thrbeingcool

thank you for sharing your story! if you don't mind sharing more.. how did you get into nursing school with a record? i am just wondering if the school is willing to look past something that happened a long time ago, isn't it still up to all of the clinical sites you will have clinicals at? i am less worried about eventually getting a license, but more worried about being allowed to attend clinicals and eventually finding a place to hire me. i also have something on my record from when i was a juvenile, and haven't been in trouble since.

I just got accepted to an LPN program. I originally wanted to go for RN, but the wait lists are out of control around here. I decided to become an LPN, start working, and then apply for advanced standing in an RN program. I know I will have to take some classes over again, but most of them I will be able to test out of. I already completed bio, chem, psych, english, I'm taking A&P now, and then plan to continue taking the rest of the general classes I need for the RN program, while in the LPN program. That way I will only need the remaining nursing courses once I am in the RN program. I can even start working towards a bachelors degree if I have time to take more classes. It doesn't make sense to me to sit around and wait, when I can start an LPN program, begin working and getting paid, gain experience as a nurse, and be eligible for advanced standing. Plus, don't some employers offer tuition reimbursement if you are already an LPN?

I'm not the only one! I've been working as a secretary/bookkeeper for the past 3 1/2 years. I am so tired of sitting in front of a computer all day, and I agree with the other poster about this being way worse for my back then lifting patients! I have been taking my prereq's to eventually become an RN one at a time while working full time, and my boyfriend just graduated and started his job in June. Now it's my turn! I was just accepted into an LPN program that starts June 2010 (RN wait lists are too long), and now I am considering signing up for CNA classes. I know it's a hard, smelly job, but it's also a great way to gain clinical experience while I'm in the LPN program. I'm actually excited about the physical part though, just because I'm so tired of sitting around at my current job! Not only is it horrible for my neck and back, but also my eyesight, and definitely not good for my weight either! Working as a CNA will also be rewarding, which is more than I can say about being a secretary.

I was asked to name three things about myself I considered to be strengths and three things about myself I would like to change (weaknesses), name three goals I have for the next 5 years, what I think makes a good nurse, why I was pursuing that program, what kinda of support system I have in place at home, what I do to relieve stress