GCTMT

:) Thanks Fiona.

Thanks Guys. Moog, I enjoyed reading your comments. I think you really hit the nail on the head regarding LTC's being little dictatorships. Our DON doesn't care, he says he does but many CNA's have gone to him with suggestions & concerns and nothing is ever done. I'm at the end of my rope. I have also been thinking about teaching. Of course, this isn't something that I am going to take lightly. The clinical experiences for my RN classes were good, but the same was true for the CNA clinicals. I just want to make the right decision. Thanks for such a great effort in your reply. :)

I'm currently a CNA in a nursing home and an RN student. And I really hate my job. Management never staffs enough people, all my patients will stay there, get worse and eventually die and the job is monotonous. I feel like I work at a factory with an assembly line. Is this really what nursing is about? I understand there are many different avenues one can pursue in nursing but, I've heard people say that if you want to know whether or not you would like nursing, you should work as a Nurse Aide first. What do you think?

So far, 81 house members have signed a letter urging the Senate to use reconcilliation to get this thing done. Here's hoping they exercise some courage.

I agree Tewdles. I think the system needs reform. This arguing over whether it is a right or a privilege is really irrelevant Reality is, currently health care is a commodity, just another product on the market. I've no respect for the opinion that "personal responsibility" solves all ills or that our health care deliver system should remain the same. Furthermore, what I see on this thread (and in the forum at large) is an utter lack of respect for the service sector. Here's a reality check, the service sector is the backbone of this country, and those who work at McDonalds, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.. are not only worthy of our respect, but in a nation like ours, they are worthy of a decent wage, basic healthcare and a shot at the "American Dream". I maintain that not everyone can or wants to college for various reasons. Ultimately someone has to do the work of this country, and those people deserve proper compensation. Comparing the United States to countries Haiti is like comparing apples and oranges. We are a developed, powerful nation that for too long has devoted it's resources to the highest bidder and ignored the plight of working class Americans. This isn't the jungle, we are not ruled by darwinism. This is a "civilized" (I use the term loosely) nation with certain rights and privileges. Ultimately, the opinion that health care should be and remain a commodity to be sold on the market is not worthy of my time or consideration.

I think you make an excellent point. It would be very difficult to regulate and I think the initial start up costs would send the state over the edge. Eventually though it would save the state a lot of money (if it's regulated properly). Also, undoubtedly people from other states would be coming to California to get treatment with fake ID's. The regulators certainly have their work cut out for them. I think if California lawmakers implement the proper safeguards this program could be a success, but, they're broke and the pessimist in me is saying it will never work at the state level.

Well, here's hoping the Gov. does the right thing. I'm just not as optimistic as some of you.

They've done this before but Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed it.

Anybody doing the accelerated second degree program? How is it? Tough to get into?

Congratulations. :)

Oh yeah. I almost forgot. I've read a lot on this forum to "get it in writing". Of the info. provided about my experience with the recruiter, what would you get in writing if you were me? Does that me it just needs to be written into my contract?

Thanks for both of your replies. I spoke to an AMEDD recruiter the other day and she told me I basically have two options. 1) I can join the reserves as a 70B Health Services Administrator (Officer). After one year of good grades in nursing school, I transition to active duty. The pros of this plan are that I would get a sign-on bonus, loan repayment AND could get tuition assistance. The cons are that I might not get tuition assistance and would have to shoulder the burden of school expense on my own. 2) I could apply for ANCP and get a thousand a month while in nursing school up to 24 months (the accelerated program I am looking at is 16 months). No sign-on bonus, no loan repayment. I'm thinking option would be the best for me but I have, after some though, more question that I will need to ask my AMEDD recruiter. First, if I am an officer in the reserves while going to school, what guarantees would I have the Army wouldn't interfere (deployment) with my education? A few others are roaming around in my mind. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Thanks again for those who replied, I'm excited and eager to get the ball rolling. :)

In the spring of 2011, I will have all my prereqs finished. From there I plan to pursue a BSN via the second degree option. Will the Army pay for my education through the Army Nurse Candidate Program? Is that a hard program to qualify for? Is it true that you have to have letters of recommendation? When should I start the process of applying? When should I speak to a recruiter? Keep in mind I won't be going to the BSN program until fall of 2011. After graduation from the BSN, will they pay off my student loans? Where are most of the new nurses stationed? I figure, if the wars are still going by the time I graduate then I will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Will I be at a field hospital or in the field with soldiers? ETA: I almost forgot, how long does the background check take?

Of course there are many avenues a nurse could take just for the money, but I feel the military is something special. Thanks for your opinion.

Reid has already ruled out budget reconciliation, or has he changed his mind?