Resurrection University Fall 2014

LoverofPink · Nov 10, 2014

I only skimmed the books from time to time. Eventually, I stopped buying them. I studied mainly from the ATI pdfs , professor slides, and You Tube videos. I don't learn best by reading either. I got by with a B average plus I had a full time job.
Passed NCLEX on first try.

Thank you for your comments.

I've recently been accepted to the Spring 2015 BSN daytime program. Although I am excited, I am not receiving much aid. I already have a bachelors and I am extremely uncomfortable taking out private loans for the entire programming. I have recently had some not-so-good experiences with a private loan company and I am forced to pay on a loan while in school. Due to the cost may will have to consider deferring enrollment or (more appropriately) elect to enroll to the E/W program so I can keep my daytime job (with tuition benefits) and pay out of pocket....as much as I can.

@fgreen, did the E/W program still leave adequate time to study? How was your social/life outside of class? Did you feel more strain at work due to being a nursing student?

love.live.laugh · Nov 13, 2014

How is the program thus far?

MidLifeRN2012 · Nov 21, 2014

Hi LoverofPink :)

Sorry...didn't see this post until now

I will tell you that it is a rigorous program, but completely doable with self discipline...even with a full-time job. Everyone needs a little down time to breathe, but 'little' is the operative word.

Here is what my typical week was like:

Mon-Friday 7am - 4 pm job. Studied during my lunch hour at my desk.

Mon-Thursday 5pm - 8 or 9 pm Class. An hour commute home then a few chores and TV before bed. If there is an exam the next day...study until midnight. I used my commuting time to listen to VangoNotes for Nursing (downloaded from Audiblebooks.com) to squeeze some extra 'studying' in.

Friday After work, prepare any work needed before clinical next day. If nothing due, some studying and/or free time based on next exam date.

Saturday - 6:30 am to 3:30 pm Clinical. The rest of the day was my free day :) (Need some downtime once in awhile LOL)

Sunday - All day studying and weekly meal planning/preparation.

So, it was a tight schedule, but doable for the year and 1/2 I needed to. It also helped that I had no small kids at home to take care of and am single. Also, my job was supportive even though they were an accounting dept and knew I would be leaving once I became a nurse. You may need more or less study time so may need to adjust accordingly.

With this schedule, I was still able to graduate and pass NCLex on first try so, it is not impossible, just hard work. Good luck to you :)

Puppylover3 · Nov 21, 2014

That seems pretty doable,not ideal but doable haha. I'm also in accounting but I don't know if I should tell my conpany or not. I graduated last may and started working here for about a year now. I am always able to change my hours to get out earlier though.

MidLifeRN2012 · Nov 21, 2014

I only told my company because I had to switch my hours from 7 30 to 4 30 to 7 to 4. I could not have made it to class in 30 min. The school was not very understanding about being late for class, even if you were coming from a job

Puppylover3 · Nov 21, 2014

I will have to switch my hours too since I am in Naperville so it's a little bit of s drive. I just don't think they will be as understanding

MidLifeRN2012 · Nov 21, 2014

I was in Lisle and yes I would have to be in my car by 4 in order to make it to class before 5. And that was when the school was in Oak Park. Traffic on I 290 begins to back up in that hour.

To make it to Wicker Park where they moved to, I suggest leaving at 3 30.

Puppylover3 · Nov 21, 2014

That's what I was thinking. So I guess I will have to change to 7:330. Now I just have to come up with an excuse for work! Haha

LoverofPink · Nov 22, 2014

it is a rigorous program, but completely doable with self discipline...even with a full-time job. Everyone needs a little down time to breathe, but 'little' is the operative word.*

Nice!

Fgreen thank you so much for the insight! It was right on time!

A few days ago I actually confirmed with my admission counselor that I will be deferring enrollment. I was due/accepted into the daytime pre-licensure program for Spring 2015. This meant I would have to quit my job (and loose my paycheck and benefits). After completing my FAFSA, it was clear I had little to no funding ResU is only offering 7 scholarships; most of which I do not qualify for.

My job has tuition reimbursement (up to a certain amount) plus dental and medical. Because of these hiccups, I elected for the evening/weekend program. I'd like to do my best to pay out of pocket for as much and as long as I can. Pulling out a large amount in private loan is not the best viable option for me at the moment.

Fgreen,

What options did you utilize for funding?

MidLifeRN2012 · Nov 22, 2014

Since I already had a bachelor degree in another field , I could not get grants through FAFSA, but I was able to get federal loans. I took the max available each year

I also applied for and received the Heritage Scholarship through the school 2 years in a row. Easiest to get and with less hassle.

To pick up the slack I took out a 401 K hardship withdrawal which you don't have to pay back but do have to pay tax and penalty on.

I ended up with $37 K in student loans. . I had no other options to get through school.

Puppylover3 · Nov 22, 2014

That is going to be me. I ended up with 33k from my bachekors last year and now i know I'm going to add a lot more to that for this school

LoverofPink · Nov 24, 2014

Exactly.

I already have a bachelors so there really isn't much I am getting from the government. I would most certainly rather have federal than private loans.

Fgreen,

How was your transition into the nursing field after graduation? Were you able to find an employer that provided good preceptors and an extensive training program? I hear these elements are crucial for new grads.