49*1

It's a little bit of both that get to me. I actually took a look at a stage 4 ulcer on the coccyx, yes it's gross and I can't imagine the pain they have, but I was able to look at it and stomach if. Fecal matter doesn't bother me, of course the smell can be bad sometimes, I can suck it up and handle it. but of course seeing an image and actually being on front of it and cleaning it out might be a bit different. But I look at it as just dead skin and seeing a bone or scabs from the healing process is okay with me.

thank you for commenting. I hope I didn't sound rude about the appearance of a female area. it's not that I am saying lady partss are ugly to look at or anything. that def is not my intention. You are not rude at all. I actually have been a PCT in a hospital and have had to hold a patient down so a Nurse could do a foley or straight cath and I did get the weak/nasaua feeling but was not as severe as today. maybe it was bc I was forced to hold and couldn't leave? I did try to ignore what the nurse was doing to take my mind off it. one was a male for a straight cath and another was for an older female.

I have been a pre nursing student for a bit and have this fear of Foley catheters and the process of completing the procedure. I decided to try and desensitize myself today by watching a YouTube video on the procedure. It was on a live patient and once it came to the point of separating the majora minora labia to expose the urethra, I immediately became weak, nasaua, sweaty and almost to the point of feeling like I was going to faint. It took a few mins to calm back down and take my mins off it. It was pathetic but I couldn't handle it. I'm not sure if it's even the insertion of the catheter that brings up these feelings over the appearance of the female area. I get the same feelings with male inspection more than the appearance. I just wanted to know of anyone else has had these feelings and how they have handled them. It's come to the point that I'm not sure I can be a nurse if I cant do a simple foley/straight cath. I can handle blood, guts, wounds, smells, etc. I have a slight problem dealing with ostomies to but I think I can overcome that, since I watched a video on that and was able to stick through it.

Thank you..I think you are right 100% about be becoming a Nurse, The first time I was called, I had to pass it up and I deferred my spot..I was then called again to fill my deferment. Again I had to pass up..and here I am now going into LPN school next Fall..Besides all my past..i have to focus on the present, and stop worrying about the future.

Hello everyone, First I just wanted to say thank you for reading this post, sorry for it being so long. it has been a very long time since I have been back on AllNurses.com and writing a post, but I have been struggling personally and feel others from here can relate more than family and friends can..So here I am hoping to find some advice and guidance from you, who may be or have been in my position. I am 29 years old, have mild to moderate anxiety, mostly social and the disorder affects my stomach and causes me to be nervous around public places and areas I do not feel safe or familiar around. I can control it, especially since I feel better when I eat no gluten (have had all the tests, etc. simply IBS) I've lived with this most of my life, and at times it was worse and sometimes better, but has prevented me from reaching goals or choosing a certain career because of the fear of being in a position I didn't feel comfortable in. Anyway, after H.S I was relieved to be done with school and never really planned to attend college(always felt I could never do it..anxiety..stomach issues..etc) After a very long conversation with my cousin, I decided to become a Nurse in 2008 and began taking classes towards my degree..went on the wait list..all of that. Was receiving A's and B's in science classes and psych, etc. My confidence was building, and I had a 3.4 GPA. Things changed as Life does, entered a relationship, experienced and worked many different jobs (trying to afford a mobile home, etc) got engaged..school was fading and my mind set was just not into it as It was at the beginning. During this time I was called for Nursing and had to turn it down (was not financially capable) After this point Nursing sort of left the picture and I struggled again working different jobs trying to find my career..none satisfied me. Since I enjoyed the healthcare field..I got my EMT cert and landed a job with a good company..planned on going on to getting my Paramedic, but found out a large amount of money was needed to enter the program (8,000) of course I did not have this, nor anyone to lend it to me. Nursing school calls me again a few days later after hearing about the money situation with the medic program..once again I was not ready financially to enter nor personally and emotionally..engagement ended. For the past couple of years I have been bouncing from job to job trying to find myself..trying to make a good living..i guess secretly in my mind trying to avoid going back to college..At times I have driven myself crazy with all the constant thoughts rambling around in my mind about a career choice..can I actually handle nursing school..i am terrible in math and spelling..will I be able to calculate dosages..will my anxiety overcome me..and it goes on and on.. Basically being 29 yrs old and now living back at home and jobless at the moment..gives me more time then I want or need to think about all the above..Nursing somehow always creeps back into the picture someway and/or somehow..I think how good of a Nurse I can be to pts and visualize myself in the position doing it..I have 29 college credits, all my pre-reqs done already..but like my title and what I wrote in this post keeps me second guessing..preventing me from making the leap, afraid I will waste more time of my life and if I fail..leave me back at square one looking yet again for a career, but only being older then I was. I know there is a lot of negativity in this post, and I am trying to keep positive but I have to be realistic as well..right? Right now I do not know my location on the Nursing list at my college..i think they are upset with me because they have no gotten back to me in a long time about my placement..I was looking into the LPN program at a very popular and known Vocational school in my town..it is 10 months long M-F, but I missed this years application and have to wait until next Fall 2014. I thought maybe doing this for a year to gain some experience and confidence, plus it would be less time then being called for the nursing program again, and get me working again making a decent living sooner. I registered to take the entrance exam in Nov this year, if I pass I am in. The college I was attending for the RN has a bridge program to challenge and if I pass the requirements, I would have 3 semesters and I can take my RN boards. Thank you so much for reading and posting any advice you might have for me..I definitely need it right now. So that is what I am thinking of right now as a goal for myself..but again the fear..anxiety..thoughts, etc..are keeping me holding back or changing my mind. The waiting the year too is definitely playing a role in it as well.

Hello All... I am going to be starting the nursing program at my college this fall. There is just one thing..I am afraid of inserting a urinary catheter!. Well not so much afraid but Im a guy and get that "feeling" in the guy area just thinking of having to put a long skinny tube..well you know where. The same goes for thinking about it for a female. I know this probably sounds stupid, but how do I over come this? will every nurse out in the field be putting in urinary catheters once in their career? anyway around it... Sorry for the silly post but i was thinking about it today and wanted to get some advice and input on the subject...does anyone else ever think of this or have a problem with it

I first want to just thank anyone who is taking the time to read this. I have not really spoken about what I am about to write with family or friends because of the fear they will not understand. So here I go.. I am entering my community colleges Nursing program in JAN 2012. I am stuck currently working part-time at Costco working 24 hours a week (split over 5 days) i told them the other day that I am being called for nursing and my availability will be changing. they said ok but did not seem trilled about it. I explained that this fall semester i will be finishing up Microbiology and medical term before the spring semester. i go to school Mon, Wed, and Thursday. Monday is 10-11:15, Wednesday all day, and thursday 830-11:15. I am the type of student that can work during school but not a lot of hours because it takes me awhile to study. I am afraid that when Jan comes around i might not be able to handle even working part-time and do nursing school. I know some can, but also some cant. My fiance i do not think understands this and feels i will have 3-4 days to work and study the rest or when I get home. I also suffer from anxiety and tried zoloft but felt it wasn't working. I had this for years but it is not out of control, i just get nervous when i go out to sometimes because the fear i will need to use the bathroom. This goes the same for when i go to class, work, or out one night. I feel when i enter nursing school, i am going to suffer with this and it will affect my learning. I also am scared that my confidence level is not high and when calculating drugs it will hinder me and i will mess up. I am also a terrible speller and can not pronounce big words. I know this must sound all crazy but its what i feel. I live with my fiance and we pay rent, plus i have some bills to pay each month. so i know i have to work. As for the anxiety i want to know if anyone else has suffered through nursing school with it, does it get better? I know i can get through nursing school with hard work and i am willing to do it, and i always wanted to be a nurse but was afraid of giving meds, and having someones life in my hands. I felt kinda like this when i started college 3 years ago. I felt i would not make it through AP I, AP 2, and all my other pre-reqs, but i received A's and B's in most of them, especially the 2 science courses. I held a 3.2 gpa which i never thought i would have in college, since HS I was a 70's student. Because of the wait and all that i mentioned about above, i had the chance to enter the nursing program back in Jan 2011 but decided switching to Radiology because of the fear factor, but always kept thinking about Nursing and having that RN at the end of my name. I kept going back and fourth back and fourth for most of the 3 years but i think finally said enough and this is what i want to do, boy im sure my school health science office must think im crazy! i tried entering for the Fall 2011 semester but the program is full, and they will invite me in in Jan. I know this is all a lot and might not make perfect sense, but please give me any advice or experiences you guys may have, i could really use it!!

Im currently going for my associates degree in nursing through a community college. I wanted to know since im finishing up my pre-reqs i have some extra time to take a few more classes which would count towards getting my bachelors. My question is, is it really necessary to get my Bachelors in nursing once i graduate with my associates? My cousin has been a nurse for 10 years with only an associates and is doing fine.

My positive attributes that i have that will make me a good nurse would be im caring towards others and like to help make them feel better. i like the rewarding feeling you receive by seeing a person who is in pain and making them simile. i am hard working and organized. i am always willing to go beyond my own work to help out another who needs it more. im a good listener. i couldnt really think of anything else at the moment, how was that?

hello everyone. to make it a long story short, i suffer from social anxiety, ocd, and general anxiety. it is not severe where i get panic attacks everyday, but it does affect my cognitive thinking and make it very hard to make a decision sometimes. almost three years ago i did not know what i wanted to do with my life. i went from local job to local job trying to find myself. i was depressed at the time also because i just didnt know what i was going to amount to. i always kept telling myself that im not smart enough for college and i cant do it and will drop out. well 2 years ago around this time i finally opened up and had a long talk with my cousin (who is a nurse himself) and he made me realize that someone could do anything with a positive attitude and a heart to win. i never thought in a million years i would be where i am today completing 26 college credits and carrying a 3.5 gpa. i never thought i would have "As and Bs" in AP I and II and in all my other courses. My deliema is that im still having anxiety issues and get nervous and shy when around groups or talking to someone directly. im afraid when i am called for nursing school this will have a definite impact on me. i think of things like.... will i be able to handle it?, im not a good communicator!, my spelling is terrible and i get nervous a lot, im not good in math, etc. i guess all i am thinking about is negative thoughts about entering the program and setting myself up now for failure before i even get there. im going to go back on medication and seek therapy again, so im willing to work on this now, but everyday i keep thinking if i should change careers and enter something less scary. i dont plan on being called probably until next fall 2011 and ill be 27 years old. i feel i want to get the ball rolling since im not getting any younger and want to start my life. but i believe somewhere deep inside a part of me is saying stay where i am, fight this and move forward, but like i said these negative thoughts just keep pulling me further away every time i get excited about nursing. i dont know whats wrong and why i cant beat this.. please help if you can! i would appreciate any advice and wondering if anyone else has had this same problem. thank you

Hey, I suffer from social anxiety also so i can relate to some extent. i am not in the nursing program yet, but i already worry about it when it does happen (probably the worst thing i can do) it is funny you wrote this bc i wanted to express my own feelings and look for some helpful advice. im starting today to work on my anxiety so that it is not that severe when the time does come. My advice to you from someone experiencing the same thing is to just try and relax. i know when i get those sudden panic episodes i try and tell my inner self to relax and it is just my mind playing another trick on me. as i continue to repeatedly run this thought in my head i begin to calm down and gain more control of my own body. another great thing to do is direct your attention to something else. try noticing a picture or poster on the wall and examine it in detail. look at the colors, the fine lines, what is happening, etc. break the entire image down, it will help time pass and take your mind off what you might be thinking that is making you nervous. also be confident. i also lack this important skill, it is hard to believe in yourself at time, but with determination and hard work you can do anything you want, believe in that and write it down and glance at it whenever possible. do find some others in the class and begin studying together. it does truly help. i did my first semester with AP I and it helped tremendously. my last advice to you would be hang in there, it will all be worth it in the end. just stay positive and focused. realize you are studying to help others, but at the same time you are working to become a better you. we will never stop learning in life, so dont bring yourself down if you are nervous and dont know, after all we are just human. i wish you well, you will be fine, take care icu123

hey guys, im sort of stuck in a dilemma at home. Im currently enrolled in a community college in NJ and in the spring I will finish all of my pre-reqs (AP I&II, psyc, micro, etc) required for the ADN program at the school. Im currently on the waiting-list and should be called in Jan 2011. My dilemma is this, my parents are currently renting our home and the lease ends in June and my father is looking to retire in PA. I don't mind moving with them, since NJ is becoming so expensive to live in and I probably will not be working as a Nurse in NJ once I did become an RN. Anyway, most of the community colleges around the area where they are looking to move (easton, bethlehem) have wait-lists and require a few more pre-reqs then my current school does (math, speech,etc) So if i went the community college route in PA I kind of would have to start all over and take more classes and another entrance exam. There is one thing I found, its called St. Luke's School of Nursing in bethlehem, PA. It is one of the oldest diploma nursing programs still around in the US. My pre-reqs all transfer over (one course I still would need is a entry level college chem class) which i sort of need anyway for my BSN. They are tired together with St Lukes Hospital which is really nice and one of the best in the area. I do not know about guaranteed job placement with the hospital after graduation. The program is tied also with a local community college where after i graduate and get my RN i can go for a RN-BSN program. Well after all writing, im concerned with the course work material, since i feel my community college im at now might be a little bit easier then the diploma program, but also the diploma program will have tons more clinical, which im better at i feel then all textbook studying. Im applying to the diploma program for the June 1, 2010 deadline, just to see if i would be accepted incase i choose to go they said i would find out an answer within a month. But i still would like some help in deciding and everyones own opinion in this matter. thanks guys..

I would defineitly shoot for AP I AND II. You wont need everything they teach in it for nursing school, but the overall course material will be a great foundation for nursing school and beyond, plus you need them if you plan on getting a BSN. Secondly, like most others said microbiology is also always required as well, and im looking forward to taking it next semester. better off getting most of all your courses in now so you wont have so many when you go for your BSN, which most hospitals are requiring more and more these days. good luck.

you really dont need any prior knowledge of the material before entering the pre-reqs for the nursing program. Dont get me wrong coming straight out of high school and going into AP I does help just a little bit (there is some chemistry involved in AP I but minor) otherwise you should be fine. AP I is your foundation for the science classes that will follow, so as long as you can understand the material to some degree youll be fine in AP II and Microbiology. Some colleges also require a chemistry course (at college level) so you might have to take one of those as well. most of the other pre-reqs are psych, sociology, english, etc. which are more towards gaining your associates or bachelors degree in nursing. hope this helps and good luck, its a great career to be in, just have to put the time in to get there.

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If you are having difficulty now with AP1 I would suggest you take AP II in a classroom setting. Im finishing up AP II right now and I found it to be just as hard as the first AP. I feel whoever the teacher is, it always helps to be in front of them when they teach rather then behind a computer. if you are afraid of who you might get, look at ratemyprofessor.com. when im always ready to pick my classes for the next semester i go on there and look at what teachers are the best for what subjects i need. it always helps to have a good teacher to understand the material better. my friend told me about the site when i started school, has helped me tremendously. my first AP teacher taught from a powerpoint presentation, never wrote notes, just verbal speaking. the class basically taught ourselves. but we made groups and always studied together, it helps a lot. As for not understanding the subject matter. it will come with time. As you enter AP II you will know how the material is presented and know how you feel best to study and understand it. AP1 usually weeds out who isn't willing to put in the time and effort. Hang in there, if i can do it, you sure can! I used to be a C student my whole life, and now im getting As and Bs in my science classes. You can't possibly remember everything taught in AP1 but just remember the important facts, do you need to know every organelle in the cell, no lol. I know many nurses and most say what we learn in the classroom is going to be completely different in the field. Nursing school prepares you for becoming a nurse, by learning to think critically, but the real learning begins the day you get your RN. Hope this helps a little bit. you've worked this hard so far, dont give up now, it will only get harder. Good Luck!

im a tech in the ER and what i see on this show and what i see in the "real" ER are two totally different things, but i enjoy it. For the male nurse on the show, i think hes a tool but it brings humor to the show, the stupidest things only happen to him and it makes him a good character. looking forward to next years season.

Hey everyone. I have a general case of anxiety. I over think things sometimes and especially when it comes to someones life I second think what i am doing, and most of the time go blank when it comes to an emergency. I want to be a nurse and am doing good in my pre-reqs so far and hope to enter the nursing program next fall. I currently work in the emergency room as a PCA. this is where i want to work as a nurse so im really excited that i got the job. I just get nervous when im there because im afraid a code will happen and i will go blank or do something wrong and there is a person we are trying to save. I love the whole trauma scene and helping them get fixed, but i just cant seem to put aside the anxiety. I have been dealing with anxiety for a few yrs now but it is not extreme, i just get nervous around places im not familiar with or around people i dont know, but it quickly diminishes after time. Im just wondering if nursing is going to be right for me bc of this. Im afraid when i enter nursing school im going to mess up and not do the medication calculations correctly and potential harm a patient. Im not the greatest math wizard either, so that doesnt help. I love my job so far though and get to see what the nurses do and stuff and it makes me want to be one even more, but i seem to always go back to the anxiety feeling and begin to rethink my career. Has anyone else felt like this and if so what did you do to overcome it and move on, bc im trying hard to let it go and forget about it. please let me know. thanks.

Hey everyone. Im currently working in the emergency room as a PCA. I just started and have a little bit of anxiety throughout the day when handling patients. Im more on the quiet side when talking, but try to spark some kind of conversation with the patient when im doing something, such as vitals or an EKG. Im still learning since I just started but am some what nervous that I might do something wrong or not know how to do it or make myself like stupid in front of the patient. I never witnessed a code yet or actually have been involved in one but im scared when i actually have to (which i would love to be and just dive in and do what i have to, to save this persons life) but afraid ill freeze up and just go blank. im certified in cpr so that helps a little . I really love the field of nursing and am going to school currently to be just that, so im really lucky to get this job. I just wanted to know if anyone else has or is feeling this way when they started and what can i do to ease the transition. is it normal to feel like this? It doesnt help either that im new and most people do not know me yet so i feel as if they are like "hey who is that" kinda thing. thanks for reading.

Hey everyone. Im currently working in the emergency room as a PCA. I just started and have a little bit of anxiety throughout the day when handling patients. Im more on the quiet side when talking, but try to spark some kind of conversation with the patient when im doing something, such as vitals or an EKG. Im still learning since I just started but am some what nervous that I might do something wrong or not know how to do it or make myself like stupid in front of the patient. I never witnessed a code yet or actually have been involved in one but im scared when i actually have to (which i would love to be and just dive in and do what i have to, to save this persons life) but afraid ill freeze up and just go blank. im certified in cpr so that helps a little. I really love the field of nursing and am going to school currently to be just that, so im really lucky to get this job. I just wanted to know if anyone else has or is feeling this way when they started and what can i do to ease the transition. is it normal to feel like this? It doesnt help either that im new and most people do not know me yet so i feel as if they are like "hey who is that" kinda thing. thanks for reading.

they are held at the hazlet campus, freehold campus as far as i know.

Email me and I will give you the counselor I use. He has been really good with me and knows a lot. Responds quick to emails and squeezes you in for appointments if he is full, which is most of the time.

Brookdale offers the CNA course. Go to the Atec building and go straight into the double doors. Its called Business and Development. I believe the times and dates will be posted soon for the Fall. Sign up fast, they sometimes go quick. I was on the waitlist for the time and date I needed and luckly got called just 2 weeks before start date. You can email me or AIM at iccul123 if you like for anything else.

I will be there on friday june 26th. Ill be wearing scrubs since right before the info session i have to take my skills practical for the CNA course. See you there.

hello, i attend brookdale community college and took the NET in Jan and passed, and now im just waiting to get an invite to the info session which im told will be end of June early July. then ill be on the list! from that point it is just a matter of "waiting" till im called to enter the program, cant wait. Ill finish up all my pre-reqs next spring, so it would be nice to get in next fall 2010. sharihamill22- can you tell us how long it took you to get called? also do you feel it goes by how many pre-reqs you have done and gpa rather then sort of having a number given and just waiting til they reach yours.