Beggar♂

We do A&P in separate classes: Anatomy: Marieb for the text plus Netter's atlas Physio: Silverthorn for the text and Fox for the lab

The MPH suggestion seems like a good one. Depending on how bad your grades are, consider going as a full-time student for 3 semesters. In one year you could upwards of 36 semester units. Even if the 30 units preceding that were 2.0 (which they're not since you've aced your prerequisites), you could still hit the magic cut-off. To me, this policy is not ridiculous. Quite the opposite, in fact. Lots of people (me included) made academic missteps. The question on the minds of many is whether they are indicative of one's future performance. If the missteps were in the first year or two but then straightened out, it suggests that a good student ran into some trouble acclimating to college or something like that. Poor grades later in one's program are more serious because the admissions officer must now decide how likely those difficulties are to carry over into the nursing program. Given the high drop-out/delay rates, they're being as selective as possible in order to maximize the graduation rate each term. In my DEMSN program, their were several questions on the application and in the interview which specifically addressed likelihood of completion. That seemed to be one of their major selection criteria. The competition is stiff and grades are a major factor. Recognize also that just because you could apply to Hopkins or Columbia doesn't mean that you'd have any real chance at getting in. Your best bet is to take more classes and do very well to make up for your missteps. Sure, it costs time and money, but such are the penalties for academic indiscretions. Trust me, I speak from experience. I graduated with a sub-3.0 GPA but have since earned a 4.0 in over 90 semester units and earned one of those coveted DEMSN spots. If you want it badly enough, you can do it. Don't give up. Focus on the upside of the additional schooling before your RN program. In the long run, you'll be ahead of the game by having the additional education.

I'd guess that the test to which they're referring is the chemistry CLEP administered by the College Board (the same lovely folks who bring us the SAT). You can check out their site at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/ex_chem.html and there are tons of CLEP study materials and chemistry stuff both in paper and electronic. I've not taken it but have done something similar for a credentialing program. They are pass/fail and pretty much cover the general topics covered in a 1-year general chemistry course. You need to get clarification ASAP about what they're (your school) expecting of you.

Since you already have a degree, you could also look at a direct-entry MSN program instead of the ADN-MSN route.

Give her a certificate good for membership and/or subscription to the organization and/or journal of her choice. You could make a very cool certificate layout and copy covers from some of the journals along with logos from the professional organizations. She'd probably enjoy the flexibility.

What's so surprising is not just that they go off of only 3 classes but that two of them are English and Psychology.

Everyone's just trying to protect (and increase) their piece of the pie and, I think, the debate has little to do with patient access nor quality outcomes.

Like the others, I agree you can do it. Like several others, I too have some lousy grades on my early record. Colleges at all levels understand that early performance is not a predictor of later success. In fact, in my case my early failures have made me a better student because it's made me more motivated to do well now. Take your pre-reqs and do as well as you can. I wouldn't worry so much about trying to repeat every class that you failed but rather focus on the courses that you need in order to get into the specific program(s) in which you're interested. To be frank: The C that you earned in A&P2 is probably of more concern than anything in your earlier record. You can still do it but make sure you really give it your best. A string of C's in your science prerequisites would be problematic. The local community colleges in my area will not admit you with less than a B in the core classes. You CAN do it but you might need to work harder at it than do some other folks. Keep your eye on your goal and keep your actions consistent with those goals. If you need encouragement or guidance, you've come to the right place.

You mean that the nursing school to which you're applying bases their admissions solely on the grades earned in 3 classes, one of which is some kind of English class? I'm amazed. I've not come across anything like that at the various schools that I looked at. What are the other two classes? If I were you, I'd double-check the requirements there and then start looking for different schools. If that's really how they admit, I'd be concerned that it's not a very good school. For what it's worth, a B is not a bad grade.

I held my wife while she received her epidural. Maybe you should require 'em to wear helmets...:wink2:

Regarding "What is a CNL", you can google it and you'll find all sorts of info. Here's a link to a whitepaper written as the concept was being fleshed out: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/WhitePapers/ClinicalNurseLeader.htm I've been admitted to a DEMSN program but haven't started yet. I chose this program for many reasons but the two main ones were: (1) It's the fastest way for me to get my RN, and (2) if I can earn a Masters instead of an Associates or another Bachelors, why not? I figure it will open up opportunities once I get a few years of ICU experience under my belt. My philosophy regarding education is "the more the better." The functional role of the CNL is still developing and it may indeed amount to nothing. Only time will tell. Our program provides the nursing portion of the core BSN curriculum followed by Master's-level courses. BTW, I'm quite sure that I will ultimately pursue another Masters though not sure between NP, CRNA, and CNS.

You may have trouble with medical insurance and life insurance (meaning you'll pay more for it). The good news is that getting medical coverage through your employer will get you enrolled in a group plan which, from my experience, means no disclosure of conditions nor exclusion thereof. I don't know if this a state-by-state thing or not. I, too, am in California.

Certainly establishing a positive postbaccalaureate track record would be critical. You need to pull out all the stops and shoot for a 4.0 and take as many classes as you can squeeze in beyond the minimum prerequisites. Hard to say whether being ♂ helps or not. It certainly doesn't hurt but there are more and more guys going after those ABSN/DEMSN slots. In a class of 24, my program just admitted 4 or 5 men. I don't know what the proportion was in the applicant pool. In my program, there were many application/interview questions aimed at assessing your likelihood to be successful and finish. With lousy baccalaureate grades, expect to be scrutinized. The reality, though, is that programs are very competitive. Your surest bet is to get wait-listed at a school that admits all qualified candidates (though some of those use a 3.0 as one qualification) or hope the ball falls your way in a lottery admission. By all means, shotgun your applications in every direction. Also, consider the LVN-RN route. LVN schools out this way are much less competitive. I don't think there are any magic bullets, potions, scrolls, incantations or chants. Take and ace as many classes as you can, even if they're not required. The harder the better, really, so consider things like physics, organic chemistry (the upper division one for the chemistry majors, not the watered-down one), calculus, etc. But, take them only if you believe you can do very well. If I were in your shoes (and I was in an analogous situation once), I would consider anything less than an "A" a failure. Get some kick-a$$ references. Consider getting your CNA and working as such. I know you're in a hurry (we all were/are) but each good semester you log helps you out so be patient and be prepared to keep at it for a couple or few application cycles. Don't necessarily forego the DEMSN option, either. While the competition appears stiffer in terms of quality, it's lower in terms of numbers (from my experience) so you might get a closer look (beyond your grades, that is).

They've always had microwaves. Can't understand having to schedule a trip to the bank in order to get money before a road trip. Aren't particularly impressed by Armstrong's "one small step." Think LPs are so retro... Wonder why we use the term "dial" when we place a phone call. Can't imagine why someone would have a rock as a pet. Actually think bell-bottoms are cool Think monster 'fros are so cutting edge

If it were my kid, here would be my thinking: 1) Going down on grass is unlikely to produce a fracture of an arm, especially in a kid. Turf is pretty soft. Fractures usually result from either striking a hard surface, twisting the bone, or leveraging the bone against a fulcrum. 2) Under those circumstances, a dislocation or hyperextension would be more likely than a fracture. 3) What I'd do is to immobilize the joint (you said pain in the elbow, right?), ice it, elevate it, and see how things progress. 4) If it persisted or got worse, I'd consider taking junior in for an X-ray through a clinic. Definitely not through the ER. The mechanism of injury (kid falling on turf) just doesn't make my mind leap to "fracture" despite junior's assertion of a broken arm. More likely just an "oweee" or perhaps a sprain/strain.