I'm finishing up my fourth semester this fall.
I finished taking my pre-req's in two years, part time (only took two classes a semester. I had several classes that transferred from a previous college). I actually found out I had been accepted into the nursing program on the very last day of exams for Microbiology.
As for how the program is...well, if you make it through, you will without a doubt know your stuff and be ready for a job the day after pinning. I will tell you, though, that its very hard, but not impossible to get through. Make sure you have excellent time management (especially if you have a family to take care of, or you have to work full time...) and to be blunt, be ready to put your entire life (family, vacations, friends, social life...) on hold for the two years you are in the program. It is fast, intense, and very time consuming, and it doesn't afford much extra time for anything other than study (including sleep, sometimes). As soon as you can, try to find a group to study with- that is sooooo important! and, just make sure the group has the same 'mentality' as you do (stay away from negative people, or those who think that relieving the stress of the day's clinical is to go partying...). Make sure you keep up on your reading, and don't ever be afraid to ask questions- either from the professors, or other students, or even the lab staff. Scared yet?
Don't be, I didn't mean to make it sound horrible.
As for a humanities class to take...I took a class called "death and dying", but I believe its only offered in the spring, and then only in the evening. I also took Ceramics, but it turned out to be more work intensive than Microbiology- go figure!
One suggestion- take Microbiology BEFORE you get into the program. It will allow you to take just the nursing classes, and believe me, you're going to need all the extra time you can scrape up. If you can manage to squeeze into a nutrition class the summer before you start Nursing I, do it. If not, take it the first semester you are in the program to get it out of the way.
As for the Tuition Reimbursement programs, most employers who offer it require you to 'sign on' after you graduate for a certain amount of time. On the average, it's two years after you graduate. Sort of like working off the money they 'invested' in you. Yes, you do have to be employed there, although the length of time you need to be there to qualify for the program varies with each job. There are pros and cons to these programs (ie, having a guaranteed job when you graduate is a plus, but being 'locked' into the facility, whether you like working there or not can be rough. You might also have to 'pay back' some of the money if you leave before the end of your time is up...each place has their own rules.)
And don't worry about the questions. I'm only too happy to help anyone wanting to start the program. I just wish I had someone to talk to about it before I started it- I would have been much better prepared mentally for everything. Good luck, and feel free to ask anytime!
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