ERICA57

I think it depends, at least in part, on your location. I did this in Boston between 58 and 61 and encountered overt, frequent ageism in hospitals and on the part of preceptors here. Some people were absolutely brutal to me,making it virtually impo...

Myra, you can email me directly at [email protected],. I'm happy to share my experience such as it is!

With all due respect, prettymica, the fact that you have LPN classmates in their 60's only proves that some individuals are willing to take the risk of paying for retraining in late in life. It says nothing about how these classmates will fare after ...

Also, I would take the fact that health care programs admit older students with a grain of salt. That reality does not, in my experience, reflect the perspective of the working nurses who will supervise your clinical placements, and hire you (or not...

I just graduated with a BSN in December, and passed the NCLEX last week. I'm 61, and I have a vastly different take on this topic. The optimism and encouragement that virtually every poster expressed is well-meaning, but ill-founded. It's simply no...

Most schools in Boston have clinical associations with the major hospitals, this is true of both ADN and BSN programs. I dont think an Accelerated Bachelors gives you any advantage over a traditional BSN program, at this point, its a challenge to ge...

Ginger's Mom, I agree with you. The situation is just *unbelievably tough* for legal residents here in Boston, and adding anyone else to the mix is just unthinkable. Further, I do not see how anyone can expect to receive even one paycheck without a ...

I think getting a Patient Care Assistant job in a Boston hospital is a combination of timing, (if you happen to apply when there are openings) luck and connections. A couple of friends in my nursing program sent in resumes to major hospitals, got in...

I'm at UMass Boston too! You DONT have to be certified to work as a nursing assistant. After one semester of clinical, UMass will write a letter documenting the fact that you're a nursing student. But most hospitals take your word without the letter!...

Could not figure out what was going on!! Today at clinical (and this has happened before too) , when I tried to inflate the cuff, the gauge did not move. Rather, the air I pumped in seemed to dissipate within the cuff, and it inflated kind of like a ...

So you're saying if the cuff insn't wrapped snugly enough, this dissipates the pressure within the cuff, rather than causing the gauge to rise. I think this may be my problem, since b/c of their illness, the arms of many of the pts I'm working with a...

It was one of those portable measurement systems on wheels. Sounds like what you are saying is air was escaping from somewhere, yes? I just want to be able to diagnose the issue, so I can correct my mistake, not keep repeating it!! I did not chec...

I agree with you..ultimately it all comes down to the teacher! :)

Yes, it's true that you can't determine whether a professor is effective or poor simply by their academic affiliation. However, it's also true that administration (hiring practices, faculty supervision) of the community colleges varies widely, and t...

I DO NOT recommend Mass Bay (for anything). I took many of my nursing prerqs there and the poor teachers vastly outnumber the good. Better to take Micro at Bunker Hill (if you can still register for it).

I'm starting clinicals at UMASS Boston in September too! Erica Fox

The UMass Lowell part-time program is for nurses who already have an RN and want a Bachelor's...

I researched both programs when I was deciding what path to take. Both are setup to be day programs..I'm not saying there are no evening classes, but the focus in both programs is intense study. I know that at MGH there's the option to go "part-time"...

Does money make a difference? The 3 years of UMASS GEP are around 45K, the MGHIHP cost of attendance (see their website) is quoted at 88,000! ($916/credit)...

Hi: UMass Boston has an Accelerated BSN ....deadine is 2/1 for a next summer start. Less costly than the others to be sure. Cohorts for a number of the accelerated programs are small. Not true about the not getting into the CC's...with a high enough ...

Tiny Tessa, did you go to school/do you work in RI or Boston? Where? Thanks!

Hi "HeartMA": I have been reading this thread with interest and dismay. I am scheduled to enter the BSN program at UMass this Fall, and I'm having second (and third and fourth) thoughts. At my age, I would in no way be able to afford a prolonged per...

Thanks for replying. Not sure what I'll do...as you already stated, it's a significant sacrifice (financial and otherwise) to go back to school. And I'm *already* in a field where it's difficult at my age (57) to find employment ..! You said you do...

Hi Haleysmum: Were you able to work as a PCA/CNA during school? Did you graduate with an RN or BSN? I'm supposed to start school this fall..but I'm having second (and third) thoughts .. Thank you.

Thanks so much Angie for taking the time to post these helpful replies. In light of the Massachusetts job situation..I have one more question I'd like your thinking on: I thought long and hard about about how (and if ) to move in to nursing (I'm 57,...