simonemesina

I'm 38 and just graduated with my CNA. I'll be 41/42 when I graduated with my ADN. So, nope, not too old.

I'm a new grad CNA in Roanoke, Virginia. Just got hired on at a hosptial. Base is $10.03. I'll make $11.03 (shift diff working nights 7p-7a). Weekends would be $12.03.

We used different color socks, for example red = fall risk. It was almost fail proof, as pretty much everyone's little tootsies are freezing while they are admitted.

Here in WA the only pre-req I'm "allowed to defer" is microbiology. It's used as a "back up class" in case you don't get in to the RN program on the first try. I'm also at a school with the most difficult RN program to get into.

Don't forget to look at the Providence Hospitals in Olympia and Centralia.

Have you thought of Tacoma or Olympia? Tacoma has Tacoma General, Marybridge (a children's hospital), Allenmore, Franciscan Health Systems St Joseph, FHS St Clare (in Lakewood), FHS St Francis (in Federal Way). Olympia has Capital Medical Center and Providence St. Peter's. Public Transportation in the Sound is, IMO, one of the better transit systems out there. Just my $.02

I have under my belt: English 101 Technical Math Communications Diversity Chem 101 A&P1 A&P2 Lifespan Psychology All I really have left are: Microbiology and my CNA. I will be retaking A&P1, 2, Psychology, and Chem 101 for better grades. The ADN program is one of the hardest in the area to get into. It requires all A's and at least a 3.5 GPA min. I currently have a 3.3 with B's in all the classes I'm going to retake. I have A's in all my other classes.

I worked in an ER for 8 years before I decided I wanted to be a nurse. So at the tender age of 30-something, I found a local community college and signed up for classes. Now, I work full time (graves) and go to school during the day. I have all but 3 classes need for my pre-req's done. I'll take these last 2 one at a time and then apply for the ADN program while taking my last pre-req (microbiology). Once in the program it will be scholarships and grants along with our own $$ paving the way. We have it planned so that I'll go to school full time while in the program and we will (and can) live off of my DH income. After I'm out of school we'll take a couple years to pay off any debt we have, build up savings, and then if he wants to go back to school we'll do it all over again. Only inverted. :)

If you are working in a hospital, check with the Education Department of your facility. If you aren't part of a hospital, call your local hospital's Education Department. They should have information for you re: ACLS, CPR, Unit specific classes that you need to take etc. They are usually taught by hospital Educators (who are RN's), Paramedics, or outside contractors (who, if they aren't currently nurses, are retired medical educators who are required also too keep up on what they teach.) Classes can be as short as an hour to all day or multi-day in length. Though personally I've never seen one longer than 2 days. Hope this helps.