Concorde

Sakura63 · Nov 25, 2009

studentH- good luck! Is there a specific reason why you want to go to Pueblo?

Kristin_15 · Nov 27, 2009

Those of you who are going to Pueblo in May for the nursing program, what are you doing for housing? Do you know much about Pueblo and good places to live? Anyone looking for roommates?

Ksoon2beinCO · Nov 29, 2009

I was put on standby as well. I'm still hoping and praying to get in.

Glenarm_Girl · Nov 29, 2009

Hey Fellow CSU-Pueblo Peeps,

I got a called two weeks ago from CSU and got the fantastic news that I'm accepted into their May 2010 program! Then, I got the official letter, which made it more real. Now, I'm starting to think about the details such as visiting Pueblo, touring the campus and my living situation while I'm in school there. I don't think finding an affordable place will be difficult. There are apartments (reasonably priced and nice looking) all over craigslist.

So, for others who were accepted, have you returned your acceptance letter saying that you will be attending? I sent mine the day I opened the acceptence letter! Also, does anyone know what hospitals we will be doing our clinicals at?

Let's keep communicating!

Andrea

katie_c_s · Nov 30, 2009

Hi everyone-

I am currently in the degree plus program at CSU-Pueblo so I would be more than happy to answer whatever questions I can. I will be graduating at the end of July, so we will probably get a chance to meet! I have stuff to sell too, so we should definitely keep in touch.

First of all, a little bit about me... I have a previous BS in microbiology and wanted a more versatile career. I applied late and they told me it was possible that they would call the day of orientation. I got the call the day before! And FYI, it's a 2 day orientation, which I was never told. Supposedly most of our class was on the stand-by list. Now, if I don't respond right away, don't give up! I just got a job as a student extern at Parkview, so I am a little busy.

Second of all, Pueblo is not the coolest place in CO. It's not terrible, but if I could've started another program in Springs or Denver, I would have. But 14 months for a second bachelors is so fast, and you are so busy, you don't even notice where you are. I just wanted to let you know that if you aren't from CO, don't judge it based on Pueblo. :)

Next, the program can be extremely frustrating. They are disorganized and it gets really stressful sometimes. Mostly I like the staff, but there is one person in particular that is difficult to get along with. I took 19 credits with one clinical last semester and this semester I am taking 20 credits with 3 clinicals. You will hear this from them during orientation, but you HAVE to be flexible. You get no say in your schedule and the last 2 weeks, I had clinicals at Memorial in Springs until 2330 and had to be back for another clinical in Pueblo at 0530.

StudentH- It doesn't matter what "number" you are on the waitlist; they go by GPA... highest GPA gets called first.

Kristin- I would say to live in Belmont because it's close to the college, but make sure you check out the place first because there are some ghetto places out there.

Glenarm- you will have clinicals at Parkview or St. Mary Corwin in Pueblo and a pediatric clinical at Memorial in Springs.

Also, you will have to buy a bunch of stuff when you get here. Scrubs, stethoscope, shoes, PDA, software ($160), etc, so just be ready to spend some money. I can't think of anything else at the moment, but feel free to ask questions and if I think of anything, I'll be sure to write.

Good luck to everyone!

Katie

StudentH · Nov 30, 2009

studentH- good luck! Is there a specific reason why you want to go to Pueblo?

I want to go to Pueblo because it's close to home and I have family there. :) Funny because for my first degree, I couldn't get far enough away from home and my family! My priorities are different this time around. Also, I just want the BSN degree ASAP and there are few accelerated programs in Colorado that I was even eligible for. For example, UNC requires that you be a CNA first, I missed the deadline for Metro State because my degree didn't show up on my transcript in time, I'm 3 religious studies credits short from being eligible to apply for Regis, and so on and so forth!

StudentH · Nov 30, 2009

Hi everyone-
I am currently in the degree plus program at CSU-Pueblo so I would be more than happy to answer whatever questions I can. I will be graduating at the end of July, so we will probably get a chance to meet! I have stuff to sell too, so we should definitely keep in touch.
First of all, a little bit about me... I have a previous BS in microbiology and wanted a more versatile career. I applied late and they told me it was possible that they would call the day of orientation. I got the call the day before! And FYI, it's a 2 day orientation, which I was never told. Supposedly most of our class was on the stand-by list. Now, if I don't respond right away, don't give up! I just got a job as a student extern at Parkview, so I am a little busy.
Second of all, Pueblo is not the coolest place in CO. It's not terrible, but if I could've started another program in Springs or Denver, I would have. But 14 months for a second bachelors is so fast, and you are so busy, you don't even notice where you are. I just wanted to let you know that if you aren't from CO, don't judge it based on Pueblo. :)
Next, the program can be extremely frustrating. They are disorganized and it gets really stressful sometimes. Mostly I like the staff, but there is one person in particular that is difficult to get along with. I took 19 credits with one clinical last semester and this semester I am taking 20 credits with 3 clinicals. You will hear this from them during orientation, but you HAVE to be flexible. You get no say in your schedule and the last 2 weeks, I had clinicals at Memorial in Springs until 2330 and had to be back for another clinical in Pueblo at 0530.
StudentH- It doesn't matter what "number" you are on the waitlist; they go by GPA... highest GPA gets called first.
Kristin- I would say to live in Belmont because it's close to the college, but make sure you check out the place first because there are some ghetto places out there.
Glenarm- you will have clinicals at Parkview or St. Mary Corwin in Pueblo and a pediatric clinical at Memorial in Springs.
Also, you will have to buy a bunch of stuff when you get here. Scrubs, stethoscope, shoes, PDA, software ($160), etc, so just be ready to spend some money. I can't think of anything else at the moment, but feel free to ask questions and if I think of anything, I'll be sure to write.
Good luck to everyone!
Katie

Thank you so much for the info! I was wondering how stand-by works. Although now I'm still wondering how many people have a higher GPA than me on that list. haha. Oh well, can't change it now. I really didn't want to retake any pre-req classes, but I still have one more pre-req to take, so maybe my GPA will go up next semester...hmmm.

I have heard the program is disorganized, but I'm actually in a community college nursing program right now and I can't imagine anything being more frustrating than what I've put up with this semester, so if anything, I'll be prepared.

Also, good to hear that a lot of your class was on the stand-by list...hope that bodes well for me this year!

Anyway, I really appreciate your info and if I end up getting accepted, I will probably throw tons more questions your way.

Kristin_15 · Dec 2, 2009

Is anyone that got into the May '10 program going down anytime soon to visit the school? I was thinking about going down soon to check things out, and was wondering if anyone else in the program wanted to go so I could get to know some of my classmates in advance

roxyr82 · Dec 4, 2009

Hello all,

Well I just found out that I was accepted into Regis's Accelerated BSN program for May 2010. Now I am having a tough time deciding what to do. If Regis and UCD were both priced the same I would definately choose Regis as I believe it fits my needs and goals the best. I would finish in a year as opposed to one and a half to two years with UCD, and from what I hear Regis graduates have an excellent reputation in CO, which is where I wish to remain after graduating. (My boyfriend and I are very serious and he has an established career here.)

However...Regis will cost $37,000 as opposed to $22,000. I would also have to spend this next spring semester taking 4 pre reqs that I need to begin Regis's program while I need nothing more for UCD. This means I would not be able to work as much and I would have to spend most of the money I have saved on these classes. I will not hear back from UCD untill March. I am $20,000 in debt from my bachelor's (speech language pathology).

My biggest fear is that I accept Regis, graduate $57,000 in debt, and have trouble finding a job. I have read the horror stories about new grads sending out 100s of applications without even an interview. I would love to hear from graduates of these programs and people working in CO hospitals now. Do hiring managers prefer students from one school over the other, and enough to justify the extra money spent? Does anyone know if one school is more competitive than the other...meaning if I got into Regis is it likely that I will get into UCD?

I would appreciate any feedback!

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Dec 4, 2009

Congratulations on your Regis acceptance! How much do you have to deposit for Regis? I would put down the deposit and wait to find out about CU.

I decided to apply to CU over DSN for money reasons. I could have started earlier, but decided to redo some old pre-reqs and have less debt when it was all over. I am also waiting to see if I get into CU, but I am going the traditional route so the length of the program is irrelevant. Personally I would choose UC over Regis, a $15,000 difference is almost the price of a new car!

Please, keep us posted which ever way you decide to go! Good luck!!

~SD

esunada · Dec 4, 2009

I'm not from Colorado but I've heard UCD is a good school, too. I don't think it's worth that much debt to go to Regis unless you can figure out scholarships. $57,000 equates to a lot more than that once you add on interest. With interest it'll be another $15,000 or so if you take at least 10 yrs to pay it off - not fun!

Dennis88 · Dec 4, 2009

From a purely financial perspective, you have to factor in the extra income you get from a shorter program. So Regis is $15,000 more, but if you get done 6 months or a year sooner, that's an extra 6 months or year that you get to work, which probably makes up the $15,000 and then some. But as you said, you also need to factor in the cost of the extra pre-reqs for Regis and the lost income you'll have from taking them.

Ultimately it's a decision you need to make based on what's best for you.