TINK808

I bought intl version of Anatomy book last semester. It was the exact same book, 20% cheaper including shipping. The only exception was that the cover was softbound and had a different picture on the cover but page content, color photos, study cds etc were exactly the same as US. I also bought a Med-Surg intl book too that had exact same content/photos/cd disc as US version, except photos/illustrations were in black & white. I saved quite a bit of money with intl books. Now, if color photos/illustrations are a big deal to you (like maybe with anatomy) try to find out if the books are printed black/white or color pages. Most of them will tell you in ad or email. Good Luck

LeeLeeU Believe me I feel BOTH your pain & anger. I have friends who have graduated n-school in June 09 with not only that loan monkey on their backs but with the added insult of an inconsiderate and frustrating jobs search. They tell me their job hunting stories too. I sometimes joke with them that being a stripper has gotta be less stress than nursing! It kinda gets me steamed that I'm possibly racking up the same debt for a big maybe when I'm done. I don't wanna give you fake platitudes & say it'll get better, but it took me months (6 to be exact) of unrelenting pavement pounding, cold calling, dealing with fickle HR personnel & volunteering just to get my foot in the door as a NURSE TECH! Scream... Let it out.. Punch a bag.... but press on. You are NOT alone!

I'm a n-student in OH. And speaking from hospital position as tech in local hospital, I agree its getting tough especially now that the govenor put in place this new hospital tax. Both experienced and new grads are catching it because of this tax as hospitals cutback to save money. Although I got 1 year to go, I feel everyone's pain about this. What helped me get in the hospital was working as a volunteer. That way you can get to meet floor nurse managers, network and see from inside whats happening & where. They say its better to work within the system, even if it means working couple hours for free while you're job hunting.

Im currently 40 and will be 42 when I graduate. And to add a martini twist to returning to college after 12 years, I walked away from decent paying job to do it too. We have a classmate who is 60 year old entering n-school. The way I see it, we've got too many years, tears and fight left to be put out to pasture. You stay young by keeping your mind active and that includes school. Do your thing! With the way things are going with social security & pensions, we're likely to be working well into our 70s :chuckle

It does help.. alot! Thanks And you'll be an LPN before you know it.

Thanks for the booster shot, Rose. Great job on getting in RT school. Good luck!

Pen This may sound like a cliche but I wanted to go into nursing to do more direct patient care and affect people on more compassionate, personal level . I have psych degree now and returning for accelerated BSN. I have wanted to do it for at least past 3yrs but talked myself outta applying with the very same fears I now am facing. I do journaling and it helps but sometimes it helps to talk it out too. Especially since friends and family members are saying Im crazy to leave my job now. I dont think I'll regret it just afraid to take that final leap of faith and temporarily go back to ramen noodles, midterms & pb&j for awhile. Thanks for the input.

I got in n-school back in feb and am am excited to start in Sept . My employer is not flexible in scheduling so I will have to quit my job to go to school. Our nursing school doesnt offer part time or evenings. I was fine with quitting fulltime work when I got admitted, but as I get closer to start of school (and giving 2wk notice), all these fears are popping up. I'm walking away from job Ive been on for almost 10yrs and pays comfortable wage for part time wage during n-school that barely squeaks me by for next 2yrs. Plus, Ive gotten mixed opinions on nursing careers lately. I know in my heart I want to be a nurse but walkin away from a job with with so much vested into a new career venture at 40 is scary. Can anyone give me their . Thanks