I just wanted to start a thread for people interested in the MDC nursing program for fall 2012. I think if you shared your scores (TEAS V & GPA) and what track your applying to (full-time or part-time), it will give everyone an idea of where they stand.
I will start:
I have a 3.7 GPA and an 81% on the TEAS and looking to apply for the part-time program. I have the option of taking the TEAS 2 more times which I will be doing :)
yadi, it is a big concern, and in Florida, it's a really big concern. There's been a lot of discussion about the poor job market for new grads on this site.
In Florida, having a BSN hasn't been a big issue, but as more hospitals are vying for magnet status, and as they increase the percentage of BSNs versus ADNs, it's becoming more of an issue. Also, there are so many more applicants than new-grad jobs that, all else being equal, a hiring manager might lean toward the candidate with the BSN, rather than flipping a coin. It's not a good job market for new grad BSNs either, though.
My hope is that the job market will change for the better in the 1 3/4 years until I pass the NCLEX (if all goes well). At that point, if I can't find an RN job, and I still want to stay around here, I'll have everything in place (short of a sociology course) to enter MDC's RN-to-BSN bridge program, or elsewhere, depending upon the availability of financial aid. The hope then is that, three years from now, the job market will be better. I'd have to find some kind of job, though, to surivive.
No matter what you do, it's a crap shoot. I'm hoping for the best, and meanwhile I will focus on and get all I can from MDC's ADN program.
There are many job openings for new AS degree's. Go to career builder.com and press registered nurse in search box...Tons of jobs for both Bachelors and Associate degree's.. And that's just careerbulider..lol..Don't worry.
Those jobs are an illusion. Many of them will go to internal candidates, and are posted as a formality. Many are in places other than in your area of interest both geographically and in specialization.
I looked at the first seven pages of RN jobs in Miami, and the only ones that appeared to be entry level were for jobs in flu shot clinics.
People with clinical experience (e.g., experience as an LPN or CNA) will definitely be at an advantage. They will also likely have an "in" at their current (or previous) place of employment.
There are way, way more new ADN grads than there are job openings. MCD graduates close to 200 every six months, and then there's FIU, UM, Barry, Nova, and all the for-profit schools. Meanwhile, JMH has been having waves of layoffs.
I hate to be a wet blanket, but I'm just hoping for the best, and that there will be some jobs for new grads, and that hopefully I'll get one doing something I like, in a place I'd like to work. We'll see how it goes.
Besides, I think we should be concentrating right now in making it through the program. We are gonna have plenty of time to worry about jobs. Maybe by the time we graduate everything will be different...
Enjoy the last moments of freedom and be proud of yourselves. Remember there are lots of people that would kill to be in our shoes.
As for job issues, it can be stressful, but unnecessary to stress over it right now. There are many different avenues for RNs other than hospitals. I, for one, hope to pursue something in an auditing realm for med mal lawsuits at a law firm, or insurance company chart audits. I have a law degree and am a certified coder, so those areas would be great. There's also becoming a certified healthcare risk manager (also have that certification). You have to be an RN to even apply for risk mgmt jobs. Beyond that, there are zillions of physician offices in S FL. Start networking now in areas you might be interested in, and you never know what might happen down the road :)
It's true — there are a lot of things you can do with an RN license. Health care advocacy is an interesting area, but it's pretty difficult to do without either an RN or MSW.
Anybody going to do their clinicals at Health South??I'll be wearing a gray dress to orientation on Friday. Maybe we can all meet outside the bookstore?
Anybody that lives in Homestead/southern Dade -- how are you going to medical tomorrow? If driving, what time are you planning to leave to be on time? If metro, which stop do you use? I have always just driven up there, but traffic will be worse tomorrow since it's rush hour :/
I am also doing clinicals at health south . I'll be wearing jeans with a lavender shirt and small cat necklace. I can meet anyone around book store around 830
I attended orientation on monday at the medical campus, I'm still exhausted from those two days. After the critical thinking test on Tuesday, I was one of the few people that stayed and completed the achieve modules online, it's long, long! It's due when school is open but I'm glad I got it out of the way,, besides I had already planned to stay til 1, so I might as well get ready for hardship and dedication. I also bought fir sets of uniforms, boy that green pants is unsightly with the white top, whomever decided that it looked brilliant need some spectacles now, it's ugly, hopefully someone suggest we wear pants instead jeez. The rn skills packet is 100 bucks, lord have mercy the must be mad,i think ill put together my own. The books aren't that bad, actually theres a few we may not need because it's redundant material; this I was told by a fly on the wall that actually runs the book store. Ati nurse logic 2.0 and fundamentals here I come
Tragically Hip
267 Posts
yadi, it is a big concern, and in Florida, it's a really big concern. There's been a lot of discussion about the poor job market for new grads on this site.
In Florida, having a BSN hasn't been a big issue, but as more hospitals are vying for magnet status, and as they increase the percentage of BSNs versus ADNs, it's becoming more of an issue. Also, there are so many more applicants than new-grad jobs that, all else being equal, a hiring manager might lean toward the candidate with the BSN, rather than flipping a coin. It's not a good job market for new grad BSNs either, though.
My hope is that the job market will change for the better in the 1 3/4 years until I pass the NCLEX (if all goes well). At that point, if I can't find an RN job, and I still want to stay around here, I'll have everything in place (short of a sociology course) to enter MDC's RN-to-BSN bridge program, or elsewhere, depending upon the availability of financial aid. The hope then is that, three years from now, the job market will be better. I'd have to find some kind of job, though, to surivive.
No matter what you do, it's a crap shoot. I'm hoping for the best, and meanwhile I will focus on and get all I can from MDC's ADN program.