Do you think there are any negitives to getting accepted to the Spring start program?

It depends on where you live. Some places are in such high demand for nurses it really doesn't matter when you get finished because there will be openings no matter what. Many hospitals have new grad programs after spring and fall semesters anyways. The only problem I could see is the potential need for a job/money, if you are a working parent without much support. If thats not an issue, I don't see a huge downside. I would kinda enjoy it because you would get a break b/w prereqs and NS and maybe a chance to prepare more.

I just started my program this fall. The biggest negative I can see if you were accepted into my program would be the time/cost situation. When I got accepted I had the whole summer to pay for all my shots, get my physical, buy my $900 worth of books, pay from my drug test, pay for my background check, save up for my testing fees, liability insurance, buy my scrubs, get them embroidered with the school logo, buy nursing shoes, etc etc. If I had been accepted for spring I would have had less than a month to do that and come up with the money. I am not sure I could have done it.

Thanks very much for your replies! I honestly didn't think of the money issue because I am a stay at home and don't make money now, but I certainly will be paying for more now than I have in the past. I know fitting in the physical and such is hard enough. They gave us less than a month and I had to beg borrow and steal to get into my Dr in that time frame. They didn't have any openings for almost two months. I also had to get CPR trained and that was tough as far as schedule wise.

Zar, I hope that their are jobs in my area. I never really thought that it would be hard to find a job until I came here and found out that there are many people struggling to find a job when they first graduate. I don't want that!! I think I will have to research it more and make sure that I can find a job when I am done. I haven't had a job in FOREVER, well over ten years, because I have been home with the kids and that is going to be what I really need at the end of this. We are broke and I want to help!! Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Hi:

I don't see a disadvantage to it - my start date is probably spring of '10. I'd like it to be earlier but the fall app deadline is in Feb and I won't be finished the checklist by then.

The point is that you're in and that's no small thing with the demand for nursing school seats. No one can anticipate what the job market will be like 1.5-2 years down the line when you graduate but if you don't get the hospital job that you want right out of nursing school then simply think outside the box about finding work. Look at LTC facilities in your community, home health care companies, private practices, etc. Depending on where you live these might involve less of a commute than hospitals and allow you the flexible scheduling that you'll probably need as a working mother. And if you decide your heart is still in working for a hospital at least you'll be working as a nurse while you wait for the job you want to open up.

Zar, I hope that their are jobs in my area. I never really thought that it would be hard to find a job until I came here and found out that there are many people struggling to find a job when they first graduate. I don't want that!! I think I will have to research it more and make sure that I can find a job when I am done. I haven't had a job in FOREVER, well over ten years, because I have been home with the kids and that is going to be what I really need at the end of this. We are broke and I want to help!! Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Where do you live?

A really good idea, I don't know if i said this before, is to get a job as a CNA while (or possibly look for one before, since you have the time) you are in nursing school. Hospitals tend to hire nursing students as CNAs because they know they are committed, and it gives you a great chance for being hired by that hospital once you graduate. That will earn you some money as well.

Hope this helps!

I am looking forward to a spring start also. One advantage that I can see already is having two summers in between to work as a CNA and gain experiance. In my state, we can get a CNA license after completing the first semester of NS. That means I could work both summer '09 and summer '10, get experiance and hopefully a foot in the door of the hospital that I want to work at.

I am fortunate to be in a major metro area with numerous large nursing programs and smaller ones. We have lots of opportunity for externships and the hospitals here have new grad orientation here atleast twice a year.

The only down side I have come across is the time between finding out and classes beginning being so short. We will get acceptance letters mid november. I have already begin getting my physical appt scheduled, titres done and required immunizations started, I signed up for the BLS class we need already...I really like having my ducks in a row.

Best wishes!

Congrats on getting in! I am not sure about there being any problem with finding a job. Honestly, I am told over and over again that nursing is one of the most in-demand careers, so I can't imagine there would be an overage, but I do suppose it could depend on where you live; however, I think if there was an overage or not a lot of opportunity in your immediate area, there is bound to be something in a neighboring town/city.

I live in Panama City, FL and there are two major hospitals here and one of them has a recruitment program, so they are desperately in need of nurses. You may even find a hospital that will negotiate a sign-on-bonus w/ you if you agree to work at their facility, or under their parent company, for X amount of years.

I live outside of Greensboro NC. I really want to work nights weekends in a hospital, I don't want to work at a LTC facility. I also thought doing an externship would be the best bet for me. Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement.

I have a five sememster program and it includes the summers. Do your include going to school in the summer?

My school only does spring and fall semester's, so I will have two summers off. I wish they offered summer classes for the RN program so I could get it done faster. Good luck! I am sure you will find something that will fit your schedule.

My RN program is 4 semester, but faster paced. We go Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall. So I will be going to school in the summer also.

hey guys i don't know if there is a negative for me. i start in march. i have an estimated graduate date of December 2011. that sounds like a really long time for me. I have a friend that just started in august and her estimated graduation date was may 2010. does that sound right to you guys. but anyway. like someone else said her after we finish our first semester of NS we can be certified as a CNA so that is what i think i am going to do to gain extra experience.

I dont think that there is a drawback for starting in spring. Don't forget you have to prepare for and pass the licensure exam after you graduate. Finding a job depends on a state. I think if you make contacts at the hospitals where you do your clinicals you will be fine.