RN2B2009

As a working mother of a 7-year old I know how hard it is to do it all. I'm glad I didn't try this when he was 4. All I can say is don't try to study during the only time of the day you have with her. Use some of the great ideas listed in the posts above. Being a good parent is more important than pulling A's. My biggest goal is to get through school without the regret of not being a Mom to my son or "missing out" on these special years. I'm a perfectionist so let me tell you how hard it is to not go for that golden A every time, but this would sacrifice too much. Good luck!

I'm glad you got the reply you were looking for!:) What is the "4 year rule"?

I know emailing is convenient, but if you're anxious for a response I would make it a phone call instead. It's also easier to ask all of the questions you think of and more that will show up along the way. Good Luck!

Thanks Tweety! I really appreciate your advice. Even if I don't land this position I'll apply again after my 1st year.

No I haven't heard anything yet. The posting closes today. I'm going to take Karen's advice and check back with the supervisor on Friday. Good luck to you too! Do you have experience? Are you a nursing student yet?

There is a student thread floating around about "What You'd Give Up To Be A Nurse". Even though I went to aethetics academy, owned my own business, made women's nails beautiful for 6 years and wore gel nails myself for just as long ... I would give them up in heartbeat! Nursing is all about the patient, not about how good I look doing it (course, I'm not there yet ... but I've already cut my nails in anticipation!). I'm seriously shocked that this is even an issue for some ...

Karen, When should I inquire about the status of my application? The job posting closes on Wed. Should I inquire in person or by phone? I appreciate your thoughts on this.:)

Gail, I have to wait until Sept. 2005 because that's when they're offering the rural program again in Hinton, AB. I heard it's a 2 year wait list for the on campus program at Grant MacEwan. I won't be waiting around for it to start though ... I have about 7 1st and 2nd yr courses that I can take in the meantime. For the post-RN degree through U of A ... do you need to have so many hours working in order to qualify for the program? I know that they have a LPN-RN bridging program and you need to have about 1400 hours to apply to it. It's just something you may want to look into. Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear you're so upset ... take heart all may not be as lost as you think. I'm starting the BSN program through Grant MacEwan in September 2005 (rural delivery). I'd love to stop after 2.5 yrs and a diploma, but the AARN is mandating that all RN's hold a degree. This still hasn't come into effect yet and may not by 2005. The DON at Grant MacEwan said to plan for it though. Even if you come in 2005 with your ADN couldn't you just take the final two years in Alberta? Could you transfer to an Alberta program right now? One nurse I spoke to said that she can't see it happening too soon. The baby boomers are retiring and they're predicting a huge shortage of nurses within 5 years.

Well I dropped of my resume today. As far as first impressions go, I think I made a positive one. She said that she's hiring for a couple positions very soon and I'll probably hear from her. Now all I have to do is wait and pray!

Hi ... the 2.5 years included the Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology prerequisite that you need before entering the program officially. The actual program was 2 yrs long for my Mom. She completed the course part time ... one course at a time. As far as I know this is the way the distance LPN course is run. Every course was in chronological order and had to stay that way ... that being said, I know there is a full time course being offered on campus at Norquest. The waitlist is huge! By the time you'd get in you'd be done the course through corespondence. I don't know if I helped. Feel free to ask another question ...:)

... and you sound like the boss I hope to have! Thanks for all the advice:) ! I will take the resume in personally on Monday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Karen ... would you hand it to her in person ... or mail it and then check in a few days later? I don't know why I'm so nervous about how to go about this. I've applied for a position and been successful many times in my life. I'm just such a perfectionist.:)

working on a distance course isn't always easy. let's share ... what study schedule do you stick to (time of day and # of hours)? how do you stay motivated/focused?

You've all been a great help at motivating me! Thank You! I'm going to spruce up my resume today. Closing date is July 14. Do you think I should drop of the resume and then inquire in person to the supervisor? This is a small rural LTC facility.

Ah ... :) We meet again Karen! I think I'll definitely apply, but whether I'll be considered is really unknown. I know I could do a great job, but no experience or training in LTC may be my downfall. Then again ... if it's meant to be it will be. Time to give it to God!

Thanks for responding Berta. What were the qualifications for the nurses aide position? I'm not done my first year so I'm hoping I would qualify. The job posting said "LTC experience preferred, standard hospital educational requirements". I'd love to have the chance at this job! What is your job description?

I'm currently taking some first year nursing courses while I wait from my program (Sept. 2005). I'm working part-time as an Administrative Assistant and commuting 40 min. to my job (different town). I also work from home as a freelance writer. Here's my situation ... I have the opportunity to apply for a Nurse Attendant position at LTC facility in my home town. This will mean a 15 min. commute, less guaranteed hours (15.5 vs. 22.5), and a $1 decrease in pay. Here's my question ... Would I be crazy to switch jobs? I think the experience would be valuable and maybe I could keep some shifts when I start the nursing program full-time. I'm hoping that I could take an extra shift here or there to make up some of the lost hours/wages. What is your opinion? Thank you!

I'm currently taking some first year nursing courses while I wait from my program (Sept. 2005). I'm working part-time as an Administrative Assistant and commuting 40 min. to my job (different town). I also work from home as a freelance writer. Here's my situation ... I have the opportunity to apply for a Nurse Attendant position at LTC facility in my home town. This will mean a 15 min. commute, less guaranteed hours (15.5 vs. 22.5), and a $1 decrease in pay. Here's my question ... Would I be crazy to switch jobs? I think the experience would be valuable and maybe I could keep some shifts when I start the nursing program full-time. I'm hoping that I could take an extra shift here or there to make up some of the lost hours/wages. What is your opinion? Thank you!

You should check with Liz Anderson at Norquest about where your practicums will be. I know that most students have to go there (even from out of province). My mom's group had enough students in it to warrant finding instructors close by but I don't think they'll be running the program that way there again for awhile. You may have to travel ...

My mom went through the program one course at a time. She completed it in 2.5 yrs. She didn't work throughout the program, but I know others who did. Everything was distance and then she went down to Kamloops for two of the practicums (7 wks and 5 wks). The last 2 practicums she did in her home town.

Nice to meet you too! Good luck with your first course!

It definitely is a small world! I grew up on the island as well. I lived in Duncan, Parksville and Victoria (for a short spell). I yearn for the ocean with every fiber of my being. My husband and I plan on getting there eventually. Nursing is my ticket back to the coast. I live in the country between Edson and Hinton. I will attend school in Hinton and then work in either town. I know there are LPN jobs everywhere, but you probably wouldn't get a permanent FT position right away. My mom was hired casual this spring, but has barely stopped working since then.

Yes my mom went through Norquest. She lives up in 100 Mile House and the cost of living is comparable to here. I think that people always assume that BC is extremely expensive to live in. Maybe in Vancouver or the Okanagon, but the reality is that it's expensive to live anywhere right now and Alberta is no exception. I think Norquest is a great option to be able to work and study at the same time. I will work for the next year, take some courses by corespondence and then quit to go to school full-time. I will have a good sized debt by the time I'm done.

Hi Karen, Welcome and thanks for replying. I was taking the LPN program through Norquest as well. I had just completed the Anatomy & Physiology course when I decided to switch to the RN program. I think you'll enjoy the program very much. My Mom just graduated from it (at 54 yrs old) with honours. She's working in BC and the pay far exceeds Alberta's wages. She is making about $23 an hour. Have you started A&P yet?