missdixie023

I am a CNA & nursing student. I can't believe that you would actually have to make a checklist for your NA's but it sounds like it's a must in your situation. I work in gyn-onc and on my floor these things are just expected. I start at the beginning of my shift going to each room offering a bath and changing bed linens. We do vitals every 4 hrs on our patients, so while we're in each room getting vitals we do all of our I&O's, blood sugars, etc. Our nurses expect that these things will be charted every 4 hours and if they aren't, they WILL hunt us down Without the "routine" we have, I can see how things might get chaotic. We also have good communication between our aides and our nurses. They know we stay busy so they don't mind helping us out when we're swamped and vice versa.

can you guys tell me when the confirmation day and the orientation day is? just curious :)

Mine didn't come in today's mail either :\ I don't know why she would mail them out different days so I feel like I should have gotten it already. I had more points than some other people I know that got in. Ugh!

Congrats ADN! I know a few other people who got their letters yesterday, which leaves me feeling a little discouraged because I didn't get one. I feel like a crazy woman scrambling to the mailbox 30 seconds after it passes every day! Maybe today is the day.

Thank you all very much for the wonderful advice!

Hi everyone. I am a nursing student, and current CNA II working in GYN-ONC. My dream is to work in pediatrics, but it is so very difficult to get a position as a nurse in one of these units at our hospital. I was hoping someone could tell me where I can work and what I can do in the meantime to make myself a better candidate for a position in pediatrics in the future. I'm obviously hoping to transfer into pediatrics as a CNA until I finish school in hopes that this will help, but it seems impossible. Positions are rarely open and when they are, hundreds of applications are received . Thanks for any advice!

Hi everyone! I have also applied for the Spring 2011 ADN program. I applied for Fall 2010 and received an alternate list letter. I never got called off of the alternate list. At that time I only had 143 points. I now have 150 but I still don't know if that will be enough. The letter that I received last fall stated that the people accepted had between 147-179 points. I would definitely say that you will need at least that to get in. The numbers seem to go up every semester. I hope what I have is enough because I'm so tired of waiting. I really think that we will all know if we got in within the next week or so. Let us all know what you hear & feel free to add me on fb - fb.com/emeliz87 :)

Hey guys, I have a question... How do the clinical days work throughout the program? Like, that time do they start, what time must you be at the hospital, how many times a week are clinicals, etc. I'm planning on moving about 30 minutes from Winston and i'm trying to figure out what i'm going to do about child care, driving, etc. I'd really appreciate any info, thanks!

In our state, the MA program is a 2 year degree consisting of a lot of clinical hours- then you must pass your boards. I know that here it would be impossible for a CNA to work as a MA.

Thank you to everyone who took time to reply to my post. I really appreciate the stories at tips. You all have made me realize that while it may be hard sometimes, I AM doing the right thing for me and my son. It's going to be a difficult couple of years but I CAN make time for both. I wish you all much success :]

Hi everyone, I'm feeling a bit discouraged and i'm hoping for some feedback. I'm starting the ADN program at my school soon. I'm a single mom and recently moved back home with my parents after getting laid-off from my previous job. My parents are more than willing to help with my 3-year-old son while i'm in school and working a few hours a week as a CNA, but I hate this because I don't like feeling like a burden. I've been a single mom since my son was born and i'm just used to doing it all on my own- and i like it that way! Anyways, my nursing advisor told me something the other day that truly upset me. She said "tell your family goodbye, and that you'll see them in two years. nursing school has to be #1 right now." I know a lot of people who work and have families that have gone to nursing school. How true is her statement? I want this badly, but I cannot ever say that my son won't be my number one priority. Does anyone have any tips for managing school, work and family? Thanks :]

Well, I do believe that everything happens for a reason, so if I don't get in maybe it just isn't the right time for ME :] I am finishing BIO-165 now, and registered for BIO-166 in the summer- so I feel confident about getting in for Spring. I should have 160+ by the deadline in October. It just seems like FOREVER. But yeah, I am planning on re-applying

Nope! I still haven't heard anything :\ I know some people have told me that they got their call in July before class started in August about being accepted from the alternate list. I really don't want to get my hopes up because as hard as it is for some to get in the program, I can't imagine that many people would decide they don't want to do it or not get their stuff in. It just really sucks thinking that I won't know for SURE until July or August! :[ I also wanted to ask you guys- did they tell you all anything in orientation about the job outlook for grads? One of my friends that graduated from forsyth tech's ADN program last May told me that half of her graduating class still weren't employed. Ahhh!

congrats tmgordon! Do you know what spot you were in on the list? I'm still hoping!

I think you'll only have Nursing I and Pharmacology as long as you've done all of your pre-reqs, and I also think you start clinicals during the first or second week :]

Congrats tm :] I have a feeling you won't have a problem getting in. You are 3 points closer than I am, and i'm thinking I might be at the bottom of the barrel. BUT, Ms. ***** did say in the info session that they usually take a lot of their alternates, so I guess we will see. I think that she said they have 15 people on the alternate list. I'd be curious to know if anyone with a lower rank than me got an alternate letter. I'm going to call her monday and ask what position i'm in just out of curiosity. Let me know if you find out, and definitely keep me updated if they bump you in :] Good luck!!

I definitely understand your reasons for wanting to go with the LPN. Where I live, however, they no longer hire LPN's at any of the hospitals, and jobs are definitely scarce in LTC. The pay for LPN vs. RN here is very different as well. If I were you, I would hate to stop now. I would definitely finish, you are so close! I would hate to see you make this decision and regret it later, but then again you must do what is best for you and your family in the situation. Good luck!

Thanks for replying Manda! I hope that orientation went well. I'm not sure how many alternate spots there are but I thought I remembered them saying 15. If so, i'm probably at the bottom of the barrel somewhere- so I am hoping some folks do drop for whatever reason. I've heard of people getting called three weeks before nursing school begins to fill a spot, but by then it seems like you'd be so far out of the loop that it'd be hard to catch up! Keep us updated girl :]

tmgordon, you will probably get in. I got my alternate's list letter today- so I may be joining you guys after all! I just hope some folks decide to drop lol. Courtney, How many points do you have? The letter I received today said they accepted 147-179 for the fall. Use this as your guide. 70 might work for you as long as you have both A&Ps! :]

Courtney - I replied to your post in the other thread :]

tm - I would definitely have thought you would have made at least alternate list with a 146. I know I didn't get in either because I had about a 143. I was still holding out hope because I knew some folks last semester who got in off alternate's with a 140 and such- but we would know that by now for sure. I'm taking A&P 1 now and 2 over the summer so i'm going to try again for spring. maybe i'll see you then! courtney - i'm not going to say that a 70 isn't good enough because I don't know how many points you have from your other classes. I would say though, that it would be pretty hard with a 70. You need to score at least 40% in each section. I made an 80 on my teas and felt like I did pretty badly, and obviously didn't get in for fall. I would sign up for ACA-085 if i were you :) Good luck!

hi tmgordon, did you receive an alternate or rejection letter yet? i still haven't received anything!

Hi everyone, I'm hoping to start the RN program at my local community college this fall, and if I don't get it i'll have to wait until Spring. Either way, I know it's a bit early but if I happen to be accepted for fall...is there anything I can start working on over the summer to give me a head start? What did you wish you had done/known before you began NS? Thanks for any advice! :)

Wow, that's pretty quick. I guess I will call. I know I would have heard something by now if I got in, I was just hoping i'd be an alternate. I had 143 points since I'm just now taking A&P :\ Thanks for replying!

Congrats! When did you get your letter? What was your rank? I'm hoping I at least made the alternates list but I guess i'll see!