Waiting list......

Published

There is a 4 year wait for the college I want to go to, is it worth it? I can't believe the wait lists are that long now. I just have to take Anatomy & Physiology then take the admissions exam.

How can I be sure that I do go on the TEAS test or other admissions exams? I've been thinking about doing nursing for 5 years and I still can't decide.

Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

A lot of hospitals are going away from hiring ADN's, I'm in Missouri and we have a pretty good job market for nursing right now, but 3 or 4 of our major hospitals have gone away from hiring ADN's to get or maintain their Magnet Status. Some states are even harder than Missouri. I'm in an ADN program now and while I know I will have a job when I graduate (I'm an Intern and unless something crazy happens, they hire all the Interns) I am still jumping into a one year bridge program ASAP. The bridge program I am looking into doesn't care about pre req's as long as you have your license when you apply because I'm not sure if all big universities accept pre req's from smaller community colleges like I'm in now.

If you want to get an idea about the field and to find out if it's for you, get your CNA and work a little in the trenches, not exacly what all a nurse does but you can observe none the less and it sounds like you have plenty of time. Another plus, having experience as a CNA will help you when you graduate!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
A lot of hospitals are going away from hiring ADN's, I'm in Missouri and we have a pretty good job market for nursing right now, but 3 or 4 of our major hospitals have gone away from hiring ADN's to get or maintain their Magnet Status. Some states are even harder than Missouri. I'm in an ADN program now and while I know I will have a job when I graduate (I'm an Intern and unless something crazy happens, they hire all the Interns) I am still jumping into a one year bridge program ASAP. The bridge program I am looking into doesn't care about pre req's as long as you have your license when you apply because I'm not sure if all big universities accept pre req's from smaller community colleges like I'm in now.

If you want to get an idea about the field and to find out if it's for you, get your CNA and work a little in the trenches, not exacly what all a nurse does but you can observe none the less and it sounds like you have plenty of time. Another plus, having experience as a CNA will help you when you graduate!

What about Medical Assistant or Phlebotomy? Is CNA the main way? Do they normally work in elderly homes?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

They work in nursing homes but in the hospitals as well, you really need to get patient care in there to help you after you graduate if it's a tough market where you are at. I'm a Phlebotomist and to be honest, I know nothing about patient care, it's a great skill to have but I just took a Nurse Intern position just so that I could have some kind of patient care background. Medical Assistant might not be bad but it's not as quick and they usually work in doctor's offices, they don't see what nurses do and they don't get first hand knowledge about how to care for the really ill. CNA jobs are hard work and very underpaid, I would've done it years ago if I could support myself on the salary, but even if you just get a PRN job as a CNA and work 3 days a month you can still say you have patient care experience. I'm not trying to talk you into anything you don't want to do, I was just blindsided by this a month or so ago so I just wanted you to know many places will hire someone with a CNA background before any other, it sucks!

Check around your area and talk to some people and see what hospitals are looking for as far as experience and make an informed decision that suits you best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.
These days, and in this economy, I'm not so sure such a job exists.

Ditto. **NO** job exists (that I know of) that can be had in any place at any time. The economy just doesn't support job stability nowadays. You may always be able to find work, but not always as a nurse...or any other profession. I'd say to go into this with your eyes open, but willing to work hard at doing what you love.

(BTW, I'm a second-career pre-nursing student.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Ditto. **NO** job exists (that I know of) that can be had in any place at any time. The economy just doesn't support job stability nowadays. You may always be able to find work, but not always as a nurse...or any other profession. I'd say to go into this with your eyes open, but willing to work hard at doing what you love.

(BTW, I'm a second-career pre-nursing student.)

What I mean is that people have told me that you will always have a job and even if you were to move. There is always the option of moving, but people will always be getting sick and going to the hospital.

What hours do most nurses work? I really don't know much about it other than what I read on this site. I've heard 3 days and 12 hours per shift plus sometimes the hours get longer doing overtime. I know there is lots of night shifts too. I read all kinds of nurses who are burnt out on here.

How would I go about volunteering at a hospital to figure out if nursing is what I want to do? Do you just call them up and tell them you want to volunteer or just show up and fill out a form? I'm new to this. Would it be better to job shadow?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

Do both if you can, volunteering says a lot to prospective employers and job shadowing will give the insight as to whether nursing is for you! I know what you mean about having a job wherever you go, nursing is profession that anywhere you go they will need nurses, but what others are pointing out is that it's a tough market and even tho you hold a license you could spend a long time looking for a job. Contrary to popular belief, there isn't a nursing shortage, some cities and states are better than others but I have read about new grads waiting over 2 years to land their first job, it's kinda scary!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

Oh and just contact the facilities HR dept for both job shadowing and volunteering, they can lead you in the right direction.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Do both if you can, volunteering says a lot to prospective employers and job shadowing will give the insight as to whether nursing is for you! I know what you mean about having a job wherever you go, nursing is profession that anywhere you go they will need nurses, but what others are pointing out is that it's a tough market and even tho you hold a license you could spend a long time looking for a job. Contrary to popular belief, there isn't a nursing shortage, some cities and states are better than others but I have read about new grads waiting over 2 years to land their first job, it's kinda scary!

I've read about that with ALL jobs frankly. That's what kept me back from pursuing anything in college specific. I'm reading negatives and saying that people can't get jobs doing anything. If it doesn't work out, then I could keep adding on to my education or experience. Sometimes getting a job is about who you know. My dad's friend is a manager of DTE Energy and he offered an excellent starting salary to get a Computer Science degree. He also sponsors students. I know I would have a job in that field. I could always do that, but I'm not really sure on what I want exactly still. I also enjoy nutrition a lot too, but with how the job market is I don't know anything being excellent in nutrition.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What is the difference between Patient Care Technician and CNA? I'm not doing it for the pay check just to get some experience to acquire a job later as a RN.

So, the best thing to do is to volunteer at the hospital, then become a CNA if I liked it, then take A&P, and teas test while working as CNA. Just wondering what pattern to do it in. How many years experience would you need as a CNA? a year or two years?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

Here (Missouri) there is no difference between a CNA and PCT, just different names for the same job. You can do it in whatever order you want, I think it takes about 2 weeks or so to get certified for the CNA and then you can start applying places. I'm sure the longer the better but just having ANY experience in patient care will help you in the long run. I will only have 8 months experience other than nursing school. I would start taking A&P and all the other pre req's and also the general core classes, you will need them and if you get them out of the way while you are waiting to get into nursing school, it will be a lot lighter load and you focus all of your studying on nursing!

I wish all the luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I already have an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and I have taken all of my general education, it just depends where I go to nursing school on what more general classes I need. For BSN, I would need a chemistry course. There is one school that wants a computer course, but all other courses I'm finished with. I've already taken General Biology, General Psychology, General Sociology, Nutrition, Microbiology (though it may expire since it has been 5 years), and more. I have one associate's degree already but not in nursing. The associate's degree I have doesn't really land me any jobs.

What about the TEAS test? Any tips to get the best score? I'm very nervous about timed tests. My school offers a TEAS test prep class and they sell a $100 TEAS prep book. It is TEAS version V to be exact, so it is the harder test.

I'm also thinking of applying to multiple programs, is that wise? I would use the long wait list as a back up, I'm certain I can make straight A's though if I study constantly. :) I met with a counselor and she said my grades were so good that I can make it into a competitive program. I however have been out of school for 4 years and I worry sometimes. :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

I was out of school for 6 years before I got into a competitive school, you can do it! The TEAS isn't that bad at all, if you got A's in most of your classes it will be a breeze, honestly it was high school level stuff. I would buy the workbook but I don't remember it being that much, check Amazon. I don't think the class would be necessary but you know you better than I do. I would definitely try for more than one program, as long as they are accredited the RN is what matters. Most colleges do make you retake your sciences if they are over 5 years old, that really sucks! I'm in a two year program, it's tough but definitely do-able if you are a good studier and learn to critically think. I chose this route so that I could start working while getting my bachelors, I found a one year bridge online and only 96 hour capstone/clinical. There are a bunch of different programs out there, apply to all of them, don't let anything stand in your way :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion