911brat

I agree to the monitor tech as well. It's a quick course, great pay and experience with patients, staff and the medical field. It's also possible to do many of these options; 6 week course (EKG); 6 month EMT course. Then you would have multiple certs. Also, I would start with CPR/AED for Healthcare Providers and First Aid certificates. Have fun

yeah, one would think nurses' assistant would be the typical route, but I have done both, and I chose EMT; for past 15 yrs. The EMS field is awesome! I warn you though, it gets in your blood, heart & soul. The patient care, on scene's, the adrenalin, helping others at there worst times, along with crazy long hours, eat when you can and physically demanding. As well as emotional and psychological, can you deal with traumatic injuries, mci's, death on a daily, hourly basis? A lot depends on your location city vs rural, your population on how busy the ems/911 system is in your city. Mine averages (600-800) 911 calls in 24 shift. No posting on corners, or hanging at stations, for us. So that's my thoughts and opinion. I know nurse assist., is just as awesome just with different duties/experience. Have fun deciding and learning.

Mrsgoodgame., I love hearin all the positive things about the program, as you and Christine have said it's very hard, in depth, fast and have to give it your all, but so worth it! I'm so excited to start this Monday! I'm nervous as well just because it's been ALONG time since school for me :) and have been wanting to do this for years. I'm even wondering what to expect for my first day!? Lol.,Thank you ladies for your encouragement and words of wisdom! Your school experience advise is so helpful n greatly appreciated!

OK mines [email protected] 7 more days!!!! haha

Yeah I know, I sent a private message with my email etc., But Apparently I sent it to myself hahaha. So I'm not sure if you got it? Do you live in Modesto, Merced?

Well that was smart to get supplies then! Duh for me haha :) let's keep in touch, study etc

I'm using my phone to post, so I appologize for any errors or spelling- darn thing keeps jumping ahead on me and won't let me back space or correct :)

Oh right on, I've had pts there. I wk for ambulance co., farther south. So ya quit ya job, nice! I'd like to do that too :) between commute, study & life, mines jobs going to be difficult to do. We get our books the first day probly along with a boat load of hw & reading. Haha!! Yeah! Im going shopping for supplies tommoro and heard recording lectures is a great way to study, so I'm going check one those out. Curious to how big of a back pack, book bag etc were going to need besides using our vehicles for a locker. Lol

Yeah that's true! I bought the a&p book we will be using in class on line, but. Been so busy working haven't had much time to get very far in the book what made you decide on the lvn program? Are you in the medical field?

Hi, Im starting my program this month so I can't comment on which coorifice is the hardest, but I'm opposite of you! I'm nervous about pharm., & a&p but not vitals & assessments. I have yrs of experience in ems tho.. Anyways, vitals aren't hard at all! The best is to practise on your family,friends and students. The more bp's ya take the more comfortable you'll feel, respiratory & heart rate is just counting # per minute, or seconds & multiply. You'll be able to do 'em in your sleep :). (A hint tho I've seen happen in the field) When doing a manual bp there is No odd numbers for a blood pressure, always even #'s. Just practise, you'll do great!!

Sanisbltz, Hey there, I'm going there too, but I'm in the evening class. Are ya ready for all the hw & studying :) Im excited to start and a little nervous. I hear it's alot of work but well worth it! There's good info/help here on this site from students/nurses! Well the count down begins...10 days to go! haha

Nurselovejoy88, good luck you can do it! Your almost done!!! I'm just getten ready to start the 17th! Yikes! :) best wishes!

Hey raven, Ive yet to no how you feel, I start mid October and Its going to be extremely hard! The amount of reading, h/w, skills, clinical, etc I hear are overwhelming! But, you really want to be a nurse so do whatever it takes to make that happen! You know studying is key along with some down time. I have found a lot of useful posts on this site with study skills, test taking, references and textbooks. As well as helpful students and nurses. I hope you continue your education and would like to hear your progress! Oh how bout a study buddy or group from your class? Hang in there :)

That's awsome! I'm sure you'll do great! I start a crash course of prereqs in 3 wks and program in January! So excited and researching as much as possible about nursing process etc.. Would like to go into class knowing some vital info besides EMS! Improvise adapt & overcome! You know!! :)

Exciting career! I did volunteer FF/EMT for years and now a full time EMT with ambulance. I work 48-60 hrs a week, 3-4 on with 3-4 off! I've been advised that while in an excelled program (LVN private school) it would be very hard to have enough study time with little home/family/personal time! I guess it all depends on the city your in and the ems call volume, were I work there is NO down time for sleep/study, we run the whole 12 or 24 hour shift! When my program starts Monday thru Friday I would only be able to work weekends and when would I study? Huge dilemma for me! But nursing is my goal therefor, I'll have to sacrifice somewere! Like iv been told.. It all sounds and looks good on Paper, a well planned out schedule of classes, work schedule, study schedule all back to back, but doing it all in time frames without thoughts of unplanned events, illness, life...will eventually take it's toll! Only you know how much you can handle with dual careers/educations. Also, trained as an EMT/Firefighter is so different than nursing, I now have to Learn how to treat the whole patient and recovery etc., vs acute illness/injury with my patient for max of half hour to an hour. Both fields are similiar but so different :) wish you luck in both fields and want to hear your outcome!