Prospective Nursing Student with questions!

[Reallyconfused0160]

WOW

I never realized how hard it was to get into a nursing school. I kick my butt each time I think about it- that when I graduated from High School, I should have pursued the career, that was in 94. BUT the thought of blood, bodily fluids, poop, and so forth made me sick.

I went to Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA. I graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts. I then went on to Worcester State College to earn my bachelors in business and a second in Urban Studies.

Okay, now I did post in another section here, but I'm just getting used to this forum. I've read about the accerlerated BSN programs, but: The thought of going at such a fast pace...scares me. I want to be able to take the courses at the traditional level. Also, I could not afford it. It's such a high price at private schools.

I graduated State College with two bachelors in 2008. In the back of my head, always, I wanted to go into nursing or teaching. I'm leading towards nursing for a few reasons: Nurses- they are great people, and I just have this thing in me that I want to care for the ill. See them get better, learn about the human body...At 33 years old, my passions have changed.

I got into a car accident on September 5 last year and herniated two disks. Was due for surgery, but my gut instinct told me NO. It's getting better. Yes I get occasional pain, but you know...I think my body is healing itself, even if it did take almost a year.

I went to Quinsigamond Community and asked about the nursing program. After A and P 2, I'd be wait-listed for 2011. Okay, I'll be 35 no matter what so do what I believe I would like right?

Now..it says my Degree is Practical Nursing....I thought it was RN. I'm reading a lot of info here but have a few questions.

First, I've been diagnosed with a few things. One was Bi-Polar disorder and anxiety. I don't think I have Bi-polar but I'm not the expert. I was changed from BIpolar 1 to 2. Yes, I may have gotten depressed, but no mania, so I question sometimes when doctors dx you. It was my MD who dx'd me. What was I to say...Hey no I'm not.

And that back problem. I'm going to be getting off these pain meds (Oxycodone). I now know why they are so addicting.

Anyways: I already decided that I would not to the Accerlated BSN, because its costly and those even have waiting lists.

I want to do the LPN then become an ADN and eventually move up to BSN. I still have 22 grand left for my student loans in regards to undergrad. My grades for my pre-reqs aren't that great, but I wasn't planning on pursuing a degree in nursing. I have B's in English 1/2. In A and P 1 I have a C+, Phsycology a C, Sociology a C-, Speech B+, History B. So I'm set to start taking A and P 2 this fall. Then I'll be wait listed.

I don't understand how in state colleges you can take A and P 2 before #1. It is very strange! Do they have programs that I would be able to get LPN to BSN? I live in Massachusetts, when I do complete nursing school I want to travel.

Would any of you who are nurses regret it? If I become a CNA/LPN (I believe they are the same) will the nurses treat me like crap?!? I often hear that nurses eat their young...Well...be nice to me! lol

Is there a need for LPNs? CNAs?

Do I have to work in a hospital setting? Will they check my medical records and see that I had bipolar and be like woa nut case. I know I dont have it, it was just something to list me as. I'm very stabel, smart and caring.

I've been thinking about taking my pre-req to get waitlisted into the nursing program, do the LPN program (and while waiting, go into the Philebetry, sorry don't know how to spell that (people who take blood) classses while I'm waiting.

Would this be smart? Learning how to take blood? Thanks a lot

[CharleeJo.RN]

whoa...that was a lot to read :wink2:

my first thought - cna is not even comparable to lpn! well, maybe a little. "cna" is certified nurse aide; "lpn" is licensed practical nurse. big difference in scope of practice, responsibility, and schooling it takes. if you want to get some experience in the health field and get a taste of what it may be like to be a nurse, enroll in a cna class and work as one.

i'm sorry to hear about your accident & injuries. i know what it's like to live with chronic pain. i injured my back as a cna six years ago and many, many nurses deal with chronic pain. check out that forum too. you need to talk with your doctor about whether or not you can physically perform as a nurse and will probably need something from him stating you're capable that will be given to the school, releasing them from any liability.

as far as the bipolar issue goes, i don't really know what to tell you on that. i know you need to be deemed rational & stable to practice, but you should check on your state's bon site for any info on that. anxiety shouldn't be an issue i'd think, as long as you're not popping ativan all day.

you don't have to work in a hospital. there are nursing homes, doctors offices, home health agencies, etc.

if you know you want to be a nurse - then pursue it. i never regret the day i started it. i only wish i had started sooner :) but it's better late than never to follow your dreams and make your life what you want it to be. we are the only ones who can do it for ourselves, after all! if you want to try your hand at phlebotomy, go for it, but probably the only thing it would gain you as far as nursing is already knowing how to pick an iv. that doesn't hurt though! here in michigan they make very little money so it may not be worth it if your end goal is nursing - probably just cost you more money than is necessary in the end.

if you have more questions, feel free to pm me. good luck with your future!

[Reallyconfused0160]

Hi Followingmydream!

Thanks for the reply and sorry for such a late responce. And thanks a lot for clarifying that CNA's were different than LPNs. Someone, not on here, told me they were the same, then I started researching it and found them not to be!

I feel as if I am stable to do nursing and I'm sure that my doctors would allow me to. I went to the doctors the other day regarding my shots/immunizations so he knew I wanted to go into healthcare.

My doctor's office acted really fast regarding the immunizations. I love where I go, although sometimes I do get white coat syndrome but I'm over that for the most part. I think it all started when I was a kid, when I was "tricked" into going for a ride and blowing up a balloon (sleeping gas)! I had a hernia at the age of 3 or 4 and just remember them asking if I wanted a shot or blow up a balloon. Well of course, at 3 or 4, blowing up a balloon SOUNDS a lot nicer till they show you what type of balloon and the nasty smell. Gosh I was a terror when they tried to put me to sleep! I was scared of doctors ever since then, one time, while at my doctor's office, at 5 years old, the nurse gave me a shot, and I pulled the needle right out of my arm, said something mean to her, and ran. I know that was awful but then again I was 5!

How is your back doing? I never thought about nursing and back injuries till I came to this forum. Back pain can be the worse, especially if its chronic. How do I check the BON for Mass? I went to the Nursing website but they don't give a sample of the one from MA, just all the general laws, and they are written so silly (or rather, info that I don't need!)

I am on a benzo, and pain killer, plus antidepressent and anticonvuslant. I'm working with my doctor/staff to get off the narcotic pain pills, my next step is to get off the benzos. I just want to feel what it's like NOT to be drugged up all day. I take an anticonfuslant for nerve pain...hmmm not sure how well that works!

Thanks hope you have a nice day