travis73

Three 12's and one 6 hour shift! That would be awesome!!!!

Doea anyone know the starting pay rate of a CNA in central oklahoma?

You can take an LPN exam after taking two semesters of the nursing program? Is that true?

http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/ Lots of info there

There. Doesn't get any nicer than that! lol!!

I've worked nights for most of the past 18 years, but not as a nurse. Or anything involving healthcare for that matter. Some people are oriented strictly to a daytime schedule. Some to a night time schedule. To some it just doesn't matter one bit. Working nights is only as big a deal as you make it. I've noticed that while I'm at work (inside a building) I can't see the sun no matter what shift I'm on. Also, because I have children, I switch back to a daytime schedule on my days off. The first day before work, and the first day off, I would take a long nap. That would usually reset my internal clock to where it needed to be. Also, invest in some heavy drapes/curtains for the bedroom. Good luck to you.

I don't think it's condescending at all. Whichever statement you didn't care for dosen't matter. They are still both true. Stress is the symptom of your reaction to a stimulus. It is completely internal. I'm not saying it's as easy as flipping a switch, to control your stress level. But I am suggesting that the realization that stress is a personal reaction might help that person to control it. It did me, anyways. And, people will treat you how you let them. Why shouldn't they? If a person doesn't speak up (and the first person isn't guided by good manners or good morals) then how is anyone supposed to know that there is a problem? It's OK to stand up for yourself, weither someone else likes what you have to say or not. I can appreciate the stress that must be a natural reaction to nursing, however I think people will agree when I say: "Performing the exact same job now is less stressful than performing that exact same job when you first began." So, with familiarity, your reaction to 'stress out' has lessened. Which I feel supports my statement.

WOW! Thats all good advice on this thread. I'm getting smarter just being here. Haha!

I don't know anything about being a nurse (I've just started school to become one tho), but, if I may, I'd like to tell you these two things: 1. Stress is YOUR reaction to the world, it only exists if you allow it. 2. People will treat you however you let them treat you. Hope that helps in some way

Is it easier to get into an armed service CRNA program? Also, for a younger person who's already in the military, Why Not? I don't think that CRNAs are common knowledge. I didn't know about them until I started school for nursing.

Losing my job is the reason I'm switching to nursing. I definitely understand about being on a TIGHT budget. I buy generic whenever I can. Except for toilet paper, I don't scimp in that department. Haha! I've started shopping at Sam's Club (or Sam's Wholesale) to save money also. But I'm not sure if this is actually saving or not. Whatever I get there last alot longer so it's difficult to observe if it's cheaper

Those pre-reqs to the pre-reqs start to add up. In time and money!!

Math isn't really a big problem. I just haven't taken it (or really been in any classroon) for the last 18(?) years. I need to brush up. I can understand how it could be a waste of time taking zero level classes. But I can also see that taking them provides a solid base to start an education from. I just don't have the extra time, or money, for that kind of thing. I need the shortest path to a decent job possible, so I'll try to speed things up as much as possible.

So, I get the impression that I'm not the only one who's "life plans" have recently taken an unexpected turn. Haha! Every time I've had a curveball thrown at me before things have (eventualy) turned out for the better. I choose to continue to expect that to happen. We all should. Thanks for all your support and welcomes.

The news, paper and tv, keep running stories about the male population, in nursing, increasing. But I've also heard stories of people finishing school, getting the degree, getting a job, and then moving on to something else because the job wasn't what they expected. Seems like a huge waste of everyone's time to me.

I'm in Intro to Phsyc, Overview of Nursing, and a college success class right now. In the summer I hope to pick up 2 science classes and 1 easier sort of class. Tryin to move as quickly as practical while keeping my grades up. I want to be able to enter the program in the spring or fall of 2010. This year just isn't going to be possible.

Thanks for the info. I'm new to the healthcare scene. Not really even "new" yet actually. I'll start taking classes to knock out my pre-reqs for nursing begining next month. I have no idea how the whole "adult student" thing works. Haha!

I hope this works out for you, cuz I'm doing the same thing. Haha! In my off time, and while the kids are at school, I will be volunteering with area hospitals. They don't require a big committment, so I plan to help out at a few places. Try to increase my options that way. Couldn't hurt.

I've worked in factory and high speed production jobs for the last 18 years. Those types of jobs are being out sourced to other countries due to our current political/economic environment. Just before Christmas we were told that our plant would shut down in March. I chose nursing as a new carreer because it is stable, in demand, and mobile. I will do the best job possible because that is how I will support my family. Period. As long as the patient recieves the best care you can provide, thats all that matters. Thats what I think any ways.

My factory could shut down at any time from today to the end of June. I'm on a "need vs want" budget right now. Just paying tuition and books seems like a HUGE expense right now. It will seem impossible when I'm out of work.

Thanks for all your input. Cutting corners and counting pennies is def a big priority for me right now. I plan to work as much as I can, as long as it doesn't affectmy grades

How are other students making ends meet while they are in school?

How does an adult student survive while in the program? How do they get money to pay the bills of every day life? To be a CRNA would be AMAZING(!!!), but I just don't see how it's possible to be unemployed for that amount of time. Please help me understand. Thanks.

Hello all. I have just started taking (some of) my pre-reqs at OCCC. Right now I'm focusing on classes that will raise my points during the addmission process. I'm currently studying like crazy to retake the assessment test and avoid any zero level math courses.

Hello Buster. You and I are in similar situations. Good luck to you. (ps-I also have a fortune cookie slip that I stuck on my fridge. It Claims - "You will win success in whatever you attempt." Haha!)