What a bummer.. Wait time to start NS?

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

Hola everyone..

I was so excited to get my prereq's done fall semester so I could start Nursing school.. I guess I didnt plan too well, because the three community colleges I called said it's at least a semester wait..

I dont want to forget everything I am learning now by waiting a year...

How long did you have to wait & did you work at a nursing home/ hospital, or a different job..

I currently have a job at a Fire department doing fee's, which I cant stand & I so badly wanted to just start school full time!

Any advice would be so appreciated!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

So you must be in Phx? Because the wait in Tucson is 3 years. Consider yourself blessed.

Have you considered a PCT job. I learned a ton of skills as a tech. Phlebotomy, dressing changes, wound care, foleys.....

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

I typed the original one wrong, sorry, they said it would be at least a year wait... yes I'm actually in Mesa.. What is a PCT? And what would I have to get to do that... And also do you know what they pay is for that?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Patient care technician.

The pay is usually around $12-15 (if you can find a good place).

Some hospitals have their own PCT training programs, with a 1 year contract. Then you could also utilize them for tuition reimbursement.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

Oh that would be awesome! Thank you! :) ... do you know how long training is for that?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Oh it depends on the place. When I originally went through tech training I think it was 9 weeks long (paid, of course.) Check out your hospitals websites.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Hola everyone..

I was so excited to get my prereq's done fall semester so I could start Nursing school.. I guess I didnt plan too well, because the three community colleges I called said it's at least a semester wait..

I dont want to forget everything I am learning now by waiting a year...

How long did you have to wait & did you work at a nursing home/ hospital, or a different job..

Oh my goodness...to only have a semester or two wait. Like Cardiac said, here in Tucson the wait is 3 years and increasing. I expect to hear that it is 4 years any day now. Pre-nursing students are increasing exponentially.

You could take your co-reqs while you are waiting, and you could take BSN pre-reqs if you think you might want to do an RN-BSN someday. You could learn a foreign language and/or take classes that really interest you.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.
Patient care technician.

The pay is usually around $12-15 (if you can find a good place).

Some hospitals have their own PCT training programs, with a 1 year contract. Then you could also utilize them for tuition reimbursement.

I have been calling around all morning for this.. I cant find any hospita that offers that.. I really want to get out of my job & start something at a hospital or something, so if you know a name of any place that does that, I would even drive to Tucson & stay with my mom at her house in Casa Grande.. I just really want to start at a new place...

Everyone says I have to at least have a CNA, which as far as I can see, only makes like $10 an hour, and I make 13 now, so I cant really go lower...

Any advice would be awesome!

Thank you

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Specializes in Cardiac.
I have been calling around all morning for this.. I cant find any hospita that offers that.. I really want to get out of my job & start something at a hospital or something, so if you know a name of any place that does that, I would even drive to Tucson & stay with my mom at her house in Casa Grande.. I just really want to start at a new place...

Everyone says I have to at least have a CNA, which as far as I can see, only makes like $10 an hour, and I make 13 now, so I cant really go lower...

Any advice would be awesome!

Thank you

I sent you a PM...

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I have been calling around all morning for this.. I cant find any hospita that offers that.. I really want to get out of my job & start something at a hospital or something, so if you know a name of any place that does that, I would even drive to Tucson & stay with my mom at her house in Casa Grande.. I just really want to start at a new place...

Everyone says I have to at least have a CNA, which as far as I can see, only makes like $10 an hour, and I make 13 now, so I cant really go lower...

Any advice would be awesome!

Thank you

When I went through my medical assistant program, I went to Phoenix college. At that time they had a patient care tech program. Call and see if they still offer it. In my opinion Phoenix college is an excellent place to learn! The staff was great!!

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I know im so nervous I hope i get in the the fall.. I have been waiting for a year as well.. I feel like i have to crack open the anatomy book again because I forgot everything... I seriously cant wait until March 20th or whatever the placement date is!!!!!! I hope so bad I get in. I guess we will see! Im sick of my job just let me in already!! I soooo feel your pain!!! Good Luck to you!!

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Try applying for one of the Banner or Scottsdale Healthcare nursing school programs. They don't work off of the waitlists and if they like you - you can start pretty quickly.

Use the free time to start some of your BSN pre-reqs. Nurtrition. Bio 205, etc.

Don't worry about forgeting stuff. The A&P will come flying back to you as you learn different subjects.

Seriously, try for one of the hospital-sponsored programs. No waiting and Banner interviews something like three times per year.

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