Hi-
They've changed the contract since I graduated last august. I have a 2-year contract. And most of my classmates are working night shifts. I chose to work on a less desirable unit and was able to get a day shift. I lucked out.

It didn't seem to matter what your GPA is/was or what your previous work experience or degrees are. You will start at the bottom. Unless you already work for one the the sponsoring hospitals, you will be at the bottom. And to be frank, it sucks. There is no shortage here in Tucson no matter what you hear. There are more new grads than jobs and some of the hospitals are cutting back. So, if you are willing to take whatever you can get, do your time, you'll be fine.

I personally thought the program was poorly organized. There were soooo many things wrong. There seemed to be different standards for different people. Bickering within the faculty. It was crazy. The ladies in the office are wonderful.

If I could have afforded to pay for school instead of going through this program, I would have. I want to do community nursing and I'm doing hospital. totally different. My family is here also. and my husband's job is here and there was no way for me to go somewhere else.

I've heard good things about Georgetown and Duke.

Try to talk to the sponsoring hospitals. Just call the HR dept and ask about the UA program their graduates.

good luck. just remember, you will be 3 years older anyway, with or without a 3 year contract!

all the best

Hello aznurse,

Just wondering if I can bother you with a few questions about the UofA ABSN program. I have already applied for this summer's entering class, and finished my prereqs with a 3.9 GPA. I also hold a BA and advanced degree, with more than seven years experience in education and small business management.
OK, Qs:
1) Can you shed a bit more light on how the partner hospitals draft the work commitment, and what happens when you graduate and begin work? I am a bit wary of signing a 3 year work obligation when I could end up working the night shift in an undesirable dept. How much influence do new nurses have in determining their assignments?
2) How was the academic side of the ABSN program, and please be candid. If was great, do say so. If not, what could have been better, and did you see any efforts on the instructor/adminstrative sides to make such improvements?
3) If you had to do it again, would you?

I ask because UofA provides me the chance to stay in AZ (my preference), close to firneds and family. However, I am in the process of interviewing for similar programs at Duke and Georgetown. From the outside, these schools seem so much more organized, but they're also private institutions, and so better funded.

Looking forward to your comments, and than thanks in advance.

Gfan.