ginaw623

Thanks for all the advise! Just to clarify: I handle all the things that go on in the ICU very well, but my responsibilities as a PCT (stocking, post-mortem care and taking bodies to the morgue, etc.) are what I don't like.

So I was interested in going back to school to pursue nursing...get my RN then maybe eventually my NP. I got a job as a Patient Care Tech at one of my local hospitals 2 months ago in the ICU. I am not a very big fan of this job. It is gross and depressing and I am dealing with death/dead bodies left and right. It is not at all what I want. It has actually discouraged me from nursing. I am so not into geriatrics or wiping old peoples asses to be blunt! I have always been interested in healthcare and the helping professions and especially children. My first degree was in teaching. Maybe this is just not the right setting for me? Maybe it is the duties of the Patient Care Tech that are disenchanting to me and not the duties of a nurse. Any advise? Should I try another setting before I make my decision? I know the settings and careers an RN can have are limitless, which is one thing keeping me interested.

So I was interested in going back to school to pursue nursing...get my RN then maybe eventually my NP. I got a job as a Patient Care Tech at one of my local hospitals 2 months ago in the ICU. I am not a very big fan of this job. It is gross and depressing and I am dealing with death/dead bodies left and right. It is not at all what I want. It has actually discouraged me from nursing. I am so not into geriatrics or wiping old peoples asses to be blunt! I have always been interested in healthcare and the helping professions and especially children. My first degree was in teaching. Maybe this is just not the right setting for me? Maybe it is the duties of the Patient Care Tech that are disenchanting to me and not the duties of a nurse. Any advise? Should I try another setting before I make my decision? I know the settings and careers an RN can have are limitless, which is one thing keeping me interested.

So I was interested in going back to school to pursue nursing...get my RN then maybe eventually my NP. I got a job as a Patient Care Tech at one of my local hospitals 2 months ago in the ICU. I am not a very big fan of this job. It is gross and depressing and I am dealing with death/dead bodies left and right. It is not at all what I want. It has actually discouraged me from nursing. I am so not into geriatrics or wiping old peoples asses to be blunt! I have always been interested in healthcare and the helping professions and especially children. My first degree was in teaching. Maybe this is just not the right setting for me? Maybe it is the duties of the Patient Care Tech that are disenchanting to me and not the duties of a nurse. Any advise? Should I try another setting before I make my decision? I know the settings and careers an RN can have are limitless, which is one thing keeping me interested.

I had phlebotomy class today all day where we learned how to take blood specimens (butterfly, vacutainer, and blood cultures). Using fake arms of course not real ones lol. I felt like an idiot the entire day because I couldn't even tie the tourniquet correctly half the time. I was all nervous and my hands were shaking. I couldn't help but think "wow I can't do this on a person or I will kill them". Has anybody else ever felt incompetent when learning these skills? I just want to be a good nurse.

The support means a lot to me! Thanks everyone! I feel so much better :).

I know that I am probably going to get a lot of discouraging feedback on this BUT...how do you all feel about working part-time during this program? If I don't work about 20 hours a week (probably mostly on weekends), then I cannot afford to go. And this is my dream, so I am willing to make it work for the year!

NurseCard- good for you! I am thinking I will work Saturdays and Sundays (one 8 and one 12)...then I get my 20 hours in :).

Positive experiences only please! I have heard a million times "you won't be able to handle that", or "that's too much work". I want to hear from those of you who did it and succeeded. I don't need discouragement because as nice as it would be to NOT work...it is just not a realistic option for me. I am not willing to accumulate another 60K in debt for my second degree.

thanks everyone

thanks to both of you...you are both inspiring :)

Hello everyone. I would like to hear from any nurses who went to school full-time and worked part-time, worked full-time and went to school part-time, or did both full-time! I am wanting to enter an accelerated BSN program since I have a previous BS...but I need to work about 20 hours a week in my tech job, so that the hospital pays tuition. I am already in student loan debt from my first degree and I want to be smart this time around about finances. Any success stories about balancing work/nursing school at an intense pace? Keep in mind I have no children or other obligations to add into the mix :). I want to believe I can do this!!

and also...did anyone/is anyone working part-time during this program?? is it possible?

Does anybody think it is possible to work 20 hours a week as a tech and attend a one-year accelerated BSN??

Hey guys...I'm hoping somebody can help me out with a few questions. I eventually want to go through NP school (probably Psych NP). Should I just apply for the AMPNN instead of the ABPNN? They are seperate applications, right? Is the AMPNN more competitive...because it seems like way more people apply for the ABPNN? Also, let's say I do apply straight for the Master's Program and don't get into it...will they still consider me for just the Bachelor's Program? So confusing lol. I know that everyone in the accelerated programs go through the first year ABSN the same, so is the AMPNN just a more competitive branch of it? IDK which one I should apply for ugh!

Hey guys...I'm hoping somebody can help me out with a few questions. I eventually want to go through NP school (probably Psych NP). Should I just apply for the AMPNN instead of the ABPNN? They are seperate applications, right? Is the AMPNN more competitive...because it seems like way more people apply for the ABPNN? Also, let's say I do apply straight for the Master's Program and don't get into it...will they still consider me for just the Bachelor's Program? So confusing lol. I know that everyone in the accelerated programs go through the first year ABSN the same, so is the AMPNN just a more competitive branch of it? IDK which one I should apply for ugh!

ear7: your stats are fantastic! I bet you got into U of R's program...I would call and check it wouldn't hurt to try!

Does anyone know if they allow you to apply again if you don't get in the first time you apply?

Good luck to everyone applying! I am planning on applying for the January start date and I am nervous! I only have about a 3.39 (almost 3.4 haha). Hopefully the fact that I am employed at one of the University affiliated hospitals as a PCT will help my chances. I really don't feel like going the community college route and waiting anymore BLAH.

sunny- I still need to take a&p 2, micro, and nutrition...I already have the other 2. I want to apply for January, so I probably should sign up to take them all this summer...maybe one in the fall. Since I only got a B in both the prereqs I already took at another school, I want to achieve A's in the ones I have left. I am getting nervous about my chances of getting in. I only have a 3.39 cumulative GPA from my first Bachelor's Degree. On the plus side, I got a job as a PCT at Highland Hospital, so I hope that strengthens my application.

does anyone know if you can apply for BOTH the ABPNN and AMPNN at the same time

Hello all- I have a few questions regarding the prereqs that U of R offers online. Is it doable to take 3 of them in one session? Also, do they prefer you to take the prereqs from them online. Finally, do any of them transfer to other programs, or are they strictly for people planning on going to U of R? Because I don't want to waste my time and money taking the classes from them and then not getting into the ABPNN program...then what would you do with those courses you took lol? Thanks and good luck to everyone.

Hello all- I have a few questions regarding the prereqs that U of R offers online. Is it doable to take 3 of them in one session? Also, do they prefer you to take the prereqs from them online. Finally, do any of them transfer to other programs, or are they strictly for people planning on going to U of R? Because I don't want to waste my time and money taking the classes from them and then not getting into the ABPNN program...then what would you do with those courses you took lol? Thanks and good luck to everyone.

Thank you everyone :)

emcadam- sounds eerily similar haha! Glad to hear your story and that I am not alone in this struggle! Thanks for the advice.