LifeIsGood76

Hi NurseDez87, I would love to hear about your experience with WGU! I just sent you a PM. Thank you :)!!

Hi Everyone! I'm in need of some advice. I am an older student (38) and before I decided to pursue nursing I was working in education as a school librarian. I started taking my science prerequisites in 2013, applied to my community college's RN program in March of 2014, and got accepted. In the meantime I got my CNA certification and started working as a CNA. I started what they call "pre-nursing" classes this semester (I just finished) Nursing Assessment and Pharmacology. In Fall, I will start what they call Nursing Process 1 (the first of 4 semesters). So, here is my dilemma: all of this waiting has made me lose my excitement and motivation for nursing, plus seeing how unhappy the nurses are at my job makes me question whether I want to do this or not. I recently got offered a job as a school librarian, and although the pay is nothing compared to a nurse ($15/hour, whereas RNs start around $30/hour where I live), I have weekends, holidays, and part of the summer off with my kids, plus I am off work by 2:30 every day and am able to take my children to their extra curricular activities. I would like to hear people's opinions on what I should do. I know it is ultimately my decision, but it is nice to hear what people have to say. There are many pros and cons of both things. For example, I have four kids that I need to put through college and I probably can't do that on librarian money. I also enjoy many aspects of nursing. I appreciate your advice. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I just came across this thread and have been thinking of applying to WGU for the cohort starting this year. I live in Southern California (San Bernardino county). I have all my prerequisites completed for WGU and took my TEAS with a score of 89% I am also a CNA. I am currently accepted into an ADN program at my local community college and started this semester with what they call "pre-nursing" (nursing assessment and pharmacology). I start Nursing Process 1 next semester. The reason I am thinking of switching schools is that I don't enjoy the high stress these nursing schools put on you. I understand nursing is a stressful job and they are trying to prepare us, but I like to actually absorb the information they are teaching us, not just memorize it long enough to pass a test. Do you feel that WGU would be a better fit for me? It seems that you do most of the didatic work at home and clinical in person. I like this idea because I feel I could take the time to really learn the material.

Hi! I am an "older" student. I'm 38, married, with four children. This is my third career (first two were education and librarian). I just started my RN program this semester and am very excited. The fun part...my husband is also doing the RN program alongside me! He is 41 and works as a Surgical Tech in Labor and Delivery. It is definitely going to be a challenge with work and kids, but well worth it in the end :) Nice to meet you all!

I would suggest a Medical Terminology course, Human Development, maybe a Math for Health Professions type class. Also, do you know what area you want to work in when you become a nurse? If you are interested in working with children, maybe take some Child Development courses. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your advice. I really appreciate it! :)

Hi everyone! I have been accepted into an ADN program and (after waiting a year) I will be starting nursing school in a week. The past few months I have been having second thoughts about the whole thing, and I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this. While I was waiting to start the nursing program, I became a CNA last year and have been working as a CNA since last July. I hate it. There are some aspects that I love, like taking care of the patients, but I hate the politics. I see the nurses and I'm questioning if I really want to do what they are doing. I know there are so many avenues that nursing can take you, and that is why I am sticking with it, but I am questioning if I even have it in me to be a nurse. I am frustrated because I worked so hard to even get to this point. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

Whhhhaaaattt??? That's INSANE! She will be pretty disappointed when she comes to find out CNAs barely make over minimum wage

Don't get discouraged. There is a program through UCSD where they provide the education and help you set up your clinical hours. You don't have to work in L & D, as I am starting the program and I'm not even an RN yet. It doesn't matter what part of the country you live in either, it is a hybrid program where you do the education part online and the clinicals at a location near your home. Good luck! Here is a link to the info: Breast Feeding Education | Lactation Consultant

I also have the Acute Care CNA certification. My community college where I took my CNA class also offered the Acute Care class so it wasn't very expensive. I can't say that I learned too much more than what I already knew from my initial CNA class, but it was cool to get a little experience in the hospital setting. Having the certificate hasn't gotten me a job in the hospital yet though, so I'm not sure if it was worth it. For now I am doing my time in LTC.

Hi! They are starting to use the points system beginning this next application period. I'm not sure how competitive it is, but I do know that there are a lot of applicants. You can find more info onto the VVC nursing website: Nursing Also, you can click on "enrollment process starting F14" to see exactly how the points add up. Good luck!

I would definitely do your prerequisites right now. If you aren't going to work as a CNA then that would be a waste of time. I am similar in age to you (37, with 4 kids) and I finished all my prerequisites, then applied to my program (you need to do all prerequisites before applying to my school's program). I don't start until next September (2015) because of my school's waiting list, so I did the CNA class and am working as a CNA in the meantime. It is not an easy job and very stressful. I think concentrating on your prerequisites right now would be the best decision for you :) Good luck!

The written test is mostly common sense. The skills is harder because many people are so nervous having to do them in front of someone. Just memorize each skill. When I did my skills test, I said every step as I did them. Just practice, practice, practice. You will be fine :)

I don't do NOC shift, but at my work, the people who do NOC shift have significantly more residents. I work PM (2:30pm-10:30pm) and usually have 8-14 residents. The NOC shift CNAs have anywhere from 18-26. I think many people assume NOC shift is quiet, but from what I've seen, they are just as busy (or even busier some nights) than days or pm shift.

I feel your frustration! I have been certified as a CNA since early June and have applied to every single SNF and hospital within a 50 mile radius. I've had one interview at a SNF with no luck. I am currently taking a CNA Acute Care class to hopefully up my chances. I plan on taking a Home Health Care class in the Fall. I start nursing school in the Spring, and really want to get my foot in the door at a hospital! It's pretty depressing!