meeshelz

To xtxrn: I work as a CNA and just finished my first Fundamentals class, so thanks for reminding readers that yes, being a CNA helps! I contributed quite a few stories & can easily relate when teachers are lecturing. Also, did you say you worked 40 hrs/week? Right now, I work PT, noc shift- two 12-hr shifts- I'm very scared entering fall, not knowing whether I can handle the work hours, plus w/ all the studying. I've been proactive though, talking to my fall teachers, buying my books/syllabus. I dont have kids, just a house payment. Any tips for PT workers like me? Thanks so much!! God bless

Hi Everyone! I'm a nursing assistant (& just started nursing school) & I actually started using the plain white waitress apron (when I first volunteered at a hospital-- helped out a lot with supply replenishment in the Emergency Dept). Although people would ask me, "Can I have a double double & fries with that?" I found it quite amusing. Many smiled at me but many have also commented that it was a smart idea. I've upgraded & purchased another waitress apron with design (shorter but still with the 3-pockets) & many people have commented me positively on it, saying it's "cute" & "very smart." I also have the small Prestige (the one you can put a few alcohol pads, pens but honestly, it's doesn't do the trick-- still very small for all that I need to bring). I'm only 4'9 so I can't load my scrub pockets, otherwise I'll look like an overstuffed football. My nurses have asked me, "Do you have tape?" and I say, "Which one? Because I have both." Even as a CNA, it helps me put supplies I need when rushing into a patient room. I want to buy the good kind but still waiting for the time to spend more money. Whatever you use, it helps people be efficient! I hate when I don't have my mini notebook, dry erase marker, permanent market, chart pen, pen light, alcohol pads, highlighter, etc etc so even if it did make me look like a waitress, I honestly don't care because it's about rapid efficiency! :)

Hi there you guys! CONGRATS havhope05 & srojas9 for getting into Rio Hondo! Yes, prayers truly helps. We might one day share the same class & I think the lecture portion of AND 151 we will J. Its nice to know you are active on this website. We can breathe momentarily but try not to let your guard down because this is just the beginning!! I’ve been reviewing my physiology & anatomy notes. I even bought Mosby’s Clinical book already (I saw this at one of the hospitals I work for so I figure, why not buy a used edition?). Also, we will be using ‘Fundamentals of Nursing- The Art and Science of Nursing Care’ by Taylor, Lillis, Lemone, Lynn, 7th Edition. I contacted Professor Biesemeyer & she told me to purchase the 2011 edition. This is ISBN# 978-0-7817-9383-4. As for the med-surg kit, I purchased it via the website that was included in the paperwork. Yes, it was $48. It will be shipped directly to the school. This includes basic items such as foley kit, sterile items, etc. In your previous schools, workplace, were you required to get any of your immunizations? If not, check the info below. Not sure where you guys live, but I have used Monrovia Public Health clinic a lot, http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/spa3/clinics/monrovia.htm. You must call first because they are only open certain days & times for immunizations.They’re more faster than Whittier Public Health clinic. Public health clinics are free. If you’re short on time, try Walgreens or Rite Aid, you have to pay but it’s fast. Also, check out the health clinic on campus. If you’re a student, it’s $45 or so for a physical. If you’re getting bloodwork, make sure to indicate to them to run (I think it was) the varicella titer. They told me after the fact. Not sure about immunizations. If you’re not a student yet, you have to pay a little more. As for BLS card, try local adult schools. I went to Azuza-Glendora Adult school for my CNA license but I know they have ongoing BLS classes. Contact info website, http://www.azusaadult.edu/page_contact_info.shtml and http://www.azusaadult.edu/page_program_vocation.shtml#CPR for class breakdown.If you've volunteered at a hospital before, you might have already a lot of this done so i hope you kept all your paperwork. Another thing: buy the ADN 151 syallbus already so that you can prepare the first two weeks of lecture. I bought the Spring edition so I started reading it already. Also, Victorville Valley College has awesome podcasts you can download for free! So if you're short on time to read, at least you can listen to instructor's voice while you're driving (this is what I do). Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Good luck fellow classmates! Hope to meet you soon! Peace & Blessings, Michelle

Bummer! But we might share Thurs in room Science 202. R stands for Thursday. They will inform us when & where to purchase uniforms. We need to have the school logo embroidered & can only get it through their supplier. I would recommend buying a stethoscope, light pen, shears, clipboard, med dictionary if you dont have any of those items. I actually enrolled in HS 45 this current semester but they dropped it because there were less than 12 students. I was kinda bummed but starting working on the book, which is quite helpful. If you dont have time, like if you work, i suggest not to take the class. Buy the used version of the book (its like $5 on amazon) & read it on your own. I work full-time & will go to part-time come next month so im not going to retake the class. We wont be dealing w/ in-depth pharamcology yet. Next term we will. Hope this helps. Feel free to email me at [email protected]. Have a nice weekend!

@ srojas9: Congrats!! Did you receive your registration # to register for adn 152? My class is on mon, tues & thurs (clinicals at whittier presbyterian). That would be neat if we were in the same class! As for the class, the first 4 weeks are lecture w/ clinicals at school. After the 4 weeks, we will be applying what we learned in the hospital setting (starting first week of july). Clinicals- twice/week. If you can purchase the syllabus/coorifice material for adn 151 at the bookstore. I bought spring semester version because i wanted to read the material already. If you've worked as a cna before, it'll be pretty easy. I emailed Biesenmeyer to make sure the books i bought was the correct one. I bought mine on Amazon along w/ Mosby's medical dictionary to save a few bucks. Hope to meet you in person soon. Take care!

Hi there all! Thanks for the heads up. I, too, was accepted to their fall program to start next month. I am very excited! Hope to meet some of you soon! To Gina: CONGRATS upon graduating very soon! :)

Hi Michelle! CONGRATULATIONS on making the plunge & Welcome to AllNurses.com- you'll find it a fabulous resource, whether advice for the TEAS test or reading experiences from experienced nurses. My name is also Michelle & I,too have changed degrees to Nursing later in life. I started interning at a hospital & received my CNA certification, those experiences has validated my strong desire (& fate) to become a nurse & by next month I can finally start applying to programs. I commend you!, for having 3 kids with a supportive husband. I can't imagine how difficult it will be but with faith, prayer, love, & compromise, you will be able to do it, one step-at-a-time. Good luck with the next few weeks of CNA school as well as the following years ahead. You can do it, girl! :) Peace & Blessings, Michelle

Thanks all for your responses. I started my application just have to finish my personal statement & review my resume & volunteer-community involvement. I spoke w/ Rhonda last week ensuring they will not review applications post Christmas holiday break. Any classes finished then & submitted is okay (for those like me finishing my science pre-req). Transcripts can be sent even after 11/1 deadline, since everything is done electronically. Best of luck to us all!

I, too, am not in an RN program (yet), however, i suggest taking it at your local adult school. That's exactly what I did (and cheaper). I actually took it on-line. Although I could have purchased a book on my own & go through the exercises, the class made me more accountable for it. Trust me, it's helping me a lot. I'm also a volunteer-intern at an acute hospital, and phishing through charts has helped tremendously. I can actually understand some of the jargon. If you can't take a class right now, purchase a used Medical Terminology book online (i did that, too. Amazon has some great finds). Used versions are cheaper- medical terminology is pretty basic so not having the most updated version won't kill you. Best of luck! :)

Hi all! I agree with VintageStudent, all her suggestions are STRONGLY recommended. I passed the Entrance exam & anticipating to get into the Pre-LVN classes by May; in the meantime, I'm trying to take science pre-req classes; unfortunately, due to the state budget cuts I'm struggling trying to get into a class. Also, for those that live around the Covina area, I recommend completing a CNA program at Azusa-Glendora Adult School- it was a 3-month program & it gave me my firsthand clinical experience. If you have no clinical experience I feel it's almost necessary to complete a CNA program. As nurses, we supervise CNA's & if you have no understanding of what a CNA does, then how can we be good quality nurses? In addition, The Red Cross offers it, too, but it's very expensive, something like $1,500 for one-month. Also, I recommend interning at a hospital. Currently, I'm in a Clinical Care Extender program that's tied with Queen of the Valley, Intercommunity & Foothill Presbyterian Hospital & although it's volunteer patient-care, it still boils down to clinical time at a hospital, along with the potential medical staff to network with. If you want more info, feel free to email me at [email protected]. Best of luck! VintangeStudent, if you don't mind me asking, how are the teachers there at Hacienda-La Puente- LVN program? The only class I'm taking there is Medical Terminology. Thanks & good luck to everyone!

I completely agree. Texting at work is completely unprofessional, rude, & disrespectful. You are PAID to work, not to text. You are PAID to care for patients as your #1 concern, NOT TO TEXT for amusement. I do think its important to bring a cell phone in your pocket, in case, as others posted, have a family emergency or what not and as long as it doesn't intercept with the equipment. However, don't you DARE update Facebook, Twitter, etc. Leave the amusement at the door. In addition, I think it is the "younger" generation that is moreso, abusing texting. You are fortunate to have a job and if you'll be texting for fun, I have lots of people that is willing to take your spot in a heartbeat! If you're bored because you're working grave, that is a cop-out. There is ALWAYS stuff to do or research for the betterment of the patient, whether you realize it or not. Why not bring a book on disease prevention, understanding diseases, promotion of health. Take a few minutes to exercise if you find yourself in a down-time but don't you dare pick up a cell phone to text, play games, etc.