rdstrasser

lol ... what makes you think I watch Grey's? Of course I watch Grey's. Is that a bad thing?

I heard TCC has a training course. Did not know about the high school though. Thanks for the tips. I will most certainly check into them.

Thank you for your advice. I know I would not be able to work as a CNA/PCT in the ER or the OR. I just know that eventually that is where I want to end up. Thanks to you guys I am certainly more comfortable with the idea of taking care of the elderly. You know that moment when you decide what you want to do with the rest of your life ... that perfect moment of clarity ... I had one of those. And I just know that I making the right decision with this. And I am going to see about getting a position as an orderly or a transporter. Heard of those. But I want to work with people. Just hate that we all have to start from the bottom up. Not that I do not understand why. Of course people's lives are in our hands. That is the point of extended training and hospitals requiring experience. I guess I was just a little scared and nervous that I would always have to work at a nursing home. But that really isn't the case, is it? And I don't have to specialize in geriatrics if I don't want to when it comes time ... I will know exactly what I want the most and the more experience I have in other areas ... the more certain I will be about what I want to do. Again thank you all for your time. I really appreciate it. This has been a life long dream for me and I just want so desperately to make it happen. Just hate that I have to start at the bottom of the food chain lol. Many regrets on not getting in earlier. Just have to put those aside and move on up. Have a great day!

You're right. And thank you both for the advice. I went ahead and went to the nursing home facility and applied for the job. We interview on Tuesday and they said they will let us know by that afternoon whether or not we have been accepted into the program. And you know I might like geriatrics. I saw this lady today in a wheelchair with a nurse assisting her getting some kleenexes and it just warmed my heart to see her laughing and joking with the nurse. It might just be my calling ... who knows. But I am glad for the advice. I just know that all my life I have always wanted to be in the ER or the OR. It's just what I have felt drawn to the most persay. So ... either way ... no matter what I decide I know that I am well on my way to doing whatever it is that makes me happy. Another thing I found out is they are training for PCT's not CNA's and I researched that ... come to find out a PCT has a little bit more training. That makes me feel even better. And it's only 4 weeks! I'm so excited that I can barely contain myself. I will most definitely come back here and let you guys know. I am sure I will need all the encouragement I can get. I have these butterflies in my stomach ... and not the bad ... stressful kind. The excited ... can not wait kind. Anyhow ... thank you both so much for your time in replying.

First of all, I am new here. So ... a little intro. My name is Rebecca. I'm currently living in Fort Worth, Texas ... and more than anything in my life ... I want to be in the medical field. I don't know if I want to be a nurse forever, but it certainly seems like a wonderful place to start and get some experience under my belt. Right now, I am 32 and considering a CNA/PCT course at one of my local LTC facilities. But what my heart desires is to work and be trained in the a hospital. Every position I have looked for for CNA or PCT requires at least one year of experience in a hospital environment and working in a LTC facility is not going to give that experience, or is it? I am so new to this and have been beating myself up for not getting into the medical field sooner. Honestly, my life long goal was to be a surgeon. Don't know if I will EVER suceed at that one, but a CNA/PCT seems like a GREAT place to start doing what I love. I guess I just need some advice. To be honest, I do not want to work in geriatrics, but the nursing home offers free training classes. (I am sure with a contract to work for them for a certain number of months.) I know it will be hard work and will take a lot of effort on my part to keep my head above water, but I KNOW being in medicine in the right move for me. So, I guess what I would like to know is LTC considered a "hospital environment"? Does anyone know of any hospitals in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who are training CNA's/PCT's? It's my life long dream and every day I wait feels like a nightmare waiting to happen. I am sure most of you know what I mean, especially those who got into nursing later in life. Thank you for all your help and consideration. I am considering sending a letter out to all HR departments for the hospitals in my area asking their advice as well. Someone out there knows the best way to go about this journey and someone out there can tell me exactly what I need to know ... I just have to find that someone.