracture is temporal. It is just behind his right ear and he has lost his hearing in that ear. The fluid has stopped draining out of the ear, but has been draining to the back of his throat since Friday afternoon. Thanks for answering. I am thankful that his daughter in law works in the ER. I called her this morning and gave her a heads up that he was heading in there to be seen. I know she will take good care of him. I am just hoping that it's not meningitis.

Why is it these things go so wrong? Could it possibly be that some employees are not happy, chose not to be happy and will complain and find fault in anything? I tend to be an optimist and I believe in the motto that you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. If someone makes a good gesture, consider it just that and be happy about it. Of course those who do not receive any rewards or the cards have two choices, 1 - chose to believe that the world is against them. They do a great job all the time and no one will acknowledge it. 2 - Make an extra effort. Go out of your way to help another co-worker, or have a great attitude. I think the latter is what management is trying to get at anyway, but I have seen plenty of #1's in my day as well.

Why not check into doing a job shadow with a dental assistant. That way you can see all the duties and responsibilities and make an informed decision?

Let us know what happens. I hope it wasn't a misunderstanding on your friend's part! Too bad the professor didn't answer your question so you would know. Good luck with the dean!

I was waitlisted for BIO. It was closed for the longest time, but I kept checking online and finally got on the waitlist in July. I was 7th out of 7 allowed to be on the waitlist. Perserverance paid off though because about 1 week and a half ago enough people dropped to get me into the class!! Don't give up hope!

Coolpeach - can we trade kids for a while? I can get the 3 older kids(7, 5, & 3) in bed by 8:30, but the baby (15 months) just won't cooperate. She is attached to mommy at the hip! If I start to read anywhere near her, she walks up and closes the book. Basically a "pay attention to me" thing! I usually can get ger down at 9:00 and then I can study for a while though. I gotta get her to go to bed earlier though! I love the ideas here! Keep them coming!

:balloons:Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome. Hopefully we will hear from you in a month and a half about all the excitement of being accepted into the program! :balloons:

I would assume that it is all hearsay until you see it in writing, or at least a verbal offer. How else are you to know they are serious? They can't expect you to quit your secure job without some sort of commitment from them right?

Our cc doesn't even have a system like this. Their only requirement is that you have a 2.5 or better in the science classes and have finished all the pre-req's before applying. Then you are put on the wait list. The waitlist ranges from 1-2 years. Maybe they are afraid they won't get enough applicants if they change the admittance to something a little more merit based? I don't know, but for those of us who work hard to get where we want to be, it is very frustrating to have to sit and wait with all of those who skip class just because they don't feel like going that day! So much for rewarding hard work. Just do average and have some patience and you get into our cc!

Thanks everyone. You confirmed my feelings exactly. I don't think my med terminology will take too much study time. Just making flash cards, Nutrition, I am not sure of especially since it is my first online course. My Bio class is the one that I know will take a lot of study time. I read the first chapter yesterday and today and did not absorb enough of it! Had to re-read to answer the review questions correctly!

Check out the link I posted earlier. You don't have to have great credit. A lot of places don't look at credit. Just you can't be in default on taxes or other federal loans.

How much time do you spend studying for each class? A 3 unit class should require 3 hrs of study per week right? 4 units take 4 hrs of study not including class time right? Let me know if I am way off here because I need to decide whether I should be taking 2 or 3 classes this semester. Thanks!

Child Growth & Development is not a required class for us, but it is reccomended, just as Med Terminology is reccommended. I am taking both as they will definitely apply to a Nursing career. Be sure to work hard in the class and keep up your GPA too. Good luck!

I don't think I will be eligible for a grant. My EFC is almost $10,000.... Wish they took child care into consideration when they calculated EFC's! With 4 kids I know that I will spend more on child care than classes and books combined and then some!!!

I think Vicky has the right idea. Take the job you think you will like, but also work part time at the hospital to keep your skills going. See what they have available on a part time basis. Do what is right for your family now, but keep your eye on your goal and do what you can to accomidate your goal. You might not be able to do both of the jobs offered, but you can find another job in the hospital doing something to keep your skills going! Good luck!!!

Thanks again coolpeach! I probably will call the school next week after they get a chance to receive it. Once they receive it how long does it take for them to "process" it and come up with options for me? I know pretty much my only option is an unsubsidized stafford loan, so I don't think it should take too long..... Chantel

Can you volunteer in the evenings? I'm a SAHM to 4 kids and there is no way I could afford child care just to work for free!