Comments on: MEPN is like … running a marathon http://nursingzen.exobi.com/2008/05/14/mepn-is-like-running-a-marathon/ This blog is about a writer's journey into nursing. First stop: UCSF's Master's Entry Program of Nursing (MEPN). Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:45:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Keith http://nursingzen.exobi.com/2008/05/14/mepn-is-like-running-a-marathon/#comment-1030 Keith Wed, 21 May 2008 10:50:09 +0000 http://nursingzen.exobi.com/2008/05/14/mepn-is-like-running-a-marathon/#comment-1030 I am so sorry to hear that you have hit this (apparent) bump in the road, but I hold out hope that you---and others like you who are entering the profession---will find an inroad, because we need your fresh energy and desire to be nurses! I became a nurse at 31 in the late 90's, just as nursing supplies seemingly began to run into trouble. With your skills, knowledge, and heartfelt desire, I have no doubt that you will succeed. Please keep us posted, and know that there are many nurses out there who are rooting for your happy success! I am so sorry to hear that you have hit this (apparent) bump in the road, but I hold out hope that you—and others like you who are entering the profession—will find an inroad, because we need your fresh energy and desire to be nurses!

I became a nurse at 31 in the late 90’s, just as nursing supplies seemingly began to run into trouble. With your skills, knowledge, and heartfelt desire, I have no doubt that you will succeed.

Please keep us posted, and know that there are many nurses out there who are rooting for your happy success!

]]> By: Nicole http://nursingzen.exobi.com/2008/05/14/mepn-is-like-running-a-marathon/#comment-1029 Nicole Wed, 21 May 2008 04:43:18 +0000 http://nursingzen.exobi.com/2008/05/14/mepn-is-like-running-a-marathon/#comment-1029 Wow. Just Wow. I've told my partner that moving back to Sac might be the smartest thing once I'm done with MEPN, but reading your post reinforces it. Friends of mine are making $63 per hour as RNs in the Central Valley (which is a LOT of money for that area). I feel like I've got it all figured out as well, so reading your post is a grounding in reality. Please keep me updated as to what you do. And I wish you the best of luck. Likewise, I'm not stressed yet. I've got a super solid science background and a mild OCD to keep me in line. :) Hope to meet you soon. Email me if you'd like to get a glass of wine. Nicole... Wow. Just Wow. I’ve told my partner that moving back to Sac might be the smartest thing once I’m done with MEPN, but reading your post reinforces it. Friends of mine are making $63 per hour as RNs in the Central Valley (which is a LOT of money for that area). I feel like I’ve got it all figured out as well, so reading your post is a grounding in reality. Please keep me updated as to what you do. And I wish you the best of luck.
Likewise, I’m not stressed yet. I’ve got a super solid science background and a mild OCD to keep me in line. :)
Hope to meet you soon. Email me if you’d like to get a glass of wine.
Nicole…

]]> By: P. http://nursingzen.exobi.com/2008/05/14/mepn-is-like-running-a-marathon/#comment-1019 P. Wed, 14 May 2008 17:21:29 +0000 http://nursingzen.exobi.com/2008/05/14/mepn-is-like-running-a-marathon/#comment-1019 At least the WSJ article mentioned that employers are starting to make the workplace more accessible for RNs who aren't exactly spring chickens. I'm starting a MEPN program next month at the grand old age of 40. Bring on the lift teams for the heavy patients, I say! Ultimately I think we will all benefit from better working conditions for nurses--even if it means our first nursing jobs aren't easy to come by. Also, if I were looking for a job right now in my current profession (communications/Web development)--I'd have way less than a 1% chance of finding a job. Even with experience. So... hang in there. At least the WSJ article mentioned that employers are starting to make the workplace more accessible for RNs who aren’t exactly spring chickens. I’m starting a MEPN program next month at the grand old age of 40. Bring on the lift teams for the heavy patients, I say! Ultimately I think we will all benefit from better working conditions for nurses–even if it means our first nursing jobs aren’t easy to come by.

Also, if I were looking for a job right now in my current profession (communications/Web development)–I’d have way less than a 1% chance of finding a job. Even with experience. So… hang in there.

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