kcsmira

Come down to California, ADNs welcome - as a new grad it is tough to get a job here, but with the baby boomer nurses hopefully starting to retire in larger numbers at some point in the next few years hopefully the new grads will start getting picked up quicker than they have been. So much of it really is who you know, or where you already are. I have been stubborn in refusing to give up my current job because it puts me in a good position to meet prospective future managers... that is if I can get through this program!

I'm a mother of 1 (a 6 year old), wife, full time employee, and will also be starting the program in August. I switched from my current position to a position with a little more flexibility (from M-F days, to Swing - varying days). I work in a hospital, and have seen a ton of nursing students, both who work here, or who are on clinical rotation, in my 6 years here. I can say the vast majority of them do not work, and will tell you not to work, some people have even flat out told me I will fail if I continue to work - but there have been a few who have been encouraging, understand our position, and have given me the notion that it is possible, if you put your mind to it. If you're really organized, you're already ahead of the game - if you aren't a very organized person, now is the time to figure out how to become one. I work 4 10 hour shifts a week and am fortunate enough to be able to make my schedule... somewhat. I can mark off days that I can definitely not work and they will not schedule me for those days. There will be days that I leave for school at 6am, and dont return home until 1am because I work right afterwards, it's going to be a stuggle, there where be plenty of nights of limited sleep, but it'll be worth it because it's what I want more than anything. I am determined to make it work because this is all I want, while everything else (supporting my family) is a priority. You can do this. Get a planner (or if you're more tech saavy use a calendar on your phone - I happen to use multiple) and write out your schedules. I have a calendar hanging in my house so my son/husband/any other family members can see where I am on what days. I created a study space in my bedroom and have told them that when I close the door, that means I am not to be disturbed. Use your spare time wisely, request assistance from your resources (husband, family), know that it is possible though - you just have to have your mind set and tell yourself that failure is not an option.

Hey guys! I've never posted in here, but I figured I'd give it a shot. I have worked for a hospital as an MA for 6+ years, and after 7 application periods, was finally accepted into nursing school *woofrigginhoo*! In such, I need to transition out of my current position which is M-F days, into a position with more flexibility in terms of nights and weekends so that I may maintain a position while going to school. I landed an interview in the eICU as a HCA, and was hoping that you guys might be able to assist me on some possible questions that may be asked. I don't know a whole lot about the eICU, and while I'm going to talk to my ICU CNA/RN friends here I figured this forum might be a good resource as well. The questions I'm specifically trying to prepare for are the situational questions that may be asked. I had an interview as a US/NA a couple of months ago and was hit with questions that I didn't really expect - and while I didn't completely blow the interview over them, I would like to be more prepared this round, in the event that they make an appearance again. I assume the HCA questions may be similar to PCT/PCA/NA questions, although in this particular environment, no hands on patient care is taking place. Anyone who knows anything about the details of the eICU would be greatly helpful as well - I would like to be as informed as possible so that I can shake some of my interview jitters and possibly be offered this position! Anything helps! Thank you!!!

Did you ever apply for this position? I am currently looking to switch positions to accommodate my nursing school hours (I was accepted after 3 1/2 years, and am frantically searching for another position). There is a sort of Unit Coordinator position open in our eICU here, and I was interested in getting an interview. Actually I already specifically requested one, and applied, but now I am looking into details of what that would entail. I have heard from others in the eICU before that it was a good position for them to have during school, and unfortunately none of them work there any longer for me to get specific feedback from - so I've been looking around allnurses to see if there is anyone on here that currently works in one, or if you interviewed/took a job/etc... Thank you!

swear i'm horrible at these boards... see next post

I've recently been accepted into an ADN program. I've worked in a hospital for 6 years, under nurses and md's, and have known plenty of people who have gone through the program. I have also been the sole provider for my family - so as expected I'm freaking about having a back up plan for that. I love the fact that my extended and some of my internal family have no idea why I would keep saying how strenuous the program is if it's just for an ADN. "Don't worry, you'll be able to work full time and go to the program, it's just an ADN program it can't be that bad, it's not like you're going to med school"... ... .... ..... Yea ok guys. For years before the acceptance I tried to explain the course load (as well as trying to explain the reasons it was so competitive to get in, and why the majority of people in Nor Cal end up waiting 2-4 years to get in), now I just nod and halt all conversation about it because doesn't matter what I say, they aren't changing their minds. My family is all business/marketing/educator majors, I'm in my own boat here.

I'm also in the same boat as a ton of you! I work fulltime and fully support my family, and bless my husbands heart he just hasn't had a ton of luck on the job circuit - works 2 jobs now as a prep cook but only makes minimum wage. I don't judge him on this, but I know that he will not be able to support our family on these jobs, and while he's actively looking for more work, it would be out of sheer luck for him to find something that makes anywhere near what I currently make (which before you think I'm ballin, I'm not, I just work a lot more hours in comparison and make more than Ca's minumum wage... and the life costs in this state are ridiculous!) Anyway, I currently work in a hospital, but in a M-F daytime department, and am frantically searching for another position within our system somewhere, that will work around my school schedule, give me the options for nights and weekends, and hopefully eventually benefits. I'm trying not to get discouraged, and using all my resources, even begging for interviews. If you want something bad enough you will make it happen - cut where you can, and I mean cut - if you have to go against all your beliefs and feed your family top ******* ramen for 2 years just know that you will make it through this 2 years and be better off for the rest of your life. Remember when you think all is going to hell, its only 2 years, if you have a family you know you are bettering your family by an unmeasureable amount, you are giving yourself a career where opporutnities for growth are endless, and one that you can move anywhere and continue to support your family. If you do not have a family, then feed yourself top ramen, live on minimal sleep, study your a$$ off, work where you can, support yourself on the most minimal means possible and push yourself through for 2 years. We will make it through this! I've applied for 3 1/2 years and finally was accepted, I will make it through this!

ARC automatically put anyone that has applied 5 or more times in the top 30%, and then weighted it based on the points. That doesn't mean that there still isn't a chance, but when I dropped off my paperwork this morning they did mention that it was their intention to try to make it possible for those applicants to get accepted. She didn't have a definite number, but the director and the admin assistant are both on vacation as of yesterday, which leads me to believe that for the most part they have sent out the acceptances and those on the wait list. I'm not 100% sure however.

Yay, 7th times a charm for both of us!!!! Congrats, can't wait to meet ya!

Congrats!!!! See you're going to be great! How awesome is that!!!

Thought I'd let you all know that I got my acceptance email last night (lucky number 7, 7th times a charm?) So it looks like they're starting to send them out.

I move forward with my life too. The majority of people that I know that have been accepted, and I work in a hospital - so it's been a lot, have applied 5, 6, 7, and 8 times. I know its frustrating, but life still goes on. If it's your passion to be a nurse, you will do whatever it takes to become on. Looking back in retrospect I would have completed my BS in another subject and then enrolled in a bridge program, because it just seems like the easier route to go. After this application period if I do not get in, I will transfer to Sac State and start my journey into Public Health Administration - I will still pursue my RN, but having the admin knowledge will only help me succeed in my future nursing career. Thinking in terms of future supervisory/management/nursing administration rolls that I may want to hold in the long term. Like I said, the wait can be frustrating, I'm used to getting rejection letters now, I literally don't frantically think about when I will get an email or not anymore - that's how monotonous it has become for me. The process is hard, but so is the program, and even after the program being a nurse is a lot of work. There are still a ton every semester that get into the program and end up dropping out. Just keep pushing, build your life around your goals, and know that at some point you will get in but there is no reason to completely put your life on hold now. If you aren't working in the health care field already, i suggest starting there - it's a great environment and shows you exactly what you will be up against once you are complete with the program. Also by the way, if you think getting in is rough, just imagine what it's like getting out and competing for jobs as a new grad - I work in the Employee Health department so we see the new hires for the hospital, and let me tell you, there are people who wait 2 and 3 years to get a on call/per diem job with no benefits. Baby boomers aren't really retiring yet, it's just another battle all together when you get out. I don't mean this negatively in anyway, I just mean, expect the wait, and if you are only of the few who are lucky enough to not have to wait, kudos. But if you end up being like me, and having to wait, the passion still exists, and it makes you stronger - good luck to all of you!

My life has literally been put on hold for 3 1/2 years now, plus the prerequisite years. It's been beyond nerve wracking, applying to nursing school in NorCal definitely is not for the faint of heart. Wish you luck in this years pool!!!!

Our stories pretty much mirror each other. This is the 7th time in a row applying to ARC, stop qualifying for SCC when they did the point system application switch - my freaking goodness, at this point I apply and don't even expect to get anything but a rejection letter so I don't even pay attention to any of it anymore. So sad, good luck!

I too was .5 points from being able to apply to SCC which drove me nuts. Still drives me nuts. This is currently my 5th application to ARC, and I've known a few people there who got in after their 6th and 7th applications, so unfortunately I don't have my hopes up too high for being accepted into this round either. On the plus side, ARC is starting their own version of the points system next semester, but they are grandfathering those in who applied previously 5+ times into their top 30% of applicants and weighting it by your points. Hopefully sometime in the next year I'll get in. It's been a long road, and there are many days now that I consider just giving up my nursing goal and going off to do something else. Waiting 7 years to get an ADN isn't reasonable for anyone wanting to further their lives! I wish you good luck in getting in this semester!!!