the best advice i ever got is to always ask questions. just ask the schools why they didn't take you and what theyre looking for really. and then you know exactly what to do to get in
I graduate college in may. I’ve applied to over 250 jobs and have only gotten 4 interviews. I’m feeling so discouraged and I feel like I’ll never get a job. Thanks for being real and honest but also positive when the negativity hits!
Wow I feel for you..that must feel so discouraging. Proud of you for not giving up....I know the right thing will come along soon 💕 if you ever need to chat or rant I'm always here!
My biggest advice for resumes is to make sure you're tailoring your resume to each job posting. I know it takes more work but it really will pay off. Whatever wording they're using to describe the job and skill set, make sure you use that back in your resume and cover letter. Resume writing is 100% a skill in itself and it's not taught properly when it's the biggest step to cross when getting a job. I know it's hard as a new grad to try to sell yourself to employers but please remember that they know you're fresh out of school and they don't expect you to know everything. If I was a part of a hiring board now, I would expect my new hire to have 0 practical knowledge and that would be a bonus. You're easier to train if you haven't developed bad habits elsewhere. Also, once you get to the interview stage, remember that most people will hire based on personality because it's better to work with someone who is likeable versus one who knows everything but is a bad person. Try to stress that you're looking to be a part of a team. Finally, the job market sucks right now due to circumstances that are out of your control. I graduated not long after the last economic disaster so I feel for you. It's tough and super demoralizing to keep getting rejected but keep your head up. And don't be afraid to reach out to old classmates, friends, or parents friends. A lot of job opportunities are never posted publicly but they might be able to get you in the door somewhere.
Ugh job rejection is literally the worst!! I finished university last June and spent months afterwards applying to literally any relevant job I came across and was rejected (or just plain ignored) so many times. However, in October I randomly heard back from a company I had unsuccessfully interviewed with in August and they offered me a job on the spot as they'd had a new opening! I'd had no idea they'd even liked me at the interview so it was such a shock, and 5 months later I've settled in well and now love my job. So as horrendous, discouraging, frustrating and scary as trying to get a job is, please don't lose faith in yourself! You never know what opportunity might be waiting around the corner. You've got this!!!
I know you said you applied to more prestigious nursing schools or more competitive schools. Just letting you know, a nursing degree is a nursing degree. In the long run, all you want is the RN behind your name. Hospitals don’t care where you went or where you got the degree, as long as you have the license to practice. So apply anywhere and everywhere if you can!
Katherine is 100% correct. I worked as a social worker with RN's. Nursing schools aren't easy, but I don't thing there is a profession that that provides the same opportunities as a career. People respect nurses and no one cares where you went to school as long as you have the degree.
Great job for a student that wants to be an OR nurse: surgical core technician. You’ll learn all the instruments and supplies used during surgery and brings these items inside operating rooms during surgery. These jobs are usually under the department called sterile processing and your official job name would be sterile processing technician. If you live in Oregon, one great place to do this job is OHSU.
I am vacating this position on July 5, so expect to see it online on OHSU jobs two weeks after that. It’s a good part time job. Pays around 23$/hour for a flex position.
I love that you are so transparent with your journey, it’s so much more interesting when people share both highs and lows. Regardless of which job you choose I think choosing a volunteer opportunity that is excites you the most will be great for your applications. Great vid!
I'm training as an ED scribe right now! Honestly I think the hardest part is learning all the medical terminology and names of drugs/medications, so you'd probably have a leg up since you took a medical terminology course. I'm also a really bad/slow typer but I simply looked up a free typing program and went from 40wpm to now 80wpm (and still continuously improving) just by doing the program and practicing! I like it because you really learn how to think like a doctor. You're not just throwing together random sentences or bullet points. You're crafting and putting together a chart that flows well, explains the patient's stay, and is a strong legal document in case the doctor/NP/PA were to ever be taken to court. You kinda learn about what things to look/listen for during patient interactions + what problems the Dr looks for and their reasoning behind the actions they choose to do in order to solve the problem. Though the job is strictly documentation (no pt interaction, clinical tasks, or interpreting results), the scribes who are training me and have been there for 1-3 years now have gained an understanding of how to interpret lab values, decipher xray/ultrasound/CT scans, and understand the medical decision making behind all of that. So for example if a pt comes in with their chief complaint and their labs/radiology results come back, my trainers can kinda already guess the medical decision making like "oh ok I'll keep checking for new lab results/orders bc this pt's creatinine is low which means there's probably something going on with the kidney which means the Dr will probably order this thing to counteract it". We can't rlly do anything with that info except document it, but it's pretty cool to learn how all of it works and develop that critical thinking behind WHY they treat patients with this scan or this specific drug or this specific action. The scribes at my hospital work 8hr shifts. I'm part time, so I'm doing 2-3 shifts per week right now. I love how flexible scheduling is because I can still balance pre-requisite classes at my community college (I'm also prepping to apply for nursing school!) and another volunteering gig i have. Just something to keep in mind since i know you already shoulder A LOT! Can't wait to see what you to decide to do! I considered doing medical assistant and phlebotomy too, and I love all the other opportunities you listed! At the end of the day, they're all such beneficial learning opportunities in their own way. Do what best fits into your life rn! Good luuuck ily, thank u for these inspiring videos
CNA 2/ just graduated from MHCC as a nurse in PDX here. I would suggest working as a CNA 1 while taking your CNA 2 class, that way you have some experience to add to your resume, then once you get your CNA 2, apply at hospitals. I feel like the hospitals are being more flexible with hiring requirements atm. Maybe apply to on call positions/ float pool, especially at OHSU, because it’s so large you maybe you be more likely to get hired. From my experience (not sure how it applies to ABSN programs) but more hours/experience = more points on your application.
I didn’t get into pharmacy school the first year I applied, but I did the second round, just stick with it, you’ll get there! I’ve worked with many pharmacy techs who are in nursing school or planning for nursing school. It’s a great way to learn medications and direct patient care. Lots of retail pharmacies are hiring right now for COVID vaccines. In my state techs are training to give COVID vaccines too. Good luck!!
That's amazing! thanks for the advice! Idk if it's just an Oregon thing but I don't really see much about how to get into being a tech....is it the same as a medical assistant??
@@KiaraMadisen pharmacy techs direct patient care in the pharmacy under pharmacist supervision. I work for CVS and became an immunizing tech to help my pharmacy out with covid vaccines. You get sooo much patient care and lots of medication knowledge that it will have you feeling like the pharmacist haha! Maybe look into becoming a pharmacy tech. You would at least be able to get 2 years of trainee license (at least in Texas) could be different for Oregon but does not hurt to find out and branch out to learn best of luck :)
Thank you so much for being open and honest about being rejected from nursing school. I'm currently going through the college admissions process and got rejected/waitlisted from half the schools I applied to (including both my ED's) all in a row, and having you share your experience makes me feel a lot less alone
See this is why I share my story because it is SO common and you are totally not alone. It's so comforting for me to read comments on my videos or hear from other people stories of redemption...I truly believe it works out in the end, it's jus the universe really testing out patience out here. Hang in there, I'm rooting for you.
Here's what I know about getting into nursing school: 1) You don't just apply, you take an introductory lecture on how to apply. Each school has their own introductory lecture. 2) At the introductory lecture they give you a breakdown in how nursing school students are selected. 3) Rejections are given to those who don't do any volunteer work. Volunteer work is a big part of how they select students. 4) They give some type of breakdown with 50% of your selection score based on years of volunteer experience. 25% of your score based on past grades in school. 25% based on the types of classes you've taken at some University. If you don't attend the introductory "How to apply to OUR nursing school" you will be rejected out of not knowing simple basic things they need from you.
@@KiaraMadisen Yes, follow their requirements to the letter! Don't omit anything they use to determine acceptance. If its a letter of recommendation from the places you did your volunteer work, don't omit this. If they want grades from HS and University, and you think the HS is redundant, they will omit you because you didn't do it exactly like they asked. Put yourself in their shoes, they have 2,000 students to chose from, and only need 50 spots filled for the school year. If you can have a conversation with some of the first year nursing students while they are at lunch, and learn everything they submitted, this might also be of help. Little extra details they included that may not be specified in the selection orientation lecture. Do you notice a pattern of 4.0 students? Are they members of a fraternity? If being a member of a fraternity doesn't come up in the requirements, but you notice that all accepted students are members of a fraternity? This type of unspecified detail can only be obtained if you have conversations with the nursing students that have already been selected.
One good thing to consider is gaining your EMT licensure. The class/certification I took prepared me so well for nursing school. You could also work as an EMT on an ambulance or in an ER once you do gain the certification. I took my course at my local community college which saved me allot of money. If I was to recommend one class before beginning nursing school it would be the EMT class. The medical knowledge and terminology you gain will help a TON in school (and looks very nice when applying)!
Hi there!! I’m in nursing school currently and graduating next month with my BSN. Something that I did when I was having trouble finding jobs was apply to long term care facilities. A lot of assisted living homes are ALWAYS looking for people and I know, it’s probably not the most ideal BUT it’s a place to start. Almost everyone in my nursing program started at a LTC facility (even if it’s just a few months). I worked at one for only one summer and immediately applied to a hospital job after a few months and got a job working in the ED as a tech. Everyone has to start somewhere even if it’s not your area of interest. Another option would be is to get your EMT or Emergency Medical Tech. This allows you to work for a private ambulance company transporting patients in your area. It’s awesome because they teach you so many skills you need in nursing school, gives you experience working with patients, and gets you in the door to local hospitals. For nursing school- I would try applying for accelerated or bridge programs for people with bachelor degrees already. There are so many out there! Plus a lot of them offer online or hybrid courses where you only have to go to the actual campus a few times a year. Good luck!!! You got this 💕
Don't give up on your dream, i applied to dental school for 3 cycles and here I am, a dental student! Keep applying (maybe to less competitive schools) as you build up your resume and/or work, you never know , and look for schools that take unique applicants where you can showcase your background. You are at an age where its easier to take another year or two to figure it out and pursue your dream career, and will be so worth it in the end. I know it varies by state but look into volunteer/working as a 911/domestic violence operator and I know communities/programs for adult with developmental disabilities are usually looking for assistance. I had friends who became a phlebotomist to help boost resumes and it also made them some good money. Someone told me a little while ago that we confine ourselves to one future for the 'rest of our lives' but the reality is you can always change your life or career and its OK and instead of that being alarming it should be relief that even if you 'mess up' or 'hate what you are doing' it may be what leads you to a happier future you. Its great you have such a good support system in the mean time so while daunting right now, you will figure it out eventually. Good luck!
I needed this video. Despite working my butt off and getting a solid score on the LSAT, I still haven’t heard back from any of the law schools I applied to. I think admission into any school (no matter what program you’re applying for) is a lot more competitive this year because of the pandemic. All we can do is try our best and keep working hard, “rejection is simply redirection”. We got this! ❤️
Love this! I don't know whether you've seen Gilmore Girls but it reminds me of the last season when Rory and Paris have giant whiteboards in their apartments with all the potential things they can do to prepare for life after they graduate haha!
Hey girl! I’m a new nurse doing pediatric oncology and absolutely love my job! I’m so excited that you’re going through with the nursing route - you have such a good heart and amazing work ethic from what I see in your videos! I was a PCT 2 in my last semester - basically did the same job as the CNAs but had 2 behind my title because I was in nursing school already. I think becoming a CNA 1 or 2 is your BEST option for boosting up your resume. This is where you’ll get the most patient interaction, and you’ll learn so much from the nurses on your floor, which will give you an edge once you get into nursing school. You may even get to practice some nursing skills, just let your nurses know that you’re going to go to nursing school soon and they usually love to help you out with that!! Just keep going sis, you have so much to offer!💖
I worked as a CNA prior to nursing school & I was also a PCT at a hospital during nursing school. Getting bedside patient care experience wether it be, home care, a hospital, clinic, a doctors office, anything... Seriously makes all the difference! The work experience will help you when your in school because you will be familiar with some of the skills. When I was a PCT, I worked in the float pool, contingently, and it was so nice being exposed to a variety of units!
First off... I love you and your videos!!! I’m just gonna suggest that getting a job is a much better option than just volunteering. I’m a tech on a cardiac stepdown unit and you learn SOOOOOO much more being hands on with patients, nurses, techs, doctors and more. I’ve noticed that the volunteers at the hospitals are not patient facing. Patient facing is so important and will help in the long run with whatever you wanna do in the medical field. Good luck girl!! You got this 💕🤗
I didn't get into nursing school the first time either, and tbh now more than ever it's totally normal to apply for multiple cycles (and takes a bit of luck to get in if I'm being honest) Use this time to really get experience, and find out why you really want to be a nurse! I found the year that I had to gain experience really strengthened why I want to be a nurse and gave me a better idea of how healthcare really works which is super important to have :) good luck and don't give up!
Hey girl! I've been following along with you a little bit because we're pretty much in the same boat. I've worked at OHSU as a CNA II this past year and it's a pretty good job, but they're SO short staffed right now and are hiring like crazy, regardless of having prior CNA experience. I'm in float pool and it pays $20/hour and there's lots of flexibility with your schedule. Good luck, you got this!
Omg Alexis thank you for this! I have been dying to hear about someone's experience as a CNA there! Can I ask what unit you work on/would recommend for someone starting out?
@@KiaraMadisen I work in float pool and would recommend it! It's a good way to get lots of varied experience and get to know what units you enjoy. Float pool staff also have the most flexibility with their schedule, which has been really nice.
I just got accepted into my dream school for my dream program but simply realized the school doesn’t have the funding to fund me and it would be taking out almost as much as a years salary for me.... I’ve just been in the biggest slump and also felt like I don’t know where to go from here. I also quit my job this week and it’s always hard to figure out what risk to take. BRAVO to you for writing/working this all out.
I totally relate to the overwhelming stress that the price of these schools bring. Here I am begging to get into any school, but I know once I get in the cost will be looming over me and some days I just want to say it's not worth it because I truly don't know how I will pay for it 😂 I have to trust that if you want something enough and have a logical plan for eventually paying back loans then it is worth it. Sometimes you just have to look more big picture for it to make sense. Wishing you all the best & congrats for getting into your dream school that is so amazing ❤️
I'm studying speech therapy in the UK and had a place for a medical degree - I volunteered with an art therapist at a nursing home (with people with neurological conditions) and then moved to working as a care assistant. It taught me so much about the roles of nurses in a situation other than a hospital, and gave me lots to talk about in interviews, because I've worked in a multidisciplinary team and have experience of numerous different health conditions which I may not have had experience of in a hospital (like Huntington's Disease). I know things are different in the US, but don't disregard volunteer roles in places like this, as you can still learn so much, and something unique may make you stand out
Also it's such a shame it seems so hard to become a nurse - here in the UK it's really not that hard, you don't need incredibly high grades, you can apply at 18 and you don't need a lot of work experience (although you do need some)
I just graduated with my bachelors degree as well and switched from wanting to be a PA to now thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner... and I am so lost on what we do now that we have a bachelors in something other than nursing.. it is so confusing, so I am right there with you and I am glad I’m not the only one lost on the process and how it all works. Love your videos!!
I was in your shoes 7-8 yrs ago with wanting be a nurse and figuring out how to do. I ended up getting my LPN then RN then BSN. Currently working on my NP. But what I would recommend would be is go for the CNA 2 then get a job. That is experience that will help you so much in your career and looks great on applications not only for school but also for future jobs post grad. Adding to that nursing pay in most states is based off experience and you can get credit for your experience as a CNA so more money when starting out as a nurse. Just stick with it. You got this it all comes in time. I’ve been a nurse for 6yrs now in ICU for 3. You will love it just keep pushing through and looking for opportunities.
hey girl! fellow future nurse here. I graduate next may and have had a ton of experience. My advice to you is to do either the phlebotomy class or just work as a cna. the faster you get experience the better. Both getting more comfortable with skills, and especially phlebotomy, will help you as a nurse so so much. Fun fact: you don't really put IV's in during nursing school on real people which is WAY different than putting them in on a real human. I currently work as a tech in the emergency department at a level one trauma center. I can do foleys, IVs, EKG's, phlebotomy, etc. I first worked as a cna in an assisted living facility which was super helpful, and after 5 months I started to med pass (idk how this differs in OR vs WI where I'm from). Then after a year I started working in the hospital in an ICU as a tech and moved down to the ED. Usually once you're in the hospital system it's much easier to get jobs and move around departments. I can tell you're such a hard worker, and your bosses will see that and usually help you move around if you want to. I hope this helped and best of luck! xoxo
Katie this was so helpful thank you! Your experience is giving me so much motivation to dive in! Thanks for all your advice....I'm sure you're crushing it in nursing school 💪
i volunteered at providence center for fragile children the last 2 years of high school from 2017-2018 and it was the MOST enriching experience. the kids and young adults are amazing, the entire staff is so kind & i just had such a heart warming experience volunteering there. definitely keep it on your list for future volunteering if you can’t get a position now bc it will truly change your life and i can totally see you loving it!! ❤️
As a new grad nurse i’d for sure say that the CNA or phlebotomy positions are the way to go! schools and future jobs love to see that you have had experience working with patients. plus as a bonus a lot of nurses at hospitals can vouch for you to get a nursing job at the hospital after you graduate or you can typically shadow on different units/be a float CNA so that you can see what type of nursing you would be into the most! Good luck you’ve got this!!!
Love this video! I’m not in medicine, so I don’t really have any advice. I just took a gap year before college to reapply to music school after being rejected. Yesterday I just found out I got into my dream school! Sometimes it just takes a little more time. I’m rooting for you Kiara!❤️
do whatever it is you're the most passionate about. as someone who has worked in admissions for grad programs, its scary obvious when people only do things as resume fillers bc you can tell by the way essays are written/app questions are answered if something was impactful/meaningful or not, and usually that's what deters admission, not lack of resume
As someone who was waitlisted at med schools this cycle its SOO nice to see someone going through a similar thing and trying to figure out what to do for the year!!! I would say the CNA 2 route sounds like a good idea, especially if you like where you are working and could continue working with them especially if your head nurse could possibly write a letter of rec. Any decision you make will be the right one for you, none of these are bad! Good luck :)
Hi! I did 4 years at UO too and then worked front desk at a peds developmental clinic at providence. I met so many people that gave me great letters of rec, got experience with speaking with children and parents. Learned a ton of skills you don’t learn in school. I think my experience there helped me get a NICU practicum placement at the same hospital and i used both of those experiences on my application/interview for my first job in a new grad rn residency at a Children’s Hospital:)
Hey Kiara, I am a NICU (Neonatal ICU) RN. I have worked as staff and as a travel nurse since 2014 in several high acuity NICU’s. I am now based in Los Angeles. When I applied to nursing school, I realized that the only big thing that differentiated my application from the others were truly my work/volunteer experiences and my essay/recommendations. At the base, applicants will have good grades and test scores but aside from that, you have to consider, what makes you (as an applicant) different from the next applicant? These work experiences and volunteer experiences shape how you view healthcare and your position in healthcare. These experiences greatly affect your essays and your interview (if one is needed). Every potential nursing student wants to become a nurse “to help others” because they are “compassionate” but if you work as a CNA prior to applying again, then you can potentially gain an experience or multiple experiences that you can shape your application around. You will have a better understanding prior to entering the profession, as it’s not just about passing meds. Nursing involves a lot of critical care thinking, prioritization skills, and empathy. You can use these words in your application but you really do need experiences to showcase you as a well rounded applicant. My advice would be to really search for that CNA position as you would be closely working with the nurses. You wouldn’t truly understand what a nurse does until you become a nurse but you will gain an understanding of working with patients and the overall communication amongst the healthcare team. This will strengthen your application and show that you are not going into nursing school naive. Hope this helps! Mary Grace
Hi, my husband was a CNA for a few of years before he applied to nursing school. He really wanted to make sure that was the career he wanted to get in to. And he has said many times how he felt like his experience as a CNA helped him throughout nursing school. He also continued working one day a week as a CNA during nursing school and landed a RN job immediately after getting his license. And knowing that hospitals are always in need of CNA’s, (especially now!) I’m sure you could start working almost immediately. Schooling is good, but a lot of times actual work experience in that field shows you’re really serious and willing to put in the hard, dirty work that this field often requires. We wish you the best and are looking forward to seeing how your journey progresses! 🙌🏼
Hi! New grad RN and former CNA here. I haven't held any of the other positions you mentioned so unfortunately I can't speak to those. However, working as a CNA before I became an RN was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was a CNA in a hospital for about a year before I became an RN. CNAs are usually able to spend a decent amount of time with patients. Through this role I feel like I was able to improve upon my ability to establish bedside rapport and master assisting patients with ADLs (something that I found difficult to do at clinical as nurses are responsible for both that and nursing care). Additionally, the CNA role allowed me to learn how hospitals operate and make connections that enabled me to be hired as an RN. I definitely feel that my previous experience as a CNA has made my transition from nursing student to RN more smooth than it would've been without it. Whatever you chose to you will give you great patient care experience and I wish you the best of luck - you will be a wonderful nurse!
It is so interesting to follow your story of becoming a nurse. I'm from Germany and the structure of the medical field is so different. In Germany, you can become a nurse after 10 years of school. You don't need a college degree. Nursing school is usually 3 years. You don't have to pay for school, most of the times you will even earn a small salary. After 3 years, you can work as a nurse in any hospital or medical institution or you can continue to go to school to specialize yourself in becoming an OP nurse or a nurse for the ICU. I must admit that I haven't really understood the American nursing system. It seems so difficult and expensive. Anyways, I wish you all the best of luck and I'm keeping my thumbs up for you to get your dream school and job! :)
Hi Kiara, you really inspire me. I'm a student myself here in Amsterdam, studying Media, information and Communication (something totally different from what you're doing) but I admire that you take your future so serious! Every time I see a vlog/video you show us the steps that you are taking and I just wanted to let you know that what you're showing us is helping us, for example me. Thank you for that! Sucks that you're getting rejected! Everything happens for a reason so don't let it discourage you. You're plan sounds good and I really think you will be alright! Hugs from Amsterdam x
In addition to the process you showed us in the video, I'd also recommend checking out your career counseling options through UO. I'm a career counselor at a university and we work with alumni (for free!) on a regular basis. Since UO is a larger school, there may be services available through your collegiate unit or the alumni office. Chatting with a career counselor can be nice because they are an objective 3rd party and while friends & family are super helpful, it can be really nice to have fresh eyes on the situation. They may have other ideas of what previous students have pursued in a similar situation and they could also assist with your nursing school apps (if you want/need) when the time comes to apply again.
Love this idea! I tried doing this during the thick of covid and it would only let me set up an appointment if i was a student, but I should check through the alumni center! Thanks for the advice :)
I’m in my junior year of nursing school and it is TOUGH.. feeling very exhausted rn.. but girl I am rooting you on!! You seem like such a go-getter and (obviously) a very meticulous organizer, which will help you A LOT in nursing school. From one future nurse to another, cheers!🥂 We can do this!!!
NICU nurse here 😊 I think your best option would be to work as a CNA! I was a patient care technician before and during nursing school in the adult float pool and then transferred to the NICU! Both of those gave me a ton of experience doing things alongside the nurses and really getting comfortable with patient care! It also helped a ton post grad because I was offered positions at all 3 NICU’s I applied to, 2 of them being level IV! Volunteering is great of course but I think the hands on experience is what really sets people apart ☺️ Keep going though and pursuing your goals! Walt Disney once said, “if you can dream it, you can do it!” ✨
Also currently in school for my MSN to become a nurse practitioner so I was totally there with ya recently in all the stress of applying & figuring my life out!! You got this girl!
Wow that is so amazing Emily! I had never heard about a PCT before until reading some of these comments so I will also have to look into some some more options! The NICU sounds amazing and I am sure your hospital is so happy to have you!
New EMT here! Im premed studying neuroscience and I totally umderstand your position. While I could be wrong, from what I do know I think possibly sticking with CNA and pursuing CNA2 while volunteering sounds like the best option to me. I think that shows more dedication to the field of nursing itself rather than just "fishing" for clinical experience through something like phlebotomy or medical assistant. At the end of the day, the right nursing program will see your dedication and passion for nursing- they see through student applications that jump from experience to experience without truly getting their feet wet in that field or in this case, certification. It might take a while to get to where you want to be but its passion, commitment and dedication that are going to get you in those nursing school doors more than anything! You got it! PS. Bc of covid, the whole medical field is crazy rn in terms of new hires and volunteering rip but I wish you the BEST of luck!! Love your vids!
This made me feel better and hopeful about my situation. I moved to nyc a couple of months ago with friends. Had money saved up but no job aligned. I was naive and nit picky, thinking I could find a job easily. Welp obviously I didn’t! (lots of applications, rewriting of resumes and cover letters, and tears) finally a month ago I got a job. It’s ok and it’s paying the bills but not what I was looking for. It’s also temporary so I feel like I only have a brief second to breathe and have to start figuring out what to do once again. Deff going to try out this method to hone in on my life and what I want. Thank you so much for being so transparent! Love yah!
As an Australian its hard to believe how hard it is to get into nursing in the US, here it is as easy as applying to uni and you normally get in so having all these extra licenses and tasks it strange. I think that CNA work would be the most beneficial to you, you get hands on experience with patients and in the medical field as well as seeing how a hospital runs and getting a good idea of what you'll be doing as a nurse. Its also good to use those opportunities as a way to make connections on the hospitals and treat them almost like a job interview. They'll be watching you and if they see you doing a good job it gets noted, so if you went back and applied as a nurse later it could increase your changes of getting a job. At least that's my experience here in Australia. Good luck!
Tips from a current RN: do the CNA route! It’ll be the most helpful in the path to becoming a nurse and will look great on applications. The others will give you hospital experience, but it won’t be nearly as valuable of an experience as being a CNA. Plus, if you find a unit you jazz with, it’s basically an automatic job. Also, look at house float CNA positions. Hospitals usually love to give that spot to students because of the flexibility it gives, so if you’re having trouble with finding places to hire you, this usually is a spot that you can sneak into because it’s meant for students basically. Good luck with the search!
I went straight to nursing school after high school and graduated in 2019, so I never got CNA experience. SO many people at the hospital say some of the best nurses they work with were a CNA first because of their experience with working with people and knowing the flow of being in a hospital. Some of my coworkers are working as CNAs as they go to nursing school and our manager has been super flexible with their schedule. The recent new grads from nursing school have minimal to zero clinical experience (thanks to Covid) so they are a bit awkward and need extra help with time management - so another reason being a CNA would be so helpful. I don't think the phlebotomy or IV experience would necessarily put you above other people in your applications, and would likely just be a waste of money. I had ONE lab in nursing school where I put a needle in a manekin arm that already had a puncture hole lol. IV placement and lab drawing is on the job experience. I work in med surg and we have an IV and phlebotomy team, so I don't even do my own. If you decide to go forward with the CNA route, let me know and I can give you some connections in Portland!
I’m a medical scribe! And just my input: being a scribe can be very intimidating because you’re writing legal documents, but with more experience you get very comfortable! It depends on what field you’re in (I work for a PCP) but it’s like getting paid to shadow and I have overall had a great experience and have learned a TON.
Hey Kiara! Ok my channel is literally all about planning out life / helping people get into health + professional schools! Personally, I just got into dental school and have been talking to a few friends who didn't get in this cycle. My BIGGEST tip is to simply call the schools that you have been rejected from. It can be super scary, but just call and (politely!) ask if there is anything specific that you can improve upon if you apply next cycle. They might tell you medical experience, service, grades, or something else. Getting this feedback from schools can be super helpful in deciding what the best next step for you is! Hopefully this helps a bit, feel free to reach out if you have any questions / wanna chat!
Kiara, this phase of your life reminds me SO much of where I was about 2.5 years ago. I was weighing a lot of different options, had a lot of different paths I could take, and felt so overwhelmed by the possibilities. I love how positively you are going about this and how organized you are! I don't have much experience with the nursing/medical field so feel like I can't provide *too* much input on that. However, my only piece of advice would be to invest as much time and money as you're able to just further your experiences in as many ways as possible. Sounds like the phlebotomy training or something similar could be super helpful. Like you said, even if you don't become a phlebotomist, the training itself could be very beneficial and it seems relatively "easy" to achieve. Get as many of those little trainings/certifications in as you can. The experience will be invaluable. In my own field I have a LOT of different volunteer, internship, and work experience and that's something that interviewers have continued to say is what makes me stand out. It may not seem like it now - but things will work out, no matter what you choose... you'll find your path & I have no doubt you'll be amazing!
Hi girl! I just finished nursing school in December and working as a graduate nurse right now! A few things...first of all, nursing schools like direct patient care hours and they love seeing a CNA background. If you really want to go the nursing route, i suggest CNA! One thing i want to say, don’t get discouraged from the job requirements! Just apply! Apply everywhere and you will get hired! I applied to places that required a year of experience and all of these qualifications...truth is, they most likely use this job description for each job posting and will hire you anyways! They need CNAs! Everywhere does. Even nursing home work is good. This is honestly your best option. You will learn so much and the nurses will teach and guide you. I just don’t think the other options would be best for nursing school but it is up to you! Don’t get discouraged and keep going!! You will make it!!
As an ICU nurse, I would recommend working as a CNA to get some clinical experience under your belt. Most schools want to make sure nursing students understand/can handle the gross/tiring/sad parts of nursing. The people who worked as CNA’s (rather than just having a CNA license) always were more confident in nursing clinicals and succeeded in school. CNA work + volunteering would bump up your resume more than just having certifications/trainings that you haven’t put into practice
My best friend just graduated from nursing school. During the start of COVID when she couldn’t do her proctorial or community service, her school sent her to meals on wheels for volunteer hours! It’s their favorite. She went to West Coast University
I’m going through the same situation rn. I’m finishing up law school and I do not know where I’m supposed to go from here because c*vid has really messed everything up for me. But seeing you figure you next steps out is motivating me to sit down and spend the time figuring it all out for myself! So thank you for your continued inspiration xx
LOVE the organization!! From my personal experience ( I applied to programs 3 times & officially started my program in January!) schools look for students who commit. So instead of getting a bunch of certifications, you should definitely start working as a CNA! (experience is highly valued) I volunteered at my local hospital for about 300 hours & I got my CNA Cert. Also learn from my mistakes & apply EVERYWHERE!! Ik you touched on not wanting to pursue an ADN program but at the end of the day a nursing school is a nursing school so be open to anything that will get you to your end goal! Its tough getting rejections, trust me I know, but youre more than capable!! Goodluck girlie
Thank you so so much for sharing your experience & tips Candace! I am now adding ADN programs back onto my list to apply to for next year and even if it takes me more time to finish my program at least I would save SO much money! I think the CNA route is going to be perfect for me and hopefully boost my application too. Thanks again for watching & commenting, you're the best 💕
This is exactly what I needed. I’ve been beating myself up because there’s so much I want to do but no structure in post grad life! Ultimately the confusion just leads to inaction instead of actually progressing towards my goals. Thanks for breaking down your process of how you’re going about adding order to ur life when there’s not much order! Definitely gonna try this out
I FEEL THIS. Sometimes I have major lazy days were I feel like I can't do anything because I just feel stuck & lost....sorting all the options out in a simple way really makes you feel better. Thanks so much for watching...hope you have find some clarity soon 💕
I am not at all qualified to discuss the medical field (however after watching the video I vote for CNA2 because it seems like it would be helpful for nursing schools) but I do want to say that I am also at a standstill when it comes to my next career steps and wanted to say that this video was incredibly comforting in knowing I'm not alone! I work in the music industry/photography so there's not much of an industry to go into right now which is scary and unsettling. Good luck with your journey girl! I think that no matter what decision you make it will benefit you/there's no "wrong" decision because of your skill set and determination, you'll be able to learn and grow and take so much out of whatever experience you choose. Sending good vibes!!
This made me feel so much better about how uncertain and confused I am about where and what I'll be doing in the next few months, thank you so much Kiara!! Would you ever do a program like Peace Corps or something in the same vein but domestically?
Hi ! as a senior in nursing school I suggest getting a job as an CNA or CNA 2. this will be great experience for you because you will be able to practice your nursing skills. when hospitals look at your applications they will like to see that you already have hospital experience. also the hospital you are working at will most likely offer you a job!!! good luck !
I am currently studying to become a charted accountant. Exams are hard but you constantly give me motivation! This couldn’t have came at a better time. Wherever you end up in life will be amazing as you are such a pure human !!! 🥰
Kiara I am genuinely so proud of you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. Even the fact that you posted this video in all honesty instead of dwelling on things that are not going according to your plan in genuinely encouraging in so many ways. This video gave me so much motivation to get my life in order!
Have you thought about just doing an associates degree to get your RN at a community college then once you graduate you can work as a nurse as well as get your bachelors online and most hospitals will pay for your bachelors if you have your associates. Also community college is quicker, cheaper and just as quality and education. I’m halfway through a two year program to get my RN right now and it’s great. I’ve also been a CNA for 2 years so if you have any questions I might be able to help :)
I'm starting my ABSN in May and I'm currently a phlebotomist! I was trained on the job at my hospital. Tbh the training only took a few weeks to a month. It's very easy and I love interacting with my patients! I do outpatient clinics so I dont work with the inpatient populations. The pay is also great which is a bonus! Also the veinviewer technology thing is kinda false lol I think it's better to know your anatomy and feel for veins authentically than to use machinery to do so (unless it's a super difficult stick). You'll learn so much more by feeling and training your touch/senses than using tech!
I would go for the CNA2! I think it will be great experience to really immerse yourself in what may be a similar setting as a nurse as well as allow you to work alongside nurses. I have a friend who was a medical assistant before going to nursing school and she’s super knowledgeable, but it’s also a longer time commitment and takes place in a different setting than where nurses are for the most part. I love your initiative and I know you’re going to be an amazing nurse Kiara! Don’t give up, even if it gets discouraging, I feel like so many people are in the same boat. You got this!
That is so helpful to know thank you! I have similar feelings & think the CNA2 track is s good option for me! Thanks so so much for watching & commenting!
KIARA! Also look into getting your EMT! All of my nursing friends (and I) did this! (took me 2 months) Always job availability, very very hands on, exposure to so much, and room to grow and advance in the profession! Also if your looking for more volunteering check out your local fire departments. As a firefighter kid, they always need volunteers, and look into if they have a rescue unit (medical) for more hands on experience!
I was looking into going through EMT training at a point but now I'm thinking it might be best to stick to the CNA tract especially because one of my friends went through the whole training and then couldn't lift enough to be hired as an EMT. I love your suggestion to look for volunteer opportunities at a rescue unit though! I so appreciate the advice ❤️
So proud of you for sticking with your goals! I know you're going in the right direction and something good is coming to you! I'm a pre-PA student, and as far as jobs to get experience go, you could try central sterile. It's basically cleaning medical equipment for surgeries. I know it might seem simple, but you could get exposure to the OR. You could also look into being an ER tech or an EKG tech. Those would be part-time jobs that could allow you to balance a busy schedule. I was an EKG tech and got a lot of exposure working in the hospital and in the ER. I hope you find something soon! Good luck!
Current nurse across the river from you, if I would’ve worked any job during college I would’ve chosen CNA2. My biggest struggle as a new grad was the CNA tasks and still are a year and a half later. And my hospital at least hires so many CNA2s without any experience, we always need them! CNA experience would look so good on your resume, schools in our area are competitive but with the right experience I’m sure they’ll accept you!
What helped me getting into a medical field were working or volunteering at midwifery practice, elderly home, emt work, and my friend used to work at a morgue and that supposedly helped her. Hope this helps
Hey, love the video and planning. I'm a cardiac nurse in the Portland metro and know exactly what your going through. My recommendation is get work experience as a CNA2 and retake any classes where you can up your GPA. That should help improve your chances with nursing school. Hope that helps
Posting again cause my comment disappeared. I have been volunteering with a hippotherapy program (basically PT/OT while on a horse) for the past 3 years and have learned so much from the therapists and kids I work with. It's a great program to get involved in and you get a lot of pediatric interaction while volunteering as a sidewalker. From a quick google search, there is a program called Forward Stride in Beaverton
I have been following your channel for a couple years now because you are the same age and year in college as I was when I found your channel! I graduated in May of 2020 with a bachelor's of neuroscience but with COVID and other things I had going on in my life I decided against med school and was pretty lost on what I should do next. I decided to try and scribe and am starting that process while I wait for acceptance into a surgical program. I heavily considered and still am considering phlebotomy and CNA courses. It's been a tough year of figuring out what to do with the future and I am constantly uncertain of which path I should take but I heavily research and debate just like you all the time! I really loved this video, thank you for being so real with us! I'll be reading the comments others have for extra guidance, ideas, and knowledge!
Wow that's so awesome! Thank you for sharing your experience...I love that we are living parallel lives 😂 class of 2020 feels the real "oh sh*t what now" pain lol
Hi!!! I was on the same boat as you 3 years ago nursing school is so competitive,. I finally reevaluated and decided to do the LPN/LVN route. I completed the program in 14 months now I’m working for the State administering vaccines. I’m also applying for the LPN-RN programs that a a lot of school have they also have LPN-RN BSN. Also if you have a Bachelors already you can do the accelerate RN program it’s about 1 year and you graduate with your RN BSN. I hope this helps! Good luck!
I applied this cycle and got into an ABSN program at my dream school!! If I were in your shoes, I would find a CNA job and find a volunteer program I could do every other week. And you should try applying to a lot more schools next cycle!! Nursing in CA is extremely competitive so try to apply to a school in a different state! The more options the better:)
i did my phlebotomy training through the phlebotomy training specialists in clackamas last summer! honestly it was super easy, my teacher was amazing (i had amber!), and you get both OR and national certification without the need for an internship :)
Thank you for sharing your journey it is so refreshing and comforting to see someone be so honest and feel like they don't have their life together because girl I feel that 😂 The early twenties are such a confusing and stressful time trying to figure out what you want your life to be like! But I know that you are going to make such a great nurse one day. Keep grinding on your journey you got this girl!!
If you're looking for a volunteer position that is taking in new students during covid think about the National SKi Patrol. Hands-on first responder experience mixed with the love for skiing. I've been doing it for years and it has helped me get into nursing schools here in Wisconsin!
This is so inspiring! I graduated with a theatre degree back in December and have just been chilling at home reevaluating everything since a lot of theaters still haven’t opened up fully (if at all) so it’s good to see I’m not alone in feeling a little lost😂 I don’t know much about the training and prerequisites for nursing but those CNA2 positions sound really cool!
Hey Kiara! Will you be reaching out to each school on what you can approve on your application? I really hope you do! Schools will definitely give you the feedback on why you were rejected. Overall, great video and keep working hard! ☺️
Hey kiara, in my opinion I really think you should go further with the CNA route. I started from being a sitter (psych patients - you legit sit with them and make sure they’re safe) and then I became an emergency service assistant (CNA in the ER) and then I became an RN once I graduated college. I truly truly think having experience as being someone who is valuable of course but knows how it feels to be under another clinician, it really gives you that understanding of how to work well with CNAs to help patients. You would have the benefits of knowing their skill set once you’re a nurse and you also will see how important it can be to delegate tasks as a nurse when you are swamped and need help. I think if you can apply to hospitals for a per diem position that’s what I did. I did shifts based on my availability during school. Nursing schools will always value CNa experience because it shows that you will most likely be a good team player and see everyone as equals. And you will be able to see RNs work, and many will teach you skills by having you watch!!! CNAs and RNs are really the back bone and together they are able to save many patients lives by catching things doctors don’t notice bc they’re not at the bedside with every patient. But that being said everyone has a different path in nursing! Best of luck girl :)
I’m a nurse! My advice is do phlebotomy and get a job in a hospital!!! Being a cna sucks (but it may put you at an advantage for getting hired as an RN when you apply for jobs). Idk if you’re applying for adn or BSN programs but I got my BSN right out of high school and I regret it I wish I had gotten my associates at a community college and then gone back later for my BSN.
KIARA I saw your ig story when you posted this12-month plan and I literally prayed that you would make a whole video of this!! this is so inspiring to get my life figured out!! u da best
Hey girl, good on you for being so on it and positive, so inspiring. I'm a nurse in the UK so not sure how much is transferrable, but pursuing CNA II or phlebotomy sounds really good. At least in the UK, that would set you up super well. Remember that not only would it help your personal skills, but you would get used to working within the multidisciplinary clinical team more than as a receptionist or something. In the UK we have healthcare assistants (HCAs), which I think are the equivalent to CNAs and the more experience you can get just chilling with patients, mastering simple skills like bed baths and catheter care, it will REALLY help you when you're a nurse. I got into nursing school with exp in a homeless shelter, and apparently that did my application a lot of good, so maybe look into that? Helps you learn how to deal with some difficult characters! Good luck with everything x
Girl thank you for posting this video! I also just got rejected from my dream nursing school. I am also re-planning on ways to better my application for when it opens again in June for me. I truly wish you the best of luck!! We got this!❤️
It took me 2 tries to get into physician assistant school and my application was also lacking in the healthcare experience. I ended up working as an ophthalmic assistant because I didn't live in an area that offered any certification classes and that practice didn't require any previous experience or certification (you actually can't get a certification in ophthalmic assisting until you've worked for 6 months). If I had your current options I would probably go for phlebotomy, especially with the chance to get an IV certification. I feel like that is a valuable skill to have for anyone in the medical field and the fact that you pursued more than one certification can show admissions committees your willingness and desire to learn.
I am a medical scribe applying to PA school this cycle! Scribing is the best possible avenue that I could’ve taken as far as experience and learning goes. It’s not as hands on which I know is a turn off for some programs, but it’s like having a shadowing experience every single day. Would highly recommend
you should look if providence is doing any internships. I did an internship with them and got to work in the CMFC one of the greatest experiences I’ve had
74 degrees in phoenix today but there's a wind advisory, dust advisory and air quality warning from 11:00 a.m-8:00 p.m. so people with asthma especially me, not a good day to be outside! Cool for us
the best advice i ever got is to always ask questions. just ask the schools why they didn't take you and what theyre looking for really. and then you know exactly what to do to get in
that giant sticky note is everything
I am obsessed with them 😂
I graduate college in may. I’ve applied to over 250 jobs and have only gotten 4 interviews. I’m feeling so discouraged and I feel like I’ll never get a job. Thanks for being real and honest but also positive when the negativity hits!
what kind of jobs are you applying for?
Wow I feel for you..that must feel so discouraging. Proud of you for not giving up....I know the right thing will come along soon 💕 if you ever need to chat or rant I'm always here!
My biggest advice for resumes is to make sure you're tailoring your resume to each job posting. I know it takes more work but it really will pay off. Whatever wording they're using to describe the job and skill set, make sure you use that back in your resume and cover letter. Resume writing is 100% a skill in itself and it's not taught properly when it's the biggest step to cross when getting a job. I know it's hard as a new grad to try to sell yourself to employers but please remember that they know you're fresh out of school and they don't expect you to know everything. If I was a part of a hiring board now, I would expect my new hire to have 0 practical knowledge and that would be a bonus. You're easier to train if you haven't developed bad habits elsewhere. Also, once you get to the interview stage, remember that most people will hire based on personality because it's better to work with someone who is likeable versus one who knows everything but is a bad person. Try to stress that you're looking to be a part of a team. Finally, the job market sucks right now due to circumstances that are out of your control. I graduated not long after the last economic disaster so I feel for you. It's tough and super demoralizing to keep getting rejected but keep your head up. And don't be afraid to reach out to old classmates, friends, or parents friends. A lot of job opportunities are never posted publicly but they might be able to get you in the door somewhere.
Ugh job rejection is literally the worst!! I finished university last June and spent months afterwards applying to literally any relevant job I came across and was rejected (or just plain ignored) so many times. However, in October I randomly heard back from a company I had unsuccessfully interviewed with in August and they offered me a job on the spot as they'd had a new opening! I'd had no idea they'd even liked me at the interview so it was such a shock, and 5 months later I've settled in well and now love my job. So as horrendous, discouraging, frustrating and scary as trying to get a job is, please don't lose faith in yourself! You never know what opportunity might be waiting around the corner. You've got this!!!
250??? GURL. I applied to 40 after graduation and I was exhausted...kudos to you for your persistence!!!
I know you said you applied to more prestigious nursing schools or more competitive schools.
Just letting you know, a nursing degree is a nursing degree. In the long run, all you want is the RN behind your name. Hospitals don’t care where you went or where you got the degree, as long as you have the license to practice. So apply anywhere and everywhere if you can!
Katherine is 100% correct. I worked as a social worker with RN's. Nursing schools aren't easy, but I don't thing there is a profession that that provides the same opportunities as a career. People respect nurses and no one cares where you went to school as long as you have the degree.
Great job for a student that wants to be an OR nurse: surgical core technician. You’ll learn all the instruments and supplies used during surgery and brings these items inside operating rooms during surgery. These jobs are usually under the department called sterile processing and your official job name would be sterile processing technician. If you live in Oregon, one great place to do this job is OHSU.
I am vacating this position on July 5, so expect to see it online on OHSU jobs two weeks after that. It’s a good part time job. Pays around 23$/hour for a flex position.
I love that you are so transparent with your journey, it’s so much more interesting when people share both highs and lows. Regardless of which job you choose I think choosing a volunteer opportunity that is excites you the most will be great for your applications. Great vid!
I totally agree! I feel so lucky to be able to share my journey & I can't wait to get some good volunteering experience too :)
IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!!
I love u!!!
I'm training as an ED scribe right now! Honestly I think the hardest part is learning all the medical terminology and names of drugs/medications, so you'd probably have a leg up since you took a medical terminology course. I'm also a really bad/slow typer but I simply looked up a free typing program and went from 40wpm to now 80wpm (and still continuously improving) just by doing the program and practicing!
I like it because you really learn how to think like a doctor. You're not just throwing together random sentences or bullet points. You're crafting and putting together a chart that flows well, explains the patient's stay, and is a strong legal document in case the doctor/NP/PA were to ever be taken to court. You kinda learn about what things to look/listen for during patient interactions + what problems the Dr looks for and their reasoning behind the actions they choose to do in order to solve the problem. Though the job is strictly documentation (no pt interaction, clinical tasks, or interpreting results), the scribes who are training me and have been there for 1-3 years now have gained an understanding of how to interpret lab values, decipher xray/ultrasound/CT scans, and understand the medical decision making behind all of that. So for example if a pt comes in with their chief complaint and their labs/radiology results come back, my trainers can kinda already guess the medical decision making like "oh ok I'll keep checking for new lab results/orders bc this pt's creatinine is low which means there's probably something going on with the kidney which means the Dr will probably order this thing to counteract it". We can't rlly do anything with that info except document it, but it's pretty cool to learn how all of it works and develop that critical thinking behind WHY they treat patients with this scan or this specific drug or this specific action.
The scribes at my hospital work 8hr shifts. I'm part time, so I'm doing 2-3 shifts per week right now. I love how flexible scheduling is because I can still balance pre-requisite classes at my community college (I'm also prepping to apply for nursing school!) and another volunteering gig i have. Just something to keep in mind since i know you already shoulder A LOT! Can't wait to see what you to decide to do! I considered doing medical assistant and phlebotomy too, and I love all the other opportunities you listed! At the end of the day, they're all such beneficial learning opportunities in their own way. Do what best fits into your life rn! Good luuuck ily, thank u for these inspiring videos
CNA 2/ just graduated from MHCC as a nurse in PDX here. I would suggest working as a CNA 1 while taking your CNA 2 class, that way you have some experience to add to your resume, then once you get your CNA 2, apply at hospitals. I feel like the hospitals are being more flexible with hiring requirements atm. Maybe apply to on call positions/ float pool, especially at OHSU, because it’s so large you maybe you be more likely to get hired. From my experience (not sure how it applies to ABSN programs) but more hours/experience = more points on your application.
I didn’t get into pharmacy school the first year I applied, but I did the second round, just stick with it, you’ll get there! I’ve worked with many pharmacy techs who are in nursing school or planning for nursing school. It’s a great way to learn medications and direct patient care. Lots of retail pharmacies are hiring right now for COVID vaccines. In my state techs are training to give COVID vaccines too. Good luck!!
That's amazing! thanks for the advice! Idk if it's just an Oregon thing but I don't really see much about how to get into being a tech....is it the same as a medical assistant??
@@KiaraMadisen pharmacy techs direct patient care in the pharmacy under pharmacist supervision. I work for CVS and became an immunizing tech to help my pharmacy out with covid vaccines. You get sooo much patient care and lots of medication knowledge that it will have you feeling like the pharmacist haha! Maybe look into becoming a pharmacy tech. You would at least be able to get 2 years of trainee license (at least in Texas) could be different for Oregon but does not hurt to find out and branch out to learn best of luck :)
Thank you so much for being open and honest about being rejected from nursing school. I'm currently going through the college admissions process and got rejected/waitlisted from half the schools I applied to (including both my ED's) all in a row, and having you share your experience makes me feel a lot less alone
See this is why I share my story because it is SO common and you are totally not alone. It's so comforting for me to read comments on my videos or hear from other people stories of redemption...I truly believe it works out in the end, it's jus the universe really testing out patience out here. Hang in there, I'm rooting for you.
Here's what I know about getting into nursing school:
1) You don't just apply, you take an introductory lecture on how to apply. Each school has their own introductory lecture.
2) At the introductory lecture they give you a breakdown in how nursing school students are selected.
3) Rejections are given to those who don't do any volunteer work. Volunteer work is a big part of how they select students.
4) They give some type of breakdown with 50% of your selection score based on years of volunteer experience. 25% of your score based on past grades in school. 25% based on the types of classes you've taken at some University.
If you don't attend the introductory "How to apply to OUR nursing school" you will be rejected out of not knowing simple basic things they need from you.
Good to know! I attended those for almost all my schools and most of them were helpful! Hopefully round two I'll get in :)
@@KiaraMadisen Yes, follow their requirements to the letter! Don't omit anything they use to determine acceptance. If its a letter of recommendation from the places you did your volunteer work, don't omit this. If they want grades from HS and University, and you think the HS is redundant, they will omit you because you didn't do it exactly like they asked. Put yourself in their shoes, they have 2,000 students to chose from, and only need 50 spots filled for the school year. If you can have a conversation with some of the first year nursing students while they are at lunch, and learn everything they submitted, this might also be of help. Little extra details they included that may not be specified in the selection orientation lecture. Do you notice a pattern of 4.0 students? Are they members of a fraternity? If being a member of a fraternity doesn't come up in the requirements, but you notice that all accepted students are members of a fraternity? This type of unspecified detail can only be obtained if you have conversations with the nursing students that have already been selected.
One good thing to consider is gaining your EMT licensure. The class/certification I took prepared me so well for nursing school. You could also work as an EMT on an ambulance or in an ER once you do gain the certification. I took my course at my local community college which saved me allot of money. If I was to recommend one class before beginning nursing school it would be the EMT class. The medical knowledge and terminology you gain will help a TON in school (and looks very nice when applying)!
Hi there!!
I’m in nursing school currently and graduating next month with my BSN. Something that I did when I was having trouble finding jobs was apply to long term care facilities. A lot of assisted living homes are ALWAYS looking for people and I know, it’s probably not the most ideal BUT it’s a place to start. Almost everyone in my nursing program started at a LTC facility (even if it’s just a few months). I worked at one for only one summer and immediately applied to a hospital job after a few months and got a job working in the ED as a tech. Everyone has to start somewhere even if it’s not your area of interest.
Another option would be is to get your EMT or Emergency Medical Tech. This allows you to work for a private ambulance company transporting patients in your area. It’s awesome because they teach you so many skills you need in nursing school, gives you experience working with patients, and gets you in the door to local hospitals.
For nursing school- I would try applying for accelerated or bridge programs for people with bachelor degrees already. There are so many out there! Plus a lot of them offer online or hybrid courses where you only have to go to the actual campus a few times a year.
Good luck!!! You got this 💕
I usually make a google doc to make a decision. It is overwhelming. Thank you for making this video
Don't give up on your dream, i applied to dental school for 3 cycles and here I am, a dental student! Keep applying (maybe to less competitive schools) as you build up your resume and/or work, you never know , and look for schools that take unique applicants where you can showcase your background. You are at an age where its easier to take another year or two to figure it out and pursue your dream career, and will be so worth it in the end. I know it varies by state but look into volunteer/working as a 911/domestic violence operator and I know communities/programs for adult with developmental disabilities are usually looking for assistance. I had friends who became a phlebotomist to help boost resumes and it also made them some good money. Someone told me a little while ago that we confine ourselves to one future for the 'rest of our lives' but the reality is you can always change your life or career and its OK and instead of that being alarming it should be relief that even if you 'mess up' or 'hate what you are doing' it may be what leads you to a happier future you. Its great you have such a good support system in the mean time so while daunting right now, you will figure it out eventually. Good luck!
I needed this video. Despite working my butt off and getting a solid score on the LSAT, I still haven’t heard back from any of the law schools I applied to. I think admission into any school (no matter what program you’re applying for) is a lot more competitive this year because of the pandemic. All we can do is try our best and keep working hard, “rejection is simply redirection”. We got this! ❤️
aww Anna I love that quote! You are so not alone...our time will come soon eventually ❤️
It's great to see that you're being proactive and not just dwelling on things! You have a great attitude! V inspiring video 😊
Thanks Chantelle...really trying to look forward not back 💕
Don’t give up Kiara! We’re all rooting for you!!! ☺️
Love this! I don't know whether you've seen Gilmore Girls but it reminds me of the last season when Rory and Paris have giant whiteboards in their apartments with all the potential things they can do to prepare for life after they graduate haha!
omg I have seen it a long time ago! I Maybe they subconsciously influenced me 😂
Hey girl! I’m a new nurse doing pediatric oncology and absolutely love my job! I’m so excited that you’re going through with the nursing route - you have such a good heart and amazing work ethic from what I see in your videos!
I was a PCT 2 in my last semester - basically did the same job as the CNAs but had 2 behind my title because I was in nursing school already. I think becoming a CNA 1 or 2 is your BEST option for boosting up your resume. This is where you’ll get the most patient interaction, and you’ll learn so much from the nurses on your floor, which will give you an edge once you get into nursing school. You may even get to practice some nursing skills, just let your nurses know that you’re going to go to nursing school soon and they usually love to help you out with that!!
Just keep going sis, you have so much to offer!💖
I worked as a CNA prior to nursing school & I was also a PCT at a hospital during nursing school. Getting bedside patient care experience wether it be, home care, a hospital, clinic, a doctors office, anything... Seriously makes all the difference! The work experience will help you when your in school because you will be familiar with some of the skills. When I was a PCT, I worked in the float pool, contingently, and it was so nice being exposed to a variety of units!
First off... I love you and your videos!!!
I’m just gonna suggest that getting a job is a much better option than just volunteering. I’m a tech on a cardiac stepdown unit and you learn SOOOOOO much more being hands on with patients, nurses, techs, doctors and more. I’ve noticed that the volunteers at the hospitals are not patient facing. Patient facing is so important and will help in the long run with whatever you wanna do in the medical field.
Good luck girl!! You got this 💕🤗
Completely agree with you!
This 100%
I totally agree! Most schools require a volunteering hours so hopefully I can find a way to do both and have both be in a hospital setting!
I didn't get into nursing school the first time either, and tbh now more than ever it's totally normal to apply for multiple cycles (and takes a bit of luck to get in if I'm being honest) Use this time to really get experience, and find out why you really want to be a nurse! I found the year that I had to gain experience really strengthened why I want to be a nurse and gave me a better idea of how healthcare really works which is super important to have :) good luck and don't give up!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! That makes me feel so much better and I am hoping that this extra time will do the same for me too!
Hey girl! I've been following along with you a little bit because we're pretty much in the same boat. I've worked at OHSU as a CNA II this past year and it's a pretty good job, but they're SO short staffed right now and are hiring like crazy, regardless of having prior CNA experience. I'm in float pool and it pays $20/hour and there's lots of flexibility with your schedule.
Good luck, you got this!
Omg Alexis thank you for this! I have been dying to hear about someone's experience as a CNA there! Can I ask what unit you work on/would recommend for someone starting out?
@@KiaraMadisen I work in float pool and would recommend it! It's a good way to get lots of varied experience and get to know what units you enjoy. Float pool staff also have the most flexibility with their schedule, which has been really nice.
I just got accepted into my dream school for my dream program but simply realized the school doesn’t have the funding to fund me and it would be taking out almost as much as a years salary for me.... I’ve just been in the biggest slump and also felt like I don’t know where to go from here. I also quit my job this week and it’s always hard to figure out what risk to take. BRAVO to you for writing/working this all out.
I totally relate to the overwhelming stress that the price of these schools bring. Here I am begging to get into any school, but I know once I get in the cost will be looming over me and some days I just want to say it's not worth it because I truly don't know how I will pay for it 😂 I have to trust that if you want something enough and have a logical plan for eventually paying back loans then it is worth it. Sometimes you just have to look more big picture for it to make sense. Wishing you all the best & congrats for getting into your dream school that is so amazing ❤️
I'm studying speech therapy in the UK and had a place for a medical degree - I volunteered with an art therapist at a nursing home (with people with neurological conditions) and then moved to working as a care assistant. It taught me so much about the roles of nurses in a situation other than a hospital, and gave me lots to talk about in interviews, because I've worked in a multidisciplinary team and have experience of numerous different health conditions which I may not have had experience of in a hospital (like Huntington's Disease). I know things are different in the US, but don't disregard volunteer roles in places like this, as you can still learn so much, and something unique may make you stand out
Also it's such a shame it seems so hard to become a nurse - here in the UK it's really not that hard, you don't need incredibly high grades, you can apply at 18 and you don't need a lot of work experience (although you do need some)
I just graduated with my bachelors degree as well and switched from wanting to be a PA to now thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner... and I am so lost on what we do now that we have a bachelors in something other than nursing.. it is so confusing, so I am right there with you and I am glad I’m not the only one lost on the process and how it all works. Love your videos!!
I was in your shoes 7-8 yrs ago with wanting be a nurse and figuring out how to do. I ended up getting my LPN then RN then BSN. Currently working on my NP. But what I would recommend would be is go for the CNA 2 then get a job. That is experience that will help you so much in your career and looks great on applications not only for school but also for future jobs post grad. Adding to that nursing pay in most states is based off experience and you can get credit for your experience as a CNA so more money when starting out as a nurse. Just stick with it. You got this it all comes in time. I’ve been a nurse for 6yrs now in ICU for 3. You will love it just keep pushing through and looking for opportunities.
hey girl! fellow future nurse here. I graduate next may and have had a ton of experience. My advice to you is to do either the phlebotomy class or just work as a cna. the faster you get experience the better. Both getting more comfortable with skills, and especially phlebotomy, will help you as a nurse so so much. Fun fact: you don't really put IV's in during nursing school on real people which is WAY different than putting them in on a real human. I currently work as a tech in the emergency department at a level one trauma center. I can do foleys, IVs, EKG's, phlebotomy, etc. I first worked as a cna in an assisted living facility which was super helpful, and after 5 months I started to med pass (idk how this differs in OR vs WI where I'm from). Then after a year I started working in the hospital in an ICU as a tech and moved down to the ED. Usually once you're in the hospital system it's much easier to get jobs and move around departments. I can tell you're such a hard worker, and your bosses will see that and usually help you move around if you want to. I hope this helped and best of luck! xoxo
Katie this was so helpful thank you! Your experience is giving me so much motivation to dive in! Thanks for all your advice....I'm sure you're crushing it in nursing school 💪
@@KiaraMadisen your response made my day! Keep that head up girl and everything will work out.
i volunteered at providence center for fragile children the last 2 years of high school from 2017-2018 and it was the MOST enriching experience. the kids and young adults are amazing, the entire staff is so kind & i just had such a heart warming experience volunteering there. definitely keep it on your list for future volunteering if you can’t get a position now bc it will truly change your life and i can totally see you loving it!! ❤️
As a new grad nurse i’d for sure say that the CNA or phlebotomy positions are the way to go! schools and future jobs love to see that you have had experience working with patients. plus as a bonus a lot of nurses at hospitals can vouch for you to get a nursing job at the hospital after you graduate or you can typically shadow on different units/be a float CNA so that you can see what type of nursing you would be into the most! Good luck you’ve got this!!!
Love this video! I’m not in medicine, so I don’t really have any advice. I just took a gap year before college to reapply to music school after being rejected. Yesterday I just found out I got into my dream school! Sometimes it just takes a little more time. I’m rooting for you Kiara!❤️
do whatever it is you're the most passionate about. as someone who has worked in admissions for grad programs, its scary obvious when people only do things as resume fillers bc you can tell by the way essays are written/app questions are answered if something was impactful/meaningful or not, and usually that's what deters admission, not lack of resume
As someone who was waitlisted at med schools this cycle its SOO nice to see someone going through a similar thing and trying to figure out what to do for the year!!! I would say the CNA 2 route sounds like a good idea, especially if you like where you are working and could continue working with them especially if your head nurse could possibly write a letter of rec. Any decision you make will be the right one for you, none of these are bad! Good luck :)
Hi! I did 4 years at UO too and then worked front desk at a peds developmental clinic at providence. I met so many people that gave me great letters of rec, got experience with speaking with children and parents. Learned a ton of skills you don’t learn in school. I think my experience there helped me get a NICU practicum placement at the same hospital and i used both of those experiences on my application/interview for my first job in a new grad rn residency at a Children’s Hospital:)
Hey Kiara, I am a NICU (Neonatal ICU) RN. I have worked as staff and as a travel nurse since 2014 in several high acuity NICU’s. I am now based in Los Angeles. When I applied to nursing school, I realized that the only big thing that differentiated my application from the others were truly my work/volunteer experiences and my essay/recommendations. At the base, applicants will have good grades and test scores but aside from that, you have to consider, what makes you (as an applicant) different from the next applicant? These work experiences and volunteer experiences shape how you view healthcare and your position in healthcare. These experiences greatly affect your essays and your interview (if one is needed). Every potential nursing student wants to become a nurse “to help others” because they are “compassionate” but if you work as a CNA prior to applying again, then you can potentially gain an experience or multiple experiences that you can shape your application around. You will have a better understanding prior to entering the profession, as it’s not just about passing meds. Nursing involves a lot of critical care thinking, prioritization skills, and empathy. You can use these words in your application but you really do need experiences to showcase you as a well rounded applicant.
My advice would be to really search for that CNA position as you would be closely working with the nurses. You wouldn’t truly understand what a nurse does until you become a nurse but you will gain an understanding of working with patients and the overall communication amongst the healthcare team. This will strengthen your application and show that you are not going into nursing school naive.
Hope this helps!
Mary Grace
Love to see how your mind works and the positivity you always have about your challenges!
Hi, my husband was a CNA for a few of years before he applied to nursing school. He really wanted to make sure that was the career he wanted to get in to. And he has said many times how he felt like his experience as a CNA helped him throughout nursing school. He also continued working one day a week as a CNA during nursing school and landed a RN job immediately after getting his license. And knowing that hospitals are always in need of CNA’s, (especially now!) I’m sure you could start working almost immediately. Schooling is good, but a lot of times actual work experience in that field shows you’re really serious and willing to put in the hard, dirty work that this field often requires. We wish you the best and are looking forward to seeing how your journey progresses! 🙌🏼
Hi! New grad RN and former CNA here. I haven't held any of the other positions you mentioned so unfortunately I can't speak to those. However, working as a CNA before I became an RN was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was a CNA in a hospital for about a year before I became an RN. CNAs are usually able to spend a decent amount of time with patients. Through this role I feel like I was able to improve upon my ability to establish bedside rapport and master assisting patients with ADLs (something that I found difficult to do at clinical as nurses are responsible for both that and nursing care). Additionally, the CNA role allowed me to learn how hospitals operate and make connections that enabled me to be hired as an RN. I definitely feel that my previous experience as a CNA has made my transition from nursing student to RN more smooth than it would've been without it. Whatever you chose to you will give you great patient care experience and I wish you the best of luck - you will be a wonderful nurse!
It is so interesting to follow your story of becoming a nurse. I'm from Germany and the structure of the medical field is so different. In Germany, you can become a nurse after 10 years of school. You don't need a college degree. Nursing school is usually 3 years. You don't have to pay for school, most of the times you will even earn a small salary. After 3 years, you can work as a nurse in any hospital or medical institution or you can continue to go to school to specialize yourself in becoming an OP nurse or a nurse for the ICU. I must admit that I haven't really understood the American nursing system. It seems so difficult and expensive. Anyways, I wish you all the best of luck and I'm keeping my thumbs up for you to get your dream school and job! :)
Those large post-it’s are EVERYTHING!
your intro was legit taking words out of my mouth, so thank you
Hi Kiara, you really inspire me. I'm a student myself here in Amsterdam, studying Media, information and Communication (something totally different from what you're doing) but I admire that you take your future so serious! Every time I see a vlog/video you show us the steps that you are taking and I just wanted to let you know that what you're showing us is helping us, for example me. Thank you for that!
Sucks that you're getting rejected! Everything happens for a reason so don't let it discourage you. You're plan sounds good and I really think you will be alright!
Hugs from Amsterdam x
In addition to the process you showed us in the video, I'd also recommend checking out your career counseling options through UO. I'm a career counselor at a university and we work with alumni (for free!) on a regular basis. Since UO is a larger school, there may be services available through your collegiate unit or the alumni office. Chatting with a career counselor can be nice because they are an objective 3rd party and while friends & family are super helpful, it can be really nice to have fresh eyes on the situation. They may have other ideas of what previous students have pursued in a similar situation and they could also assist with your nursing school apps (if you want/need) when the time comes to apply again.
Love this idea! I tried doing this during the thick of covid and it would only let me set up an appointment if i was a student, but I should check through the alumni center! Thanks for the advice :)
As nurse I would recommend talking to nursing students at your dream School. Its super helpful to get insight on what they are looking for!
Good Luck!
I’m in my junior year of nursing school and it is TOUGH.. feeling very exhausted rn.. but girl I am rooting you on!! You seem like such a go-getter and (obviously) a very meticulous organizer, which will help you A LOT in nursing school. From one future nurse to another, cheers!🥂 We can do this!!!
The CNAs at my Mom’s Retirement Community were AMAZING!! When she was in her final weeks of life they were a Godsend! Truly blessed by them all!!
CNA's are awesome! I learned so much in my short clinical experience at a long term care facility from them!
NICU nurse here 😊 I think your best option would be to work as a CNA! I was a patient care technician before and during nursing school in the adult float pool and then transferred to the NICU! Both of those gave me a ton of experience doing things alongside the nurses and really getting comfortable with patient care! It also helped a ton post grad because I was offered positions at all 3 NICU’s I applied to, 2 of them being level IV! Volunteering is great of course but I think the hands on experience is what really sets people apart ☺️ Keep going though and pursuing your goals! Walt Disney once said, “if you can dream it, you can do it!” ✨
Also currently in school for my MSN to become a nurse practitioner so I was totally there with ya recently in all the stress of applying & figuring my life out!! You got this girl!
Wow that is so amazing Emily! I had never heard about a PCT before until reading some of these comments so I will also have to look into some some more options! The NICU sounds amazing and I am sure your hospital is so happy to have you!
i love love love this and i am so proud of you
New EMT here! Im premed studying neuroscience and I totally umderstand your position. While I could be wrong, from what I do know I think possibly sticking with CNA and pursuing CNA2 while volunteering sounds like the best option to me. I think that shows more dedication to the field of nursing itself rather than just "fishing" for clinical experience through something like phlebotomy or medical assistant. At the end of the day, the right nursing program will see your dedication and passion for nursing- they see through student applications that jump from experience to experience without truly getting their feet wet in that field or in this case, certification. It might take a while to get to where you want to be but its passion, commitment and dedication that are going to get you in those nursing school doors more than anything! You got it! PS. Bc of covid, the whole medical field is crazy rn in terms of new hires and volunteering rip but I wish you the BEST of luck!! Love your vids!
This made me feel better and hopeful about my situation. I moved to nyc a couple of months ago with friends. Had money saved up but no job aligned. I was naive and nit picky, thinking I could find a job easily. Welp obviously I didn’t! (lots of applications, rewriting of resumes and cover letters, and tears) finally a month ago I got a job. It’s ok and it’s paying the bills but not what I was looking for. It’s also temporary so I feel like I only have a brief second to breathe and have to start figuring out what to do once again. Deff going to try out this method to hone in on my life and what I want. Thank you so much for being so transparent! Love yah!
As an Australian its hard to believe how hard it is to get into nursing in the US, here it is as easy as applying to uni and you normally get in so having all these extra licenses and tasks it strange. I think that CNA work would be the most beneficial to you, you get hands on experience with patients and in the medical field as well as seeing how a hospital runs and getting a good idea of what you'll be doing as a nurse. Its also good to use those opportunities as a way to make connections on the hospitals and treat them almost like a job interview. They'll be watching you and if they see you doing a good job it gets noted, so if you went back and applied as a nurse later it could increase your changes of getting a job. At least that's my experience here in Australia. Good luck!
Tips from a current RN: do the CNA route! It’ll be the most helpful in the path to becoming a nurse and will look great on applications. The others will give you hospital experience, but it won’t be nearly as valuable of an experience as being a CNA.
Plus, if you find a unit you jazz with, it’s basically an automatic job. Also, look at house float CNA positions. Hospitals usually love to give that spot to students because of the flexibility it gives, so if you’re having trouble with finding places to hire you, this usually is a spot that you can sneak into because it’s meant for students basically.
Good luck with the search!
I needed this motivation!! I'm graduating in June and have no idea what to do next. This made it seem like I can actually start to figure things out!
I went straight to nursing school after high school and graduated in 2019, so I never got CNA experience. SO many people at the hospital say some of the best nurses they work with were a CNA first because of their experience with working with people and knowing the flow of being in a hospital. Some of my coworkers are working as CNAs as they go to nursing school and our manager has been super flexible with their schedule. The recent new grads from nursing school have minimal to zero clinical experience (thanks to Covid) so they are a bit awkward and need extra help with time management - so another reason being a CNA would be so helpful. I don't think the phlebotomy or IV experience would necessarily put you above other people in your applications, and would likely just be a waste of money. I had ONE lab in nursing school where I put a needle in a manekin arm that already had a puncture hole lol. IV placement and lab drawing is on the job experience. I work in med surg and we have an IV and phlebotomy team, so I don't even do my own. If you decide to go forward with the CNA route, let me know and I can give you some connections in Portland!
I’m a medical scribe! And just my input: being a scribe can be very intimidating because you’re writing legal documents, but with more experience you get very comfortable! It depends on what field you’re in (I work for a PCP) but it’s like getting paid to shadow and I have overall had a great experience and have learned a TON.
Again it depends on the responsibilities of the scribe at your program, but I’ve also had experience with medical coding
Hey Kiara! Ok my channel is literally all about planning out life / helping people get into health + professional schools! Personally, I just got into dental school and have been talking to a few friends who didn't get in this cycle. My BIGGEST tip is to simply call the schools that you have been rejected from. It can be super scary, but just call and (politely!) ask if there is anything specific that you can improve upon if you apply next cycle. They might tell you medical experience, service, grades, or something else. Getting this feedback from schools can be super helpful in deciding what the best next step for you is! Hopefully this helps a bit, feel free to reach out if you have any questions / wanna chat!
Kiara, this phase of your life reminds me SO much of where I was about 2.5 years ago. I was weighing a lot of different options, had a lot of different paths I could take, and felt so overwhelmed by the possibilities. I love how positively you are going about this and how organized you are! I don't have much experience with the nursing/medical field so feel like I can't provide *too* much input on that. However, my only piece of advice would be to invest as much time and money as you're able to just further your experiences in as many ways as possible. Sounds like the phlebotomy training or something similar could be super helpful. Like you said, even if you don't become a phlebotomist, the training itself could be very beneficial and it seems relatively "easy" to achieve. Get as many of those little trainings/certifications in as you can. The experience will be invaluable. In my own field I have a LOT of different volunteer, internship, and work experience and that's something that interviewers have continued to say is what makes me stand out. It may not seem like it now - but things will work out, no matter what you choose... you'll find your path & I have no doubt you'll be amazing!
Hi girl! I just finished nursing school in December and working as a graduate nurse right now! A few things...first of all, nursing schools like direct patient care hours and they love seeing a CNA background. If you really want to go the nursing route, i suggest CNA! One thing i want to say, don’t get discouraged from the job requirements! Just apply! Apply everywhere and you will get hired! I applied to places that required a year of experience and all of these qualifications...truth is, they most likely use this job description for each job posting and will hire you anyways! They need CNAs! Everywhere does. Even nursing home work is good. This is honestly your best option. You will learn so much and the nurses will teach and guide you. I just don’t think the other options would be best for nursing school but it is up to you! Don’t get discouraged and keep going!! You will make it!!
As an ICU nurse, I would recommend working as a CNA to get some clinical experience under your belt. Most schools want to make sure nursing students understand/can handle the gross/tiring/sad parts of nursing. The people who worked as CNA’s (rather than just having a CNA license) always were more confident in nursing clinicals and succeeded in school. CNA work + volunteering would bump up your resume more than just having certifications/trainings that you haven’t put into practice
Made my day seeing you uploaded! I also want to go into the nursing field so these videos and all of your videos, in general, are so helpful!!:)
I'm so glad! Thank you so much for watching!
My best friend just graduated from nursing school. During the start of COVID when she couldn’t do her proctorial or community service, her school sent her to meals on wheels for volunteer hours! It’s their favorite. She went to West Coast University
I’m going through the same situation rn. I’m finishing up law school and I do not know where I’m supposed to go from here because c*vid has really messed everything up for me. But seeing you figure you next steps out is motivating me to sit down and spend the time figuring it all out for myself! So thank you for your continued inspiration xx
You are so not alone! I'm sure when you sit down and spend some time thinking about some more clarity will come to mind! You got this!
LOVE the organization!! From my personal experience ( I applied to programs 3 times & officially started my program in January!) schools look for students who commit. So instead of getting a bunch of certifications, you should definitely start working as a CNA! (experience is highly valued) I volunteered at my local hospital for about 300 hours & I got my CNA Cert. Also learn from my mistakes & apply EVERYWHERE!! Ik you touched on not wanting to pursue an ADN program but at the end of the day a nursing school is a nursing school so be open to anything that will get you to your end goal! Its tough getting rejections, trust me I know, but youre more than capable!! Goodluck girlie
Thank you so so much for sharing your experience & tips Candace! I am now adding ADN programs back onto my list to apply to for next year and even if it takes me more time to finish my program at least I would save SO much money! I think the CNA route is going to be perfect for me and hopefully boost my application too. Thanks again for watching & commenting, you're the best 💕
Was literally working on a research paper and saw this video get uploaded... had to stop what I was doing to come watch it :)
Me too 😂
omg haha I love you 💕 Hope you had a good study break!
This is exactly what I needed. I’ve been beating myself up because there’s so much I want to do but no structure in post grad life! Ultimately the confusion just leads to inaction instead of actually progressing towards my goals. Thanks for breaking down your process of how you’re going about adding order to ur life when there’s not much order! Definitely gonna try this out
I FEEL THIS. Sometimes I have major lazy days were I feel like I can't do anything because I just feel stuck & lost....sorting all the options out in a simple way really makes you feel better. Thanks so much for watching...hope you have find some clarity soon 💕
I am not at all qualified to discuss the medical field (however after watching the video I vote for CNA2 because it seems like it would be helpful for nursing schools) but I do want to say that I am also at a standstill when it comes to my next career steps and wanted to say that this video was incredibly comforting in knowing I'm not alone! I work in the music industry/photography so there's not much of an industry to go into right now which is scary and unsettling. Good luck with your journey girl! I think that no matter what decision you make it will benefit you/there's no "wrong" decision because of your skill set and determination, you'll be able to learn and grow and take so much out of whatever experience you choose. Sending good vibes!!
This made me feel so much better about how uncertain and confused I am about where and what I'll be doing in the next few months, thank you so much Kiara!! Would you ever do a program like Peace Corps or something in the same vein but domestically?
Hi ! as a senior in nursing school I suggest getting a job as an CNA or CNA 2. this will be great experience for you because you will be able to practice your nursing skills. when hospitals look at your applications they will like to see that you already have hospital experience. also the hospital you are working at will most likely offer you a job!!! good luck !
I am currently studying to become a charted accountant. Exams are hard but you constantly give me motivation! This couldn’t have came at a better time. Wherever you end up in life will be amazing as you are such a pure human !!! 🥰
Heather you're awesome! Thanks for the support & encouragement. Anyone would be lucky to have a caring accountant such as yourself!
@@KiaraMadisen I am constantly inspired by amazing women like you! 😊
perfect timing, I've been writing pro/con lists trying to decide which grad school to go to!
Kiara I am genuinely so proud of you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. Even the fact that you posted this video in all honesty instead of dwelling on things that are not going according to your plan in genuinely encouraging in so many ways. This video gave me so much motivation to get my life in order!
Have you thought about just doing an associates degree to get your RN at a community college then once you graduate you can work as a nurse as well as get your bachelors online and most hospitals will pay for your bachelors if you have your associates. Also community college is quicker, cheaper and just as quality and education. I’m halfway through a two year program to get my RN right now and it’s great. I’ve also been a CNA for 2 years so if you have any questions I might be able to help :)
I'm starting my ABSN in May and I'm currently a phlebotomist! I was trained on the job at my hospital. Tbh the training only took a few weeks to a month. It's very easy and I love interacting with my patients! I do outpatient clinics so I dont work with the inpatient populations. The pay is also great which is a bonus!
Also the veinviewer technology thing is kinda false lol I think it's better to know your anatomy and feel for veins authentically than to use machinery to do so (unless it's a super difficult stick). You'll learn so much more by feeling and training your touch/senses than using tech!
I would go for the CNA2! I think it will be great experience to really immerse yourself in what may be a similar setting as a nurse as well as allow you to work alongside nurses. I have a friend who was a medical assistant before going to nursing school and she’s super knowledgeable, but it’s also a longer time commitment and takes place in a different setting than where nurses are for the most part. I love your initiative and I know you’re going to be an amazing nurse Kiara! Don’t give up, even if it gets discouraging, I feel like so many people are in the same boat. You got this!
That is so helpful to know thank you! I have similar feelings & think the CNA2 track is s good option for me! Thanks so so much for watching & commenting!
KIARA! Also look into getting your EMT! All of my nursing friends (and I) did this! (took me 2 months) Always job availability, very very hands on, exposure to so much, and room to grow and advance in the profession! Also if your looking for more volunteering check out your local fire departments. As a firefighter kid, they always need volunteers, and look into if they have a rescue unit (medical) for more hands on experience!
I was looking into going through EMT training at a point but now I'm thinking it might be best to stick to the CNA tract especially because one of my friends went through the whole training and then couldn't lift enough to be hired as an EMT. I love your suggestion to look for volunteer opportunities at a rescue unit though! I so appreciate the advice ❤️
So proud of you for sticking with your goals! I know you're going in the right direction and something good is coming to you! I'm a pre-PA student, and as far as jobs to get experience go, you could try central sterile. It's basically cleaning medical equipment for surgeries. I know it might seem simple, but you could get exposure to the OR. You could also look into being an ER tech or an EKG tech. Those would be part-time jobs that could allow you to balance a busy schedule. I was an EKG tech and got a lot of exposure working in the hospital and in the ER. I hope you find something soon! Good luck!
Thank you so so much Eden! These are such great options that I haven't considered much! You're going to be the best PA 😊
Current nurse across the river from you, if I would’ve worked any job during college I would’ve chosen CNA2. My biggest struggle as a new grad was the CNA tasks and still are a year and a half later. And my hospital at least hires so many CNA2s without any experience, we always need them! CNA experience would look so good on your resume, schools in our area are competitive but with the right experience I’m sure they’ll accept you!
thank you so much for your honest advice! It's so appreciated. I really think going the CNA route is the smartest way to go right now
What helped me getting into a medical field were working or volunteering at midwifery practice, elderly home, emt work, and my friend used to work at a morgue and that supposedly helped her. Hope this helps
I’m starting college in September so in the summer I have to get some stuff so this video really helped a lot. Thank you so much
Hey, love the video and planning. I'm a cardiac nurse in the Portland metro and know exactly what your going through. My recommendation is get work experience as a CNA2 and retake any classes where you can up your GPA. That should help improve your chances with nursing school. Hope that helps
Posting again cause my comment disappeared. I have been volunteering with a hippotherapy program (basically PT/OT while on a horse) for the past 3 years and have learned so much from the therapists and kids I work with. It's a great program to get involved in and you get a lot of pediatric interaction while volunteering as a sidewalker. From a quick google search, there is a program called Forward Stride in Beaverton
I have been following your channel for a couple years now because you are the same age and year in college as I was when I found your channel! I graduated in May of 2020 with a bachelor's of neuroscience but with COVID and other things I had going on in my life I decided against med school and was pretty lost on what I should do next. I decided to try and scribe and am starting that process while I wait for acceptance into a surgical program. I heavily considered and still am considering phlebotomy and CNA courses. It's been a tough year of figuring out what to do with the future and I am constantly uncertain of which path I should take but I heavily research and debate just like you all the time! I really loved this video, thank you for being so real with us! I'll be reading the comments others have for extra guidance, ideas, and knowledge!
Wow that's so awesome! Thank you for sharing your experience...I love that we are living parallel lives 😂 class of 2020 feels the real "oh sh*t what now" pain lol
Hi!!! I was on the same boat as you 3 years ago nursing school is so competitive,. I finally reevaluated and decided to do the LPN/LVN route. I completed the program in 14 months now I’m working for the State administering vaccines. I’m also applying for the LPN-RN programs that a a lot of school have they also have LPN-RN BSN. Also if you have a Bachelors already you can do the accelerate RN program it’s about 1 year and you graduate with your RN BSN. I hope this helps! Good luck!
I applied this cycle and got into an ABSN program at my dream school!!
If I were in your shoes, I would find a CNA job and find a volunteer program I could do every other week.
And you should try applying to a lot more schools next cycle!! Nursing in CA is extremely competitive so try to apply to a school in a different state! The more options the better:)
i did my phlebotomy training through the phlebotomy training specialists in clackamas last summer! honestly it was super easy, my teacher was amazing (i had amber!), and you get both OR and national certification without the need for an internship :)
Thank you for sharing your journey it is so refreshing and comforting to see someone be so honest and feel like they don't have their life together because girl I feel that 😂 The early twenties are such a confusing and stressful time trying to figure out what you want your life to be like! But I know that you are going to make such a great nurse one day. Keep grinding on your journey you got this girl!!
If you're looking for a volunteer position that is taking in new students during covid think about the National SKi Patrol. Hands-on first responder experience mixed with the love for skiing. I've been doing it for years and it has helped me get into nursing schools here in Wisconsin!
This is so inspiring! I graduated with a theatre degree back in December and have just been chilling at home reevaluating everything since a lot of theaters still haven’t opened up fully (if at all) so it’s good to see I’m not alone in feeling a little lost😂 I don’t know much about the training and prerequisites for nursing but those CNA2 positions sound really cool!
oh man yeah you guys have it rough! Hope you hang in there...things will open up again soon! The CNA2 gig sounds like the right path for me!
Hey Kiara! Will you be reaching out to each school on what you can approve on your application? I really hope you do! Schools will definitely give you the feedback on why you were rejected. Overall, great video and keep working hard! ☺️
Hey kiara, in my opinion I really think you should go further with the CNA route. I started from being a sitter (psych patients - you legit sit with them and make sure they’re safe) and then I became an emergency service assistant (CNA in the ER) and then I became an RN once I graduated college. I truly truly think having experience as being someone who is valuable of course but knows how it feels to be under another clinician, it really gives you that understanding of how to work well with CNAs to help patients. You would have the benefits of knowing their skill set once you’re a nurse and you also will see how important it can be to delegate tasks as a nurse when you are swamped and need help. I think if you can apply to hospitals for a per diem position that’s what I did. I did shifts based on my availability during school. Nursing schools will always value CNa experience because it shows that you will most likely be a good team player and see everyone as equals. And you will be able to see RNs work, and many will teach you skills by having you watch!!! CNAs and RNs are really the back bone and together they are able to save many patients lives by catching things doctors don’t notice bc they’re not at the bedside with every patient. But that being said everyone has a different path in nursing! Best of luck girl :)
I’m a nurse! My advice is do phlebotomy and get a job in a hospital!!! Being a cna sucks (but it may put you at an advantage for getting hired as an RN when you apply for jobs). Idk if you’re applying for adn or BSN programs but I got my BSN right out of high school and I regret it I wish I had gotten my associates at a community college and then gone back later for my BSN.
KIARA I saw your ig story when you posted this12-month plan and I literally prayed that you would make a whole video of this!! this is so inspiring to get my life figured out!! u da best
haha I am go glad I did! It's so helpful to know that we really all are in this together! Hang in there ❤️💪
Hey girl, good on you for being so on it and positive, so inspiring.
I'm a nurse in the UK so not sure how much is transferrable, but pursuing CNA II or phlebotomy sounds really good. At least in the UK, that would set you up super well. Remember that not only would it help your personal skills, but you would get used to working within the multidisciplinary clinical team more than as a receptionist or something. In the UK we have healthcare assistants (HCAs), which I think are the equivalent to CNAs and the more experience you can get just chilling with patients, mastering simple skills like bed baths and catheter care, it will REALLY help you when you're a nurse.
I got into nursing school with exp in a homeless shelter, and apparently that did my application a lot of good, so maybe look into that? Helps you learn how to deal with some difficult characters!
Good luck with everything x
Girl thank you for posting this video! I also just got rejected from my dream nursing school. I am also re-planning on ways to better my application for when it opens again in June for me. I truly wish you the best of luck!! We got this!❤️
See we are in this together...we're gonna be great nurses eventually because we are building up our resilience!
It took me 2 tries to get into physician assistant school and my application was also lacking in the healthcare experience. I ended up working as an ophthalmic assistant because I didn't live in an area that offered any certification classes and that practice didn't require any previous experience or certification (you actually can't get a certification in ophthalmic assisting until you've worked for 6 months). If I had your current options I would probably go for phlebotomy, especially with the chance to get an IV certification. I feel like that is a valuable skill to have for anyone in the medical field and the fact that you pursued more than one certification can show admissions committees your willingness and desire to learn.
Thank you so much for your helpful comment Laura! That is such a good point! Excited to keep learning more :)
I am a medical scribe applying to PA school this cycle! Scribing is the best possible avenue that I could’ve taken as far as experience and learning goes. It’s not as hands on which I know is a turn off for some programs, but it’s like having a shadowing experience every single day. Would highly recommend
Such a good point! That's awesome that you're getting such great experience for PA school! Best of luck 💪💕
you should look if providence is doing any internships. I did an internship with them and got to work in the CMFC one of the greatest experiences I’ve had
74 degrees in phoenix today but there's a wind advisory, dust advisory and air quality warning from 11:00 a.m-8:00 p.m. so people with asthma especially me, not a good day to be outside! Cool for us
Stay safe!