8130

What a great story! Thank you.

Lucy, this is not a dumb question and shows that you want to improve your nursing knowledge and patient care. It’s very possible you already asked someone at work about this and you did not get a satisfactory answers so coming to a forum like this with questions is a good choice. Checking the output for color, presence of clots and quantity is a good idea. Bladder scanning for retention also makes sense! As far as deflating it and re inflating, I wonder if the integrity of the balloon could be compromised by doing that? Sometimes if there’s not enough slack on the catheter on the outside it can pull and be uncomfortable as well. Never stop asking questions. It makes us better nurses!!!

I am 38 and will take my last nursing school final tomorrow. You can do this. My suggestion is to start with a basic nursing degree (RN) at a community college. Zero to low student loans and no 401k/IRA withdrawal to pay for school. Get through that and start working. Make sure you love the field before spending the time and money on a DNP. Then the re-evaluate.

I wouldn't consider the CMA role if you are capable of doing an RN. The RN income potential and versatility, as well as ability to move up within an organization will be a night and day difference from what a CMA can do. Also, you may desire more autonomy and professional identity as the years go on which a RN will certainly allow for you. I think there is a place for the CMA degree, but not if you have the drive and intelligence to do the RN.

First of all, it is not too late. In fact I think that after raising children and being a mom you are likely better prepared for a nursing career. I too am 38 and will finish this December. About four years ago I decided to take anatomy and physiology which was a prerequisite for the nursing program. It was a great test for myself to determine whether studying fit into my life and whether I could be successful. I recommend doing the same! Register for a prerequisite for spring semester. See if it's something you think that will fit into your life! You'll be amazed that sometimes taking some dedicated time to focus on school may actually be a nice change of pace for you :) I too was home with my kids until my youngest went to kindergarten. You can do this and still have many years ahead of you to work (assuming you want and need to anyway). Also I strongly recommend the community college route. Very affordable!

Hi ylime77! Good luck to you. I started this thread last January and actually ended up meeting what are now my best friends in nursing school! You are obviously welcome to post here but I wonder if you'll get better uptake if you do a new post with the same title but for 2018? Up to you. Your numbers look good to me, I think you'll have a good chance. However I think you should contact Sherry Hegstrom ASAP to look over everything! In the event you need to do any transcript finding or fill out any exemption paperwork you'll need to do that NOW so it doesn't hold up your application. She'll meet with you or can even look over things through email and is really nice. Reach out if you have any questions!

I agree with previous posters and am currently doing the exact same plan as poster #1. Work hard to get into the CC program, get your RN, and then have the flexibility to do the rest online. I too am in my 30s and don't have the time or money to be physically present in class for four years full time. This allows me to spend 1.5 years full time and in class, while doing the rest (BSN) online. Good luck to you!

I would start with your community college ADN and then do an RN to BSN. I'm a second career future nurse and have chosen this path myself. I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on a masters.

I am in the program now and got in on the first round with a 12.1 for fall. I think you are in good shape with your score but then I'm not sure what the lowest score was that was accepted. You have till Feb 1st right? Maybe finish your A and Ps and then see how motivated you are to take the TEAS again. I have a feeling you'll get in with the score you have but if you want to improve your chances you could re take it. For me, I took it once and didn't do as well as I had hoped but wasn't going to pay to take it again :) Good luck!

Do they help with sore tired feet too? My feet throb when I've been on them all day.

I too have a non nursing bachelors and am in nursing school right now. In my family's case, there is/was this attitude that nursing was "beneath me" somehow. Nursing has been my dream since I was a little girl but they always discouraged it and said it was a "tech school" kind of job and I should be doing something "better." Nursing school is ten times harder than my silly bachelors and definitely takes brains and skill. I only wish I would have followed my heart earlier and started out in nursing. Good luck to you and follow your dreams!

I have to say, I'm a little horrified at the way the OP was treated here. Come on, everyone. What's the purpose of this forum? Support and advice. Some of the comments here were truly mean. And for those of you who were helpful: good work! Ok, OP, chin up. First days are totally overwhelming and rarely an accurate representation of future experience. Try taking this one day at a time and don't give up. Yes you are meant to be here and I think you will derive a lot from clinical. You aren't against wiping up poop but you also didn't spend every waking moment studying to only do that. This is very reasonable. You will encounter many intelligent, caring and reasonable nurses in your profession. Please don't let whatever happened ^^ up here in the comments scare you. It was abnormal behavior.

CNA! Cost is way lower and quicker to complete. Your work will be very relevant for preparation as a future RN. As an MA, you are prepared to work in doctors offices and trained on everything from front desk, medical records, etc. Not RN areas. Full disclosure, I work with MAs and I think the only time you should go that route is if you are sure that's what you want to do for life. Around here, many spend 40k for schooling and their credits don't transfer. Ever. And they don't make good money. There is no way to build on that coursework. If you want to become and RN down the road you are starting from scratch. As a CNA, money and financial investment is minimal and extremely relevant in your future profession. You will probably make about the same as an MA as a hospital CNA but the upfront costs are soooooo much lower.

I think the income is pretty much the same across the board. Can you still switch to nursing instead? Income potential will e much higher as well as career advancement opportunities.

This should be addressed with management. I had similar duties in the years 2000/2001 and it was a hospital. I found it absolutely discussing and unhealthy. I realize that the nursing home is home to these residents but there has to be a better solution.