GRCC or west side of state?

emmasma · Oct 2, 2009

I am getting on that wait list right now! I take my HESI in one week, and That is my last requirement. I do have to take all the prereqs so that will keep me busy part time.

Is it really 3 years?

More?

Less?

bubbley1021 · Oct 2, 2009

good luck w/your HESI! I am on the "ready list" for ADN, decided just to wait it out instead of doing LPN first.. I will be taking A/P I (BI 121) either in Jan or Sep 10' and am working full time in a different field in the meantime. I don't plan on being called to start until Sep 11' at the earliest :cry: hopefully by then the economy will be better, because at this time I haven't seen ANY hospitals hiring new grads... maybe we will meet in a pre req class!

emmasma · Oct 2, 2009

I have pretty much decided to wait for the ADN as well. It takes almost 2 full time semesters extra to do the LPN first, and I do want to be an RN eventually.

Have you looked into nursing homes? I am a CNA and work with a quite a few LPNs and RNs alike who are fresh from school.

teeniebert, LPN · Oct 3, 2009

I was in the ADN program back in 2003-04 and did poorly. I took a job doing direct care in a group home and got back on the waiting list in 06 (was told 5 years at that time). In December 07 I started looking at other options and came across the LPN program at Everest Institute. I started the admission process in January 08, started classes in May 08, and graduated this past April. Now I'm working in long term care, making twice what I did at the group home, and getting hands-on experience that will help me when and if I go back to school. I'd still have 2 years to wait if GRCC was the only school available. Everest is expensive, and I don't know if there's a part time program available yet (it was in the works last I heard), but it was definitely worth it for me.

bubbley1021 · Oct 5, 2009

thanks for the info on Everest! It is crazy how long the GRCC wait lists are. I have also been looking into the GVSU second degree BSN program ( I have a BA in Psych) as it would take just as long by the time I finished the pre-reqs, etc. It's just a lot more expensive than GRCC and I am wondering if the BSN is even worth the extra cost? Unfortunately, it is better for me to work full time in the field I am now than to work as a CNA as I can make more doing what I do now (not a lot more though)

mandy1623 · Oct 9, 2009

I'm currently on the wait list for muskegon community college's nurisng program, and have about a year and a half before i get in. I also looked into transfering to GVSU but decided against it because of the cost. I heard alot of hospitals dont pay much more if you have a BSN and some will actually pay for you to go back to school if you have an ADN. That was another major reason i decided to stick it through at MCC instead of transfering.

Cardiacwiz · Nov 2, 2009

thanks for the info on Everest! It is crazy how long the GRCC wait lists are. I have also been looking into the GVSU second degree BSN program ( I have a BA in Psych) as it would take just as long by the time I finished the pre-reqs, etc. It's just a lot more expensive than GRCC and I am wondering if the BSN is even worth the extra cost? Unfortunately, it is better for me to work full time in the field I am now than to work as a CNA as I can make more doing what I do now (not a lot more though)

I have my BSN from GVSU. I work with many nurses, in the GR area, who have their Associates and are now going on to complete their BSN- they have said that their opportunity for advancement is little with an associates. I have also heard that some hospitals in Michigan are no longer hiring associates level RNs without agreement to get their BSN- though I do not know how much truth is behind that. Good Luck in whatever you decide to do! :yeah:

bubbley1021 · Nov 3, 2009

thanks, Cardiacwiz! I really would love to go straight for my BSN, but cost is really an issue as I do have student loan debt from my previous Bachelors, a house, child, etc. But we'll see. If I wait about 4 years I could probably do it, or I could start my ADN at the comm college in 2 yrs and be done w/it before I even start the BSN. At this point I'm just going to start taking pre-reqs that will apply to either and see how things go! I would def. want to start my BSN right away, though, while working and gaining experience. Also, I know Munson in TC will not hire ADN unless you agree to get your BSN within a certain amount of time, but have not heard of any GR area hospitals doing that yet?

AnnaN5 · Nov 3, 2009

I have not heard of any hospitals on this side of the state requiring you to have a BSN. It may be helpful in the current job market but it definitely isn't required. I actually didn't even know that about Munson in TC. 2 girls that were in my ADN program started working there last year and they both do not have BSNs. I was in a similar situation as you, I have a BS in Biology but decided to just do the ADN since it was cheaper & quicker. My place of employment is now paying for my BSN.

michellenurse72 · Oct 4, 2010

Hi All,

I was glad to see someone from the GR area. I have been on the waiting list at GRCC now for 2 years (LPN program) and my seat has finally come open, I start this Winter 2011 semester (January 7th). :yeah:

I decided that it would be quicker, as far as wait lists go, to complete the LPN first. Also, I figured I could get my LPN, work for short time, as I can't be unemployed for 2 years to complete the RN program from start to finish, and then either return part-time to GRCC for their advance standing LPN-RN program or attend Monroe Community College's LPN-RN program online (thru MCCVLC).

In my opinion, I will still graduate very close to the same time a new RN student would, but gain the advantage of being able to work in between, gain experience which I hope translates into a little help during school etc.

Hopefully there are more of us out here, I am really starting to get nervous!!