RN2B4ABBY

You could always call them & see. For that matter though, you would still be better going to a on-campus program part-time because it would be more cost effective and just as time consuming. BTW I have decided to begin my nursing career with LPN and I am going to attend BOCES in Mexico, NY. You mentioned you had books on the entrance test. Are those something you can buy?

I know what you mean. I can make the time to study because I understand that no matter what program I decide, I am going to have to do that but it is the driving time that wipes me out! Especially in the snow when it can an hour to drive somewhere that normally takes 20 minutes! I was considering Deaconess College of Nursing because theri web based ASN has a Practical Nursing component that you can stop after completing or just finish the RN. The only thing is it is $400 and something a credit hour (they have fin. aid though), you have to set up your own clinical site and then at the end of every semester you go for a few days to show them that you know your stuff. Maybe this might work for you?

It was a tough progam that took quite a bit of her time, energy and sleep!

Hi! I live in NY also and have a sister in law who is about to graduate the LPN program at BOCES in Watertown. Where are you looking to go? I am also considering it and have spoke with my SIL many times. Her program was days and she went from JAN 03 to JAN 04 on a regular school academic calendar. She said if you start in August then it is not as long? (I think it is a year either way) The one in Watertown had her going 8:30-3:30 M-F. I called the one in Mexico, NY and they had a more flexible schedule with evenings and/or days. She is frustrated with her program right now but I think it has more to do with stress because she has loved it up until the finals. I also know there is a entrance exam you have to take on basic skills before you are even accepted. I think everyone is going to be a little different so give them a call and they should send you some info. Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help anymore! Feel free to PM me!

Thank You! I am going to work on by back bone starting now!! I have to realize I can't help everybody and even if I tried I would end up disappointed and burnt out. I need to concentrate on school anyway or I will never make it to begin with! Thanks again! I appreciate your kindness!

Thank you so much Nurse1202! I appreciate the insight. It helped me a lot in my decision. I have done my thinking and I think that I may turn it down. It is not a position that I am comfortable with and even though it would give me experience with the basics, I think I would rather be somewhere like LTC. I want to be working with the nurses and have the experience with the patient loads and time management...etc. The only thing is that I feel SO guilty because I know that there are not many people in this area that are in home health and I know that there are so many people out there that need someone to help them. That is the only thing that keeps me considering it still.

I just wanted to thank you for the advice! I appreciate it!

Hi! I looked for threads covering this and I couldn't find any. If there are already a bunch, please just direct me there. Anyway, I was offered a class/position for Certified Home Health Aide. I get to choose what hours & where I want to work (they cover three counties) which is nice with school and all. I was looking into CNA but this came along. My question is will it be beneficial to me with nursing school and my career? I am sorry if I sound like a moron but I am not familiar with HHA at all. I am a little concerned with going to a stranger's house and not being in the security of a hospital or other agency. Thanks for any advice.

Thank you! I was really curious about that! Thanks again!

Thanks for the hello! I wouldn't miss the cold either! You didn't hijack my thread, it's still nice to hear from someone who lived up here! Good luck with school!

Thank you very much! This article was really interesting and even though I know that I have no clue what I am getting myself into, I know it's bound to be a rough ride! I am truly inspired by all those who still get up and go to work everyday despite the hard times and I also feel for those who were burned out because it must have been a tough decision.

This is very interesting but I am not running! I have read many horror stories about working conditions, staff members, nurse co-workers...but I am still not going anywhere. Nursing schools may be full, employers may choose to ignore what their nurses need and just re-fresh when ones burn out and leave and there may be a moderately high job dissatisfaction rate. When I think of being a nurse I get a feeling in the pit of my stomach that tells me I belong there. I am not going into this field because of pay, benefits or for what other people will think of me. I am going into this field because I want to make a difference. When employers don't care about their nurses they don't care about their patients. Well I care! If I make a patient smile and feel better then I can be satisfied. If my being there helps out at least one other nurse with the workload and stress then I will sleep that night. It is going to be tough and grueling and I will cry more than once and question what I am doing. I know there is so much out there that I can't even possibly imagine right now... but I know I belong there so bring it on!

Hi! I am looking for an RN from Watertown or Syracuse to help me out a bit. I am currently a math/science student at Jefferson Community College and need any info. on the quality of their nursing program or St. Joe's in Syracuse. I am also wondering what the working conditions in the hospitals in our area are like. I have heard some scary stories from other places and I am hoping Samaritan may be different. Thank you very much for any info you can provide. I live closer to Watertown but will go to Syracuse for school & work if it offers better opportunities. Thanks again!

If I can help you find anything else please let me know. I will be more than happy to!

Maybe they are for the state, but there are education grants for college when you are out of state. I went to college in VT when I lived in NY and had some grants to pay for it. Federal Pell Grants are the ones I get because of my daughter. Here are some links and I hope they help, they should at least have some numbers for you to call and get more info. Good Luck! http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/FYE/2003_2004/english/federalpell-grants.htm http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/FYE/2003_2004/english/eligibility-criteria.htm http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

https://allnurses.com/t53076.html Found this thread...maybe (hopefully) it can help! Also have you checked out The following has one for Deaconess: http://www.discovernursing.com/scholarship_search.asp?accreditation=Y&state=MO&submitted=1&fromprogram=1 Good Luck!

You mentioned you were a mother...I am not sure if you know this but you will probably receive grants from the government. They will be included in your financial aid packet b/c when you apply for FAFSA & all of that you are considered for grants. That is the only way I make it through school!

Thank you both mittels & purplemania! I appreciate your time and the clarification! It helped me to realize that I need to put my all into my RN schooling and forget the rest! RN is where I want to be and I am going to focus on obtaining that goal! Thanks again!

suzanne4, thank you very much! I still have every intention of going straight to my RN. I very much appreciate the clarification!

I was wondering the same thing also! I understand the RN, ADN & LPN but I saw someone with PRN next to their name and was curious what that was. I am also curious about the difference with RN/LPN. I have had a couple LPN's tell me that what they do is no different then the RN except for a few things and I should go for my LPN because the pay is not much different and it is a year less of school. I believe that if there is an extra year of school then there is a reason for that and there must be a larger difference. I don't know, that's why I am asking the ones who are out there and know this stuff!

I use to a vet tech also and I made $6.00/hour w/ no benefits. But I will let you in on something my vet told me when I was working there...pet physical therapist. They make as much as vets, if not more than some, (at least in my area) and people pay for it for their pets! Hit by cars, old, injury...there a many reasons that a vet will refer a patient to a pet PT. They are also few and far between so if you are one and you gain the area vet's trust and respect you will have a workload on your hands. You would have to look more into it. I think some are just actually PTs for people. This link gives some info and it has quite a few other links that will be helpful. Animals are wonderful and good luck working with them! I think you will love it! http://www.doggiefun.com/updates/careerpath2.shtml

Thank you very much! I think I will do that. That would for sure give me the most overall experience and that is what I was looking for! I feel foolish for not thinking of that myself:imbar

Is this the Stony Brook in NY? What do they require? I am having trouble finding a college that has room anytime soon for their RN program. I was going to go LPN first, but I missed the testing deadline for the only place around me and everyone keeps telling me that LPN has no help for going for my RN and to just go for the RN. Thanks!

I am beginning my volunteer work at my local hospital in a few weeks. I am not sure where I should go. Any opinions are welcome and appreciated! Here are the areas they have openings for me: Ambulatory Med-Surg Floor Patient Representative Thank You!

I haven't been in the situation yet, but I still wanted to reply to you. You love what you do and I don't think you should leave. I think you should take it as a learning experience and keep it in the back of your mind in the future. There are going to be many rough days ahead but there are also going to be days that remind you of why you are there. Stay calm and focused and never be afraid to ask for help. I bet you can handle this and when you get through it you will be a little wiser and a little stronger. Nursing is a continuous learning process and you will be pushed to your limits many times. But you love what you do so give it a chance. If you leave now you may find yourself regretting it in a few years and it would be a waste of all that time you gave to school and learning how to be a good nurse. I wish you the best of luck and stay strong!