doxiern40

I graduated from aacc about 2 years ago. They had recently relaxed the requirements for the program when I applied, and more than half of my class failed out. We only had about 20 students and I was in the hybrid program. It was still new at the time so possibly it was a combination of things that caused this. Everyone passed the first semester, but we lost a bunch during medsurg I, medsurg II and then a few in peds. It seemed that the people who were working in addition to going to school had the hardest time. I loved the hybrid program, but it's not for everyone. If you like hearing the lectures and learn well from hearing the information you might want to do face-to-face program. Good luck to you all! You can do it!

Thanks guys! This info has helped me out quite a bit- Esme, I really appreciate your answer and all the references. Thanks so much! This is my first assignment in nursing school and I feel completely confused but it's starting to make more sense with each day!

Can anyone tell me how to select the "R/T" with a diagnosis of "Decreased Cardiac Output"? I have identified the following defining characteristics in the nursing diagnosis manual that I guess would be the "AEB"?-- tachycardia (108 BPM); observable shortness of breath and variations in bp readings (162/88). I want to put "congestive heart failure" as the r/t but it's a medical diagnosis so I can't use it right? The patient situation is as follows: 68 year old male who was admitted to your medical-surgical unit with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. He reports Heart Rate (HR) 108 BPM, Blood Pressure (BP) 162/88, Temperature (T) 100.2 degrees orally, his respiratory rate (RR) is 24. The patient is short of breath, has difficulty talking in full sentences, and can only walk short distances without becoming dizzy and winded. He appears to be very unsteady on his feet. Thanks for your help!

Yes, here in Maryland it's super competitive to get into the PA programs. 500 applicants, 40 students each year at the one I'm looking at, and yes all those requirements to be considered competitive along with a really high GPA. thanks for responding.

Yes, jjjjoy, that is my situation. I can have my prereqs knocked out by the end of this summer if I want to, and then just start. I guess I'll just keep going and try not to feel pressured to make any decisions right now. I have a little time to figure it out. I'm also very interested in the PA program at our school, but it's a lot more difficult to get into and you need 1400 plus hours of patient experience which I would have to get. Just curious, if I were to get my CNA, what sort of setting do you guys think a new grad would end up working in? I'm interested in emergency and labor/delivery mostly.

Hmm, okay. I am just feeling so undecided about this nursing thing. One day I will feel really excited sort of like I have found my calling and then I start having all of these doubts like can I deal with the bodily fluids, or will I be able to do the job well? I am not worried about being able to make it through school, it's sorta like what happens after I finish?

Good suggestions everyone. What exactly is the role of a CNA and what sort of income can you earn as one?

I have been considering a career change here lately and am currently taking A and P, and doing well so far. I am just wondering if any of you considered becoming a PA instead of an RN? I am a problem solver by nature, and think my personality which is more of an A type and might be better suited for the PA. Just not sure if I can handle the extra work required to get the degree. I have two kids, and don't want to miss the next 3 or 4 years (would take me a year and a half to knock out pre-reqs and work experience then 2 years of school.) Thanks for any input!

That is a really good idea. Then you could work as a CNA while going to school if you have time. I am 36, so close to you in age and it's just such a change of pace from working in the corporate world and there are so many things that I worry about. Currently I volunteer in the ER of our local hospital and some aspects of the job appeal to me and other things, such as the smell of the ER, the waiting room and the patients (so many of them smell like smoke and/or like they haven't bathed in a long time) bother me a little. I just wonder if stuff like that you just get used to or what?

How do you know if nursing is right for you? I am coming from a background of marketing and business, and am just unsure of how much I will like the actual job. I will say that I am really enjoying what I'm learning in anatomy class, and I'm getting good grades so far. I think part of my concern is that I will get through nursing school and then hate it.