boricualuna

The Blinn nursing program is located at A&M health Science center off hwy 47. I graduated a year ago from the program and since then the program has changed a little (I was in a 5 semester program and now it is 4 semester) normally the first semester you'll have a meet and greet the Friday before the semester start so you'll be able to meet ur new classmates.

While I was taking pre-req I worked full time as tech. By the time I finished my pre req I had two kids and was still working full time. When I got into nursing school I worked full time and went to school full time while still be a mom as much as possible. It wasn't easy I worked every weekend while I was in nursing school stayed up late to study and complete paperwork and wake up early to get kiddos ready and get to school early enough to study before class started. I had a very detailed scheduled that had everything from work, lecture, clinical, exams and papers due dates on.

I worked as a full time 7a shift tech the entire 2 years of nursing school. I mainly worked fri-sun. I'm also a mother of two who graduated from the program with honors. Yes it's hard and you really do need to be organized. I had a paper calendar and calendar on my phone that I put everything from working, lecture, clinicals, dr appt. my paper calendar was a "monthly" one and I was able to see everything at a glance. Did I mention my paper calendar was color coordinated.

As a recent graduate from the generic ADN program I did not see any favoritism when it came to selecting people for the program. I do know that the program uses a point system (based on GPA, if you completed all required classes, TEAS score, and essay score). I was in constant contact with the adm assistant that handles all the paperwork for the program.

1. Why did you choose nursing? I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. When I was in 10th grade I got my CNA. After graduation I went to technical school and received my diploma in medical assistance. My MA diploma helped me get a job as a PCT in an ICU for 9 1/2 years. 2. How did you get into nursing school? I applied twice to the local community college ADN program. Didn't get in the first time, but I did the second time. 3. What's your current job? Currently I work full time nights as a Tele nurse. In the same hospital I worked as a tech. 4. what's the hardest part about being/becoming a registered nurse? The hardest part about nursing school for me was time. I worked full time as a tech while in nursing school. I have two kids, one with medical issues that required weekly visits to therapy and dr' appts. I spent every moment I had studying. Missed many family events because of work or studying. But at the end I graduated from the ADN program with honors. 5. what was your G.p.a when you enrolled into the nursing program? I believe my GPA was a 3.5 getting into the program. 6. how hard was it to get it? The program was difficult to get in. I applied twice before I got accepted. I wish you the best of luck and remember don't give up. If this is something you want go for it.

I recently started working nights as a new RN after working 9 1/2 years on days as a tech. I also have two kiddos (7 and 5). Right now I flipped back and forth. For example: I worked Thursday and Friday night so on Wednesday night I went to bed around 10p and woke up around 10a Thursday am. Ran errand and took a nap before going in Thursday night. Friday am I slept until 4p and saw my kiddos and went to work. Sat am I took a nap from 10-3 then woke up to run errands and spend time with my family. I feel that once school starts I might not switch back and forth as much because I'll be able to sleep while they are in school. At first I tried to stay up after working a 12 hr shift but that was causing me to get moody and short with my family, plus I would be so tired I couldn't do anything.

I worked full time (3 12hr shifts) as a patient care tech in an ICU. I had a lot of PTO saved up to use specific for nursing school but hardly used any the first year, if anything I used most of it my last semester of the ADN program. I worked every weekend (I know it sucks especially with a husband and two kids) and depending on my schedule I would pick up a third shift during the week.

I'm in my first year of nursing. I gross (before deductions) around $2,000 and take home around $1,200 biweekly.

I worked as a PCT for almost 10 yrs. continued my full time status while completely a 2 year ADN program. I have two kids and a husband that helped out a lot. Is it possible? Yes. is it hard? Yes. But I managed and even graduated with honors. A tech in the same ADN program but a year ahead of me started working as a PRN PCT and did so while completing her 2nd year. She and I both where offered positions in our "home units"

In my 10+ years in the medical field I've had many titles; CNA, MA, PCT, student nurse, GN and finally RN recently. I hated being called a nurse until I officially passed the NCLEX. Even after graduating nursing school i would identify myself as a GN and not an RN. For me, being called by a title I haven't received is not right and not correcting individuals who think otherwise is misleading. My PCP has a MA and she calls her a nurse and the MA identifies herself as my PCP's nurse, I even get results from the MA and med changes from the MA. I'm okay with that because I'm comfortable with my dr and MA. And if I have questions or issues the MA is quick to let me know that she will call me back after speaking with my dr. Physician offices commonly hire MAs because the pay is much less then that if an LVN or RN.

1. Central Texas 2. $27.42/hr (base pay) Diff: +2.25/hr from 1500-2300, $3.25/hr from 2301-0700, and $2.00/hr for weekends) 3. 9+ years as a patient care tech. Graduated with my ADN May 2014 4. Telemetry Disclaimer: my starting salary is based on my years of service as a tech. I work as an RN at the same faculty I worked as a tech. New GNs (ADN or BSN) are started at less then $25/hr for the three acute care facilities in my area, each facility is off by only a few cents.

Last final of the semester was the 12th. Ended up with 2 As and 4 Bs. Not bad for working full time and having two kids. My last semester starts back on the 13th, so I'm going to enjoy Christmas with my kids before I start hitting the books again before school starts back up.

It can be done. I'm finishing my 4th of 5th semester of Nursing school (associate degree) and I've worked pretty much 24-36 hrs a week plus I have 2 kids. So for people that say it's impossible it's not. If your job is willing to work with you and you have of time management skills you'll do great. This far into nursing school and I've gotten all As and Bs. Good luck !

I for one thought and did my research regarding the LVN program at the local community college. I even went as far as asking the nurse recruiter at the local hospital where I've worked as a tech for the past 9 years. I found out that with my years of working for the hospital the pay at the time would only be roughly $1.50 more then my current base pay at the time. I also found out that I would have to transfer from the acute hospital to the hospital LTAC/rehab facility. I knew then that everything that I would have to sacrifice for one year of LVN school, the pay and the transfer was not worth it to me. I still work as a tech at the hospital and in less than 2 weeks I start my 4th of 5th semester of an ADN program. So I say do your research and make sure you know what your going into before starting anything.

Congrats on the job. Let me guess Scott and White in College Station.

Wow can't believe the faculty I work at isn't the only hospital still using Meditech. The facility actually "upgraded" and lets just say I don't think it's an upgrade, more like a down grade.

Fourth semester starts August 26th. Adult Health II (lecture and clinical) peds (lecture and clinical) and community (lecture and clinical).

That's not entirely true. I know PCTs that worked while going to LVN or RN school and got nursing positions before finishing nursing school. I know one PCT that got hired for a GN internship without interviewing for the position. Two PCT who are finishing LVN school in early August already have LVN jobs lined up, and the facility they are working at have decreased their LVN positions. While yes during first semester we all learn PCT duties that still doesn't mean that everyone is at the same level. I've been a PCT for 9 years and let me tell you I can get my pt morning vitals, assessed, bath with linens changed and turned without any issues or assistance before all my other classmates get half their stuff done. Most of the things that I have learned has been because of work because my first clinical experiences where mainly CNA duties no RN duties till nearly the end of the semester. Of course if you don't have to work then don't. But I'm an example of a PCT that has learned a lot from the department I work at. Being a waitress will give you nothing but a paycheck.

Yes the entire post is about working and school. If you read the entire thread my first post talks about my experience and the following post pretty much slams me. My feelings aren't hurt, I'm just trying to point out that just because she is having a difficult time managing everything doesn't mean everyone is the same.

I'm sorry that you can't handle your excessively busy schedule. But don't tell me that I can potentially harm a patient due to lack of sleep or busy schedule, because A) you don't know me and B) i would never do anything that could potentially harm a patient. I'm a mother of two, who has to work to help support my family. Before you judge me maybe you should focus on your life and not worry so much about mine. I'm not the first nor the last person that has done what I'm doing. My grades haven't suffered and I have never missed or turned in an assignment late. I posted my previous post to show others that it is possible to work, have a family and go to nursing school. Not everyone has the the luxury of not working.

Since you asked about ICU I wanted to let you know that St. Joseph did not have an ICU internship for GNs like they've had in the pass. Instead they started a new internship program where you are trained as a Tele Nurse for the first six months then transition to ICU. From information that I have gotten St. Joes is pretty competitive with major cities ie: Houston, San Antonio, Austin when it comes to pay. I've even know nurses that move from college station to a large city and take pay cuts.

The store is called Career Apparel and it's in Bryan off 29th street. If you just go in and tell them ADN program at Blinn they will tell you exactly which brand of scrubs are approved.

That's good that you got a pharm book. Yes we have had students drop and be added to my specific class. People have left for numerous reasons: pregnancy, moving, didn't want to do nursing anymore. Added: transfer from other schools, students who have to repeat certain classes and those that decide to change their hrs from the traditional course. Also during your 4th semester more students are added because the LVNs (LVN to RN) come in at that time.

Your welcome. I recently went by the uniform store in town and I asked about their "back to school sale" and thankfully they are having a sale from aug 9-11 33% off plus no tax. That is by far the best sale they have.