[Monkie]

So... I thought I had decided to go to Jeff State this fall, but in another thread there seemed to be a little bashing going on.
I currently have a full-tuition scholarship for UAB. I'm positive that I could get into their nursing program. However, my boyfriend's mother told me about their mobility program and said that I could get my Bachelors in 3 years if I went to somewhere like Jeff State for 2 years, worked at UAB 6 months, then let UAB pay for the rest of college for a year while still working there.
It sounded like a great idea.
She also said that UAB's nursing program is good, but not as good for working on the floor (it's more management geared); considering that no one goes straight to management she suggested that I go through an ASN program that would better prepare me for actually working with patients.
Any advice/suggestions?

[CardioTrans]

What do YOU want to do???

Most BSN programs, not just UAB, are geared towards management. Most management positions either require or "prefer" as BSN.

Your ASN or ADN programs have management classes, but have more clinicals.

If you have a full scholarship it is paid anyway..... The benefit at UAB for tuition is only for UAB... you cant go anywhere else. It is also limited to 18 semester hours a year.

What would be best for you??? Do you have to work while in school, or as quickly as possible?? If so, then a two yr program would be good. If not, then go ahead and go for the BSN now since you have the scholarship. You have to decide what you want to do and what is best for you.

[reneeja]

As a Jeff State student, I would highly recommend UAB.

[kjack87]

Think about your future today. If you want to further your education beyond the ASN, its better to do it now, especially if you don't have any major responsibilities like husband, kids, mortgage, because as you get more attached, it will become harder to fit school into your life. On the other hand, if you need to make money sooner, then go the ASN route, but make sure it isn't 2 years plus a year of prereqs, because if that's the case the 4 yr BSN would give you more bang for your buck.

Now about your scholarship, is it good at any school in AL or just UAB?

[Monkie]

The scholarship is only for UAB. That is why it's so hard to decide, partially. I missed the Jeff State deadline because my school decided it didn't want to mail my transcript to a community college. Although I do qualify for a crap load of financial aid...
No matter where I go to college, I'm going to have to work as close to full time as I can. It's unavoidable, even with a full-tuition scholarship.
I really want to be out of school as soon as I can because I'm afraid I'll get sick of it and quit if I have to stay too long.
Does anyone know about UAB's mobility program?
Or if any other hospitals in the Birmingham area do something similar?

It almost sounds too good to be true that anywhere would let you work for them for half a year then pay for you to go to school...

[CardioTrans]

I dont know about their RN-BSN program...I did mine at another school before I went to work at UAB. But it is true, they do offer free tuition. I am going to grad school with it.

As for the other hospitals.... they offer tuition "reimbursement"........but most of them require you to work for them so long after you finish to "pay them back" and you have to pay up front, then proivde your grades after the semester to be paid. UAB you do not have to work for them.... it is one of the benefits....just plain old free tuition.

[dfarr]

Why would you even entertain going to Jeff State if you could go to UAB? The programs are the same length once you actually get into the SON at UAB, but you come out with a BSN instead of having to go back to school to get it, if you so chose. You already have your tuition at UAB paid for. Is finishing a year earlier really worth having to go back to school to get a degree that you could have already gotten for free in the first place. Plus I've had friends who went to Jeff St say that it was the biggest joke of a program.

[Monkie]

I've decided on UAB. I accepted my scholarship two days ago and now I'm applying to theUAB Nursing Scholars Program.
I more than qualify, and if you make it you're guaranteed a spot in their nursing program.
Honestly, getting a bachelor's in three years sounded good, but that isn't guaranteed. Plus, I've been in contact with the admissions office at Jeff State, and they certainly aren't very polite or very helpful.

Does anyone know about the Nursing Scholars Program?

[dfarr]

The nursing scholars program is just a program that gives UAB students an advantage to get into UAB's nursing school. I was a part of it. I believe that you have to have all your classes done at UAB and have at least a 3.2 pre-nursing GPA. It's really not that big of a deal.

[JA27]

If you have the opportunity to go to UAB, take it. You will not be able to work and successfully complete the Jeff State curriculum. There is a lot of self-study (mostly self study) since the teachers in the beginning courses will only read the PowerPoint slides or the book to you. The exams do not correlate with what is "taught" in the classroom and the teachers are not helpful.