stacy8155

I am just wondering as to the benefits and drawbacks of joining the military as an Officer once I finish my BSN. I have two kids Caitlin 11, and Matthew 6. I wouldn't be done for 5 years or so, just getting my ducks in a row (I am a wreck if not organized). I just have a few questions: 1. Would my family get to go with me if I were stationed overseas? 2. Would I be entitled to Officer housing on base? 3. How long are deployments generally? 4. What are the benefits or drawbacks of each branch of the military? 5. What are the benefits of joining with my family? 6. What are the retirement options for me if I join when I am already 35 years old? THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My ... I went back and forth on buying one of these pens, as they are $200 and yes the notebooks are $5 each. While it may sound semi-stupid I want to use it on clinicals. I watch Nurse Jackie and I know it's not necessarily a true to life show, but on one episode the new graduate that is following Jackie around was told to do something and when she did it had a bad outcome. Jackie then tells her, I never told you to do that, and the graduate (Zoe) says yes you did, I wrote it down. Jackie tears out the page when Zoe is not looking. Yikes! I have worked with shady people before and it would be really nice to be able to provide proof of innocence. HOW NICE WOULD IT BE TO HAVE IT WRITTEN AND RECORDED IN THAT NURSES VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) Talk about a great way to CYA! Now just wondering if it would be frowned upon because of confidentiality rules... I also think it will be great for math, since the notes you take end up on your computer exactly how you wrote them.

I will be 32 when I finally graduate (I don't actually start until Thursday)... I am excited and TERRIFIED

HA HA HA I just realized I already posted to this!!!!! :chuckle to answer your question... Forensic nursing can be anything from doing SART (sexual assault) exams to working with medical examiners. There is quite a bit of wiggle room and it's definitely a growing profession.

1. I am a total hypochondriac, I am hoping this will help. Also, both of my children gave me a few good scares (I would like to know when to worry and when not to). It was this or Forensics, and the money is better. I love the intensity of ER's, that probably sounds bad, but I like to know I had a hand in making a bad situation better. 2. I would like to be a forensic nurse... I worked as a 911 operator and as a legal secretary for the District Attorney's office. It would be nice to help people on a more personal level.

I am 28 in the same boat. It will take me 4 years to earn an AAS in Nursing and be an RN. I have 2 kids and a hubby and I babysit my niece during the day. I often wish I would have just done it when I was younger... but at least I am old enough not to waste the opportunity I have now! I will be 32 by the time I am a Registered Nurse and 34 by the time I can start working toward my goal of being a forensic nurse. Good luck to all you girls!!!!

DANSKO'S I used them for 12 hour shifts at the airport working ticket counter... we were not allowed to sit down. They saved my life!!!! They are semi expensive... about $100 but well worth it. I still wear mine and they are 5 years old and look brand new.

I guess I thought my school (being in Alaska) would be a little backward about how it handles things. I was wrong. At UAF each CLASS (since each course has a lot of different times and instructors) has a unique number assigned to it, the instructor is expected to input the syllabus into the system and then we students just have to put the number in and out pops the book we need. They no longer sell the books in the store so we are expected to get them ahead of time since they are being shipped. Of course I am also terrified of being unprepared. :wink2:

Fairbanks Memorial is hiring right now... I live in North Pole (right outside of Fairbanks). It is a little more spendy than other areas in the state, but you get a semi-city life. The darkness probably takes getting used to, I have lived here my whole life. The pay is good from what I understand. Crating your dog on an airplane isn't as bad as it sounds. I worked for Alaska Airlines for years and they are very good with animals. Generally you will have to get your dog between flights so make sure you talk to the ticket agent about layovers. You need to make sure they have food and water for the flight. And most times if it is a sweet dog the agents tend to talk to them and comfort them while in the baggage handling area. I don't suggest driving with small children, though I have never done it... It's cold and dark and the roads leave something to be desired. If you do, MAKE SURE IT IS IN THE SUMMER! I like it here, and am starting my pre reqs to get into the satellite UAA nursing program offered here in Fairbanks. Oh also, there are plenty of other CLINIC settings in the Fairbanks area that pay well and one nursing home (Denali Center) that pays GREAT! Hope this helps!!!

I purchased my daughter's rolling backpack from LL Bean for $60 last year. It stands up well to the abuse of a ten year old... she tends to drag it if it flips over and just generally is not very nice to it. It is nice if you use the wheels, however if your items are heavy, and for whatever reason you might need to use the straps to carry it, it is quite a bit heavier than a normal backpack. I would say as long as you can roll it most places you go, it is worth the initial investment.

I also apologize for reviving an ancient thread, but I am doing my pre-reqs now and am listed as a pre nursing major thru UAF and would love to hear success/horror stories. I am starting a little behind so it will take a little longer than normal for me to finish.

My best suggestion is to do allllllll your pre-requisites online while home with the little ones. By the time you have classes that have to be done in person they will be in school full time and you can go during the day. Least impact on family and easiest on your sanity. Plus if you go for at least 6 credits per semester you can get a student loan or pell grant.

I haven't attended school in 8 years... I am a stay at home mom of two. My daughter is in elem school full time and my son will go half days this year, plus I am watching my niece (2 months old) 3 days a week starting Monday. I am taking my classes at night so that I can do my chores and have family time. Eng F111X Fundamentals of Writing Prealgebra (I am horrible at math and need the reminder) Psychology 101 I am soooooo excited, this is the first time I have the time, money and support to go to school. I already ordered my books!!!

I guess we are lucky here in Alaska. I just called the School District main office and asked them to send the transcripts, they sent them that same day with no fees and no hassle. I wouldn't have assumed that I would need to pay for that or bring anything for them to do that for me, I pay taxes... I would think that would be enough.

I also was a nursing assistant years ago, and life got in the way. I now have two children 10 and 5 and am in a place that I can finally get back to school. I am doing this because I am a hypochondriac and would like to be able to quell my own issues, I am naturally curious, I want to help people, and to set myself up to be independant if I ever need to be. I would like to get into forensic nursing.