RN school...

Am actually considering nursing school after nearly 9 years as an MT - sm [2008-10-17]
As far as I can tell, the ONLY advantage to being an MT over a nurse is the working from home part. After attending MTEC nearly 9 years ago and really loving my career choice for the first 5 years, I now find myself making less than I did when first starting out, being required to produce more lines each year(and always faster, faster, faster!), and listening to about 90% ESLs who barely speak the language day in and day out. I am also very discouraged when I see reports I send to QA forunintelligible utterances go through 3 other MTs besides myself and them having to leave the same blank.Sometimes there are multiple blanks that cannot be filled in by anyone! I want to produce quality documentation, but I cannot do that when the dictator gives as much care to dictating as he does to picking up doggie doo. I am also on the fence about MT versus RN and would love to hear what others think before I jump this ship. Best wishes to you all!

going to nursing school [2008-06-18]
I too have been a Transcriptionist for many years, 17 years actually. When my current boss asked me how I got into transcription I laughed and told her stupidity. LOL I am older also but probably will be working another 20 years for sure from now but probably longer than that. At least with nursing, if you get burned out on hospital settings in general, being an RN is in demand in a lot of different areas.

I've had enough as well - I'm 58 and in nursing school. [2008-05-26]
Hi there, believe it or not I just finished my 1st year of R.N. school, but it is going to be a 4-1/2 year course. I Transcription supervisor trying really hard to screw up my school by demanding attendance of daytimedepartment meetings. Courses arevery hard, so I can I It seems there is something new every week to mess with your production, cheating on lines, on and on. I say go for it. What can it hurt, except give you more knowledge.

CNA online school [2008-04-30]
Does anyone know of a legit online school where I can become a CNA. Thanks, tt

At my nursing school (sm) [2008-01-21]
we had a class called Metrology. I've not heard of it elsewhere, but it was absolutely required at my school if you wanted to get through the first semester of nursing courses. It was a 0.5 semester-hour weed-out class. The whole premise of it was calculating drip rates, converting medications from apothecary and household measurements to metric, etc. Most other schools integrate this into its nursing courses rather than have a separate course. If you can figure drip rates (it is a little bit of algebra, but it is pretty straightforward), you will do fine.

RN school... [2007-04-15]
Actually, I have a lot in my favor as I went to this exact school 6 years ago and got my associates in Liberal Arts/Humanities and Social Sciences. So, I probably already have a few of the prerequisites under my belt and the terminology along anatomy and physiology. I will be working 30 hours a week while going to school as this is my only option. I have 3 kids and cannot afford not to work as my husband makes ok money, but not enough. They are the reason I am doing this. I want more for them. When your paycheck barely pays for groceries and not much else, it makes you want to cry. I think I am making the right choice. So far, everybody I have spoken with about this says the same. Nobody has anything discouraging to say. Thanks for your input.

Daugher just finished LPN school got job first day after graduation (sm) [2006-12-15]
She is a single mother of 2 and thought this would at least get her a living wage while she finishes the bridge to RN program. Might not work for everyone, but for her it seems to be great.

If you are in nursing school, what is your school's NCLEX pass rate? [2006-09-09]

You need to check with your school, though, or the [2006-08-25]
I went back to school after THIRTY years, a state university, and every single class I took 30 years ago still counts. The only thing they wanted me to do is retake a math class that I took and got an A in before I went on to the next math class. They thought after 30 years of no algebra I may have trouble going right into the next math class with no preparation, and they are probably right. I don't think you would have to start all over at all. Do you have a nursing school in mind? Talk to them and ask them specifically.

Well the study books are great IMHO, so I think you can't go wrong. Our school didn't [2006-08-25]
require the NLN...but we had 1000 people apply and they took the top 70. If you didn't have a 3.5 GPA, you didn't get in...

Pre-admission nursing school test [2006-08-23]
Some colleges require you to take this test and score in the top 50th percentile out of all who take it in the nation. It is offered 2 x a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. Some schools will let you retake it 1 x (of course repaying for it), but most won't let you into their nursing program if you don't score in that top group on the exam. It is 3 hours long. You can purchase study books for it. I am nervous about it--ha

RE: school [2006-08-04]
Steph: I don't think it's a bad idea to go to nursing school. I'm an MT with 20 yrs experience and also in school for RN school... love it and I'm 38, you are never too old. GO FOR IT!!!

MT2RN, I'm back in school full time at 47... [2006-07-11]
I think you will get the hang of studying again as your brain gets adjusted to the frying pan. It IS tough, no doubt about it, but this too shall pass and I think your life will be far more stable and interesting as a nurse than as a medical secretary somewhere. Don't give up! You have a great opportunity in front of you. Just get on the escalator and don't get off.

I KNOW!!!! [2008-11-10]
If you want to just get into nursing then take the 2-year Ass. Degree. When you go for a Bac. Degree you have to take extra classes like arts and/or music etc. to get credits. A BD is great to have and you should never stop learning. A nurse with a BD most of the time gets high pay and a little more responsibility then a nurse with an AD. This is what I am doing and I have asked tons of nurses and did a lot of reseach, all I am waiting for is all my babies to be in school.... I am taking an AD program and learn almost everything I need to know about nursing from the nursing end (not the business end which is in detail with the BD course) then I plan on getting a job and if I like it and would like to advance, transfer my AD to a BD by finishing up two years of college. You have to take in account that 2-year degrees, are faster, cheaper, in some ways really hard, and you might not like being a nurse anyway and if that was the case can redirect your schooling and what not.

QUESTION..NEED ADVICE (DOUBLE BIND)..SM [2008-11-04]
Question:Anyone know of state (will go to ANY in US) ... that will let me sit for the LPN boards with Equivalent Education, ie, an Associate Some 20-somthing years ago, I dropped out of an AS program (RN)... intending to return. At least, I get at least my LPN take it from there. But, as of last June, my state I was counting on being able to do that, work as an LPT while getting my RN in the meantime, probably online or so. PROBLEM: All programs I Can Even external degree programs like Excelsior College require LPN or Military, etc. to enter. (My neighbor, Connecticut, allows sitting for the LPN boards after 3 AS semesters provided 1,500 hours of actual clinical experience are met. My 1-1/2 years, or 3 semesters, fall about 250-300 hours of that requirement, so I can I can neither can I take the last semester of the AS program. Is there a state where I would qualifty to take the LPN boards with the 3 college-level AS semesters I have, which NY no longer allows? I Any knowledgeable advice would be appreciated. Isweat shop hog for pennies. I'd even return to school for a few months to get any required courses I might need. I am desperately search for an answer... any ideas? Need to get OUTTA HERE now.

LPN [2008-10-29]
I am doing the same thing. I was going to check out a school that is basically a Vo-Tech for LPN, but decided to go the college route. I am 38 years old, I have some of my credits for college already, so I am a little ahead of the game. However, I am staying away from the LPN vo-tech school because nothing is transferrable to take to your RN courses. I say get the LPN, get working, and most importantly, get your education paid for through the hospital you work for. Most of them have great scholarship programs.

I guess I'm the odd person out here. I left the nursing [2008-10-15]
field (LPN) to do MT work. I loved nursing school and everything about it, but when I got to the real world of nursing, nobody cared if you did your job well, everybody just wanted it done in a hurry. Going back to nursing would be a last resort for me.

Torn between 2 professions [2008-10-08]
Right out of high school I went into nursing school but never finished b/c of personal reasons. I then went into medical transcription and have been doing it for the past 5 years. I have always regretted not finishing up my nursing degree and am thinking about going back but am very torn. On the one hand as an MT I work from home which is nice because I have a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old. But, with the way things are going in the MT field, it is hard to find a good company, and if you do it seems everyone is running out of work. As a nurse, I am worried about not having as much flexibility with hours, as I would miss the time away from my 2 children but know that I could provide for them better finanically. I have been accepted into a nursing program and in 2 years would be an RN. Any suggestions, tips, just overall feedback. I could really use anyone's advice as I am really really torn!

A&P [2008-07-15]
Everyone gets something different on the NCLEX. You can probably count on questions of delegation of duties being on there. Some people gets lots of pharmacology and some get none. You will have to take A&P in nursing school, and it is quite the class! You will have to understand how the body works at the level of an RN for purposes of school and eventually working, not just the NCLEX. However, I doubt there are any questions solely about A&P. However, you may encounter questions about how pain medication works, for example, and that requires an understanding of not only what the medication does but the A&P of different pain mechanisms. Do NOT let that website scare you from nursing!

A few things (sm) [2008-06-13]
First I It was either that or Health Management and I'm not interested in taking business classes. Second, how about setting up your word autocorrects as mini-expanders?

Him/nursing [2008-06-03]
Barb I think HIM can be the. From what I understand those trying to get into coding cannot land entry-level positions. Everyone wants experience but none will give it. I do not know if this is difference for RHIT (2-year) or RHIA (bachelors which is essentially management). I have tried repeatedly to get this question answered. Can someone with an RHIT or RHIA degree find entry level positions. I know those with just coding crediantials hit a brick wall mostly. I do not like to waste time and money for schooling to not be able to use the degree particulary as a single parent I can ill afford a misstep. have considered RN but while I like the caring for people and patient care I do not like all the stress that comes with the job. There is a lot of peer abuse/bullying in nursing too. Nursing school is verybad forthis asit is for new graduates. All jobs have stress but I hear it

Nursing [2008-05-29]
I finished nursing school last year so I had that to do on the side. It was stressful I will admit but glad it is over!! JS

I agree [2008-05-27]
You're right when you say there is no greener grass in healthcare. I was burned out 5.5 years ago with transcription so I went to school to become a respiratory therapist. Guess what, now I'm burned out doing that, too. The politics in the hospital setting is unbearable. Patient care takes a back seat to all of the politics. I'm willing to at least work casual doing RT work just to keep my credentials and so that my hard earned education doesn't go to waste. Just be aware that most healthcare fields nowadays are not cracked up to what they say. I don't want to discourage you, because patient care does have its rewards. I just wish you luck in whatever other field you choose.

I've had enough as well - I'm 58 and in nursing school. [2008-05-26]
Hi there, believe it or not I just finished my 1st year of R.N. school, but it is going to be a 4-1/2 year course. I Transcription supervisor trying really hard to screw up my school by demanding attendance of daytimedepartment meetings. Courses arevery hard, so I can I It seems there is something new every week to mess with your production, cheating on lines, on and on. I say go for it. What can it hurt, except give you more knowledge.

I think I know what the answer will be but... [2008-05-10]
I This sounds too good to be true. Does anyone know anything about this, and if so, please share!

CNA online school [2008-04-30]
Does anyone know of a legit online school where I can become a CNA. Thanks, tt

Pharmacy Tech [2008-04-27]
Does anyone know where there is a legit Pharmacy Tech online School? Or who to contact like an organization? Thanks, Barbara

HEALTH CARE CAREER [2008-04-15]
If a profession directly concerned with human service magnetizes you, it will be perfect for you to switch on your career in Health Care. Here you not only cultivate your knowledge on medical services but you can also share the same platform with the doctors other medicalexperts. The utility of Health Care in modern world is so urgent that your exertion for Health Care training will never go in vain. To know about Health Care you should run your glance on this article. Healthcare jobs are become the craze for many people. But they had an experience with a doctor, dentist or nurse that went beyond the call of duty and was inspiring in their personal lives. It is not necessary that they should excel in the sciences in school and project themselves to find a career which will allow them to focus on that branch ofknowledge. People in the healthcare field have a common trait: they are passionate to work with and help people. If it suits you, you might be absolutely perfect for health care training and education that pursues your dream of working in a health care profession. One convenient way is to take online classes. By attending the Internet classes, you can receive a quality education at your pace. From a wide variety of healthcare careers, you can choose according to your choice. For example, if you are biassed for a Patient Care Technician. This is a diploma program offered through accredited colleges, and after the training you can perform tasks related to hematology, phlebotomy and urinalysis. Your skills are very necessary to work in a hospital, extended care facility, a nursing home, or to participate in a home health care team.Patients, affected with diseases or injuries can benefit from physical therapy. You may choose to begin a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant. You can assist those sufferings to improve mobility, relieve pain, and restore function to patients under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. You can complete this program in two years and will result in an Associate's degree. If your choice goes for working with people and computers, you have to look into a degree in Health Information Technology. You need your computer skills to work in compiling and managing health information databases. People in this career can engage into the work in a wide variety of venues, including hospitals, insurance and managed careorganizations, and more.A related health care career can be fit if you are animal-lover. Youmay opt a career path as a Veterinary Technician. You will work under a Veterinarian's supervision to perform medical tests, treat and diagnose medical conditions in animals. You need an extensive training on anatomy and physiology of domestic animals, animal nutrition, animal nursing and large animal care, diagnostic imaging, and training in common labprocedures.There are a wide number of choices in health care for which training is available. Utilizing the ease and convenience of online courses from accredited colleges and universities has never been easier. With best regards Linda

Rn not MT [2008-03-11]
I would go with RN. That said I was pursing RN at 40 but decided to go into business related field. The reason is you do have to have a lot of strong famliy support. Pursuing RN as a more mature adult can be done but it is VERY difficult for a single parent like myself who not only has to work full-time to pay the mortage, but also there is no other adult to help pull the weight. Ultimately that is why I decided against RN even though Iknow the job opportunities and pay are better. You have to look at your own lifestyle situation. Saying go for RN across the board without considerations to other aspects of your life -- how will you live while you pursue full-time school? Do you have a spouse to help pay bills and watch children? Is nursing your passion or do you prefer more solitary work? Looking at just the job security and pay RN beats MT However, I went into MT because it gave me the ability to work from home. As a young single Mother this was vitally important. I had paid sitters for daycare when I worked outside the home and I didn So for me the lower pay etc was a tradeoff for perks of working athome. Now my kids are getting older I would like to get out of MT. Working on production pay can be great or it can be difficult. There is no security of making the same paycheck, which I am looking for as I get older. So truly assess your own particular lifestyle, personality and what would suit you best. I have seen some really negative changes in MT. I loved it 10 years ago when I started out. The money wasn't bad and you readily could find in-house or at-home work with great benefits. It's much more difficult these days.

nursing reality check [2008-03-05]
I want to be realistic with you. About 12 years ago I was in a nursing program before I went to school for MT. I did the first semester and 1/2 and obviously the prereqs. I regret not finishing now but make no mistake how rigorous these 2-year RN programs are. I was married with 2 young children. It was VERY stressful. You are bascially at the school mostly 4-5 days per week - 2 days of clinicals at the hospital. If you aren't in class or clinicals you are in chec offs or practicing at labs. Not unusual to be at school practicing on weekends. Then, there are care plans to do for your clinical patients after your shift in addition to regular tests and skills checks offs in labs. I just want people to understand and be prepared. YOu need a very strong support system. There are those who work. I have heard full-time even. I have no idea how. I can only think these are younger students living at home. Not Moms with jobs, kids, and homes to take care of. I am not a single Parent and considered reentering the nursing program. I had to retake a few prerequistes. After retaking a few I ultimately realized this was just beyond me. I have 2 kids, a mortage, no spouse to help out and I cannot afford to quit working. In the end I have decided to pursue a business degree simply because I can take classes online without the added stress and hardship to my family. Having a calm family life is important to me because my youngest son has autism. We have quite enough to deal with. However, I am not discouraging nursing. Simply be prepared to work harder than you ever have. Also there is abullying problem in the nursing schools and nursing profession in general. Please be aware you need a thick skin. Docs can be tough but other nurses can to. Just want people to walk in with eyes open so they do not drop part-way through as I did. I guess I didn't have a passion for nursing or all of this would not have mattered - but there lots of people going into the nursing profession because of the high $$ right now and because MT is unstable. Good reasons, but nursing takes a lot more than just wanting $$. I learned that the hard way and decided to ultimately follow a different course. good luck.

you'll be fine [2008-02-05]
you i just went back last year for RN with associates. i have 4 kids although older than yours. school schedule still allows enough time to get in full time MT work. i work ic so no set hours. good luck.

MT, thinking of starting nursing [2008-02-03]
I have been an MT for over 7 years, but thinking of nursing school,associate I will, however, have to continue working as I canwhile I Is this a realistic goal? I have a hubby and 2 small boys to take care of and still work and go to school. Any thoughts?

Nursing is very versatile [2008-01-28]
Around here you can get into nursing programs at community colleges that integrate the LPN portion right into the RN portion. There is only one program, but if you want to stop at the LPN level (which is a 1-year diploma), you just stop at the appropriate time. If you want to continue onto RN, you just keep taking classes until you have your second year finished (for the associate's degree in nursing). Of course, you can go get a bachelor's degree in nursing. However, you are still only able to take the RN boards and will be at the same level as an RN as far as legality goes. Some employers place a premium on the bachelor's degree. Some of them require that BSN degree for charge nurse positions (in hospitals, not long-term care) or management. The BSN is designed to prepare one for postgraduate learning. If one wants to be a floor nurse starting IVs, participating in a code, assessing Homans sign, placing NG tubes, charting, etc., go with a 2-year CC. Be forewarned, though, that there is more paperwork (or computer work) than you would ever think possible in work as a nurse. Another thing--I haven't met anyone that likes nursing clinicals, so keep that in mind, too. You will spend a good portion of your nursing school in these clinicals. Nursing clinicals are nothing like actually working. They are valuable for some aspects of nursing care, but you will learn most everything on the job, just like with MT. Good luck!

Depends [2008-01-24]
on whether you are going to get an AA degree or a BSN. Depends on your area. Just go out to the college and request a catalog. There should be a place in the catalog that will list prerequisites. There you will find what you need. Some programs do ask that you have completed all your sciences before you are accepted or declined. I doubt you will be declined because of the great need. Why do you want to be a nurse? Think about it and talk to some nurses and they might share with you things you should consider before doing this. I am one and choose not to work as one anymore and would rather transcribe and know five others like me. Have you considered checking into Allied Health careers? Radiology technicians, Sonography (they have a pretty good day, spend quality time with their patients, and make good money). Explore all areas of health care before you make your decision. If I were going to start over I would probably go to medical school (I did not want to move out of my area back when) or see about requirements for PA-C. Being a nurse is a real drainer and requires total commitment and endurance beyond anything I have ever done. All nurses who work in acute care and extended care are going to heaven. Don

At my nursing school (sm) [2008-01-21]
we had a class called Metrology. I've not heard of it elsewhere, but it was absolutely required at my school if you wanted to get through the first semester of nursing courses. It was a 0.5 semester-hour weed-out class. The whole premise of it was calculating drip rates, converting medications from apothecary and household measurements to metric, etc. Most other schools integrate this into its nursing courses rather than have a separate course. If you can figure drip rates (it is a little bit of algebra, but it is pretty straightforward), you will do fine.

Go for RN - sm [2007-12-25]
After doing MT for nearly 20 years, it's a dying profession with all of the technological advances. I used to have a fairly flexible schedule but now I am a slave to my job. It's harder and harder to make decent money and I don't see that improving. I'm going back to school now at 40 to become an RN. The long term plan is to get some experience and then go with a traveling company a friend works for. Pick where you want to go, decent money, and I can travel with the husband and kids.

In a quandry; RN vs MT [2007-12-18]
I am 47 years old (I see from below that I am an old hag :)) and looking to change careers. I if it comes to taking care of my family (4 children 13-6), we will do whatever it takes. In order to maintain our lifestyle, recognizing that I appreciate and recognize good grammar, enjoy a challenging job, and require a job that allows me to work at home, I've been looking very seriously into the MT field. If I pursued this option, it would be with a certificate from either Andrews or M-Tec. Reading the various MT boards, however, I am quite concerned about the future of MT, both in pay and job opportunity. And then, at the same time, I am heartened by the enthusiasm expressed by IC the detractors seem to be just as common as the enthusiasts. Further adding to my quandary is the trickle of nurses moving from RN positions to MT. I would enjoy the solitude of being an MT and am highly self-motivated. I believe I would enjoy oncology, L not necessarily the blood but the pus. I am also concerned about bringing disease and sickness home to my family. So, my current plan is to train with M-Tec or Andrews for a year, obtain my certificate, work as an IC and keep an eye on the nursing field. If possible, I might be able to continue to MT while in nursing school should it prove possible. I am also considering the fields of Radiation Technician and Surgical Tech. The reason I would prefer nursing to RadTec or Surg Tec is due to the travel available for traveling nurses (although I understand MedSurg would require at least 2 years of experience before I would be able to travel nurse). Any thoughts?

NCLEX [2007-11-21]
Yes doing ME/MT made nursing school a breeze for me.