Calling all Grand Canyon University Spring 2014 Hopefuls!!!

andiisme · Sep 27, 2013

Andi- thanks so much for (more) helpful info!! Seriously I didn't even think about the whole not-hiring-nursing-students-as-cna's/pct's. It makes alot of sense, and I would agree as a hiring manager, because afterall, once a cna who is in nursing school passes the NCLEX and gets an RN job, they are outta there. So I get it. I just wanted to have SOME kind of job while in school- even if just working one day a week. I have been working full time since the beginning of my undergrad 5 years ago, and to think of just living off loans and going to school is a different adjustment for me! I'm glad to get perspective from an SHC employee. That's great you already have an "in" with them, with tuition assistance and possibly getting an RN job upon graduation! That's ideal. How long have you been working for them? And man is that a long drive from where you live!! I guess its all freeway though huh so thats good. I live near Oldtown Scottsdale, a couple miles from the Scottsdale Osborn. I heard there may be some clinicals at that hospital, so I thought that was super close and just seemed really neat. I am always up for study buddies! If we all get in, I say we have weekly or biweekly study sessions :) I do not have kids, but do have a dog.[/quote']
Ya it is nice. They do typically hire internally so I'm excited for that as well! I've been here about a year and a half. I worked in the restaurant industry prior to getting my CNA. And ya the drive isn't very bad. Maybe 20-25 mins. I work night shift so I don't have rush hour traffic to deal with. But even when there is I can cut through the reservation most of the way and still get there in under 30 mins. Plus we work 12 hour shifts so full time I'm still only driving back and forth 3 days a week as opposed to 5 like most. To me it's well worth it. There's a lot of employees who drive from MUCH further.
And yes when we find out who's accepted we'll for sure plan to do study groups often. My good friend from school who's also applied lives between Shea & Osborn also (about ten mins from each) so we can get together. & if your dog likes kiddos mine would love him/her lol.

Bee511 · Sep 27, 2013

Ya it is nice. They do typically hire internally so I'm excited for that as well! I've been here about a year and a half. I worked in the restaurant industry prior to getting my CNA. And ya the drive isn't very bad. Maybe 20-25 mins. I work night shift so I don't have rush hour traffic to deal with. But even when there is I can cut through the reservation most of the way and still get there in under 30 mins. Plus we work 12 hour shifts so full time I'm still only driving back and forth 3 days a week as opposed to 5 like most. To me it's well worth it. There's a lot of employees who drive from MUCH further.
And yes when we find out who's accepted we'll for sure plan to do study groups often. My good friend from school who's also applied lives between Shea & Osborn also (about ten mins from each) so we can get together. & if your dog likes kiddos mine would love him/her lol.

That's not a bad drive then at all! It takes me about 20 min to get to work in the morning and my job is only 5 miles away... because of heavy traffic and stoplights. So that will be nice to not have that anymore if I get accepted! Besides pursuing my dream and becoming a nurse and loving what I do, working only 3 days a week is one of the top things I am looking forward to! Do you like working the night shift? Is it that much of an adjustment from days? How are your "days/nights" off like? I kind of want to work a night shift for my first RN job, I think it would be a little different, and I hear the pay is a little higher which is always a plus for paying off loans lol.

Oh yes, I see your little girl in the pic :) She is adorable! How old is she? I applaud you for being a strong single mom and getting your RN. I'm sure it's not easy, but well worth it in the long run. Maybe she will be a nurse one day too! My dog loooves people. He is a little spazzy though so we would have to have high supervision lol, he is a french bulldog and loves all the attention. Still going through his pup years even though he is four years old lol. Your friend lives super close then to both hospitals, lucky her! Yay we can already form a study group. Can't wait to (hopefully) meet you and everyone else!

andiisme · Sep 27, 2013

That's not a bad drive then at all! It takes me about 20 min to get to work in the morning and my job is only 5 miles away... because of heavy traffic and stoplights. So that will be nice to not have that anymore if I get accepted! Besides pursuing my dream and becoming a nurse and loving what I do working only 3 days a week is one of the top things I am looking forward to! Do you like working the night shift? Is it that much of an adjustment from days? How are your "days/nights" off like? I kind of want to work a night shift for my first RN job, I think it would be a little different, and I hear the pay is a little higher which is always a plus for paying off loans lol. Oh yes, I see your little girl in the pic :) She is adorable! How old is she? I applaud you for being a strong single mom and getting your RN. I'm sure it's not easy, but well worth it in the long run. Maybe she will be a nurse one day too! My dog loooves people. He is a little spazzy though so we would have to have high supervision lol, he is a french bulldog and loves all the attention. Still going through his pup years even though he is four years old lol. Your friend lives super close then to both hospitals, lucky her! Yay we can already form a study group. Can't wait to (hopefully) meet you and everyone else![/quote']
I love working only 3 days a week. And I also really like nights. Yes it's a huge adjustment and definitely not for everyone. It's exhausting at times, because I don't sleep much being that I have the kiddo to take care of during the day. But for that reason I also switch back to "regular" days on my days off easy too. My nights off I can go to sleep at 9pm generally, and often do! My daughter is 2 1/2. She is the reason I started working nights. Being in school 2-4 days a week (for pre reqs) I wanted to ensure I had some days off with her. This way, working nights, I only miss a couple hours with her cuz the rest she is asleep for. Honestly, tho, after working nights I don't really have any desire to work days. I'd much prefer being energized at the start of my shift and powering through that 3-5am time when it's slow and you're tired counting down til 730 than to have to wake up at 5am to an alarm and struggle to get out of bed in the mornings. (Definitely won't enjoy clinicals in this regard haha). Plus yea a lot of hospitals pay shift diff. We as aides/techs get a lil over $2/hr. RNs get $6.50 plus we both get extra $1 on weekends. Which adds up fast despite seeming like very little.
Gosh I can't wait to find out if we got in! If so, yes we'll have to meet & we'll have awesome study groups. Haha

Bee511 · Sep 28, 2013

I love working only 3 days a week. And I also really like nights. Yes it's a huge adjustment and definitely not for everyone. It's exhausting at times, because I don't sleep much being that I have the kiddo to take care of during the day. But for that reason I also switch back to "regular" days on my days off easy too. My nights off I can go to sleep at 9pm generally, and often do! My daughter is 2 1/2. She is the reason I started working nights. Being in school 2-4 days a week (for pre reqs) I wanted to ensure I had some days off with her. This way, working nights, I only miss a couple hours with her cuz the rest she is asleep for. Honestly, tho, after working nights I don't really have any desire to work days. I'd much prefer being energized at the start of my shift and powering through that 3-5am time when it's slow and you're tired counting down til 730 than to have to wake up at 5am to an alarm and struggle to get out of bed in the mornings. (Definitely won't enjoy clinicals in this regard haha). Plus yea a lot of hospitals pay shift diff. We as aides/techs get a lil over $2/hr. RNs get $6.50 plus we both get extra $1 on weekends. Which adds up fast despite seeming like very little.
Gosh I can't wait to find out if we got in! If so, yes we'll have to meet & we'll have awesome study groups. Haha

You are definitely making the night shift sound alot better than day shift! Yeah, I think I won't mind it too much at all if that's the kind of shift I get as an RN fresh out of school. I am actually kind of hoping for it! I agree, the whole getting up at 5 am thing has never been my cup of tea. I am SO not a morning person, so yes, clinicals will be a little interesting to get used to haha. But excited nonetheless! Thanks for the info on the pay re shift differential, I can see how it really adds up in the final paycheck.

Gosh I just can't wait either, my nerves are getting to me.......just a little over two weeks ladiessss!!!!!! :)

marypoppins08 · Oct 2, 2013

Just wanted to jump in as well! I've applied for Spring 14 at the AT Still campus as I'm out in south Chandler! I currently work in home health, did my CNA thru EVIT when I was 17 and have been doing my pre-reqs for the past few years. Now it's just a waiting game, I guess! So nervous, but excited as well! Good luck everyone!

MrsBond · Oct 2, 2013

13 more days! At least school has been keeping me busy. I am curious if anyone else is applying to Banner Boswell?

Bee511 · Oct 3, 2013

Welcome Marypoppins! I think we have people applying to every hospital on here! Good variety :) Can't wait to get our letters!! 12 dayssss

Kbev · Oct 6, 2013

I see a lot of people applying to banner boswell and scottsdale healthcare, can anyone explain to me the difference between those and I the maij campud in Glendale? Where are the classes held? Is thereba advantage to those locations over main? I applied to main because its close to home, I'm just confused a little to how the locations differ when it comes to opportunities for employment. I thought even GCU main was associated eith all the hospitals??

andiisme · Oct 7, 2013

I see a lot of people applying to banner boswell and scottsdale healthcare can anyone explain to me the difference between those and I the maij campud in Glendale? Where are the classes held? Is thereba advantage to those locations over main? I applied to main because its close to home, I'm just confused a little to how the locations differ when it comes to opportunities for employment. I thought even GCU main was associated eith all the hospitals??[/quote']
GCU main campus has traditional program (2 years with regular breaks/summers off). I don't know a lot about that program
Satellite campuses are the ones associated with the hospitals and have only the fast track (16 months straight through w/o breaks). Each campus has different affiliation and clinicals tend to be held there more often (eg St Joes cohort has most of their clinicals at their hospital, Scottsdale Healthcare does a lot more at Osborn and Shea, Boswell at Banner hospitals, etc). As employees of these specific hospitals, you are given some preference in placement there. (For example I work for SHC so I have a batter chance at acceptance at the Scottsdale cohort than say St Joes). However you are free to pick whichever one you want to apply to.

Kbev · Oct 7, 2013

GCU main does have the fast track 16month program that's what I applied for. Which is why I am confused on which hospital its affiliated with since it is fast track..

andiisme · Oct 7, 2013

Oh idk then. That's news to me. They prolly aren't directly affiliated with any one hospital for clinicals then. Kinda like the community colleges, they just do clinicals multiple places. I'm sure it'll be a great program regardless of which campus we all attend :)

toy85 · Oct 9, 2013

GCU has a great rep period. It is known to prepare its baccalaureate students with evidence based practice & #1 pt care. No matter where u attend, hospitals appreciate GCU students. I've "heard" that employers say that we are the most prepared new grads & we don't have much of a problem getting hired after graduation. I just hope it's all true.