thelittledoe

Thanks for the replies! During CNA clinicals we wore them on our hip pockets, but that just didn't seem right. I really like the safety pin idea, so clever.

I'm in Western Central NJ (just above Trenton). Starting pay is $12/hr for a PCA working per diem with a $1.50 shift differential. Working PT or FT will get you less pay (but probably more benefits, I don't get any for per diem). Day shift is paid th...

Taliez, where are you located? Everyone else on the site seems to have trouble finding work, but in Central NJ almost everyone in my class has received more than one offer without applying to more than 15 places. As for experience, I'll let you know,...

I have my BA in Pre-Law, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. I took an internship at a law firm and HATED it. So I decided to do something completely different and head to nursing school. Before I shelled out all the money, though, I wanted to make su...

In NJ as a CMA (certified medication assistant) you can only dispense meds at assisted living homes. Otherwise I would just go the route of CNA. There are more job opportunities but less pay. HOWEVER, now that I see you mentioned you are signed up fo...

I would try to get hired first. The hospital I work for will pay for phlebotomy and EKG courses so that I can be a PCT instead of a PCA. Those courses tend to be expensive and with only a couple dollars increase in pay it may or may not be worth it t...

I was wondering the same thing the other day. Thanks for the post Nurse2b! I also saved my A&P notes and books but only my notes from Micro. Luckily all my notes are on Microsoft OneNote on my computer so its easy to search for keywords (I sound ...

I took A&P I in a six week session with 4 hours of class 3 times a week. It was ROUGH. I was also working full time. I would say I studied for approximately half an hour each night after class (M, T, W) and then 3-4 hours Thursday, 3-4 hours Frid...

I feel I have pretty good odds if nobody else on the site is applying!

I hope all these people aren't deterring you from continuing in your path. It seems there is a lot of know-it-all negativity on this website. And even though these members probably know what they are talking about from experience, they have no reason...

She pretty much summed that up. I landed a PCA job after completing the CNA course. The difference between PCA and PCT at my hospital is a phlebotomy cert and an EKG cert for PCT's. @cnoble, where are you located? From my experience, NJ is pretty ea...

In NJ I believe it is only one year until you have to take a refresher

Thanks for the post. I'm of no help, but if anyone has info on NJ it would be appreciated as well.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful. I realized what same day surgery was but was confused as to what a separate pre/post-op floor was if med/surg was also separate. I think I have everything straight now. Thanks again!

Can someone please explain to me the difference between med-surg and pre/post-op? The reason I'm asking is because I start a patient care assistant job in a few weeks on what the hospital calls their "pre/post-op" floor. I thought this was the same t...

Either sounds wonderful! Sorry to be such a big help, haha. In NJ I paid $1200 for a course (all books and documents included but not uniforms). The nursing home offered us all positions, but it wasn't for me. I would say it depends where you want to...

Thank you so much! You are incredible! I was worried about having a part time (one day a week) job during an ABSN and not having enough cash to finance this. After reading your post, I feel anything is possible. You are a miracle and an inspiration!

I'm surprise anatomy and physio are separate courses! I've haven't heard of that yet. I took an online lecture and in-person lab. I had several tools. I personally used a coloring book for A&P. I took photos of every model in lab and used them to...

I took A&P I and Micro back to back in the summer with 6 week courses. I worked full time (36 hours/week) throughout as well. It was not the best option but remember, it is only temporary! I got all my homework done on my Friday and Saturday off ...

I have a friend who began by working in a transitional unit, within a year she was working half her shifts in the ED and half in the TU. The TU at her hospital provides overflow for more stable ED patients and patients from the ED who will be placed ...

I'm taking general chem at the community college in the neighboring county. Unfortunately it's almost an hour away and I didn't want to have to go more than once a week. My lab is 800-1000 and my hybrid lecture is 1730-1900 with the rest online. That...

I'd love to work in the ED when I first start out, but I could imagine that could take a toll on you after many years. I would love to eventually be a nurse educator and help students through their clinicals.

I have a 4.0 in my pre-req's and an undergraduate BA in Criminal Justice with a 3.6. I'm applying for an Accelerated 2nd Degree Program, but the ASN program with a BSN bridge is my backup. Unfortunately the Accelerated program only has a 10% acceptan...

I absolutely loved A&PII. I think in part because the topics are more interesting to me and my professor was incredible. My absolute favorite part was dissecting a sheep heart, so cool and helpful to learn how it works. I can't say anything for p...

Hey Temmuz, PM me and I can give you the contact information for the program. She got back to be very quickly!