Trinklee

Thank you both so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to inform me :)

I've wanted to become a nurse since I was five-years-old, but I absolutely love psychology. I wanted to mix the two things I like and become a psychiatric nurse, but when I ask people what psych nurses do they tell me that they just push meds. Does handing out medication and doing paperwork really comprise most of the job? I want to care for the mental health patients, talk to them, maybe do fun things with them...am I planning on going into the wrong line of work? EDIT: I am not trying to belittle anybody or come off as disrespectful. I just want to know what exactly psych nurses do to know if it's right for me.

I feel a lot better after actually going to my CNA class. There is a student there who makes $13.50/hr as a patient care technician and another student who knows somebody who got hired making $15.00/hr. However, the nursing home I am doing my clinicals at pay their CNAs $9.25/hr. After seeing what the CNAs have to do every shift, I can say with certainty that they are extremely underpaid. Once I graduate from my course, I'll hold out until I can get a job at a hospital. Blehh.

Thank you all so much! I really appreciate it :)

I am nineteen-years-old and I'm taking pre-requisites for the RN program at Tarrant County College, while simultaneously taking a CNA course. I have wanted to become an RN, but after talking to my LVN teachers at my CNA course, I have decided that it will be better (in my specific life situation) to first become an LVN and then work my way up to an RN. The only thing is that I don't know what school to attend. I have already taken a bunch of pre-requisites for the RN program, including courses I will need to eventually obtain my BSN, but the only science I will have finished by the end of next semester is A&P 1. I am looking for a school that will allow me to become an LVN and only has one science and maybe some classes that I've already taken as prerequisites. Do LVN programs with no pre-reqs exist? The only one I could find is Concorde and I'm iffy about spending so much on tuition...please help I am so very confused. I've taken or will take next semester: Introduction to Psychology Fundamentals of Speech Communications English Comp 1 English Comp 2 US History since 1876 Brit Lit since 1800 A&P1 Introduction to Theatre

Thank you all so much for your replies. I really appreciate them and I feel a lot better about this situation. I am going to stick with it and I feel good about it now :) I am going to earn valuable experience.

I am a freshman taking my nursing pre-requisites, hoping to be accepted into an associates nursing program once I am finished. I just moved out on my own and I am working part-time while going to school full time. I thought it would be a good idea to take a CNA course so I can work as a CNA while I am taking pre-nursing courses and in nursing school. I saved up $1000 and paid for the CNA class and I start in six days. I was extremely excited until I learned that most CNAs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are only making around $9.00 an hour...that's what I make now as a hostess at The Cheesecake Factory. I feel like I made a mistake by enrolling in that class. Please, help me see things clearly.

A&P is much easier to me than Chemistry is...I suck at math, but I'm good at memorization.

I'm as far as pre-cal and Chemistry is very difficult for me, but it might just be because I'm so awful when it comes to math. I'm in Chemistry right now and I've noticed a lot of Algebra. Some of the formulas are crazy to me...so difficult for someone who struggles in math. If you're good at math, then it shouldn't be that hard. Good luck. :)

I don't have any tips, but I just wanted to wish you good luck!

I'd take Chemistry. I'm in it right now and it sucks, but most schools I plan on applying to require it.

No offense is taken. I know you're completely right. :) I did let love keep me here, but I don't regret it. I've decided to get my ADN at TCC, because it's much cheaper (I'm living on my own and putting myself through school) and I only have a semester and the summer left of pre-reqs. I should be finished in two and a half years and I've actually talked to my boyfriend about doing the RN to BSN program at TAMUCC after I finish up here. By then, he'll be finished with his welding certification. We agreed that since I am making a sacrifice now, he will make one by moving away with me so I can get my BSN. He always puts me becoming a nurse before anything else. I know we're young, but I think this is a special relationship that, if handled with thought and maturity, will be able to last the trials that go along with time.

Sounds like Chemistry is tough for a lot of people...I can't wait for A&P. I took honors in high school and it was so much easier to understand.

Thanks to everybody! I appreciate all of the advice :)

TAMUCC is just originally where I wanted to go when I graduated high school, but I fell in love with a guy and didn't want to leave. I'm also in love with Corpus Christi and TAMUCC has a higher passing rate on the NCLEX than Tarrant County College.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot! c:

I've been working minimum wage jobs for a few years and one thing I have learned is to watch my back before I say something that can be taken as offensive. You'll most likely encounter all types of people, even ones who look like "meth heads," but it's best to hold your tongue. I'm very sorry about your situation and I think taking a couple of months off is a good idea. I deal with depression as well and it can be crippling sometimes. I have faith that you'll be able to get everything in order and find a new job that you like. :) For the record, my time with a counselor/therapist was well spent. A lot of times it helps to just have somebody listen to you.

I'm going to try to find a study group, then...

I am going to school full time, but that sounds like a really good idea. I just didn't know if they would hire me to work only weekends.

mom2beanurse, I went to visit the school yesterday and found out that I misunderstood the length of the program. They meant that it was one week shorter than the original program, so the accelerated one is three weeks as opposed to four. I will go Monday through Friday from 5pm - 10pm and all day on one Saturday. :) Sorry about the confusion.

I'm eighteen, in my freshman year at Tarrant County College. I am going to become a CNA in early December. I'm wondering if I should work part-time as a CNA and get my ADN at Tarrant County College, then work as an RN get my BSN or if I should finish up my prerequisites while working as a CNA and then apply for the BSN program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. I'm torn between the two...I get enough financial aid that I should be able to afford both.

Thanks, Compassion. :) I'll be sure to do that, then.

Hmmmh, hopefully I will. I suppose it never hurts to try, but I just wish I knew what days would be best for me to schedule school for.

I'm eighteen and in my freshman year at a community college. I'm currently working part time and going to school full time, taking my pre-requisites for an RN program. I plan to take an accelerated CNA program that will last about a week and I'll be finished in early December. The problem is that before the CNA class even begins, I will have to register for my Spring classes at the community college so I can finish my pre-requisites for an RN program. I can go to school any time, but I don't know when to schedule my classes so I can ALSO be hired to work as a CNA while I go to school. If I go to School Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, would that lessen my chances of being hired? What should I do?

Thanks so much! I'll probably take it more than once, then.