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See, I didn't even know there was a distinction between certifications or board certifications... wow! I will have to research further in the different specialty areas.

Hello, Is there a list/website anywhere of all the certifications you can obtain as an RN? I checked out the ANA website but didn't really find what I was looking for. I am doing a group project on the topic for school. (Posted here vs. on the student board- I figured nurses might know better.) We have thought of ACLS, PALS, Med-Surg, CCRN, but I'm sure there's a ton more out there. Any resources for this would be super helpful! P.S. I work on a trauma & surgical specialty unit as a PCA, so I would be especially interested in anything trauma or surgical related!!! THANK YOU! :)

Hello, I am considering buying an android tablet for school - possibly downloading textbooks, power points, etc. on it and using it for studying during downtime at work or between classes instead of lugging around notebooks/textbooks. I have heard there are new programs that allow you to hilight and take notes on tablets, which would be helpful as I am an avid note taker / color coder. Has anyone else done this successfully? I feel guilty buying a tablet which is basically a larger version than my android phone, but if it will be convenient to take to work and save weight in my backpack it might be worth it!! The only thing I'm worried about is getting used to the technology, and most of all the strain on my eyes with the LCD screen. Your advice is appreciated! :)

5 credit Micro and 4 credit accelerated math (required since I sucked on the entrance assesements). Then applying by next Feb. 1st!!!! YAY!!!!

I had an interview today at my #1 choice hospital for a PCA position. I get there, and they inform me that most of my job will be security checks / watches for suicidal people, 72 hour holds, combative patients, etc. Basically, I will have to sit one on one with someone and watch them. I will have a different assignment every day, sometimes a few in a day, in different areas of the hospital. Also, I will be scheduled occasionally to be on the floor as a float in different departments. Negatives: It sounds like I will be BORED OUT OF MY MIND just sitting there, and also be mentally exhausted depending on the patient. I won't get to sharpen my skills as much (I'm a fairly new CNA and never worked in a hospital). I won't have a "home unit". Positives: It would be a plus to get to know different areas of the hospital, and meeting more people = making more connections. I would possibly get to observe a lot. Also, it is a way to get my foot in the door and the nurse manager who interviewed me said if something else opens up I can transfer to a different PCA position in 4 or 5 months. If I get offered the job, I'm thinking I should take it. Just wondering if anyone has thoughts or experience with this, and can give me any more insight into this position!!! Thank you.

Cool! Let me know if you find a job. I'm sure you will with that experience. :) I believe St Kate's nursing program is somewhat easy to get into as long as you take their prereqs. I know someone doing that right now and she was accepted in the fall program no problem. I'm not applying anywhere until next year.... but I'm already nervous!!

Did you use your friends simply as references? Or did they actively talk to managers, etc to get you hired?

Yes I'm applying to pretty much any hospital I can think of for anything with evening or night shifts. I do have another job currently so I'm not in an URGENT need, but I would like to get something to get started on hospital experience and also be a better fit for my class schedule. It's just frustrating getting absolutlely NO response. Can I ask what area you're moving to and if you're going into nursing school? I live in St. Paul and am doing prereqs at Inver Hills CC. :)

Wow! It really does take forever. Congrats on the job!! :)

No.. 2 positions are still open and active, but I haven't heard anything. On the webiste, for one position it said "Not selected in accordance with union contract." Wonder what that means?!

Thank you for the encouragement! Not just about applying, but about switching careers. I have been very, very nervous about the pay cut. I have an interview tomorrow at a very nice Assisted Living facility, it's not a hospital but perhaps just another step on the way. We'll see!

Hi, I just applied for a couple of these positions online! Wondering if you have any insight into getting hired with Fairview. I only have 5 months of PT experience as a CNA, but 6 years office experience if that counts for anything. Should I play up that I'm trying to get in a nursing program?

I have been applying like crazy and so far NOTHING!!!! It doesn't help that each hospital has an online only application system... no one to check with or call. The one time I tried to call HR anyways, the lady was irritated and said if they want to interview me I will get a call. I have been working extremely part time (8 hours a week) at a group home for 5 months, and that is my only experience as a CNA. Is this enough to get my foot in the door somewhere? Right now I have a full time office job and I make a really nice salary. If I take a huge pay cut, I feel like I would want it to be for something I really wanted... like to be a PCT at a hospital and get me more prepared for a nursing program. Any suggestions or is this just something I will have to be patient for?

I was comfortable with math, 10 years ago!! It's a 4 credit class but supposed to cover topics from two algebra classes, hence the "accelerated". My micro is a 5 credit (instead of the typical 3). I've been taking 8 credits a semester, so 9 shouldn't be a problem, but I really am worried about how rusty I might be with math. The professor that teaches the 5 cr. class in the fall I've already had for Bio and loved him. I've heard the professor that teaches the spring class is good also, but would be going into it not knowing what to expect as much.

I have been finishing up prereqs the last year while I work full time - meaning I can only take one or two classes max per semester. In the fall, I am planning to take an accelerated math class that I NEED in order to apply for several community colleges in the area. I will have everything else done except Micro -I'm taking next spring but too late to get on my application. While I would LOVE to have Micro on my application for the next Feb., it is not required to apply, and I do not think I could handle a 5 credit Micro and accelerated math while working full time. Looking for some comfort I guess, I feel like I will not be as competative without Micro done!!! Or should I suck it up, cut back on my work hours, and just do both??

I am in A&P 1, but only have 2.5 weeks left since I am in the accelerated 8 week course!! We've had three exams and two lab exams so far, and I'm holding a 100%!!!!!! :yelclap: The key is to study EVERY day, and stay current if not ahead of the lectures. Cramming will NOT work with this class!

Hello. I am in the process of getting my prereqs done, but won't be able to apply for a little over a year. I currently have a day job (office) that pays pretty well and am doing prereqs part time. I also got my CNA this summer. I have two job interviews this week- they both work perfectly with my schedule and are the same amount of hours, 8 hours per week average. (Not too much with my schedule hopefully) I want to get a part time job doing something related to gain experience so next year I can quit my office job and get a full time CNA job which will **hopefully** help me get into a nursing program. My two options are (assuming I'll get offers for both) - CNA in a group home, or a front desk coordinator in the Radiology Dept at a local hospital. It would obviously be nice to get CNA experience, but this hospital is *THE* hospital I want to work at and is 3 minutes from my house. (I volunteered there before and loved the place!) I know others in the hospital that started out in some department and transferred somewhere else as time went on. I am hoping that starting a desk job there I can transfer to Patient Care Tech or even Transport which has direct patient care also. I am leaning towards the hospital position but am just curious what other thoughts are or if anyone else started out in a hospital this way. Thanks!

Hi, I am in the same position as you. Would you care to share your experience of the past few months? Did you find a CNA position and could you share where? I just got certified, am doing pre-reqs, and am looking for a casual/part-time position. Thanks!

I'm taking General Bio (prereq to A&P), Lifespan Psych, and Medical Dosages. I took my CNA class over the summer, but this is my first semester of "real" classes in over 7 years!!! I'm so nervous!!! (And excited :))

Thank you. I just called and the CNA license is still required, just not patient care, so I will keep my CNA class.... I am hoping to get into the U of M but want Inver/Century as a back up plan.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Patient care does not count at all? I am starting a CNA class next week. Do you think it's not worth taking then if I don't need to get a CNA job?? And 5 years on the english huh, I think mine is 7 years old Any english class?

Living on campus isn't an option, I have a house (hence the bills). But after thinking long and hard about this, I am going to put off classes until I have paid off my car, which might take 2 years. I am still planning on taking my CNA class this summer so I am going to get a part time job doing that and get experience in the meantime. (Patience is definetly not my virtue- sigh. ) Here's to hoping it works out in the end!

Thank you for the reply. I know it seems stupid to be exchanging debt for debt... it was just an idea I had for getting me through the 3 year program without having to work full time. But I am a very organized and motivated person so maybe I could pull it off.

Yes, the car was a series of poor choices. My husband before we got married "upgraded" his just fine car to a fancy sports car, combining the two car loans. Fast forward a couple years later, we are married and pumping money into the car left and right, decide to trade it in for a decent toyota camry that will require minimal maintenance. That was two years ago and we are still paying it off, but once we do we will keep it until it dies. Lesson learned - or should I say lesson learned for my husband. Thanks for the advice.

Yes, I'm an independant student.