long time no see... ;-) RN question

[JustWannaBeHuge]

I need some advice here guys... I was laid off a few months ago which caused me to lose the house I was renting, and also caused me to lose my car.... I've been going from shitty job to shitty job to just make enough money to put some food on the table. I never finished my degree so pickings for job opps are limited as it seems everyone is requesting at least a Bachelors degree.

So a few weeks ago, my g/f and I were talking and she asked me what I would want to do if I could pick any field to get into, and I said it would be healthcare. I would love to work at a sports medicine clinic, or even with diabetics or cancer patients. I've been thinking very hard about going back to school to become a RN.

Right now, I'm working in a call center with a "swing shift" which means the shifts can change every 3-4 weeks or so, not the greatest for going back to school. lol

I have a few questions that I would like some help with if you don't mind.

Has anyone here worked full time while going to school for RN? I know the RN class schedule is also full time. Did you take out loans?

Can I get some tips on how to get into the RN program? It seems really competitive in my area.

Did you work as a CNA or GNA to get the hands on and did that help to get admitted into the program?

I realize that i missed this semester, but I would like to begin taking classes come the winter semester to get rid of the pre req's. One school around here has both fall and sprint entrances for the RN program, so I've been looking into that.


thanks everyone!

 

[Lifter_RN]

1) You can work full-time. I didn't but, some in my class did. It's not impossible but, it is hard as hell. I worked 60% full-time (two 12hr shifts per week) which provided me full health and dental insurance.

2) I did not take out loans. This is possible if you go to a Community College and get an Associate's Degree of Nursing. If you choose a large, state University and get a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing it will be much more expensive.

If you already have a BS or BA degree it will be two more years of nursing school whether you choose an ADN or BSN degree.
Knock out your pre-reqs ASAP. Even though I already had advanced degrees in health/medical/sports I still had to retake some science classes. It's retarded but required.

3) Yes get a job as a CNA. If it's not already required for the RN program it will be soon. Plus, it will give you a leg up on any unexperienced classmates.

Expect to do things as a CNA that you will not do as a student nurse. It's mostly taking vital signs, giving baths, and cleaning up shit.
Expect to do things as a student nurse that you will not do as an RN like giving baths and cleaning up shit.
Expect a school/clinical schedule that does not fit your life i.e., lifting, work, family or friends. Your instructors will not/do not give a rats ass about your life outside of RN school. RN school is the only thing that matters. Why? Because IF you graduate and IF you pass the state boards YOU WILL HAVE LIFE AND DEATH POWER OVER ANOTHER HUMAN BEING. Read that again.

Give someone the wrong drug, give the right drug the wrong way, give too much of the right drug and there could be dire consequences. For example, I worked with a new graduate that gave a man an oral medication, mixed with tap water, through his central line. He then required emergent, bedside dialysis and will need monthly checkups for life. Another girl gave a man an entire IV bag of insulin over a few hours. Heavy shit.

 

[Invega]

#1-Has anyone here worked full time while going to school for RN? I know the RN class schedule is also full time. Did you take out loans?I worked 40 hours a week while going to school. It was tough but if you really want it and focus you can do it. Back then I had the help of Ripped Fuel Did not take any loans out. I just knew how to budget back then

#2-Can I get some tips on how to get into the RN program? It seems really competitive in my area.Look into other community colleges in the area. Some don't have as long a waiting list as others. Was like that around here anyway.

Did you work as a CNA or GNA to get the hands on and did that help to get admitted into the program? I did EMT

Nursing isn't for the faint at heart. It's pretty demanding. It will test you and make you see what kind of a person you really are. Not trying to discourage you. Just telling it like it is. If it's something you believe you wanna do then go for it. If it's something you're really not sure about pick something else.