Banner Nurse Fellows Program

c18436572 · Aug 8, 2006

Have you heard anything else about this? I was curious what type of starting salary they offer you once you graduate? Also, do you get to pick which area you would like to work in upon graduation or is that already decided for you? Did you have to have all of your pre-req's completed prior to applying?

Please let me know if have any of this info.

Thank you!

UofAPNP2B, ASN, BSN · Aug 9, 2006

I actually got my letter yesterday, I GOT IN!!!

I'm so excited. Turns out that one of the women who interviewed me on the panel was the director of the entire program. :eek:

You have to have already applied for the nursing program at one of the Maricopa colleges, then you put in an app for this - Banner selects applicants to interview and then 30 people get picked. Here's some more info.

The starting salary is exactly what all their new grads get paid, and they will try to put you where you want to go but there is no guarantee. I'm just thrilled to be in an acclerated program and to have everything paid for!

CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 9, 2006

...and they will try to put you where you want to go but there is no guarantee.

Does this mean that you may not be able to choose a good shift, or you may not be able to choose the area of nursing that you want? Can you clarify? Thanks!

Congratulations on getting in!! :balloons:

CrazyPremed

boomerfriend · Aug 10, 2006

I have a friend who just started block 3 in this program. He really likes it but it's truly fast-paced. You do all the same stuff as the traditional program, you just get less time to get it all done. He likes working in the Banner hospitals and has gotten to move around a bit.

As for the shifts, when I went for the informational meeting, they made it sound like that if you request a specific specialty, they'll try and accomodate you but will not guarantee it. (i.e. L&D days) They might be able to get you into L&D but it'll be nights. Or, you only want days....they may get you into an area you may have not considered your favorite.

I didn't go for it because I really like having my summers off. I have kids at home still and wouldn't want to be in school while they're off for 2 months. Now that I've been through one summer while in NS, I'm really glad I made that decision. However, my friend is really happy with his choice. He's going to be finished before you know it!

blessed2011 · Oct 4, 2006

hi im waiting to get an interview in November. im praying i get in. i work for banner already. did you work for banner too. which cohort are you starting --October or for next march?

UofAPNP2B, ASN, BSN · Oct 11, 2006

I start in two weeks and no I don't work for Banner. I've been doing mortgages for the last six years and I'm soooo ready for a change! From what I can tell they won't give preference to people already working for them, but I'm not sure - you may want to talk to the program director about that.

MsBruiser · Oct 20, 2006

I'm currently in the BNFP. It is just awesome. Banner seems like one of the rare companies that truly cares about its employees, and as a nurse fellow you are really treated quite well. Just because you will owe Banner a few years work - which you could pay-off very easily with a sign-on bonus from another hospital, which they know - does not mean you will be held to crappy hours or a position you don't like. You are treated just like any other new grad - with the difference that we get first dibs on externships so you can basically enter the department you want while you are still in school. If you pull your weight and your senior clinical managers like you, they will bend over backwards to see that your interests/schedules are accomodated. Just being considered first for an externship is a bonus-enough - it is an incredible experience. The "director" of the program who interviewed you is one of the nicest people I have ever met - and she will help you in any way possible in your career. Most of the other hr types at Banner are just as great - they really want you to stay and build your career there....

So congrats on getting in - you will not regret it. Just be warned it is a very busy program - treat it like a full-time job and you will be fine. Also, the Gateway instructors I have had so far have been great...enjoy them as they are super people.

UofAPNP2B, ASN, BSN · Oct 22, 2006

It's great to hear from someone who is already in it! I'm so excited, I have orientation on Monday and I can hardly stand the wait. I quit my job in order to do this because I figured that it would be much too difficult to work during this program. What block are you in? Can you tell me any more about the extern program? Do you think it's possible to work one shift a week (as an extern) while in the program? I just don't know what to expect at all! I picked up my books and nursing tote last week. Holy crap, that's a lot of books. I hope I won't have to carry them around all the time! :) I desperately want to buy new tennis shoes but I don't know how picky the instructors are about dress code and the shoes, so I'll wait til Monday. I'm so pathetic.

MsBruiser · Oct 22, 2006

It's great to hear from someone who is already in it! I'm so excited, I have orientation on Monday and I can hardly stand the wait. I quit my job in order to do this because I figured that it would be much too difficult to work during this program. What block are you in? Can you tell me any more about the extern program? Do you think it's possible to work one shift a week (as an extern) while in the program? I just don't know what to expect at all! I picked up my books and nursing tote last week. Holy crap, that's a lot of books. I hope I won't have to carry them around all the time! :) I desperately want to buy new tennis shoes but I don't know how picky the instructors are about dress code and the shoes, so I'll wait til Monday. I'm so pathetic.

I'm about to begin Block II - so I was in your place just a few months ago. Extern program works like this - pick the hospital and area where you want to work and for the most part they will hook you up with 12 hours every other week in that area. So it is like on the job training that you get paid for. The only stipulation - they really want you to pick the hospital where you want to work when you get out of the program. I do it at Good Sam - it is awesome. There are a lot of books. But - you will not need them all at once. In fact, I barely read them - prefering to take really good notes in class. You will find what works best for yourself. As for the shoes - you can get any shoes as long as they are white (except for a small Nike "swoosh" or something) and they cover your heal. They are picky - very picky about the uniform. And they will want to see your shoes at a uniform "inspection" - so go ahead and buy 'em. Just remember -as white as you can find them!

You are in for a great experience - relax and enjoy it! I think working one shift a week is ok. Some people manage to work full-time, thank god not me! I would work too but it would take away family time which is more important than the money...

MsBruiser · Oct 22, 2006

One more thing - externs are budgeted to work 24 hours a month, or every other week. Depending on the department, you can sometimes do more than that. It all depends on the department...You can start the externship towards the end of your Block I - but it all depends what hospital. Good Sam hires all year long - some other places hire only twice per year. They will have a special externship recruitment lunch in a few months where it will be explained, and you will meet Linda who is the Fellows coordinator - she can answer any of those questions for you...

UofAPNP2B, ASN, BSN · Oct 24, 2006

Awesome. Thanks for the info! I went to orientation today and Linda was there, but nothing about the extern program yet. I'm really impressed so far, and I've only been to orientation. It seems like Banner really does care what happens to us. You must be in the Block I group that a tall skinny teacher (I can't remember her name) came in and told us she had just given finals to today.