National University San Diego

gnomik79 · Nov 13, 2009

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much!! Too bad it will only allow me to give you 1 kudo!!! This has really eased my mind! I do plan on filling out my FAFSA soon!! Thank you so much for your fast response too!!!! :D

I personally did take some extra loans for living expenses because I had to quit my full time job. I have a toddler at home and he is a handful, so it's like having a part time job. :bugeyes: His daycare alone costs me $700/month. So, yes, by the time I graduate, my total debt would definitely be more than $40K, but school is an investment and that's the way I look at it. :smokin: I am also very much interested in getting good grades because I plan on pursuing my education further someday to become a CRNA and they need at least 3.0 GPA to get into their program. So, if you are just interested in passing classes, then holding a job while in school is definitely doable. :pumpiron:

Word of advice: - don't delay, start filling out your FAFSA now. Fin/aid reps at National suck, they take forever to get things done.

twilight_saturn · Nov 13, 2009

Thanks for the advice gnomik!! I will start filling out my FAFSA now then!! I live at home right now and I don't plan on having a job during nursing school. I am very grateful to my parents. I am not married yet but I am engaged. As soon as I get married I have to move out (kind of a traditional family rule) and I am waiting until I am done and settled! It is just such a relief to know that it won't cost me $80-$90 grand! But you are exactly right...it is an investment in my future!!

twilight_saturn · Nov 17, 2009

So! How's everyone doing? It's been a while since anyone has posted!

stardust0820 · Nov 17, 2009

Hello Everyone!

My name is Ivonne and i am new member to this site. I am also pursing a degree in nursing and thinking about relocating to San Diego ( Solana Beach specifically). I only need two more classes to complete my prereq's and meet National University's admission requirements. I only have one major concern, TUITION. i do not qualify for financial aid and i wanted to know if there was anyone that can offer up any tips on how to pay for tuition without utilizing financial aid. Any tips offered is much appreciated :specs:

gnomik79 · Nov 18, 2009

Hello Everyone!
My name is Ivonne and i am new member to this site. I am also pursing a degree in nursing and thinking about relocating to San Diego ( Solana Beach specifically). I only need two more classes to complete my prereq's and meet National University's admission requirements. I only have one major concern, TUITION. i do not qualify for financial aid and i wanted to know if there was anyone that can offer up any tips on how to pay for tuition without utilizing financial aid. Any tips offered is much appreciated

You mean, you don't qualify for grants? Or for Stafford loans either? Well, you can try private student loans through lenders like Wells Fargo or Chase. And then there are always a ton of scholarships available, if you have time for those of course... Good luck to you!

sandiegoaaron · Nov 18, 2009

Hey folks - I'll be in Cohort 21 at National, but I'm worried about a question I'm not seeing here on all these postings. Has anyone heard first hand about the faculty? Are the instructors helpful? I've heard National teachers are like drill sergeants and that you shouldn't "rock the boat". Really not trying to scare anyone, I'm in this too, but one person - sorry, I'm forgetting your name - said he was in his second semester and that "teaching yourself" has been his experience thus far. I don't like just being given a bunch of assignments and told, this is what's due, see you next week ... or whatever. I'd like there to be more guidance seeing as this is new for all of us ... well at least me. Anyway, any word on the teaching methods and the instructors themselves? Thanks, Aaron

prettyinpink57 · Nov 18, 2009

Hello - I am in Cohort 18. Ok the teachers don't say "Here is your assignment see you next week." It's just that there is SO much information, a 5 hour lecture each week cannot teach you everything. Nursing school is intense, and you are learning more than you ever have. You are also going to have 24 hours of clinicals a week, where you will also learn a LOT. I would also like to mention that every teacher is different. Some are GREAT and some are not. Keep in mind that this is also an accelerated program so i'm serious when I say be ready to work your tail off. Hope that helps, I'm always here for questions.

sandiegoaaron · Nov 18, 2009

Thanks very much, prettyinpink - I like the name. :) OK, so I think I get you, there is a lot of outside the class teaching yourself and reading. That's OK, you're right, 5 hours per week in lecture doesn't sound like much, so that's understandable. But what I'm a bit worried about - well more than a bit - is, what if you have questions about the material? Are the instructors accessible? Or is this where you sort of turn to your classmates for help? In other words, do they help you if you're in need?

Also, I thought it was 16 hours for clinicals, no? I thought it was one day of lecture (5 hours) and two days of clinicals (8 hours each). Lot's of papers to write? What is the material like, or a typical week and month ... besides difficult, I'm sure!

Are there any breaks along the way? Any chances to go visit family?

And a big one, I haven't taken Anatomy or Physiology for a couple years now. I've forgotten a lot of that stuff! Can I go back and review the basics or is this something where National expects you to know that material well in order to sufficiently do this and that assignment? Do the classes in the beginning of the cohort do a good job of reviewing anything we might need to know along those lines? Thanks for the input. Aaron

gnomik79 · Nov 19, 2009

Hi Aaron,

I am also in Cohort 18. Although you are expected to do a lot of learning on your own, the instructors are generally available for questions/concerns, either after class or by phone or email. In fact, many of them will give you their cell phone numbers to use. They do want you to succeed but expect you to do a lot of work on your own. There are not that many papers to write, maybe one per class on average. However, you will be expected to do a weekly care plan on a patient of your choice and turn those into your clinical instructors. Lectures are usually composed of quizes, group presentation, paper, midterm and final.

In clinicals, you are expected to do weekly care plans and journals. The number of clinical hours depends on the class: in some you will have two 8-hr shift, or one 12 and one 8, or two 12-hr shift (which is what we had this time). Either way, you are expected to meet a specific number of hours for each class, and if you have two 12-hr shifts, you may meet that requirement sooner that your classmates who may do two 8-hr shifts per week. So, basically either way everyone will typically do the same number of hours.

Anatomy/physio: usually before they cover each system, they do a quick anatomy review but very brief because you are expected to know it. So, you'll just have to go home and review it on your own. I recommend you start reviewing those since you have another month before you start, if you have time of course. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions.

twilight_saturn · Nov 19, 2009

Wow! That's a lot of info! Great questions Aaron! Thanks for the wealth of information prettyinpink and gnomik!! I am so glad there is not a TON of papers to write!! I had a question I just thought of too...how many of your classmates do you do clinicals with on the same shift?

gnomik79 · Nov 19, 2009

Wow! That's a lot of info! Great questions Aaron! Thanks for the wealth of information prettyinpink and gnomik!! I am so glad there is not a TON of papers to write!! I had a question I just thought of too...how many of your classmates do you do clinicals with on the same shift?

Typically, each clinical group consists of 7-10 people. However, in your very first class (Health Assessment) you may have a bit more people. And you will not be with the same group of people for each class - although you can always try to switch into the clinical group of your choice but only if you find someone to switch with.

twilight_saturn · Nov 19, 2009

Thanks gnomik! I was also curious about payments. When do they require you to do a payment on a course? Before starting, during or after? Also, are there any lump sums we have to put down? Do you carry a PDA? How much was that? Do you use a laptop for classes or do you feel that they are not needed? One more: How much are scrubs? How many do you get for that price? Thank you so much!!!