cate0035

Hi there... It's been a while since I last wrote. Since then I finished the CNA course and received my certificate. I am working as an in home CNA now. It's great...I just love it. I am taking my prerequisites now, and am also torn between the nursing program and the surgical tech program at Frederick Community College. Have you decided which you will go for yet? Just wondering. Hope you are doing well...

Hi Jules...Thanks so much for the info...I feel so confused at this point, that I'm just not even sure what to do anymore...Never did I think that when I hit 40 I'd ever be in this type of situation, but I lost my mother, father, and brother all within two years of each other so it's been a tough time. My brother left behind my niece and nephew who are badly neglected in PA, so my attention has been on them for the past 6 years. Child protective services has been to the house 9 times all complaints from different people including the school, but since there is expired food in the house, they will not remove the kids, even though the food does not make it to their mouths. The kids are strictly advised to lie about the situation, and if we try to step in, she won't let us see them anymore. My brother and I travel back and forth every other weekend just so that they are bathed and fed, so I'm truly scared about the whole school thing at this point. I didn't want to give you my sob story, but I thought that it might give you a bit of insight as to what I'm facing. You truly have inspired me to know that you started nursing school in your late 30's. One thing that I wanted to ask you... (if you're not sick of having to respond to me by now) I had been checking all of the schools for a one year LPN program, and for instance, Frederick Comm. College said that they have a 1 yr prgram, but when I went on their website, it is one year for the classes, and almost another year for the clinical. Can you tell me if I am truly looking at 2 years for LPN? If so, just like you said, I do not think that I can support myself on the CNA income. Thanks again for all of your help...

Thank you so much for the feedback. I'm sorry that I didn't write back sooner but I didn't get an email notifying me of a response. Can I ask a question about CNA's? I seem to find different information on what they actually do depending on where I look. Do most CNA's take blood pressure, temperatures, sort of go fors for nurses and doctors, or are they the people that wash and bathe people, and clean bedsheets, orrrr all of the above...I have about 6 months left on my unemployment, and the biggest problem that I have is finding a job that does not require skills. When I apply for regular nonskill jobs I am considered overqualified, but when I try to go for a managerial type of job (which is what I was in the travel industry), I do not have the experience in that specific field. It's really tough right now which is why thought I'd go for the quick CNA certification and at the very least make what I am making on unemployment, and then continue along to the LPN. Although I've heard some great points for going right for my LPN and then onto the RN...Thanks so much for all of your help....I truly appreciate it...

Thanks Jules...Here's my dilemma...I have been in the travel business for about 15 years. I was a manager at a law firm for 4 years when a new company came in and took over. The law firm wanted us all to stay on and I was with the new company for just about 2 weeks shy of one year. I had to take a leave for a hysterectomy due to endometriosis, and was not protected when the recession started. When I left, the travel business was booming, and now it has all but dried up. I have been on unemployment for about 1 year now. This is why I decided to go back to school and try to get in a profession that always seems to have a calling for help. Soooo, I was given advice by the local college to go for the CPN cert. so that I can start working and then continue my education for the LPN and hopefully an RN. It's so unbelievably hard to go from making $60,000 a year to $20,000 , but in the long run I think that I will be happier. I would love to go to ccbc, but they would be a good hour to 1 1/2 each way with no traffic. I was looking tonite on the Kaplan Univ in Frederick Md. for courses. One site mentioned that I should attempt to go to local hospitals and nursing homes to see if they have on the job training for CPN's. Can I ask if you're an RN, and if so, how long did your education process take to get there? Thanks again for your suggestions....Cate

Hello there...Thanks so much for the responses...I called my community college today and they do not have an LPN program, only LPN to RN...The woman suggested that I take a 6 week course to become a CNA ($1500), and at least I could work while I continue my education for either an LPN or RN certif. I just can't afford to stop working for 2-3 years while going to school. Do you think that this sounds like a good option? I looked into the Johns Hopkins free training program, but you have to live in Baltimore County for that to be a possibility...Thanks again for any and all opinions...cate

Hi there- I am interested in becoming an LPN in Maryland, but I can't seem to find many schools near Rockville, Md other than community colleges and the Phoenix online school. First of all, can anyone steer me in the right direction? Is the Phoenix online school looked upon well in the medical field? I am currently out of work and the travel industry which I have had a career in for 20 years has all but dried up. I am looking to get into the nursing career where I can start as quickly as possible, and then maybe go back for additional education once I have a job. Can anyone help me? Thanks so much for your time...