FLstudent06

Hello everyone! I saw this thread and figured it would be a good place to ask something I've been wondering about... One of the things I've noticed that nurses are upset about ( and rightly so ) is the way they are treated by doctors, patients, families of patients and so on. I'm curious to know if other professionals working in hospitals, such as RT's, feel the same way. Do RT's experience the same bad treatment and lack of respect that so many nurses have to contend with? Is there the same level of discontent for RT's as there is for many RN's? The reason I ask is that I am considering RT over Nursing, mostly because of some of the horror stories I've read about how overworked/underappreciated/underpaid nurses feel today. I'd love to hear from both perspectives (Nurses and RT's) on this. Thanks in advance!

Congrats on starting at Plant City, Lauren! I ended up getting a "B" in AP2, so I'll be applying with a 3.8 GPA. Hopefully that will be good enough. I agree with you about Plant City being more friendly... I took a few classes there. I'm going to put PC as my first choice on my app. At Brandon, I had Dr. Brannon for AP1 and Micro, and Ormrod for AP2. Good luck with your classes!!! CHeck back and let me know how it is, OK?

Hi Mave! I took my prereqs at the Brandon campus. I haven't decided yet if I want to be at Dale Mabry or Plant City for the Nursing classes. Dale Mabry is so much nicer, but I live closer to Plant City. What about you??

Hi Tampa students! I'm attending Hillsborough Community College. I just finished my last prereqs this week, and should begin the Nursing Program in August. I'm waiting to find out my grade for A&P2... if I got an A, I'll have a 4.0 and then I'll be sure to get in. Got my fingers crossed!!!

Hi Lisa, I took Micro last semester, and there wasn't much math involved. I'd been out of school for many years myself, and it wasn't a problem. Good Luck!

No waitlist at my CC. Entrance is based on your GPA in the prereq classes only (not total GPA). Prereqs are English 1, algebra, sociology, A&P 1 and 2, and microbiology. All prereqs have to be completed before you can submit an application to the nursing program. They accept about 100 people twice a year.I'm not sure how many people apply for the positions, but it is VERY competetive (you just about need a 4.0). When you add up the 3 semesters it takes for prereqs, 6 months from application to starting nursing program, and 2 years once you start... it takes almost 4 years to complete a "two year" degree. And that's if you get accepted the first time you apply! Pretty frustrating. I'm taking my last prereq right now, and will be able to submit an application in January. If I'm accepted, my nursing program will begin in August. If nothing else, this is a lesson in patience and persistance!!

I would go with A&P 2.

That's a tough decision. If it was me, I would try to stick it out and do whatever I could to try and pull my grade up. Of course, I don't know how far along you are in the semester and if you have enough time to bring up your grade. Another thing to consider: would you do any better in the class if you drop and take it later? If algebra is just not your strong suit, you could end up dropping it and getting a C again when you retake it. Also, make sure there is no penalty. At my school, if you attempt a prerequisite more than 2 times they deduct points from your GPA.

Wow... I really wish I hadn't started reading this right after dinner. I,ve seriously never heard of this. I have several friends who have done home birth and are into all the natural healing & organic everything, but none of them have ever mentioned eating placenta. Too bizarre for me!

Oooooooops... don't want to start any flames here! I really was just curious about how many nurses smoke, how patients/other coworkers react, etc. Sorry in advance if I ruffled any feathers!

Good afternoon all! I've seen more than a few posts that mention nurses who smoke ( as in having to watch their patients while they take smoke breaks...etc.). I'm just wondering... are there alot of nurses who smoke? I'm a student, and have not worked in a hospital, so forgive me if I sound stupid. I guess I just have a hard time picturing nurses standing outside smoking, then going back in to a patient's bedside. Do patients ever complain about the smoke smell? I hope I don't offend any smokers, because I'm not judging... just curious!

I'm a little bit north of you... between Sarasota and Tampa. In fact, my brother in law who lives in Cape Coral drove up to ride out the storm here. Hope all goes well for you!

I don't think there is any one easy answer to that. But one reason is that viruses constantly mutate into new versions that we haven't developed antibodies for. That is why the flu shot changes every year.

I'm only a student, but here are a few things I can think of: 1) Stress of dealing with life-and-death situations. Nursing is one of the few professions where making the wrong decision could seriously harm or even kill someone. 2) Possibility of exposure to illness or disease. 3) Having to constantly update your skills as new advances are made. You are never really "done" with school. Hope this helps!

Hello! Is there anyone here with any insight as far as Hillsborough Community College Nursing program? I am taking my last prereq (A&P 2) and will be applying for the Fall 06 starting class. I'd love to hear any experiences, good or bad. Thanks! Mischelle

Thanks everyone who replied! I'm still kinda torn. I'm really starting to think Nuclear Med is more suited for me, but I can't help but worry about limiting myself. Also, if I switch from Nursing to Nuclear Med, some of the classes I've taken won't count (Micro) and I'll have to take more prereqs (Chemistry). I have a 4.0 in my Nursing prereqs, so I'm pretty sure I could get in for the next class. Nuclear Med will put me out another 6 months or so. Since I'm already an "advanced age" student (35), it's hard to think about waiting 6 more months to get started. Decisions! Thanks all! Mischelle

Thanks for all the input! I'm not thrilled about the prospect of working nights ( weekends don't bother me so much), but if that's what it takes I'll put in my time. Nursing has always been a dream of mine, and at 35 years old I'm finally able to finish my schooling. I guess I'd rather work nights doing something I care about than work th 9-5's that have made me miserable for the last 15 years! Thanks, Mischelle

I just read an article that said new RN's need to be prepared to work nights/weekends for quite a while until they get some seniority. Have you found this to be true? Does it depend on what area you work in? Thanks, Mischelle

Hello all! I am almost done with my prereqs for Nursing. However, I've been considering switching to either Nuclear Medicine or Ultrasound. I'm looking at the pros/cons and trying to decide. I worry about limiting myself to one specialty, where with Nursing I could go in many different directions. However, Nuclear Med and Ultrasound really interest me. Has anyone worked in either of these fields? Also, are there many jobs available in these specialties? Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi! I am also a student at HCC. I am currently taking my last prereq (A&P 2) and will be applying for Fall '06. Have you already been accepted into the program? If so, at which campus? Nice to see another HCC student here!

I am in my last semester of prereqs and will (hopefully!) start my nursing courses in August '06. I would like to get a job at a hospital... partly to get tuition reimbursement. Any suggestions on jobs I could qualify for ?