sun78910

I did the accelerated program because I had a BS, the only gripes I had was the money and it's tough because the curriculum is so condensed. I went to a private nursing school and costs added up quickly. It set me back 60 grand for 16 months of school (although I'm sure this is on the very high end). I worked part time (and I mean very part time) and a tech in a hospital. I could barely make time to work let alone have a life because I was studying all the time. Another thing you may want to consider is do you want to go back and get a masters in nursing? Most programs require a BSN in order to be accepted. The hospital I work at used to hire ADN but now we are a magnet hospital and they can only hire BSN nurses. For me I'm glad I went into the accelerated program because I finished quickly and I want to go back to school so I don't have to worry about my BSN. Although I do wish I had just gotten my ADN and then went back and had my work pay for me to get my BSN because I'd be much richer. If you decide on the ADN program work as a tech while you're in school to secure a job when you graduate.

I thought we were discussing medicine aids not LTC facilities....just trying to draw parallels to the setting I currently work in. Guess Ill stick to the threads the only involve hospitals lol

I feel like that @blackcat99! Only so many hours in the day/it's a 24 hour job/after 12 hours sometimes enough is enough lol

- it's this attitude that makes nurses leave the profession! Make medicine aides illegal and the hospital will have to find the staff? This attitude contributes to chronic understaffing and in many cases hospitals can't find the staff. Plus there are so many medications to keep up with its hard to memorize every medication and their side effects on top of everything else we, as nurses, have to remember. Make medicine aides pass rigorous tests and do continuing education, just like nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists. There are ways to make our jobs a little less stressful and I feel like this is one thing we can do as long as its regulated in a safe way.

What about the NICU? You could get your critical care fix and not hurt your back!

Awesome post!!

I went straight to ICU out of school even though many people told me not to I'm really happy I did. I couldn't picture myself doing anything else. As far as 'being ready' you know yourself better then anyone else. Go with your gut, if you're comfortable taking ACLS then do it!!! I did the same thing then took my CCRN the day I had enough patient contact hours. There's nothing wrong with furthering your education. Don't get me wrong my first year and a half was pretty rough. There were a few days I cried but there was never anything I couldn't truly handle. Plus I was lucky to be on an awesome unit, and never felt alone. The only advice I really have is of you feel like your in over your head speak up for yourself and always ask questions!!

I feel like this a lot! Especially working on nightshift because I don't get to speak with the families and since I work ICU it feels like much of the time my efforts are futile. Some days I feel like I'm on top of everything and sometimes I feel like I could have done better. It also doesn't help that nurses put each other under a microscope constantly. We do what we can and try our best. I know I'm going to get a lot of grief for this comment...but at the end of the day it's just a job. I know we do very special things and touch the lives of many but being so hard on each other and ourselves isn't good for our profession. Many times we don't get to see the great things we accomplish because patients get discharged and we don't hear from them again. I know you do a good job because you care! Don't make things so black and white (good vs bad) because we all know the medical field isn't!

I'm in Maryland and I wish we had med aides. I'm pretty much type A and would never hand off any task to any other staff member that wasn't in their scope of practice, i even find it hard to delegate tasks sometimes.As long as med parameters are specific and they're only handing out scheduled, and not PRN medications, then why not? We have so much to do anyway, this would be a good way to free 15 minutes! As far as saying it's 'scary' that they only have to take a test to become certified is ridiculous. What do you think the NCLEX is? I work ICU and clinicals were pretty much a waste of time for me. What I do now and what I did in clinicals are worlds apart. Also, same with pharmacology, straight memorization and written tests to pass. I feel this is like having a respiratory therapist or an extra tech. We already have so much on our plate, why not have a little extra help? We just have to be responsible and, just like we do with nursing techs/assistants, know what is and what is not in their scope of practice. Plus even I have a hard time memorizing medications, would love to have an extra brain to utilize!

Hey I was wondering if there are any CRNAs in the Baltimore City area that would be willing to allow me to shadow them as a requirement for my CRNA application. I currently work at Union Memorial on their critical are unit but am about to switch to their CVICU unit. I have been an ICU nurse for two and a half years and have my CCRN. I am really interested to learn more about the profession. Thank you!Heather