Jess79

I have taken all my prereqs online through Rio Salado Community College in Arizona. You do not need to live in AZ though. I really like the school. I have two children so it is a lot cheaper than going and having to pay daycare. If you are motivated, you can do an online class just as easy as going to a campus. http://www.rio.maricopa.edu/ Good Luck to you.

elizabells, I can imagine the frustration especially if it is emergency care. How scary that would be. Thanks

Thanks ftr_bb_catchr and JessicaGmz . I will do the spanish. There is one offerred specifically for the healthcare setting. Not sure how much I'll learn in one semester but better than nothing. If I like it, maybe I'll continue to more advanced classes. I've had terminology about two years ago. I think I need to refresh a bit but I have the book. I am curious, how do you know what is needed for a BSN degree. I have looked on some university sites but they don't list what classes are involved in the program. My advisor also told me they aren't offerred at my cc. It sure would be nice to work toward that because it is more than likely gonna be my goal. Eventually. Jess

Those were some really good ideas prmenrs! I actually live in the southwest and spanish would probably help me greatly. It is not something I have ever really been interested in, but I can imagine what it must be like for spanish speaking patients. It would really help them. I do know some sign language and love it but my school doesn't offer that. I looked at my schedule and found a beginner spanish course that could work. The child development is also a great idea. Pretty interesting. I had asked my advisor about classes I could take that could go toward the BS degree if I decided to do that in the future and she told me the community college didn't offer those upper level classes. So that is why I wasn't sure what to do. I do believe whether they can be applied to a BS degree or not, they will still benefit me. Thanks!

Thanks scoley. It is definitely frustrating. A few years back I was in training to be a correctional officer. One week into the training, I lost my babysitter. I would have had to live in a dorm for 7 weeks to finish the training. Needless to say, that was not an option. This was not my career goal but the point is, sometimes you don't feel like you even have control over your own life. The worst part about it is, the babysitter was my fiance's sister (nice but unreliable). I know things will eventually work, even if it takes 5 years. I just don't want to rack up the loans just because I need living money. I suppose a third shift job and no sleep are calling huh? Thanks again and good luck to you and your family. I guess we just need to remember, it will all be worth it someday. Jess

Hi. I have no real advice for you but I know everytime I call to speak to an advisor, I get a different story depending on who I ask. It is very frustrating. You have some good ones and some bad I guess. I know that colleges are different but as far as mine goes: 1.You have to be finished with all prereqs before you can apply to the program 2.You do not need your LPN first. It is a 4 block program that after the first 2, you can stop and be an LPN, or you continue with the other 2 blocks and become an RN. That is my school anyway, I know they all do things differently. I know my sister in PA would have to repeat everything to become an RN if she became an LPN first. Sorry I can't really help but I suggest talking with the top advisor and not do anything until you are sure what you should be doing. Good luck, Jess

Hello everyone. I have all my prerequisites done except for the CNA course. The classes are very small with the next in september. Before I can apply to the CNA course, I need immunizations, cpr, and fingerprint card. The card is a problem because by the time I get it the CNA class will probably be full. I do not work because after paying childcare, it ends up a waste of time. Therefore, I hope I can get the money for the shots. So, I am thinking that if I can't get in the CNA course in time, I will get in it in spring. I was then going to take the four corequisites I can during this fall so I can get the financial aid. Come spring, other than the CNA course, I have nothing to take. Is there anything that would be beneficial for me to take. (like another psychology or something). I need more classes to get the financial aid just so I can survive but don't want to take worthless classes either. Also, if I can't take the CNA until spring, it may take two semesters after that before I can get in the RN program. I am just losing my mind. No matter what route I try to take, something happens and it won't work. I guess after I get the CNA maybe I can work nights somewhere while I wait to get into the RN program. Anyway, I was just hoping maybe someone has been down this road in some way and has an idea. Everything always comes down to childcare and money with me but I guess that's the price I pay for having little ones and all family across the country. Thanks and sorry for venting. Any ideas on beneficial extra classes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Leslie. I have been told that every nurse goes into it thinking they are going to change the world only to soon realize that is not the case. I guess you do the best you can but not stress yourself to the point you breakdown. I will find what I like and think hard about the short and long term of that decision. Jess

Thanks for your replies grannynurse and ELKMNin06. I know it is hard to help when I can't really explain my symptoms. I really don't have many symptoms. It just happens. Nothing special going on at the time. Like I said, I feel like a drink of water "went down the wrong tube", but I am not drinking at the time. It is just a choking sensation and I cannot breath. If asthma feels like a chest tightening, that may not be it. This feels like a blocked airway, nothing in the chest. I guess symptoms are different for everyone though. Anyway, I will let you know when I find out what my deal is. And sure, I would like to know why asthma gets worse in humid weather. I know they used to say Arizona was good for it but I am sure with all the pollution we have here nowadays, it's not good for anyone, with or without asthma, to breath here. Jess

Ha Ha. Thanks Nurse Ratched. I will definately keep that in mind. And if it is asthma like you have noseinabooknurse, do you just use the inhaler when it happens or are you taking medication all the time for it? Is your condition like mine, only once in a while type thing? Thanks.

Thanks for replying. I am glad you are well and sure you will make a great nurse. I know I couldn't be a nurse who doesn't get close, which is kinda why I get so scared. Although I believe it is the only way to go. When working with children, including my own, I try to make everything appear worry free (for the most part). If you start crying then they may get even more afraid than they already are you know? That is all. I just want to be sure I do more good for them. I really believe I can accomplish that but can't guarantee that I won't lose it someday. I guess you just have to excuse yourself and take a bathroom break or something.

Thanks so much for your responses. To answer your question, it feels like I am drowning or choking. It is like when you take a drink of water and choke on it but I am not drinking. I keep gasping for air but can't get any. Then it eventually goes away. It is somewhat hard to explain. I was at my mother inlaws once and as I walked into her house, it happened. After about a minute they were trying to do the heimlich but I wasn't choking. I couldn't explain this to them at the time though. It doesn't seem to be anxiety or a panic attack because I am not in a stressful situation at the time. A few times, by myself just going about my day not thinking or worrying about anything. I appreciate your help and will make an appointment to get things checked. No, I haven't been to the doctor about it yet. I am always so terrible about getting to the doctor for some reason. Thanks again.

Hi. I was wondering if anyone has any idea what my problem is. Since I moved to Arizona 6 years ago, I have stopped breathing about 4 times. It doesn't happen often obviously but is really scary when it does. There is no trigger it seems. Fine one minute and red faced, tears rolling down my face the next. I will be making a dr. appointment but just thought maybe in the meantime someone may have an answer. I have researched asthma and it seems this is usually more of a chronic problem that occurs during exercise and such. Just doesn't really appear to be my symptoms at all. This has never happened while working out or anything. It happened about a week ago while I was driving. Just out of the blue things seem to close up for a minute or so. I think maybe it has something to do with the dry air but couldn't really say. Thanks.

Hi everyone. I am new here. I am a prenursing student waiting to take my CNA course so I can wait some more to get into the RN program. Ha Ha. I have always been interested in oncology. I had a close friend pass on from leukemia when we were 10. He went through 7 years of chemo and died very soon after a bone marrow transplant. I have always said I wanted to help these poor kids. I know this is what I want to do but it really scares me as well. I think I may be too emotional. Sometimes watching the discovery health channel is too sad for me. What do you do when your emotions take over while you are caring for them? I wouldn't want to add stress or worry to anyone who is already worried enough. I just don't want to get all the way through school and find out that I can't handle it. I know there are other areas but this is what my heart tells me to do. Anyway, I am not looking for anyone to make up my mind for me. And I know I will get a better idea of things when I do clinical. I just thought maybe someone could give some advice and let me know what it is really like. I have been told before that in nursing, you just have to do your job and not get too close, but it seems to me, in this field, getting close is what you need to do. Thanks for any thoughts you'd like to share with me. Jess