Momof2grrls

I already have a B.S. in Health Promotion. I did well in school, graduated with a 4.0 within the past 10 years and have already taken many of the prereqs I would need to get into nursing school, such as Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, etc. I would likely still need 1 or 2 prereqs.

I have a CHES certification, Health Education Specialist. It won't help me get into nursing school, but I am mentioning it because I had to take an exam to become certified, so I really do know my "stuff" so to speak. I like health education and take wellness very seriously.

I looked at doing the accelerated BSN program at a nearby college and it was $40k for 1 year. It is WAY too intense. I have 2 young kids. I don't want to miss out on a year of their lives for school.

The community college here has an LPN program with a bridge to RN that I could complete in about a year for a fraction of the cost of the BSN. I'm thinking about applying.

My question is- once I completed the RN bridge would I be considered "equal to" nurses with higher degrees since I have a BS in a health related field already? Should I just do the LPN program with the bridge to make my life easier? What kind of money would I make with a BS and an RN, but not a BSN?? Could I move up in the field?

I just don't know what to do. I'm already CPR certified and in fact am certified to teach CPR for the American Red Cross. I have worked as a pharmacy tech for years in the past and my Mom is a nurse. I really feel like I know all the basics and just need the clinicals so I can take the exam.

Any advice or real life experiences would be appreciated. What I don't want to do is get the LPN and then do the bridge and never make as much money or be as respected as nurses with a BSN.

What do you think???

About 10 days ago I changed my nose ring, and it was fine, I washed the new screw and my hands and for 4-5 days afterwards, it was perfectly normal, no redness, no bump, no sores, nothing. 3 nights ago I did something to it in the middle of the night, so I woke up sore and there was a little bit of crusted blood around the jewelry, which freaked me out. I have been SO careful to wash it and keep makeup out of it, but now there is a big zit looking thing right next to my piercing, it's hideous... but it doesn't hurt. Wouldn't it hurt if it was infected?? How do I make this pus pocket GO AWAY? I am freaking out, it looks awful, I look like an idiot, and I want it gone as soon as possible. Any real, true, tested advice from someone with a nose piercing would be helpful.

I recently got mine done with a 16 gauge, and I think it's too big. I want a 20 gauge screw when it heals (I found one that's white gold with a real diamond in it, very small and classy) but the woman who pierced my nose says it's too small to be "safe" though online I find references to a 20 gauge size being the "right" size for a healed piercing. What do y'all think?? What has your experience with a nostril piercing been like?

The 3 kids are unsupervised, outside screaming and playing in the road until 10 or 11pm every night. They have hit cars with balls and skateboards, they jump fences and run around in other people's backyards, they dump their garbage in other people's cans (beer bottles and Ramen noodles, real class) and they have people with more kids over all the time. Mom's boyfriend shows up every evening with a 40oz and drives home later, and, there's a blue car that comes by 3 or 4 times each evening with a young dude in it who never gets out. We think the Mom may be buying drugs, but of course we can't prove it. We have asked the kids to stay out of our lawn with their baseball bats, and so far they have, but they are terrorizing the old lady who lives next door to them (they're across the street from us). Should I try talking to the Mom? Call the cops? WHAT? I don't think the cops can do anything unless they see the kids in action. I don't want to cause problems but they are out of control!

My husband and I got married 4/12/03 and have not been alone together in almost 4 years. Grandma is coming to babysit the first weekend in April and we want to go somewhere within 3 hours of Louisville that is nice, relaxing, near something fun to do and preferably has a spa or a nearby spa. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. We already checked out the OpryLand Hotel and it is booked.

Look, I know it's NASTY, but I was exposed to someone who had it (a refugee woman I was volunteering with through church). When I found out she had it, I of course came home and washed my clothes and myself thoroughly. I never actually even touched the lady, but I touched her kid and who knows if he was treated? They don't speak English. It's been 5 days and I itch like crazy, though I don't have any obvious rashes. My husband thinks I am overreacting. How soon after you are exposed to scabies will you know for sure if you have it??

I can't help but feeling teachers with weapons is a bad idea. Any thoughts on this subject??

I am considering taking the exam to become a certified health education specialist. If you have taken it, I would be interested in hearing from you about the types of questions asked and whether or not you feel it was worth your time and effort (do you feel you got a better job because of it?).

Thank you!!

I just got a card in the mail saying JANE will no longer be published but I can get Lucky in its place (no thanks). What's the story? I've gotten JANE for years!!