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Published on August 17, 2007 By dharmagrl In Life Journals

It's funny how things just fall into place.

Whenever a patient passes away, a hospice RN has to come out (she pronounces the patient deceased, contacts the coroner...there are things that have to be done for the patient and she takes care of them).  I knew the nurse that came out on Tuesday; we'd worked together before.  She asked me if I was a CNA or LPN - based on the level of care that I'd provided she thought I was at least an LPN if not an RN.  I said that no, I wasn't, and she said that it was a shame, because the hospice was hiring for those positions and they'd love to have me on board.

Her comments got me thinking. 

After my patient's funeral today (I didn't stay; seeing her in the casket was just too much for me.  I hadn't unloaded my emotional baggage properly - I should have known better than to have gone to the visitation without getting the stress of the last couple of weeks out of my system) I looked online for a local CNA class.

I found one.  One that starts on Monday.  One that I can afford.

I registered, and tomorrow I'll go pay my fees and pick up my textbooks and uniforms.

I called my boss at hospice and told her what I was doing.  She said that I'd be an excellent CNA, that my chances of getting hired with them were excellent and that I shouldn't stop with this certification - that I should set my sights on an degree in nursing and go for it.

We'll see.  All I know right now is that I'm starting school on Monday, and that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing.  Things fell into place beautifully.

I'm a student!


Comments
on Aug 17, 2007
Good luck with every certification you go for... try to get the company to pay for it, too, at least past this class.
on Aug 17, 2007
Yay! She's right, K. You're going to be an awesome CNA. The CNA's that work at my grandma's nursing home take such good care of her, even though they're completely overworked and underpaid. And the LPN's and RN's that provided care for my father and grandfather at the end of their lives...they hold such a special place in my heart. And even after all these years they still remember us and ask us how we're doing.

Have you thought about going for your LPN or RN if you like your CNA classes? I know you've talked about med school. You've got such a nurse's heart, though...
on Aug 17, 2007
on Aug 17, 2007
Jyth: The company may help with any further certifications, and they also help by giving us classes to go to to keep our certs current.

Marcie: I'm definitely going for my LPN and RN classes. Yeah, med school would be cool and intellectually I know I could do it, but hospice nursing is where I want to be. I like being able to make a difference in someone's life - and death.

Pseudo: So, whatcha tryin' to say?
on Aug 17, 2007
So, whatcha tryin' to say?


Just "colon Dee", but it comes out looking like I'm laughing at you. I'm not.

I've got a big ol' grin about this. Momma Doe is still a nurse and Poppa Doe went to nursing school after he retired as an NYC cop.
on Aug 18, 2007
Med school means LOTS of time away from family, too. I think you're going to be an AMAZING nurse! Oh goodness...I'm so excited for you! WHOOOEEEE!
on Aug 18, 2007
Good luck with that, K! Somehow I think you'll do well.
on Aug 18, 2007

I've got a big ol' grin about this

Me too!

 

I'm so excited for you!

Thanks!  I'm pretty excited myself.  It's all official now; I went and paid my fees, got my student ID and MetroLink Pass (I'm taking the train to school- it was $5 for a pass that will last until the end of January.  I'd spend that much every couple of days driving back and forth) and Dave bought my textbooks for me as a 'congratulations on becoming a mature student' gift. 

Now all I have to do is not let people down by finishing the class, certifying, and getting hired with hospice.

Somehow I think you'll do well.

Thank you.  I hope so!

on Aug 18, 2007
Good luck, I'm sure you'll do quite well. I have a feeling that you will do well at whatever you set your mind to doing.
on Aug 19, 2007

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do quite well. I have a feeling that you will do well at whatever you set your mind to doing

Thank you, Mason....I'm glad that you have confidence in me!

on Aug 19, 2007
Good luck. Sounds like a great idea.
on Aug 20, 2007
Sounds like a great idea.


Thanks, and I think so too. Back when I was a teenager, I wanted to go to nursing school - and had it not been for my dad being ill, I may have gone. However, things weren't meant to be and I didn't get to go.

I've said in the past that I wanted to go to medical school, but I don't think that that's going to happen. It's not that I couldn't make it because I think that I could, it's just that it would mean a LOT of time away from home and a LOT of debt in the form of student loans - and I don't want to take on that kind of debt at this age because I don't think I'd ever get it paid off!

So, nursing school is for me. There's a uni near here that offers a BSc in nursing, and I think that that's where I'll eventually end up. I can also take some classes at the education office on base, and the class that I start today is good for 10 college credit hours. It's not much, but any hours are better than none, right?

I'm babbling now. It's 'cause I'm nervous about starting school today. Sorry!
on Aug 20, 2007
I've said in the past that I wanted to go to medical school, but I don't think that that's going to happen. It's not that I couldn't make it because I think that I could, it's just that it would mean a LOT of time away from home and a LOT of debt in the form of student loans - and I don't want to take on that kind of debt at this age because I don't think I'd ever get it paid off!


Your musings did have a positive effect, though, dharma. They are the primary reason I have my sights set on law school.

I don't comment much on your threads, because I've found we're often "oil and water" personalities. I appreciate you, I just don't get along with you that well sometimes (LOL!) But I do still read just about everything you post, and I get more out of it than you know.

As for nursging vs medical school, well, nurses are cooler than docs anyway! When I was a kid it wasn't a DOC that gave me them lollipops!