LRyder

It's been a long while since I've posted on the site, life has been quite hectic. I'm still working towards becoming an RN, just.. slowly at this point. I'm currently in school for Medical Administration, since I already have a pretty extensive background in Admin, I figured it'd be a good (and affordable) start in a medical setting. Then the plan was to move to pre-nursing while holding my Med Admin job, and then possibly transfer to a different position (if available) in that facility... Well, it seems my body has other plans for me. I've always had little issues; migraines and some back pain and what have you, but lately my old injuries have really started taking a toll on me. Here's the specs: I've got mild scoliosis (thanks mom), mild sciatica, torn L rotator cuff (4 year old injury), fractured R fibia (5 year old injury), carpal tunnel, "weak" ankles as my GP likes to say, and as I mentioned - back pain and migraines. Now, I haven't had health insurance for the past 6 years.. so nothing has been professionally taken care of beyond finding out what was wrong, just personal physical therapy and being careful. The older I get, the worse I feel. I'm 22 and I feel much older. I really think I need to see a neurologist and possibly an orthopedic specialist, so I've got to continue saving my money, or hope I get a position that offers benefits. My question to all you lovely nurses out there; Can I do it? I have the will, but.. I'm so scared I won't be able to get through clinicals, or worse yet.. actually hurt somebody because I may collapse or lose feeling in my hands. So many thoughts are in my head about what could go wrong. Any thoughts or suggestions? Any feedback much appreciated.

After talking to family for a while on what I'm going to do (money/job-wise) while I'm in school full-time, I've come to a crossroads. I've been looking for jobs for the past couple of months, had a few interviews but to no avail. I've been looking at a couple of different things to possibly give my resume an edge before I start going to school full-time. I've found that I couple possibly get a phlebotomy tech certificate, which is something I'm very interested in - of course I won't have any work experience at that point, which could hinder my ability to find a position. I'm also considering a program that offers CMAA (Certified Medical Admin. Asst.) and CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) in one program that would only take a few weeks to complete and hopefully pass. The benefit to the Medical Admin class is that my I already have extensive Administrative/Human Resources experience under my belt - so I'm thinking that improving administrative skills could be an edge on my resume. I think I'd have a better chance at getting a job, specifically something in a medical setting, which could possibly be good down the road when I'm actually in NS. I'm just sort of on the fence about what to do. I know I'll need a job to help support myself while I'm in school, I'm just not quite sure what route to go with. I can't do both right now, money and time are both issues. So if anybody has some insight in either position, I'd really love to hear about it. I just know I need get on the move, because school will be coming up soon, and money doesn't grow on trees!

Oh, also! I thought I'd mention - most of the threads I've seen on PCT programs are generally 8-12 week courses or so.. this is a 10 month program. I'm not sure how they're stretching out a 12 week program into 10 months, but it seems that's how it is. Maybe they convince people the extra time justifies the cost? Not sure, but I know my financial aid at the moment won't cover $14k... The admissions rep I spoke to was SELLING (well trying to sell) the program to me. "So, you know Lisa, hospitals are completely phasing out CNAs and LPNs. The position to go for right now is definitely a PCT. Great way to start a career, once you placed a job you'd be able to tap the potential hospitals resources and maybe pursue a higher degree that way. Get your foot in the door, you know? You should come down to the school today and let me show you around.." Etc., etc. I've spent enough time with Nurses and is hospitals in this area to know that there are definitely PCT positions available, but I have extreme doubts that hospitals and care centers would "phase out" CNAs and LPNs. Darn tech schools, it just seems too good to be true when they push that hard. Just my opinion.

We live in the Tampa area, PCT gets around the same here. I've done a lot of research over the past couple years on Nursing professions and I'm glad she's interested in going back to school, I just don't think she took the time to figure out what she really wants to do. As far as I know from the Nurses I know that live around here, somebody with an ASN will generally start out at minimum around $18/hour. I know she wants to start a career, she just really has no idea what she's getting into. I'm going on what I know about the school and what she's told me so far. I'm going to get some actual evidence so she can see the difference between the two professions. The thing that scares me is I'm relatively sure any training she gets there will not transfer to another school except for any certifications she may get. Can't help but worry for her. Thanks very much for your info though Athrun. :)

A friend of mine became interested in Nursing after I sort of found my calling for it. I decided I really wanted to become an RN, I'm currently enrolling into a community college so I can start working towards the RN program. My friend, actually she's more like my sister - I've known her for 18 years now, she's going to a tech school for a 10-month PCT program, that is costing her $14k. IMHO, that's a bit much.. but either way, she's decided to do it and that's great. It's awesome to see her ambitious again! My problem is, the school she's going to isn't giving her completely honest information, and I'm worried she's going to end up miserable or disappointed. She wanted to get an RN, but the school convinced her that PCT is the way to go, so conveniently one of their most expensive programs as well. Her teachers are telling her that a PCT is equal to an RN - that the only difference really is title, it's (supposedly) the same thing! Not to mention, they (once again, supposedly) make the same amount of money as an RN. Now.. I know this isn't true. I know quite a few nurses in our area, and around here a PCT makes a bit more than a CNA, and generally does mostly CNA work. Since she's going full-steam into nursing without knowing what goes into it whatsoever, these instructors aren't informing her of the not-so-glorious work that a CNA would normally do. So, I think she may be getting a false impression. I was really hoping she'd join me at the community college to work towards an RN degree, but she's already locked into this school. I don't want to bring her down, or upset her... but she needs to know that there is a pretty steep difference between a PCT and an RN, she's not going to learn nearly as much in this tech school (I already spoke to admissions and I've read their course catalog), and she's going to be very unpleasantly surprised when she realizes that the position isn't what she thinks it is. How can I talk to her about this without hurting her? She means a lot to me, and I want her to have a great education, not just a decent education from an unaccredited tech school. Any suggestions?

The DON seems very out of line. It's not easy to work at your normal level with such a mental burden weighing on you. If the DON knew such news could affect her performance they should have let the poor CNA take her leave, or at minimum given her the choice! That's honestly just sad. I hope I never have to work under somebody so cold.

Sounds like a bit of an overload to me. I can only imagine the stress. I say consider finding another floor if you really enjoy where you work. Do what you have to do; you can't be at your absolute best as a nurse if you're not able to take care of yourself first. Good luck!

That's awesome! I'm sure you'll make a great Nurse!

Great story, I'll bet you'll find the perfect position for yourself as an RN! Keep up the good work!

That's wonderful! I hope more people will share stories like this!

Impressive! I can relate to taking care of family as being a helping factor into becoming a nurse. Hopefully you continue to enjoy being a nurse!

That's awesome. I wish more people pursued their dreams from when they were kids. Not many people have true passion towards career paths anymore.

I've always been interested in Science; chemistry, biology, anthropology, all sorts. I've always felt I was destined to do something in life regarding helping people. I've always been the shoulder, or the rock, or the guiding voice for my friends, family, and even strangers. I take pride in my life knowing I have a gift of making people feel better however I can. The first time I thought I was interested in a Health Care related career was when I was dating somebody who got me very interested in Nutrition, I thought Dietary Aide could be for me, of course I had a job and couldn't really afford to go to school at the time, so I put it off. A couple of years ago, my father became very ill. I won't go into detail, but when my mother and I finally convinced him to go to the V.A. (he's a Vietnam vet and very stubborn), he got admitted into the hospital and he stayed there for many weeks. My mom was there every day from 9:00 in the morning til sundown or after. Many days I'd go with her when I wasn't looking for another job and it eventually hit me that Nursing was calling to me. Every day I was there with my mom I became more and more comfortable with the hospital. I learned the layout of the hospital, met so many wonderful Nurses, got to experience so much there, and I just knew that Nursing was the path I was going to choose. The Nurses at the V.A. were incredible. They let me help them with my dad, I was allowed to do CNA type care for him (within reason of course), and they even tried to teach me things when they had time. My father had to go back to the hospital for two more major surgeries, and has spent probably a total of six or seven months in the hospital, luckily always the same floor, and I always got to revisit the same nurses that were so good to my father and I. It just felt like home every time I set foot in the V.A., where most people feel anxious or even scared to be in a hospital, it feels so familiar, so right to me. So I ask the students, working nurses, retired nurses, teachers, and anybody else to share their story when they knew Nursing was going to be their career path. I'd really love to hear them, and I'm sure many of the other forum readers will as well.

So, I've been interested in Nursing for almost two years now. I ended up getting an amazing job in Human Resources a while back and didn't make it to school - well, I'm once again unemployed and I've already started the enrollment process at a local community college so I can complete pre-reqs and hopefully be able to apply to their RN program. Now, to get to the questions. I have a friend that has become interested in Nursing since I became very interested in it last year. She's currently attending a PCT program, (which in my opinion is a bit too expensive) and my first question comes in here; From reading up on the forums and doing a bit of research, I'm seeing that a PCT is essentially CNA, with certification in EKG and/or Phlebotomy, therefore they have a bit more flexible position in a hospital, Dr.'s office, etc. Is this correct? My second question, providing the above question is correct - Say I receive my CNA, could I also get a Phlebotomy cert. (which is something I want to do regardless) and EKG/ECG cert. and be able to consider myself a PCT on an application or would I just be a CNA with Phlebotomy and EKG certification? I'm not knocking my friend's school whatsoever, she does well in a larger school environment and that's perfectly fine, it's just not for me. I'd rather just get all of it done on my own and save quite a bit of money. Before I make any serious decisions I wanted to ask the experts. Thanks in advance!

So, here's the story: I'm 20 years old and I'm going to be challenging the CNA exam in the next few weeks after my father gets out of the hospital and settles at home. Recently, I spoke to a woman who said that she'd be willing to hire me as a CNA without certification, as long as I showed drive and dedication, and proceeded to take and pass the exam when I can. So of course, I say sure! The man I'd be caring for is middle-aged, was in a car accident and has some brain damage and is slightly paralyzed on his left side. He needs full care at the moment, and I'd only be working part-time, which I'm fine with because I'd still be learning! His financial caretaker said that his HMO plan sends him different nurses and CNAs all the time, and he just wants somebody that he recognizes and can bond with over time, so he has some support and can feel less embarrassed. She said that anything I didn't know how to do I can be trained on, but what made me the happiest to hear is when she said that to herself and her client, the biggest thing was the will to learn, not experience. So it sounds like a pretty perfect set up for me to start as a CNA. Not to mention, starting at $9.00/hr, so not too shabby! Think this could be a good learning situation? Thoughts, opinions, and comments please!