codi1226

Jared, Respiratory Therapy seems interesting. What kind of schooling do you need for that and what does it entail? I had my second shift on the floor tonight, and I felt sooo much better already about working with the patients. Just the feeling of walking into the hospital, knowing I have a support team, and seeing how much gratitude the patients have for me, makes me feel so much better at the end of my shift. You guys were right about the fact that it will come more naturally with time. I am working on setting up an appointment at a children's hospital to shadow both a pediatric nurse and a NICU nurse. I am very much looking forward to it, to see if my interest lands in either of these specialties. Although I have loved my elderly patients so far, I really LOVE and have a natural tendency to gravitate toward kids. :heartbeat

Thank you for your replies! Do any of you plan on going into nursing after working as a CNA?

Thanks for the support! Yes, I would love to keep in contact to talk with you and discuss how the job is going; both mine and yours. Good luck to you, I'm sure you will do fine also!

That is insane!! Actually, we were working as "one person" because I was in training mode, so it's probably not out of the ordinary to have an 18:1 ratio. Also, I work in a hospital, I'm not sure if that makes a difference. I don't see how you can give proper care to each patient when you have that many in an LTC facility. It's just not right.

I would just like to say that I have SOOOO much respect for all of you! I picked up this job to gain some experience before entering nursing school this fall. Two days ago was my first day as a nurse assistant, but I had a one-on-one, so I didn't learn all that much. Yesterday, however, I followed another NA on the floor who had been working there for 10 years. She was wonderful and a great teacher. I helped with things like changing patients, emptying foleys, feeding a patient, taking blood pressure, taking blood sugars, etc. I can't believe how exhausted I was and how badly my feet were hurting at the end of my shift (new nursing shoes not broken in yet?) I loved working with the patients, though. Most of them were so sweet, and seemed to really appreciate my help. I work on a step-down unit from the ICU. I have to admit that I was apprehensive to work with the elderly, because I haven't had experience in that before, but they were all so nice and truly grateful. I am nervous to go in to work again next week because the lady who was training me is going on vacation, and I am afraid I will be stuck on my own! I totally do not feel prepared for that, especially only having one day on the floor. I get the basics, but I am sure I will still need help and will still have lots of questions. Last night there were only two of us, and we had 18 patients!! I am so worried that I will feel rushed and make mistakes. Last night as I was driving home, I was feeling a little discouraged; can I really do this job, let alone nursing?? I left teaching to pursue this new career, and am realizing how COMPLETELY different the two are. I would still like to work with children, in peds, but how can I be 100% sure this field is really for me?

Thanks for all your responses. I will take your advice and find out the exact terms of the contract (if I am able to back out, if I am able to choose the unit I work on, etc). I believe we were told that we would be put in positions where they were needed (this would most likely be med/surg...) Problem is I am really interested in peds and we don't have a peds unit in our hospital. So I am wondering if I am able to work at their sister hospital, who has a nice peds dept. and a huge maternity dept. as well. Hubby thinks maybe I should just sign up for one year, and half of my tuition will get payed off, but I'll only be "stuck" there a year, plus I can put a year of experience on my resume. Thanks again everyone, I guess it is a personal preference. I just don't want to regret any decisions.

snobunny, A diploma program is usually associated with a hospital, which combines classroom and clinical instruction (clinicals begin in the hospital facility immediately, which is something I really like about this program). It usually takes about two years to complete; three including non-nursing classes (basic english, biology, sociology, etc). The nursing classes within a diploma program do not count as college credits, however, you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX (licensing) test upon completion of graduation. Once an RN, you also have the option of going back and taking classes (usually at a university) to obtain your BSN within a year or two while you are working as a nurse. There is usually no pay difference between nurses who have their ASN, Diploma, or BSN. But you will need your BSN if you would like to work in management or to go back to school to study a specialty (for example, to become a Nurse Practitioner in women's health). Hope this helps. Good luck

Hi everyone, The nursing school I will be attending in the fall has an optional tuition forgiveness program. I can choose to sign a contract to work either one year or two in exchange for half or full tuition coverage for nursing school. When I first heard this, I thought it was such a great idea. I just recently got married and bought a house, and the thought of not having any loans to pay back is tempting. Now that I am thinking it through, I am not sure that I want to be bound to a contract and "owned" by this hospital for two years. I'm afraid that I will be stuck with all of the shifts that no one else wants, in a unit I have no interest in. I would really LOVE to work in pediatrics or women's health, and I know I would probably have better job options after I graduate, such as at a children's hospital. Should I just bite the bullet and put my time in at this hospital? Did anyone sign a contract of this nature, and if so, do you regret it? I am interested to hear peoples' thoughts on this. Thanks in advance! :redpinkhe C

Thankyou Thankyou!!! Mommycakers ~ I guess I will be seeing you in the fall! I am taking Chem. this summer...just need to pass with a "C" or better! I already have English, Sociology, Psychology, and Lifespan Human Dev. finished. So I will be taking A&P, Micro, and Nutrition along with my nursing classes and clinicals. I hope this won't be too much work for me!! I am hoping to take some of the classes online at Immaculata. I also won't be working during nursing school, so this will give me a lot more time to study. I am taking a CPR class this Wed. because I accepted a job as a nurse assistant at the hospital and they require CPR before any patient contact. I'm hoping this job will give me some experience before entering nursing school, because I have NONE.

Hey WantAccel., I can relate to your situation. I am also 25, married, and going for my second degree as a nurse (I have my Bachelor's in Education). I was also juggling between different options, as I feel the need to continue working because we are newly married and also new homeowners. I had the option of doing an Associate Degree Program through a local community college, which had at least a year waiting list (graduate with an ADN), an accelerated BSN program, which I would need 5 prereq. classes for and couldn't even APPLY to until MAY of 2009 (!!), or a diploma program through a local hospital (2 years and graduate with a diploma). The diploma program has 1 prereq. and I can start this fall. I chose the diploma program because I am starting the program 6 months from now, only need one prereq. (which I am taking this summer) AND they have a tuition forgiveness program, so I can basically go to nursing school for free as long as I work at that hospital after I graduate. Also, I am still interested in going back for my BSN, which I can do online while I am working as a nurse. Many, many schools have the RN-BSN bridge program online for working nurses. Unfortunately, the existence of diploma programs is dwindling. My advice would be to look into any ADN or Diploma programs in your area, because they have very few prereqs. for people who already hold a degree in something. Remember you will still be able to sit for the NCLEX and come out with an RN. You can always go back for your BSN. This might be a better option if you want to graduate quickly and start working sooner. However, keep in mind that no matter what type of program you choose, nursing school is intense and you will not be able to work a lot of hours, if any, during nursing school. Make sure you and your hubby prepare financially for about a year and a half of you not working full time. Hope this helps. Also, CONGRATS on getting married!!! Good luck in your decisions and try not to stress too much about school. Enjoy this time with your fiance. It goes by waaaay too quickly and trust me, you will miss the wedding planning when it's all over. :redpinkhe ~C~

Thank you all for the well wishes. I can't believe some of you have to wait until May!! Ugh, I would go crazy! The best advice I can give you is to keep yourself busy!! Also, make a plan B just in case you don't get your first choice school. I kept telling myself "it's okay if I don't get in, because I do have other choices." I'm thinking of you all though, because I totally understand your nerves. Just try to enjoy some of your time right now while you have it, because once nursing school starts, it will be your life. So enjoy a good book, spend time with loved ones, catch up on some movies, work out, whatever!!! Good luck to you all, I'm sure everything will work out the way it's supposed to :redpinkhe

and i'm accepted to nursing school beginning fall 2008!! woo-hoo!!! hubby is taking me out to dinner for valentine's day, but now we have something else to celebrate. i am so excited! good luck to those of you who are still waiting. i know it's an excruciating process, but you will get through it! happy valentine's day to everyone!! :redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

Thanks Tigger, that really helps. I went to a nursing school info session this morning and they were stressing the importance of getting an aide job before nursing school so that when clinicals start, you will know what to expect. I know aides do a lot of the difficult "brunt" work and are a saving grace for both patients and nurses, and I am glad that I will get to experience that. I think it's really important that I see things from an aide's point of view before I go into nursing. I just can't wait to work with the patients. Thanks again for your input, it makes me look forward to starting this job because I know the hard work will be worth the rewards. :redbeathe

Hi everyone, I am hoping to get into nursing school and wanted to get some hospital experience before I made the commitment. I was hired as a clinical assistant (nurse assistant/unit secretary) at a local hospital. I am very nervous because I have absolutely no experience in the medical field (I am switching careers from education to nursing). The training session is only three days long, and then I will work part-time, two days a week. People have been telling me it will be difficult for me to get the hang of things if I am only part-time. However, I have a second job that is better paying at the moment, so I am cautious to give that up. Can anyone give me some wisdom/words of advice/an idea of what this job will actually entail?? I feel very unprepared and am afraid I will make lots of mistakes in the beginning, because I am brand new to the whole hospital environment. Please help!!

Alright, thanks. I will try not to obsess too much until the letter comes. I am already thinking about plan B if it doesn't work out, but I hope it does, because I just got a part-time job at that hospital! Thanks for all your help, though. I will let you know what happens.