After 12 years in the business world, I am ready for a change. Many of my good friends are nurses, and I am exploring this option. If I decide it's right for me, I am going to pull the trigger ASAP. First I have some questions, and hopefully the awesome contributors to this website can help me out.
Where can I find a list of all the schools in Colorado that offer an Accelerated BSN program? (Only interested in the accelerated option.)
Roughly how much does this program cost?
I'm learning that these programs are competitive in Colorado...
I graduated from a private university in NYC in 2014 with a BA in marketing and a 3.12 GPA. Will it hurt me that my degree is in marketing? Is this GPA high enough?
Since I was a marketing major, I've taken none of the pre-reqs for an ABSN. I could pay for these pre-reqs, score really well, and then still not get accepted. I would like to protect against that potential downside. Is there a way to receive conditional acceptance (assuming I score at least an X.XX GPA)?
What can I do to make myself a competitive candidate?
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read and answer my questions.
Your background in marketing and "business skills" will not matter in nursing...at best it might be a conversation starter.
In my experience, this isn't true. After the first year or so, as you're becoming more confident in your new role as a nurse, those skills are likely to be quite useful.
So, I've shadowed a nurse in pediatric oncology as well as a nurse in the adult ED. After seeing what a day-in-the-life is like, I definitely want to get into the field.
Two questions:
1. A number of people have told me I should get into the industry ASAP to make myself competitive when I apply to school. I've been advised to explore the CNA route and the ER Technician route. What are some of the differences + pros and cons of each?
2. I've also been encouraged to consider positions other than nurse. Multiple people have recommended Physicians Assistant and Nurse Practitioner. What are some of the differences + pros and cons of each?
Some things to consider:
-My long-term goal is to get into a life-saving position. As I think about CNA vs. ER Tech, I would like to gain experience that will make me an asset on a Search & Rescue Team in the long-term.
-After 10 years in business and startups, I'm never going back to 80-hr weeks. As I think about RN vs. PA or NP, a schedule that provides work/life balance is important.
-After 10 years in business and startups, I'm never going back to 80-hr weeks.
Once you see how much money you can earn by pulling some 80-hr weeks, you may do so every once in a while :-)
Having been salaried my whole pre-nursing career in high-tech, I was stunned by my first few checks with premium OT.
Personally, I would choose NP over PA because it is more flexible. And, since it's still practicing nursing, you maintain your nursing license which could be a lifeline in the event of upheaval. I know a couple of nurses who work as both NPs and bedside nurses because the latter pays more.
Once you see how much money you can earn by pulling some 80-hr weeks, you may do so every once in a while :-)
That is equivalent to more than six 12 hour shifts per week. That isn't really sustainable... maybe very occasionally. Seems like the employer may not allow that as well because of how much OT accrued. But if so, wow @ the paycheck.
That is equivalent to more than six 12 hour shifts per week. That isn't really sustainable... maybe very occasionally. Seems like the employer may not allow that as well because of how much OT accrued. But if so, wow @ the paycheck.
My longest week was 92 hours... during a stretch of 12+ hour days for 22 days.
No, it's nothing close to sustainable and no, employers are generally resistant, but there are times when available OT is abundant.
Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Thanks for all the informative replies.
So, I've shadowed a nurse in pediatric oncology as well as a nurse in the adult ED. After seeing what a day-in-the-life is like, I definitely want to get into the field.
Two questions:
1. A number of people have told me I should get into the industry ASAP to make myself competitive when I apply to school. I've been advised to explore the CNA route and the ER Technician route. What are some of the differences + pros and cons of each?
2. I've also been encouraged to consider positions other than nurse. Multiple people have recommended Physicians Assistant and Nurse Practitioner. What are some of the differences + pros and cons of each?
Some things to consider:
-My long-term goal is to get into a life-saving position. As I think about CNA vs. ER Tech, I would like to gain experience that will make me an asset on a Search & Rescue Team in the long-term.
-After 10 years in business and startups, I'm never going back to 80-hr weeks. As I think about RN vs. PA or NP, a schedule that provides work/life balance is important.
Thanks again for all your advice!
1) As far as I know, having medical experience doesn't bump up your "points" that significantly on a nursing school application. I have not checked recently, but when I did check for my former school (this was like 4 years ago lol) it literally only gave like an extra 3 or so points, maybe less points on the application out of 100 points. That being said, it definitely does not hurt to have medical experience for those extra points. Definitely having some form of medical experience (like CNA or EMT) will ease your way into getting an RN job too, especially if it's experience within the hospital.
-CNA's basically do all the "dirty" work (may be an understatement or overstatement) in regards to custodial care; in addition to vitals. A working CNA in a hospital will definitely get you close up experience to see how RN's work and what they do.
-ER techs do similar care as CNA's but I believe their scope of practice is a bit larger (such as they can do splints). As an ER tech you will gain lots of experience working in the ER and you will see tons of diseases and crazy stuff.
2) I don't know too much about many differences between each, but from what my NP friend tells me here are some:
-PA's require more schooling and I would say it is more competitive; NP's go through a masters program which is offered at many universities; not competitive at all
-An NP can write certain orders and prescriptions while PA's need a MD sign off (as far as I know).
-I actually believe NP's are more flexible and have more independence that PA's do and I think NP's have more job opportunities (working in ER, urgent cares, clinics, having their own clinics, etc).
I don't know too much about the hours of a PA or NP because it all depends on the position/location you are working at. I know for one NP urgent care position, he was salaried (I think? lol) but worked 10 hour days, 4 days a week. At least working as an RN in a hospital, you know for sure you only need to work 3 days a week, 12-hours a day :). Or less if you are PT or PD.
If your long-term goal is a search & rescue team, I would imagine starting off as an ER tech, moving on to an ER nurse, then maybe an NP (NP is not necessary) in ER would be good route. From you can look into becoming a transport RN for AMR and/or look into flight nursing as well. I think both require a lot of ER experience and critical care experience. As for search & rescue specifically, no clue.
I am also from Colorado and I just applied to the ABSN program at UCCS. I live in the Springs so it was most convenient for me, but I also found their website very welcoming. You should Google their page and check it out. I studied political science in my undergrad. The ABSN program is for students that already have a bachelors, so usually that means a non-nursing degree. A business degree will absolutely not impair your ability to get invited for an interview. If anything, that is a unique background that will translate well into the healthcare field, while offering diversity and a different perspective. I just had my interview btw, and my cumulative GPA was lower than yours despite my 3.9 math, science, prereq GPA. Apparently UCCS only looks at the cumulative GPA and they put a lot of emphasis on the HESI. I score very high on the HESI so I think that's what really stood out. They also do not accept recommendation letters, or ask about experience in order to get to the interview. Therefore, don't let a program's requirements in a different state affect your decision to take the plunge. There is a school in Denver (I think MSU Denver) that looks at the last 60 credits, and they do give points for taking courses at their university. They also award a point to candidates if they are CNAs. I would start looking at the ABSN programs in Colorado and give that a shot. For me, I found UCCS to be better fit for my credentials. I will find out in 2 weeks if I made it into the program!
ABSN programs (in Colorado that I know of)
UCCS
CSU Pueblo
Regis University
UC Denver
MSU Denver
Good luck!! And congrats on considering the change. That is a hard but exciting decision. For me, it has been one of the best decisions of my life and I don't regret any of it, even if I do not get accepted (although I feel pretty confident).
University of Tulsa is approved in Colorado for 2nd bachelor degree accelerated nursing. They have clinical sites in CO Springs, Denver, and in Fort Collins area. It's a fantastic program and it's not crazy expensive like these other schools.
bgxyrnf, MSN, RN
1,208 Posts
In my experience, this isn't true. After the first year or so, as you're becoming more confident in your new role as a nurse, those skills are likely to be quite useful.