prisicruz

Hi Nurse Friends! I am the unit manager of a TCU and though the days are long, overly busy & under staffed, & incredibly overwhelming, I love it all. Its much responsibility and it can get very crazy very fast, but its a challenge I took on knowingly. I have always been thirsty for more nursing knowledge & naively, more nursing responsibilities. At my facility, we also have a LTC unit thats slower paced & less acute. They are busy, just not as busy & that unit manager tends to deal with less stress between patients & the staff shes in charge of. She gave her notice, & today, my DON asked if I would like to transfer to the LTC floor for me to run. I told her I would think about this. It would mean a drastic change in my day to day life - positively. More time at home, less time on call, etc. BUT - does this mean I cant handle the fast paced TCU? Am I not doing a good job in the past year? Can she see my stress radiating from me & feels like I am bound to fail? Am I being dramatic?? Possibly..but I dont think that offer would stand if I were kicking ***. Please provide your thoughts. I will ask for feedback from my DON, & I am open to constructive criticism in an effort to make myself a stronger nurse & stronger leader. Let me know how you would take this, if differently from me. have a beautiful day & thanks!

I loved being a CNA, I did it for almost three years before getting my MA. I also wish I had gone for my LPN rather than my MA. I'll be applying to a PN program in November cant wait! Anyway, my day as a CNA was pretty much the same on a day to day basis. I worked the 7-3 shift, so I'd come in, get my patients up & ready for their day, do breakfast, activities, lunch, rounds & changes, and then finish up my books and go home for the day. In between, you'd do bathroom runs with them, answer call lights, report to nursing, etc. However, every day was vastly different in that you're caring for people and their needs change daily, obviously. It's a LOT of work, no time to do any of it really since you get more patients on your assignment than you can handle usually, and the pay will make you angry every time you look at your paycheck. I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT THOUGH! And if you're looking to sped a lot of time with the patients, then that's the career for you. If the pay was at all better, I would be a CNA for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, in my area the pay is next to nothing, and it's hard to live on that. I like responsibility and so I do want to further my education and eventually get my BSN, but I'm FULLY aware (from listening to nurses I worked with) that nurses dont get to spend all that time with their patients. Fact is, they're just too busy. CNAs get to spend "quality" time almost with their patients and can even have conversations and get to know them personally. The nurses I worked with didnt have this luxury (it is a luxury in my opinion). This was in LTC btw. I'm not sure if a different setting would have a different vibe, but that's pretty much how it is in long term. Good luck in the future!

I work at Willow Manor, we're on Princeton BLVD. You have to go in and fill out an application in person as opposed to online, otherwise, we will never see the application. It'll get lost in the Genesis corporate office and never get to any of my bosses, which is unfortunate. If you go in person you can ensure that it'll go directly to the director of nursing and she's really good about giving new grads a break. Private message me if you need any further info or if you're not sure about exactly where it is.

Hi Sawyer - This thread has been going for a while now so I'm not sure how much this will help, but I work for Genesis HealthCare at a nursing home in Lowell, Mass and my director of nursing is hiring nurses left and right because so many of them are leaving us to move on to bigger & better things (like hospitals..lucky -_- ) anyway we tend to hire new grads..especially LPN's...and especially from Greater Lowell Tech because they have such a good program. Students that graduate from that school definitely learn a thing or two. SO if this helps at all, msg me and I'll give you specifics as to how to go about applying. I'll be taking the TEAS at Lowell Tech next month so fingers crossed! I went the Medical Assistant route last year and just wasted money, time and effort..not to mention being away from my family while I worked and went to school. Medical Assistant programs are the real waste..Nursing schools arent out to get your money, there are jobs out there. Its just a matter of staying within the field doing whatever they'll hire you for so you can make connections. I've been in the medical field for almost 4 years now, not a nurse yet, but I've met people from all different hospitals and I've made sure to keep contact with these people open...so that when I do pass my boards, if ever, I can apply to where I've made connections, including where I work now. So maybe they dont have any jobs as an LPN or an RN, but that same facility might need a CNA, or a unit secretary or even a kitchen aid...anything to get them to know you and your work ethic...then that one year of exerience wont be so "elusive". You wont make a nursing salary BUT it'll be one step closer to it and it'll probably come with benefits, so that outweighs any grocery clerk job in my book. Hope this helped, Sawyer! Good luck with everything and stay positive!

Thanks for all your advice. I do work in the healthcare field, I've been a CNA for three years now. Everyone I work with, including my bosses, are very supportive and understanding as far as nursing school because they're all nurses. So working only weekends wouldnt be an issue as far as work goes. I'm just worried about bills and how to juggle it all. It helps to have a supportive family, which I do have. But the idea of not working or having to rely on others for that much more support is a bit daunting. I guess you have to really want it bad to make the sacrifices and I want it...BAD!! lol I've wanted to be a nurse since as long as I can remember so, again, thanks for the advice!! I'm def gunna cut down and take it from there. :heartbeat

I'm going to be applying for an LPN program and I'm trying to plan out my entire year (what I can anyway) so that not too many "surprises" come up while I'm trying to focus on school. Anyway, I guess this is the golden question for anyone looking into nursing school, but should I bother trying to work at all? I have a job, which I can easily switch over to part time once I start school. I'm just worried that if I'm working all day, then at school all night for the entire week..what will my family be doing? I feel like I wont have much time with my daughter or my husband, no time really to cook dinner let alone sit and have dinner...and then what little spare time I will have, will probably very likely be used for homework and studying. I'm trying to convice myself I can handle it because I've hear of so many others that do handle it and are awesome nurses. BUt I dont want to set myself up for disaster by trying to be superwoman and manage too much...in other words : all you successful nurses out there ..HELPPPP!!

hey, if you dont mind my asking, where did you go to become an anesthesia tech? i'd love some info :) thanks

OMG CONGRATS!!!! I'm so happy for you!! :cheers: What are you doing, morning or evening? I'm not sure what I'd want to do yet if accepted. I'm so glad you're in! I'll let you know how things go with me

hi all!!! I havent been on for a really long time...I'm hoping everyone's good! I'm taking the test on Feb 6th...little nervous but I know what to expect since I took it and passed last yr. hopefully it wont be too bad this time around! sawyer: HIII!!! I'm assuming you're trying again this yr too?! have you taken the test yet? I'm super excited about it and I'm hoping and praying for nothing but the best for everyone...I feel like we've been going at this for so long! keep me posted on your progress guys...I'll be on a lot more often and checking in too! :heartbeat yay for nurses!

I'm taking it in December...hopefully all will go well! When are you taking yours?

hi guys! I took the NET last year and I passed but I was wait listed so I'll be applying again this year! The essay portion of the test wasnt too hard. And I dont think it'll be a five paragraph long essay that they'll be expecting. Last year they didnt ask for that. Once you send them your application they'll send you a confirmation letter. I absolutely CANNOT wait to take the test and HOPEFULLY pass again this time around and (finger crossed) get in as well!!! Good luck to everyone on their test. Some of my nurse friends say that if you successfully graduated from high school then you should be able to pass the NET...so good luck and pass so we can all become nurses!! :heartbeat

Hey guys!!! I'm super excited for everyone to start their classes!! Please let me know how the first day goes...I'm sending good thoughts your way :anpom: Good Luck!!! Prisi :heartbeat

Sawyer- In his e-mail they said that taking a college course in AP, Micro, Pharm, and/or nutrition can work in your favor. So you don't necessarily need to focus on AP...you can pick and chose according to what will work for you. I do currently work as a full-time CNA at a nursing home. At the time of my interview at Greater Lowell I didn't have the job yet...my interview at the nursing home was that same afternoon, so that's why I got wait listed. I had no experience yet. you'll love being a CNA. And if you take a CNA class and get a job on top of taking a college course, you're golden!

Sawyer - I e-mailed them to ask him some questions about next year and I mentioned getting the NET part of the application process waived. He says they might possibly have a new test next year...I'm thinking maybe the TEASE test...and I'm crossing every limb in my body and hoping it isn't so cause it's really hard. And he emphasized, yet again, how important it is to have some kinda experience in health care or some college credits that can be transferred. Anyway...thought this might be useful to you! Anyone have any updates as to how the program is going?? Please keep us in the loop

Sawyer - Google Shawsheen Tech and a link to the high school will come up. Click on that and then just click on Adult Ed. I called them and had them send me an info packet, so maybe you'll get more info that way. They only have evening classes, not day, so that's not ideal for me. But I'll take an acceptance letter any day! NLN stands for National League of Nursing. There's a study guide you can order online through them for the test. Other than that it's pretty basic; just like Lowell Tech.

Jmarie - with all the things you gotta get done you're certainly keeping your cool and you seem to be very organized!!! Good for you!!! Sawyer - YESSSS I will certainly be taking the NET on the very fist testing date. You mentioned that they won't make you re-take the test so I might ask if I can skip out on that as well. Either way, I want to know by the end of this year whether or not I'm in. I think they start taking apps as early as November??? At least I hope so!! Anyway, I'm also applying to Shawsheen Valley's LPN Program. They have a 100% pass rate which is great, they're about the same cost as Lowell Tech, and they have an awesome rep. So if Lowell Tech doesn't work out I'll have someting to fall back on. Lowell Tech is my first choice though. You should look into that school!!

Sawyer - That program in Malden is partially accredited...I tried looking for it on the Mass Board of Nursing but it's not there. They have you take a pre-test on which you need to score at least an 80% to be eligible to take the TEASE test. The TEASE test is a lot harder than the NET from what I've heard. It has Math, Reading and Science. After passing the TEASE test you'll then be eligible to apply to the actual program. Sounds like WAY too much work for twice the money and half the accredidation...which will hurt you when looking for a job once your licensed. I did the same thing and tried looking for another school or another route...but the fact that you were wait listed is pretty much a garauntee that if you re-apply you'll have a spot. And you can take the rest of this year and get your CNA which is HUGE to them and get a job, even if it's part time of per diem. I know it sucks...but Greater Lowell has an awesome rep and this school in Malden might not have the best NCLEX pass rate, while Greater Lowell had a 93% pass rate last year; 53 out of 57 students passed their NCLEX. There's a lot to consider!

Jmarie I'm so excited for you!!! Just when we all kind of lost that little glimmer of hope!! I've definitely come to terms with not attending this year and have planned everything out for next year, but if I too get the "golden phone call" then I'd be super excited as well!!! Good luck with everything...be sure to update Sawyer and me throughout your experience there, assuming we're not called in. CONGRATS!!!

Thanks so much for all the advice!! I needed some from more experienced people like all of you...everyone else around me thinks nursing school is "not that bad"...little do they know! I def appreciate all your input!! :loveya:

Let us know what he says!!! My fingers are crossed for positive things to come out of his mouth!!! LOL good luck!

Hi =) I'm asking for 100% honest advice...what you would personally do in my position. Here goes... I'm 23 years old and I FINALLY figured out what I want to do with my life as far as career goes. I've been a CNA for a little over a month now and, yes, it's hard some days and I can't feel my feet, but I love it and I can't imagine doing anything else. I want to become an LPN and eventually and RN. WELL...I have a three year old and my fiance and I are high school sweethearts...together til the end kinda thing, blah blah. Last year the apartment where we lived burned to a crisp...yeah!...so we had no choice but to come live with my mom. It'll be a year to the day this August. I just started working again (working in real estate during a recession isn't such a good idea!) and we're ready to move out again on our own. Except that now I have my heart set on attending an LPN program in Mass...Greater Lowell Tech. I got wait listed this year so I will be applying again for next year, along with some other schools to better my chances. ANYWAY...my issue/question is: should I wait and finish school, or move and see what happens?? If I move I can't work full-time, attend school full-time and be a mom, wife, and bill paying machine!! I'm very strong willed, but just the thought makes my bones shiver!!! Plus I wanted to save money so I can pay for school out of pocket and not have to worry. Moving will mean no space to save...at least not as much. My mom wants us out, my fiance wants out and believe me, I want out. But what's more important??? Has anyone out there managed to work full-time and do nursing school full-time...without losing it???

Just a quick FYI for Jmarie and Sawyer - there's a really good LPN program in Billerica called Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing. I am going to be applying there next year, along with Greater Lowell, just to make my chances of getting in somwhere a little better. Anyway, they seem to have a good rep and they're fully accredited. So in case you're interested, there you have it! And it's not that far away, I'm not sure where anyone lives, but Tyngsboro and Billerica aren't that great of a distance difference. They're right around the same price as Lowell Tech, only difference is they have the LNL test...which I guess is alot harder. Has anyone else heard of this place???

Sawyer- thanks for the update! I agree that waiting the year will just mean we'll be able to save money for next year. I was going to have to take out a loan or get financial aid, but waiting will mean I get to save money and pay out of pocket. Most employers, especially if you're in the healthcare field, will reimburse you for whatever you pay out of pocket...so that's a plus. In the meantime, experience, experience, experience!!! I'm a full-time cna now and will, obviously, be keeping my job until school starts at which point I'll switch over to part time. I'm so bummed that I have to wait another year BUT luckily application time starts in October...right around the corner...and we'll know sooner this time so it'll be fine! And lastly...one thing that makes me smile and def brightens up my dark moods about this...is that if we want to go ahead and get our RN (I completely do!!!) we can just do an LPN to RN course which aren't as competitive in some cases and will only take about a year itself...no lost time there!! I'm 23 and I'm aiming towards RN by at the very least 26, so time well spent is HUGE for me!!!

hi =) I haven't heard anything from anyone at the school yet. I'm gonna go ahead and just make plans for this year as if school isn't going to happen and apply again next year. I do still have a little bit of hope but I dont wanna set myself up or anything. You have to be realistic in cases like these. I did some research on Soldier's Home in Chelsea but because of the economy they're not open this year! That's why there's no links for it online. I called them earlier and found out. And St Joseph's in Nashua is a two year PN program - yeah right. Might as well just go for RN if it's going to take that long! Every else is basically booked until next year...so as much as it sucks to have to wait, we have to wait. Best bet is to just apply to as many places as possible for next year...had I known that a couple of months ago maybe things might've been different.

A rolling admission isn't always a good thing. Sure you're guaranteed acceptance to the program once you've completed an application, but they do have a waiting list. And since everyone gets in their waiting lists go on for years...literally. Middlesex has a two and half year long waiting list for their RN program because of the rolling admission thing. Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill doesnt have a rolling admission but they're program isn't as competitive either. And they cost less per credit. Another thing is that with community colleges they require that you complete prereqs that are required for admission...Lowell Tech doesnt have that which, to me, is a huge plus because you dont have to take extra time. They're application process compared to a community college is alot shorter and a whole lot easier. Not to mention the TEASE test that you have to take at community colleges which includes a science part! Vocational schools only require the NET, which wasn't at all hard!!