RBancroft

That's a great point :) I think it was just first day nerves. I just finished my second shift and I feel REALLY good about it now :) :) :) Everyone on my floor is super nice and helpful and has really good teamwork. Learning a lot!! (And fast!! Lol!)

I'm about to head to my first orientation shift on my telemetry floor and I am scared to death!! I felt really confident throughout my interviews and general orientation until I saw that ALL the other PCT's in orientation were nursing students who have already done clinicals, etc.. and I'm just taking prereqs right now (A+P 1 and 2 is all I need since I have a BS already) I felt so behind!!! I feel like I talked a big game in my interviews because I have a ton of experience in mental health/disabilities in more of a home healthcare setting, I was a manager there etc so I am a good worker and manage my time well. I'm not afraid to ask questions or tell people I need more help with something I just don't want to be a burden on the floor because I don't know as much as the nursing students any advice or just tell me I'm not gonna die!! I'm really nervous.

Agencies like mine typically don't require any experience or anything except HS graduation and that you're semi-sentient. Lol. They typically pay you to do all the necessary training and certification to administer medications and whatnot.

I wish it was at my home :) i actually had a couple of years of success in direct sales but it was short lived and not meant to be. Lol. But back to the point I work in the home of 3 individuals with intellectual disabilities. I make the schedule and manage 6 staff in the care of these guys, making sure the house is staffed 24/7, tend to their ADL's, making sure their meds are in stock and administered correctly (ugh), coordinate shopping, community outings, residential activities, and teaching life skills, as well as oversee mountains of documentation. For 10.50 an hour ***** (not funny at all actually) I work Monday 3p-11p, Tues/Thurs 7a-3p, Saturday 7a-3p, with 8 flex hours for admin work. I'll be taking classes Monday/Wednesday mornings and Thursday night. I can change my schedule as needed, up to a reasonable point as long as I work at least 30 hours in the home. Many agencies like mine are constantly hiring, even just PRN staff or floaters. Its a good job for students because of flexibility and the ability to study or do homework after the guys go to bed. Like when I'm covering an extra 3rd shift like tonight :)

Update for anyone who cares! Haha. I am officially registered for 2 of my 4 prerequisites at the local community college! A&P II and Statistics. Super excited, just hoping I can pull it off. Excited to get out of this 10.50 an hour job that requires 20 an hour work!

Thank you all so much for your replies. But now I'm REALLY scared! I literally have to work...even in the nursing program, and I've heard a couple of ya saying you are planning on quitting..which..like I said I can't. My hours can be extremely flexible though... has anyone else worked during an actual BSN nursing program? Is it possible?

Well it must be coincidence. ;-)

Hi! My first post here.. I am working full time as a house manager for adults with special needs. I've been direct support for about 6 years on and off... I have a Bachelor's degree in music (full ride to study my hobby, sure...had intended to go to grad school for music therapy but kids happened instead) SO here I am, 28 and starting my prerequisites for nursing school. I'm taking statistics and A&P II first since I took A&P I in college for fun... then next semester I will take A&P I and Microbiology and apply for the program and hopefully be sitting here a year from now getting my acceptance into the program! Then I'll have 5 semesters... 1 of classes and 4 semesters of clinicals and whatnot.... My biggest concerns: #1 Working when I start the actual full time nursing program. I have no choice, I cant just not work. But happily my job is flexible. I only have to work 32 hours in the home and I get 8 flexible hours. For example right now I work Monday/Tuesday 3p-11pm, Wednesday 3pm-9pm and Saturday 7am-2pm....meetings and other paperwork worth 8 hours fit in wherever I can. #2 I am MUCH stupider since I had my son and was on birth control. I have a hard time remembering things...I used to be great in school, got a 32 on my ACT and graduated with a 3.7...worried I won't be as sharp memorizing things as I used to be... #3 Worried that I will go through all this and somehow not be good at it or hate it or something although obviously I'm fairly certain I'll really enjoy the challenge...or the only job available being LTC... i was a CNA for a year in long term care and I HATED it. Love bedside care...just that old people locked away for years make me real sad. Anyone else juggling the trifecta of work, school, and family? Biggest struggles? Anything easier than you thought? What's your schedule like? Favorite part about school? Least favorite? How quickly did you land a job? OH and how many times did you have to apply if you're at a competitive school? I'm terrified of not getting in and having to wait around with my thumbs in my ass. Thanks in advance!