Nursing Student: Alisha Banks
My decision to become a nurse at first was a means to make more money. That still is one of my reasons but also because I have worked in the healthcare field as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) for so many years, I feel it’s time to advance myself. Also, my grandmother was a huge supporter, as well as my other family members, of me going back to school and being even more successful in life.
Nursing Students: What do you think will be your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job as a CNA is the ability to help others who cannot do for themselves. As a nurse it’s the same reason being able to help others and to further my knowledge of the human being, both from a health standpoint and a psychological perspective.
Nursing Students: What will be your area of specialty and why?
My area of specialty will be in Anesthesiology or an R.N.A.C. An Anesthesiologist provides medical care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. Anesthesiologists are responsible for delivering (or ensuring the delivery of) anesthesia safely to patients in virtually all health care settings.
Nursing Students: What is your favorite subject or toughest subject in school? How can someone prepare for it?
The toughest so far are the Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology. These are science classes and you have to make sure you know your chemistry and biology to succeed. My favorite subject thus far has been Medical Terminology and Nutrition because I learned so much more about the human body than I ever knew. Also, my Medical Terminology course prepared me vastly for a lot of the medical language used in my science courses.
Nursing Students: How do you finance your education? Do you get tuition reimbursement?
I financed, rather I am financing my education through grants, loans, scholarships and tuition reimbursement through my employer. As long as my grades at the end of the semester, is a ‘C’ or better, I am reimbursed for the cost of my courses. There are so many opportunities for African American students to receive scholarships. I am adding the link to a few that I know off-hand.
1.www.FastWeb.com
2.www.blackexcel.org
3.www. scholarshipsforafricanamericans.org
4.www.thesalliemaefund.org/smfnew/scholarship.
Nursing Students: How do you manage your family and nursing school? Do you work full-time, too? How do you manage that, too?
I don’t have any children that I have to worry about; however, I do work a fulltime job. Most of my classes are done online except for my sciences and labs which are taken at the college. So I go to school two days out of the week.
Nurses and Nursing Students: What advice would you offer to anyone who wants to become a nurse or attend nursing school?
My advice for anyone wanting to enroll in school or even go back after so many years is to never let anyone discourage you from doing what you want to do in life. Go for it and go strong and study hard. I would advise to not take on too many courses at one time because it can get stressful and overwhelming at times.
I hear through word of mouth that Harcum, LaSalle, Drexel , Jefferson, Roxborough, and St. Joes in the Philadelphia area have wonderful nursing courses. I am unsure of where I will be transferring to, but I will keep you abreast of my progress!!!
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