KatieM123

I have a BS in a non-nursing field and about 30K in loans from that. Which actually wasn't too bad since many friends had a lot more it was over 30K a year there. I don't want to add any loans to my total so instead of doing a local BSN program that is private and $$ I'm starting with my ASN from a community college and we'll be able to pay cash.

I'm guessing there is no specific law for paying back a sign on bonus. It would fall under contract law and you'd be binded by the contract you signed with the facility. Whatever they put in the contract you signed would be the law unless they also created a breach in which case you might have a case for court. If they have complied with the contract and you didn't then you own them whatever remedy is in the contract.

I finished my MBA and then applied to nursing schools. I have to finish a few pre reqs at a community college. For me personally it was far more affordable to do an ASN program with some community college pre reqs. My long term goals include BSN and MSN but one must walk before they run and the ASN program is affordable, fast, and well respected so I'm going to start there. My MBA was paid for by my employer and I am sure someday I may be thrilled to have it if I have any bed side burn out

I was a PCA (patient care associate) on a med/surg floor in a pretty busy floor. Nurses were swamped but never seemed as unhappy as some on here say. There were generally 3 PCAs one for each "wing" and each wing generally had 2 nurses so each PCA had 2 nurses they worked with/for. There was never any doubt about the things surely PCA only -- vitals whatever Q the patient was -- 4, 2, etc we ALWAYS did that and had specifics about what to report directly to the nurse and always wrote it down. We also did baths in day shift and all cleaning/diaper changes on other shifts. We emptied folies/drains and recorded amounts. And we aided as needed -- so I expected nurses to ask for help. Sometimes it was simple -- pass me bandages when I say so. Sometimes it was cool -- holding a hand while a PICC line was put in! A nurse would tell me if s/he smelled a full diaper or needed a bed pan or someone needed to walk or go to the bathroom. That was cool, it was my job. They weren't ordering me, my job was to do those things. And often if the nurse had a moment they would help me get the patient up and moving then I'd finish the walk or they'd assist even in a small way. Or I knew they were running for their lives and I'd gladly help out. We had the one nurse who always said aids in his day got water and did this and that and blah blah an dhonestly we joked with him. He still deligated far more to us than any other nurse, but that was OK too -- he ALSO shared far more of his 20+ years of experience with us when he could.

I'm just a hopeful student but the reason I continue to go on is a friend who I was an aid to in college. He has MS and was wheelchair bound. He got through his days very literally with the assistance of aids. Aids who were fellow students like myself who could handle giving a fellow student of the same age and intelligence a bath or a meal. So my junior year I said I could do it and he told me frankly it would be much more weird for me than him and to be prepared. The following day I showed up at 7am to give him his shower. I removed his stuff and picked him up out of his special bed in his dorm. I carried him to his special shower chair, rolled it over the toilet and gave him a few minutes privacy (until he said OK) to do the morning business. Upon being called I rolled him into the shower and washed his hair, cleaned him, and dried him off. Then we rolled into the dorm where I picked him up and put him onto his bed. I then dressed him, being VERY careful of his feet which were VERY sensitive. I put on his pants and shirt -- all dependent on the weather, then I put him in his wheel chair. This man was ten times smarter than I was. He was so smart he understood the needs he had and the limitations he had and he embraced them. I was another student who could do it. I could go in and give him a shower, even on the mornings he had an erections, it happens, I could do it. With no pause. I COULD DO IT! Others can't. And now I'm an adult and I know I need to continue to do it, even if school is long and hard :)

I'm not a nurse yet but at my current job I have a best friend and work would be hell with out her! I know I can vent and be honest and frustrated and it will never leave her office and she knows she can do the same. I needed a letter of reference for nursing school and asked her to do it. I also asked her not to tell ANYONE here b/c if they found out I was planning on leaving in 2 years it would be UGLY. It's good to have someone I can trust!

I really thought I wanted to be a doctor, so I got a job as a patient care associate at on a busy Med/Surg floor at a teaching hospital. I saw all the new residents start that summer. I worked with some fantastic nurses who when they had the time never hesitated to help me with my dirty work. Of course there were priorities and they couldn't help with a bed pan if they had meds to give, but when they had a minute or if I was really in a pinch they dirtied themselves right along with me. I also watched the residents devote their life to the hospital. Joking about the 80 hour week rule. I also noticed the striking difference in nusring vs doctor. I don't mean to say docs don't care about people, the docs were very nice (for the most part) but there's a difference. They were scientists that took care of people. I do not mean nurses aren't into science and learning but to devote your life to medicine the way a good doc does it's a lot more than "wanting to help people" -- these docs are obsessed with the medicine they live, the surgeries and techniques and science and then they use that obsession to help people. At least that's what I observed. The nurses took care of people's needs moment by moment and at some moments it clearly sucked but overall they had the human interactions, they cared for people not diseases/ailments. The docs focused on the ailments the people were suffering from. It was an interesting experience and I learned a lot about myself (I'd never be willing to devote my entire life to a job of any sort) and the medical world. And now I want to be a nurse!

I understand how you feel, I'm just on an opposite end! I work in business I have a BS in management and an MBA. I make a good bit more than a nurse and I Hate my job. HATE IT. I hate going to work and getting the sh!t kicked out of me b/c finances aren't what they should be, meetings that last all day, people who thinking 13 hours days 6 days a week is healthy. UGH. HATE IT! I am hoping to go to nursing school starting in the fall for nursing. The 3 people I asked for letters of recommendation did everything but ask me why I'd want to take such a huge step "backwards" in careers. Because I will no longer be using my degrees. It's fine with me, get me OUT of my current business. It's no different than you really, I was good at teh bussiness school work, I'm good at the actual job too (3 promotions in 2 years) but I'd rather do anything than sit at my computer 10-12 hours a day slaving away for zero purpose. So do what is best for you, many of my coworkers LOVE their job and the industry they work hard and get satisfaction from it, I just don't so I need to get out!

I have a 4 year degree from a prestigious business school as well as an MBA from a well thought of university. And I get the odd looks and comments about it being almost a step down from the business field I'm currently in. And I haven't said a word to people AT work because I don't want anyone to know I'll be leaving in a few years. but the looks I get then will be classic I'm sure....

I'm registered for A&P I! Thought about taking Nutrition too but since I'm not sure if I'm accepted in the program I decided to save the $ if I get in I'll take it this summer with A&P II

In NY my cousin works for a catholic school with a BA and a masters in teaching and makes $19,000. She knows she should get out and go to a public school but she enjoys the smaller situation she has and since she can afford it with her modest life she's stayed there

I'd assume like nursing it all depends where you are. In upstate NY most teachers start 35-40K my mom just had her 30 year anniversary and now makes 70K -- which includes a few administrative responsibilities she took on writing some projects for her district. My mom loves being a teacher and having the holidays, though she has always had to work all summer to pay the bills, but school districts aren't much easier to deal with than any other work place. Recently she got a new principle and after 30 years she dreads work every day. Plus you can't switch districts so easily in NY -- your seniority has to stay with you and unlike nursing that isn't a plus because they'd have to hire my mom at 70K and a new teacher would only make 35 -- guess who they'd hire? So she couldn't leave her district if she wanted to and expect to get a job. The retirement in NY is fantastic for older teachers , newer not as much. You also have to have a masters degree in NY -- and you must get it with in 5 years of your BA. So everything looks nice from the outside, just like all the nurses on the forum my mom doesn't really recommend teaching nor did she encourage me to teach....it's a calling I think

I'm in a similar boat, BS in business management and MBA working in business. I don't think there is much in patient care that utilizes the business education BUT there are opportunities on the reverse I've heard of. Businesses that could use an experienced RN with a more diverse education and experience base, and understanding of business etc. So my thought is that if in time I suffer some bed side burn out I could look into using my RN/medical experience in the business world and I'd be marketable to business unlike other RN's because I have the education and past experience.

There is a program local to me for ASN's with a BS in something other than nursing to get their MSN on a different track. Not sure exactly what's different but it is specifically for students like I will be so eventually I will look into it -- but I have to walk before I run :)

Ya... I did my undergrad at a private college called RPI -- about 30K/year (I had some scholarships though so I was lucky) my sister is a second year law student at UPenn to day she has $85,000 in LAW school loans. One year left to go, but her summer internship should pay for her third year. I tried to reason with her -- explain that 90 hours a week isn't exciting it SUCKs but her goal is to pay off the loans in the first 5 years or so. To each their own!