emndarmic

I agree with Juliamine... I think someone who was fresh out of high school would be easier to check on than someone out for this many years. People who have any past at all (and we all have some skeletons) understand that nobody's perfect and we all make mistakes. I don't know how they would check on your grades when in fact you have to physically sign a release from the high school to have your transcripts sent to a college (at least I did when returning to college after 15 yrs, I've now been out of school for nearly 19 yrs) so I'm unsure if they could do that anyway without your consent. If they would ask for your consent just say...Yes you may, but I admit I was a rebellious teenager that learned from my mistakes, and learning from my mistakes is what makes me the person I am today, so I ask you to please not judge me based on what I did this many years ago. Good luck :)

I also work in a hospital with LTC patients. We have a wing of elderly and rehabilitation patients. I am amazed at how other aides have told me horror stories about certain patients to find out myself that they are my favorites. For example this one patient that NOBODY likes (except for me I think)... anyways...I went in w/ a good attitude and TONS of encouragement on their part and LOTS AND LOTS of smiles for them. I have received nothing but respect from her the past month of my working with her. I know that certain patients are SOOOO angry and disrespectful towards us but I TRY not to take it personally. In one way or another their lives have been turned upside down from illness of some kind to be hospitalized or just plain ole' old age. When they upset us so badly, we just need to take a deep breath and remember that we are some day going to be where they are, whether we're hospitalized for surgery or because we're 102 yrs old. But..I must agree, people can be so disrespectful.

I just interviewed for an every other weekend only job at a local hospital. This works out for me perfectly if I get the job since I am in full-time school starting in Sept. I'm taking about 15-16 credit hours per quarter so this seems to be the perfect job for me. I work home health 3 days a week for 3 hours and hope I can change those days and keep both jobs. Maybe you can look into home health as an option as well. Some hospitals such as the one I interviewed at hire like that to relieve "regular" workers on weekends, maybe check out your local hospitals and ask if they do the same. My starting wage was $1.75 more on the hour than my home health. Maybe between the two jobs I can afford the gas to get to school... Good luck in your job search!

Thanks for your replies.. I'm sorry I forgot to mention that I'm not going into an actual nursing career. I do work as an aide and LOVE it, but I'm more interested in the social service part of life with helping people off of drugs/alcohol, womens shelters etc. I'm enrolled for Social Service with focus on drug/alcohol counseling. Although there is NO connection between social service and actual nursing I feel like I can do "my" form of nursing (kinda like a nurturing nurse if you will) by being available for the emotional part of life. I started out taking nursing pre-reqs and realized after my CNA classes that the bedside nursing wasn't what I truly wanted. I want the emotional part as I said (not that nursing isn't emotional, it is GREATLY emotional, just a different emotional than what I want), I want to help people out of abusive relationships, talk with people who are in need of a change and help them with that change if they so desire... heck..who knows, I might even be able to help change a few lives and help get a few more people educated and out of bad situations like I have helped myself. This is the reason my ACT score has to be a minimum of 15. When I was enrolled for the RN program I believe it was a 21. I'm studying really hard and believe that I can do it, but being human my doubts and fears take over. In a few weeks I will be saying that my score was much better than I anticipated and now I'm actually excited to get it over with. Maybe I'm just thinking about it too much. Relax, relax, relax..:chuckle Thanks again everyone...

Hello all.. I am currently working HH as an aide and love my job. I am furthering my education and TRYING to prepare for my ACT that I take on Friday, August 8th. My school assured me that it's based on what you have already learned over the years throughout your education. They said it measures what you already know and combines the scores to give you a composite score. So, I'm reading through the practice booklet and can only answer LITERALLY 2 questions on the math part. Of course some of my guesses may be correct but for sure I know of 2 that would be correct. I have been out of high school for nearly 19 yrs and haven't had a math course since. I barely passed my freshman and sophomore mandatory math classes then, and never took any extra classes the rest of my years. I'm talking probably a D- if I can remember right. I only have to have a composite score of 15 to get into my classes which starts in mid-September and I am so fearful that the math part will bring my score down to where I can't even get a modest score of 15. I would be sooo humiliated. I was also looking at the science part with all the little graphs and am completely lost on that too. Obviously my science grade wasn't the greatest either, hmmm, but now these subjects interest me, funny how age makes you see things differently isn't it? Any good stories similar to mine where you were or are worried about such a thing. I worry about getting into the classes with an ACT score, what's it going to be when I'm actually into the program classes. My focus is completely different now than 19 yrs ago. I have a HUGE desire to get good grades and am currently doing well in my classes. I have a 4.0 now but have only taken easy classes so far (easy to me that is). Unfortunately, I don't have any time to take a refresher course in math like I planned in the beginning, I was lucky to get in as quick as I have. I've been looking online at math.com and others but it seems like I just can't comprehend anything mathematical. Give me something to memorize with flash cards etc and I'm fine, but anything using my brain with math just doesn't work for me. Embarrassed to say I still usually use my fingers to add larger numbers. I blame myself and my parents for letting me get through school without having the basics down. A teacher can only do so much having large classes to test etc so I take full responsibility for my lack of knowledge. I feel as if I was just passed on through school without having a proper education and promise that will NOT happen to any of my 3 children. I swear I am one of those mental block people when it comes to math (and other stuff). BUT...my desire is great to learn and not be afraid of it anymore. Any words of encouragement/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening, sometimes just typing it out and getting feelings off my chest seems to help calm my nerves. TIA..

To be honest with you...I wish all nurses were as nice as you were to this lady! I had my gallbladder out this past Thursday and had nothing but nice nurses, but what I'm saying is not everyone is nice and from what you wrote your one that I would LOVE to have. You sound like a good, careful, loving nurse :) Sorry this daughter brought down your spirits, some people are just SO mean.

I work for an agency that pays me $8.00 an hour, no gas reimbursement or anything. I love my client so it makes me happy with little pay. I'd rather work for little pay and LOVE my job than work for more money and hate my job. Besides, I start back to college full-time in September and won't be working, I can handle it until then. Good luck to you~!

I'm excited..I received a call from HR about a position at a hospital. The position I applied for is in the pediatric/surgical unit. I checked the boxes for both part-time and full-time so I'm unsure of what I would be working. I do know they are 12 hr shifts with every 3rd weekend rotation. Before my interview can anyone tell me what an in-experienced CNA would do in a hospital setting. I work home health and my job is mostly cleaning houses. Not a whole lot of patient interaction right now, my people even shower themselves for the most part. I just finished my CNA class early June so I'm just curious. At the hospital the pay is a low $8.30 an hour and I would have to drive almost 60 miles round trip to work. I'm going to see what they have to offer as far as pay raises since the gas prices are killing everyone. What do you think...I think I would like the patient interaction more than home health, even though I can honestly say..I like my job right now, but only 9 hrs a week at $8.00 an hour doesn't do much for the pay check. TIA..

I never made it to my state test on Sunday 6/22/08. My grandpa was passing away just as I was suppose to be on my way to the test site. I chose to not take the test and be with my mom. I never called or anything and to be completely honest with you that was the furthest thing from my mind at the moment. Well today is Tuesday and the calling hours so I guess I should call and give a reason for not taking the test. I'm kinda contemplating not even taking the test since I am happy working Home Health and really don't need my state test to do so. I go back to school full-time in Sept with a full credit hour load so I will not be working except in the summer for extra cash for the next 2 yrs. Hmmm, I'll have to think about it. Do you think this will reflect badly on me since I didn't make a phone call any sooner? Just wasn't feeling up to it. To top it all off, his passing date was also my 12th wedding anniversary. Not a good day this year. TIA..

I just finished up my CNA classes earlier this month and was taught when parking someone in a wheelchair for a while to NOT lock the chair. I seen a lot of residents using their feet to pull the chair along during my clinicals. That has to be good for their legs. In any case, we were taught to lock them for transfers etc.

I second the run comment above, run as fast as you can. Most LTC facilities are begging for help. Keep looking for a better job, it's people like you that make a difference. You're doing the right thing, they are being child like in behavior and in health care there just is NO room for that behavior. Good luck and keep us posted!

I was a LOUSY student in high school (graduated way back in 1990). My grade point average was terribly low and I just didn't care at the time. A few months ago I was diagnosed with ADHD and have been on medication every since, not only am I feeling better mentally it carries over to my life in general making me happier, easier to be around etc. Well...I just finished my college finals last week and check my grades online yesterday and I am now a 4.0 student. I was so surprised!!! I went from a low 1.7 G.P.A. in high school to a college 4.0. Anyone else want to share any stories like mine. It's so encouraging to read about others who overcame obstacles in life and came out on top.

Just my opinion... I would choose the accelerated out-of-state program since you have no real priorities at home, meaning your not married or a mommy. If nursing is truly not for you, why not take a second chance at happiness. Pharmacists make awesome money (my girlfriend is a pharmacist and provides HUGE for her family, she made it w/ 2 kids and one on the way during her school years). Ultimately the decision is yours, but if both schools are accredited and you can start your career a year sooner by going out-of-state, I say go for it before you meet a man and start having babies. My DH and I have 3 wonderful children and struggle like crazy financially since I'm in school. Actually that's why I'm in school is to better our future together, and I'm 36 yrs old. Good luck on your decision!

I'm not sure yet. I finished my classes/clinicals 3 weeks ago. I'm working in Home Health right now but not going to nursing school. I'm going to school for Human/Social Services with a full-time workload come fall. My intention was nursing school, but after class and clinical experience it's not completely for me I don't think. Have a great day

You are so right on the adorable part. When doing clinicals I was in complete charge of 2 residents and one was 97 and totally independent. She pretty much bathed herself, walked to the dining room w/ no help and an absolute delight. The other was paralyzed from a stroke and sweet as sweet can be. I couldn't understand a word she said, but I quickly fell in love w/ her, I caressed her hand and rubbed her head and she smiled so big at me. I really did like these two women, sweet as can be. But, that nursing home was not for me which is why I say I know they are all not the same. Thanks for your input. I just applied online for the hospital job, they do it all online now. Have a good weekend.