psychtech1

I too am starting in January. I won't be working so I will start off with two or three depending on which courses I am taking. I will probably do microbiology and inorganic chemistry, then organic chem (or whichever comes 1st) and A&P. I am little apprehensive but can't wait to get started. I also need to take the GRE this year before applying to nursing school.

Hi, It has been my experience that OT's generally have more hands on with patients/clients. In the facilities and group homes I have worked in, RN's were busy with med. administration, paperwork, documentation, doc orders etc., though I do imagine that an RN can have as much hands on involvment as they choose. I currently work on an inpatient unit for DD adults and we have one nurse who is extremely involved, but then our unit is only 11 beds. I think it can be what you make of it to some extent. Pepper

Hi everyone! Wow I haven't been in here in a while!! I have been way to busy. But I think it is great that us 'older' students are going back to school. I am 35 and am in the process of starting my prereqs so hopefully in couple of years I can apply to the MSN program at DePaul. Up until two years ago I was a single mom and just managed to scrape out a Bachelor's degree (due to working, finances, time, etc.) now that I am geting married and my son and her kids are older, I can afford to go back to school full time. Just hope I have the stamina!! Kudos for everyone and good luck!! Pepper

Here is a link to the Basic CNA program at St Mary's of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago. Holy Family Medical Center also has one in Des Plaines. You have to call for info. so I am not sure if it is free or not. http://www.reshealth.org/findajob/training_cna.cfm Good Luck!

I am wishing your cousin and your aunt the best. Unfortunatley private schools aren't mandated to provide services for children with special needs, and if your cousin is doing well academically they may just attribute the symptoms as just a behavioral phase that he will grow out of. There is a a program in Minnesota ( I believe) called the Sonrise Program that works with kids and families, they also have a program that teaches parents how to work with their child. It does sound like your aunt is attempting to make a first step. Good Luck!!

Jayhawk, First of all I wish you good luck in your search for placement, unfortunately Federal and State funding for DD needs is poor at best, pay for direct care workers in terrible and staffing is always an issue, I have worked with Developmentally Delayed children and adults for 15 years and currently work in an inpatient psych unit that works specifically with DD individuals. Your state should have P.A.S.S agencies that specifically advocate for your son. Their job is to find appropriate placement and/or services that he will need. Does your son attend a dayprogram or php program? If he does, there should be a casemanager assigned to him that can assist you in starting that process. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need further help or advice, I have worked in Group homes, ICF's and day training programs. Good luck. Pepper

Funny that I should happen upon this thread, I am currenty registering for my prereq's at my CC. I am still contemplating attending my CC for my RN or going for the BSN. Either way I am going to have to take out loans, but the CC's here have a waiting list of 900-1000 and only take 75-100 stuents per year. So even if I have a wonderful GPA, life experience, etc. I am still placed on a waiting list. I am 33 years old and already have a Bachelor's in Human Development. There are 4-5 universties here who have a fast track BSN and one that has an MSN program specifically for students who have a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Right now, the fast-track BSN is probably going to be my choice because it will have smaller classes and I can finish within a couple of years. Thanks for all the insight on this dilemna! Pepper

Hello everyone, I am not as of yet a nurse but I do work on an inpatient psych unit in a hospital system and I know several techs and nurses who smoke marijuana, someone informed our DON and a drug testing on all employees was performed. I am not sure of the outcome but our company provides drug rehab counseling and probation and mandatory drug testing after rehab is completed. Maybe your facility offers the same. Is there a way that you could allert your DON but keep it anonymous? If she has done it in front of you, there is a good chance that other people have seen her do it as well and she may not be able to pinpoint you as the person who 'ratted her out'. This is such a Catch-22 situation, if you tell then, a random drug testing may be performed of all employees, if you don't say anything then quality of pt. care is compromised. I would talk to your friend first. Good luck pepper