This Thing Called Life

     Yesterday was a sad, frustrating, and hectic day as was the day before. It was my weekend to work and we are ALWAYS short. I had been working on the memory care side for the last month and then yesterday when I looked at the assignment sheet they had put me on the assisted living side by myself for the first time in for ever. So all day I was running around getting people washed up and ready for breakfast and lunch. I did some laundry, changed some bed sheets, and so on. But by 1 p.m. I was exhausted. My feet and legs were killing me from working short Saturday and all day yesterday and they are still hurting today. I basically make around $260 a month since I only work every other weekend. My dad told me on Saturday after work that I could make the same amount of money or more working for him doing landscaping jobs with him. So yesterday I really debated about it and I wrote my notice for the DON saying yesterday was my last day. I was sad because I LOVE my res...

     Since I've decided to take the nurse aide course, I've been debating whether or not to keep working my desk job or find a job where I'm moving and interacting with people. I make good money here but there are some cons that come with working all day and taking part time night classes. The main issue is time. I go to school at the campus near my work in one city and after I have to drive home to another. It isn't too far (only like 25 minutes) but that will put a damper on my sleep in order to wake up for work the next morning at 6:30.      The main thing I've been telling myself to realize is what I'm getting the nurse aide certification for. It's so I can work in healthcare and be moving constantly and also to help people. So I don't plan on staying here forever and the program only takes a couple of months. So what I'm trying to decide is whether or not to stick it out until I get certified or take the nurse aide course during the day and ...

     When I first started community college, I knew the financial part would be hard. Since all of the money I save gets spent on each semester, there will not be enough for me to pay for the actual nursing program. I'm literally doing everything I can to make a buck to save towards the program. Getting loans scares me because that is one more bill I will have each month. Plus if there is interest I will end up paying way more than the original amount.      In April, I plan on having a huge yard sale to get more money for next semester. My closet is full of all kinds of stuff. Most of the items I have accumulated were free from family members that I knew I could make a profit off of. Craigslist has to be one of the biggest let downs ever because every time I think I finally have something sold, they either never show or never contact me back. It's frustrating wasting my time trying to make money and people stand me up. When you need money a...

The nursing information session yesterday told me one thing and that was to keep doing what I'm doing. I've completed the required math classes and now I have 7 other classes that I HAVE to complete in order to apply to the program. They use a point system based on your grades, so the higher grades I make, the more likely I will be accepted. The lady said each semester they choose 64 applicants. They do have a list of alternates each semester in case someone who is chosen cannot start at the time due to life happening. I really hope I will be chosen the first time I apply. All this means for me is that when I start school full time next semester, I have to focus on my grades. I don't want to make anything less than a B in my classes so that I can get a lot of points. On the informational slide, it said that if you need to work, it should be MINIMAL. Do they understand that I will be traveling from a city about 30 minutes away everyday to attend lectures at this campus? I wi...

Today I'm leaving work early to attend an orientation to healthcare at my community college. The only issue I'm having is that the campus is located in another city about 40 minutes away and it is the only campus that offers nursing. I'm really excited about it. With gas prices the way they are, I'm going to need to either move to that city to save money or work closer to the school so that I'm not going to all different cities spending hundreds in gas. I still haven't been accepted into the program since I have all of these other classes to take, but I have always been the type of person who plans ahead. I just want to be more than ready when it is time to cross a new bridge. It always seems like there is an obstacle in the way. Like at community college, you have to take these math essential courses just to take actual math classes like chemistry and stuff. I honestly think it is a way just for colleges to earn money. Anyways, happy hump day people and make th...

I've recently been debating whether or not to attend the CNA program at my community college. If I become a CNA, then my foot will be in the medical field door and I could always work as one while saving up and finishing my other prerequisites for Sentara. Financial Aid doesn't cover this program because it is a small amount of credits, So I would have to pay out of pocket. I think I have decided that I will do it after the summer semester ends. The job where I am at now is good, I get good money and the environment is nice because it is on the water. But there is no room for advancement and my pay will never be raised. Working as a CNA will help me develop skills I will need and use as a RN. I have had the same work pattern since I graduated from high school in 2010. I get up Monday through Friday at 6:30 to get ready for work. I work all day from 8-4. I am ready for a change. Hopefully I can find a job as a CNA after I'm certified that will work with me while I still atte...