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Do you have more patients in Critical Care than Med Surg or the opposite?

On a side note I hate when hospitals and nursing homes get rid of seasoned CNAs and Nurses. It makes me nervous working with a bunch of newbies!

I think in OP's case experience should keep them relevant to their career. If it was a new grad with OP's type of degree and no experience then I might understand the employer's perspective. I hope they aren't trying to phase the OP out simply because they have a different degree, their experience should be enough right?

I'm really interested in what you are talking about but I can't keep up with the lingo. I am about to embark on Nursing school where I will hopefully come out with an RN, BSN. Can you explain in a dumbed down version what you are saying? Are you saying employers are putting more stock in the bachelors grads than the seasoned and far more experienced nurses?

If you are willing to put the time in, you can do it! I am a TA for anatomy and physiology 1&2. Make quizlets, buy the online access for your textbook (something like Mastering A&P). Go to open labs to study with groups. Ask a lot of questions in class. Most Nursing Programs want to you get really good grades in A&P. If you feel like you would have better results taking them in separate semesters then do that. I did a split session for A&P 1/2. That meant for the first half of fall semester I took A&P 1 and the second half of fall semester A&P 2. I like this better because my class only covered the necessities and most of my class was made up of Pre-nursing students so the professor covered what we really needed to know for Entrance exams and the program in general. Good Luck! You can do this!!!

I don't want to give too much information about myself on this website but I am in a location in Georgia where I can comfortably apply to jobs in Metro Atlanat or Rural Georgia. Does anyone know how the job outlook is for RN, BSN in that area? I'm guessing there are plenty of opportunities.

Amen lol

I wasn't asking for a pity party. I wanted to know what was realistic as a new grad, and why-ideally- I would like day shifts. I don't need to be humbled because I don't feel entitled to day shifts. I think about my child in every aspect of my life which is why I'm asking about work schedules two years ahead of the game. But yes you are right, I need to start building a support system. I wish you the best of luck in attaining a day shift position as soon as possible.

Where I live you don't have to be a CNA to work as one in a nursing home or assisted living facility- they call them RAs (Resident Assistants). If you want to have the ability to pass meds you must be a CNA and take a short class to be a Med Tech, or you can do so if you are a CMA. Where I live it is very hard to get a CNA job in a hospital- they are coveted, but it seems like anyone can work in a Nursing Home. I live in rural Georgia.

not that Med Surg is easy or doesn't hold prestige but I was also surprised by this. Perhaps it is because SO many want to try it out?

thank you! This is the kind of feedback I was looking for! Thank you for sharing!

But if you look at my original question I'm asking about the ICU. I never said I agree with my instructors. I never said I'm dead set on ICU. I just wanted to know about others experiences. I'm just curious what people feel are its pros and cons.

Respectfully, I know I may change my mind, but this is a forum to learn and vent. I would like to learn about the ICU.

This is the order I am taking mine: A&P 1/2 in a split session (which means normally they are separate semesters but I squeezed them into 1. I guess like an accelerated course) Chem (principles) 1/2 in a split session Microbiology I DO NOT recommend taking any of these together in a semester even if you aren't doing a split. I think it doesn't truly matter what order you take them in, but ask your advisor what order the professors recommend and what order students often take. Good luck to you!

How does your work schedule vary compared to other specialties and departments? Do you have a 9-5, 7-7?

I got a private message asking me if I want to know more about ICU and I do! But this site won't allow me to pm yet! Here was my 'would be' response: Yes! I am going to start Nursing School in the fall and our instructors said it is really important to start figuring out what departments/areas/specialties we are interested in. My program only allows the top students to do rotations for ICU, Med Surg, and ED. I'm a single mom and I'm really worried being so will hinder my ability to be successful in ICU/ED. What are the Pros and Cons? What type of character do you need to have to work ICU?

I'm really interested in Pediatrics and ER!!!! What are your pros and cons with it? Do you think it would be a manageable job for a single mom?

What about ICU do you like? In your opinion is it a manageable nursing job (For an RN, BSN) for a single mother? Pros and Cons of ICU?

How do you like ER? Do you think it would be a manageable job as a single mom? Could you have gotten it without experience as a LVN and RN?

This may not be helpful to you. I did a 2 month accelerated CNA program and it was all day everyday except weekends. We had clinicals a hour away from our school and they lasted the same amount of time as the normal lecture/lab days (not counting travel time). A friend of mine was able to take evening classes and work in the morning as a RA at a nursing home. She had to take some time off from work for clinicals.

How do you like Geriatrics? I loved working in Memory Care as a CNA, but I like to have a bit of surprise at work and working in Geri-care was rather predictable. Is this your experience or no?

What was your first nursing job and where are you now? Pros and Cons of each job? Were you picky about what kind of job you had right off the bat or did you narrow your focus later on?

I know this question seemed dumb, and I kind of knew what most of the answers would be. I get what a lot of people are saying, and yes I will need to pay my dues before I can be at the top of the totem pole. I just wanted know what others' experiences were with that. What departments, specialties, or areas have day shifts as possibility for new grads. Honestly I'm about to start a new thread asking advice from single moms for scheduling lol. Thank you all for the advice, I didn't take offense when some were "blunt." It was all very VERY helpful!

My best friend who is starting nursing school with me in the fall is 38, divorced, single mom. We have taken almost all our prerequisites together and are currently TA's for Anatomy and Physiology 1&2. I myself am a single mom, but I am 21. A lot of people told us we couldn't do it, but they kind of gave us the drive to do it! All I can say is take it slow, start out with 2 courses a semester and work your way up. Work as a CNA for awhile too-- that definitely taught me some humility and how to be self-sufficient. Good luck to you and don't commit to anything if you don't have the confidence in yourself. I know it sounds cheesy, but you will have way better results if you believe you can do it!

I've worked holidays before. It is not a problem for me. I have childcare set up for clinicals, I'm just trying to get ahead of the game.