wonderchic24

Just found out that the minimum for Spring 2016 was 102. Any one know of someone going into the spring cohort? I would love to give my books away for free! Thanks!

Thanks for the post! I am heading to nursing school in two weeks and being humble is something all students should be. I am super excited to be taught by nurses who have been there, done that! Even if they have to be super direct so I learn the right way and won't harm people in the future! Great post! :) Brook

My answer is the same as Proton's. Ours was part of our program and we received the BLS healthcare provider CPR. Definitely get that one as most facilities will not take other ones! Good luck! Brook

Hello! I am 38 and I too changed careers by starting as a CNA and now am heading to nursing school. I met a nurse who went back at 50 and absolutely loved her career change! She said you are never too old! I met another nurse who had a 60 year old in her class who worked another 7 years after graduating! I love being a CNA. Direct patient care can be challenging at times but if you aren't bothered too much with the three P's of CNA/Nursing (poo, puke and pee), you should be fine. Just remember to ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR BACK! I always raise the bed to waist height to turn people or change them. I can really tell when I don't do it so I take those extra few seconds to help me do this for years to come! Good luck - I think you will really like it! Brook

Hello! I have worked for both home health and a LTC facility and working in a facility will definitely give you the right experience for a hospital. Home health is about companionship, chores, errands, cooking, cleaning, not necessarily wiping butts, ADLs, etc. I have really enjoyed working at the LTC facility. I have learned so much! Make sure you research the company you will be working for. Not all of them are created equal! Good luck! Brook

I would argue there is no easy CNA shift as they all have their demanding moments. Day shift is hard but so is evening. Night shifts are often short staffed and the resident to staff ratio is often steep (in our facility, you may have up to 60 patients when short staffed). CNA work will give you a good idea if you want to continue in the medical field. It will also teach you the basics of nursing. It can also help you hit the ground running when in nursing school because you will already have that experience with basic patient care. Good luck! Brook

I think you can do it but it will be A LOT of work. There were lots of people in both A&P 1 and 2 that were taking the class again after taking both classes the same quarter and failing miserably. I think you have to determine whether or not you think it will work for you. How good are you at sciences? Willing to not have a life for a quarter or semester? Good luck! Brook

My favorite Clif Bars are coconut chocolate chip, oatmeal walnut. Blueberry crisp ones are okay - not my favorite but completely edible. I am allergic to peanuts so a lot of bars don't work for me! :) We eat and run a lot in long term care too. I keep almonds in my purse for when I am starving! :) Brook

Hello! Go back to school! I am 37, quit a full-time, well paying job to go back to school to become a RN. It was nerve racking to give up that security to go back and take all those lovely pre-req classes. But you know what? It has been completely worth it! I am married to a very amazing man who is supportive of my new goal. He told me that I was destined to do something else besides what I was doing. He was right! It sounds like you are ready for a new challenge. You like being a MA so you probably will love being a RN. You have been around them and it is time to join them! Keep your job and take any pre-reqs that you need. You can do one class at a time and then get apply to school. Good luck! I know you will do great! Brook

I think it can be awkward trying to dress another person when you are not used to it. I still am catching myself putting the wrong sleeve first, etc. I even put someone's shirt on backwards today. The client and I had a good laugh about it and told her that she needs to train me better! :) New skills can be awkward at first but if you stick with it, it becomes more routine and easier for you (and the client). I really like being a CNA but am looking forward to nursing school in March. I say try it and see if that is what you want to do for your first job! Good luck! Brook

I think this is what they are talking about: Fundamentals Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Q&a Success): Patricia M. Nugent RN MA MS EdD, Barbara A. Vitale RN MA: 9780803627796: Amazon.com: Books Brook

People can be grumpy for various reasons - pain is just one reason. You do have to separate the difference between someone being mad and someone being mad at you. Most of the time, people want to be heard and are just frustrated at their situation. I don't take it personally since even I can be crabby when I don't feel good. I think if you are at all interested in becoming a nurse, any volunteer experience with direct patient contact will be beneficial to you. Oncology would be very interesting and provide a different patient perspective than where you are now. I love being a volunteer at my local hospital. It is a great insight into what staff does to save people's lives on a daily basis! Good luck! Brook

Have you thought about a private CNA program? It is quicker and cheaper than a community college program. The downside is that when applying for schools, you will need to have your state license where some schools will accept you just having taken a community college program. I went to Divine CNA and it wasn't too bad! That being said, Bellevue has a great program that is well respected throughout the community. You should check into that! Good luck! Brook

I never found out about Highline since I got into Shoreline's program. I start March 31st and I am excited! Brook

This is an old thread but wanted to let you know that the minimum points for Spring 14 was 102.8! Brook