So, I have a problem Internet. It's kind of stuck in my craw so to speak so I'm going to blog it out. This blog may well be a bit ranty...so you're forewarned.
I would like a degree, please.
I currently do not have one and they sure do look handy. Currently I do many of the skills that the RNs on my team do but they take home considerably more cash. Now, don't get me wrong, they earn their pay. Since our jobs don't look that different to me....I would like that take home as well.
Should't be too hard, right? I mean I have 10 years in the field. I should get plenty of prior learning credit. Right?
Here's where the rant starts...get out while there is still time.
I get no prior learning credit for my education or my experience.
Nothing.
Nada.
Zip.
Ziltch.
I get nothing from Loyalist...my alma matter. The nice people who gave me my RPN certificate and my 3.76 GPA. In fact...since I don't have a grade 12 biology or a high enough mark in my grade 12 chem....they would like me to take pre health sciences for a year before they'll let me apply to the RN program.
Pre Health Sciences.
Just for some perspective.....high school kids get direct access to apply to the RN program. I however have to take an extra year.
I graduated high school in 1995.
The OUIT folks tell me a similar story "nope...sorry can't help you. You'll need to upgrade to apply to our RN program"
I'll need to upgrade.
Up. Grade.
This is particularly ironic to me as I sit here recalling my last month of work.....Pronouncement of death, IV starts and maintenance, PICC Care, Trach Care, Ventilator Care, Catheters, Wound Care including application of compression, consultations with GP's, Surgeons, Psych, Social work, and Care Co-coordinators Mentoring and orienting new staff. 16 hour days, 14 days of on call.
But I need to upgrade.
Now...I've found out (with no help from anybody at either institution of higher education) that I can take the grade 12 chem and bio for $30 each through adult ed. This sure beats the roughly $5000 they each wanted to charge me for the pre-health program and I'm most likely going to do this. I mean, hell....it's $60. I spend more than that on coffee every month.
God Bless our fine public education system.
But I'm going to sit with this a while. Mostly because I'm offended.
I'm offended that according to these schools my last ten years have amounted to very little.
Now, I know different and I hope my patients feel differently as well but it's a little like a slap in the face to have a desk jockey look you in the eyes and tell you that your hard won skills and experience amount to very little.
That you have to start at the beginning. At less than the beginning actually, kind of in the basement.
I'll remember that the next time I get a 3am call to get out of bed and help a panicked patient.
Also, I'm sorry...but didn't I hear something about a shortage of RN's? Aren't we looking to increase the numbers? Well here I am boys, with my nose pressed against the glass....but the door looks to be locked.
Since I'm a shopping kind of girl it occurs to me that I should ask Loyalist for my tuition money back. I mean, if they certificate they gave me isn't worth much by their own pronouncement....I'd like my money back please.
I could use it to take a year of pre health sciences.
Wouldn't that be a riot?
