With All Due Respect, please ADVISE! input please :)

Wow, Aimee, you sound like a really ambitious and exciting person. You are obviously not one to let life's hard knocks get in your way.

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1) i have already started volunteering at a hospital (cedars-sinai), plan to continue until im done with SMC; i plan to start volunteering at the UCLA blood/platelet center this summer - is there any other volunteer i could possibly do to get "my foot in the door"?

I think your best bet is to do one or two volunteer jobs well rather than overextending yourself. That way you'll really get to know the jobs and the people and they'll get to know you, too. Even a couple of volunteer positions on a resume are impressive these days. Especially the kind you've chosen.

2) after i'm done with highschool, i will have two years of secretarial experience under my belt and will most likely qualify for a suitable receptionist or office clerk position - should i do that while i study or try to go for a med-related part time job?

Combine the two areas and look for a job as a HUC (health unit clerk) or a receptionist at a clinic or outpatient facility. This will help you become familiar with medical terminology and give you all kinds of interaction with patients and staff. Such a position might even give you a foot in the door for employment as an RN after you graduate.

3) if i do go for a med-related job, im considering EMT-B, phlebotomy, CNA, or pharm tech - what are your suggestions?

If you like blood as much as you say, you might consider phlebotomy tech. If you are willing to work weekends, you could have an advantage over others who have family commitments.

4) what certifications/courses are available (ex. CPR) that i can try pre-nursing so i can make my new grad resume later on more appealing?

Don't know about this.

5) silly question, but when should i get a car or is all these things possible while using public transportation .______.;; lol it's just heavy on my mind, considering how expensive it is to run a car and all.

You'd have to look at where the jobs are and what kind of public transportation options are available. Remember, it isn't only the cost of the vehicle you have to consider but other things like parking, insurance, license, upkeep and repairs. Maybe you can get by with a moped or small motorcycle.

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I see that you have lots of goals and plans, but I'd encourage you to allow a little time for fun. Balance is a good thing and it will help you to stay enthusiastic and keep from burning out.

I hope no one criticizes you for your ambition. Hang on to your dreams.

I think u would get the most out of a CNA job because you'd be exposed the hospital setting and work closely with nurses and met CRNAs. It think the best certifications are for you to get a CPR cert because it would b required if you work in the hospital. If you could work as a cna in an ICU so that you have ur foot in the door once ur done iwth nursing school to work in an ICU because u need that to go to CRNA school. CRNA school is really hard to get in so u have to really focus during nursing school and get those good grades. preferably above a 3.4. THats all i have for now, i'm a new grad and working in an ICU i'm also working towards my CRNA, i wish i was ambitious as you when i was 16!! i was just trying to get by with high school! Good luck in you endeavors and i love your attitude and energy!

Thank you so much Miranda for all the great advice!

I never knew/thought of an option like HUC and a moped.. hmm - never thought of that substitute either :) However, I'm wondering, how should I find HUC or phlebotomy tech positions? Just go on craigslist or something? and does that mean I should take a class in medical terminology first, or do you think they'd be willing to hire on someone with no medical experience? and i heard it's hard to find a phlebotomy position these days... would weekend availability really make a big difference?

THANK YOU i try to squeeze some fun in too :] i have good friends.

Thank you ClumsyRN :)

That's actually quite a new idea to me - I didn't really consider working as a CNA first in an ICU;; I've actually been worrying about that because I wanted to get into ICU asap after I became a new grad so that I could finish my 2 year acute care experience for CRNA school quickly, but I wasn't sure if that was right because, 1- an ICU is intensive care for really critically ill patients and as a new grad, would I be suitable and experienced enough, and 2- because of the same concern I have, hospitals rarely put new grads into their ICUs anyways. But your suggestion would satisfy both seeing how I would gain experience and get a feel of the ICU as a CNA, and also would have an advantage and perhaps a foot in the door with that experience.

But how are you supposed to snag a position as a CNA in an ICU though?

hearing that youre preparing for crna school is wonderful! i know there's not alot of crna schools in california though;; could i ask where you're planning to apply to?

Thanks!!

The others have given some great advice, I'll just try to add to what you already have

The Volunteer work is great, but honestly, the best advice would be either to get a job as a Unit Secretary, some positions require you to know rhythms as well and you will have that health care background to help you when you are beginning nursing school and later down the road for a job.

Phlebotomy or CNA would probably be your best bet for your career goals. Since you want to be a CRNA, ICU experience is what you will need as an RN, unfortunately, most ICU's do not have CNA's, some however have "techs." They occasionally will help transfer patients, they stock supplies and get blood for the nurses. The job qualifications for a tech may vary depending on the hospital.

CPR you will have to have in order to begin nursing school, but it has to be BLS for the Health care Provider. You may also be able to take an EKG course. ACLS I would not recommend until after you are in nursing school, maybe during a summer break because it has to do with medications that you will learn in nursing school. Adding those courses to the healthcare experience you plan on having will definitely make your resume stand out.

LA seems to have a lot of public transportation options. Maybe just invest in some pepper spray or a taser. Kidding. Look at your budget, and see. Cars can be pricey, and I know many college kids who do not have one. However, nursing programs often have clinical sites and they are allowed to be up to forty miles away from the school. I think if you are attending one in LA though, you should have plenty of options in that area for transportation and they should all be fairly close.

You obviously have determination, and a plan already in your mind, I have no doubt you will succeed at anything you put your mind to. I would tell you good luck, but I don't think you need it and determination and skill is much better than luck, both of which you have.