RhodyGirl, RN

PVT worked for me, too. RhodyGirl-RN, BSN!

The RIC program is by no means a lighter load than URI...in fact we have much more stringent grading policies and standardized testing than URI. There are 8 credits of chemistry required, and part of it is organic chem (Chem 105 and 106). I graduated from the program in May - if you have questions, let me know.

Admission to the college itself is far less competitive than admission to the nursing program. Yes, students who started at RIC as freshman have priority, and there are a few spots left for transfers and second degrees. The program is extremely difficult to get into, and you need a minimum of 3.0 to be considered (but accepted students have much higher than that). I am a senior in RIC's nursing program (graduating in May), so if you have specific questions- feel free to ask.

kncktc- I'm not sure where you are getting your facts and figures from, but almost everyone I know from RIC who has graduated over the past 2 years has found a job (albeit, not usually in their desired specialty/facility). I am graduating from RIC's BSN program in May and the prospects for working as a RN at the hospital I'm interning at are looking very good. Good luck to you. I hope you can find a way to make life work with nursing school!

Last spring I started looking on local hospital websites at their job listings, and searching for student positions. When you find positions to apply for, just send in your application, resume, transcripts, etc.. and see if you get an interview. I applied to 4 hospitals and received interviews and job offers for 3 of them. You just have to be proactive.

Since I don't ever acknowledge my accomplishments to my friends or family...let me just take a minute to say something here :) I have 8 months left of my BSN program which I worked very hard to get into, but worked even harder to STAY in. I've been on the dean's list almost every semester, landed A's and high B's in every nursing class, 99th percentile on almost all of my ATI's, was picked for a fantastic (and very competitive) nursing internship, and am heavily involved on campus. So there...I've finally tooted my horn after years of busting my orifice in silence....and I'm graduating in May. It doesn't get much better than that!!

I'm graduating in May (BSN), about to take the GRE and will be applying to graduate schools this winter. Very exciting to be on the home stretch!

From what I've been told by my adviser, they have a set number of transfer and second-degree students that they accept each semester. Students who started their freshman year at RIC are given first priority, then several spots are designated for the transfer and second-degree people. It is more difficult to be accepted as a transfer/sec deg. student, but not impossible. Thanks for the good luck... we'll need it this year! Graduation and NCLEX is just around the corner!

You definitely have a good shot. It's really all dependent on the pool of applicants at the time. I took chem 106 a long time ago, but I didn't find it overwhelmingly challenging. Yes, you will have to study, but getting in the A range is definitely possible (I got an A- and am generally not good at chemistry). Good luck!

We don't learn IV's / blood draws in my program. I've learned and done both in my internship, though.

Hey guys- I'm a senior in Rhode Island College's nursing program. Just to let you know, there is a RI forum under the "regional" tab on this website. You can get more information about CCRI there. Also, I was offered a student position at RIH (turned it down due to internship job offer elsewhere), and they require completion of med/surg first. You do not need a CNA or LPN license. Good luck!

Good post, just wanted to correct one thing you said: the thing about moving up the "list" next time, after you've been deferred, isn't true anymore. It used to be that way, though. You'd apply, get deferred because there was not enough space, and apply again with better chances. Now, they are strictly comparing you to the pool of applicants at that time. So, if you have a 3.2 and get rejected on your first application... you apply again... they don't take into account that you've already applied previously. Your GPA and prereq grades are compared to this new pool of applicants. The only reason I know this is because it's now printed on the newer school of nursing applications, and I've heard some of the faculty discussing it.

the teas is basic english and math, no science on it. it's used as an assessment tool for your learning. if you have low scores on the teas, your advisor will meet with you to assess what additional help you might need so that you can be successful in the program. good luck!

Good points, Chris. I know that second degree students and transfer students are placed at the bottom of the "list" when the admissions committee decides on new nursing students. This is because RIC gives priority to students who started their freshman year at RIC as an intended nursing major. However, it is definitely possible to get in as a transfer or second-degree. Chris and I were both transfer students and are graduating from the program this year. Just keep your grades (very) high and work hard.

I am starting my last year of a BSN program in a few weeks (graduating in May). Though I am interning on a busy med/surg floor, my passion lies in women's health and maternity. I am currently studying for the GRE and will begin to apply to graduate schools in the winter, that way I can start a part-time MSN program in the fall after I graduate. I'll likely continue with med/surg at the beginning, and transition to a maternity position when jobs become available; all while going PT to grad school. Three years after BSN graduation, I'll hopefully be done with the FNP and can work in the women's health area. I know that there are specific women's health NP programs, but I feel that the FNP is more versatile and marketable.