National University San Diego

Tuquies · Jan 19, 2009

Well if you are going to go the loans route, I don't know a great deal, but try your hardest to get subsidized loans...those in short are ones that the government will pay your interest on, so if you borrow say $10,000 then what you pay back is...you got it $10,000 also luckily you can defer payment until usually 6 months to a year after you finish school so by then you will have a job scratch that a CAREER to pay those hefty big boys off with...remember it's the interest that can really sink you...I KNOW!

SanDiegoNurse2bAt48 · Jan 19, 2009

Hello NU RN students & students to be...I have been lurking around this thread ever since I decided to quit Kaplan (not the RN prog.) and apply at NU. This thread is a wealth of info and I thank you ladies for that. I just wished I had found this thread before I got talked into applying to the other place but to live and learn. Anyways, I am planning on taking my pre-req bio's at NU and a few others prereqs at cc. I should be ready to apply by Aug.'09. I look forward to hearing more about your progress as you continue down this road to your RN future. Good luck to you all!

danni314--Congrats on getting a job at Sharp. I've been applying to several openings for the past 3 months and never hear back from them. Do you mind telling me how you got through? What position did you get (admin or on floor?) Do you have much past experience? Any suggestions you can give would be helpful. I really would like to get a job in a hospital, since they would be much more flexible with their schedules once I do get into the RN program.

Thanks a bunch,

Angela

danni314 · Jan 19, 2009

Hey Angela,

I know what you mean by living and learning...I constantly wish I knew about National University a few years ago, it would have saved me so much time in school! But hind sight is 20/20 I guess.

Well, just like you I have applied and applied to Sharp through their website, and had no luck because I have no experience as a receptionist and I am not a medical assistant...and since you basically need one or the other to even be considered for the most entry-level position, I had no luck. I was really surprised when I saw a posting on Craigslist for Sharp (experience HELPFUL, but not required) and thats how I got in. It is a patient hostess position, so basically go room to room asking what they like to eat. Not the most glamorous job but I have experience in restaurants, would love to be working with people in a hospital, and since I knew just getting my foot in the door at Sharp could be a really good thing I was really excited about this position. If you still don't have luck with finding a JOB there, I'd get into their volunteer program. It only takes like one orientation for a couple of hours. I've known people who started as volunteers and after just a month or so found a paying position at the hospital. Again, I think it is just getting your foot in the door and meeting the people might help you a lot in finding a position. Or try another hospital and get the experience you need and then try Sharp.

Well, good luck! Let me know how it goes.

danni314 · Jan 19, 2009

Oh, and the posting is still up. Go to Craigslist.com and search "patient hostess" under jobs. You will need to get the application from the cafeteria at Sharp but it would also be good to email them and see if there are still open positions.

:roll

SanDiegoNurse2bAt48 · Jan 19, 2009

Hi danni314, thanks for such a quick response. I have been applying at all hospitals in the area with the same luck as Sharp. I agree, just getting a foot in the door is helpful. Thanks for the volunteering suggestion too. I thought of that a few months ago and forgot, but now that you brought it up, I will be doing that this week. I didn't realize that they post on craigslist especially since there are so many people that are applying on their website anyways. Hummm, I guess I will have to check that out. Thanks again:) :up:

gnomik79 · Jan 23, 2009

Hey Samantha, I'm Danielle, nice to meet you haha. Actually I JUST got my packet yesterday so no I haven't done anything yet. I do have a doctor appointment on Tuesday to get whatever shots I still need. I hope the classes aren't at night! I have a kid in preschool so it be great if they were in the day. But then again, WE'RE IN NURSING SCHOOL! :roll so who cares.

Hi danni314,

Just wanted to let you know that I just spoke with the Nursing advisor at National and she did confirm that the April cohor is a Morning cohort, and July 2009 is evening (that's when I will be in).

As far as I know, the very first class of the program has no clinical component to it, is that right? Do you know?

danni314 · Jan 24, 2009

Oh awesome, thanks for finding that out! And I think you are right about no clinicals for the first month, but I think there is a lab. Still wont know to much till Feb 13th! (ORIENTATION!)

gnomik79 · Jan 24, 2009

Oh awesome, thanks for finding that out! And I think you are right about no clinicals for the first month, but I think there is a lab. Still wont know to much till Feb 13th! (ORIENTATION!)

Hey danni314,

Guess what? Earlier today I got an email from Nursing coordinator at National offering me to start in April instead of July 2009. :DShe did say that my orientation would be on Feb 13th. So, who knows, if all goes well, we may be in the same cohort! Maybe we can meet at the orientation, huh? That would be kinda cool... :yeah: But the question is: when would I get my "package" to know what I need to get done BEFORE the orientation? :crying2: Because usually, they send out packages 2 months before the orientation! Did you get all your stuff done already? Like malpractive insurance, CPR, Hippa, shots and all of that?... :confused:

danni314 · Jan 24, 2009

hey that is so awesome! :yeah: yeah dont worry she will be emailing you the orientation packet, i know i had the same concern. id give it a few days and maybe like mid next week remind her if she didnt send it. i have health insurance and my CPR done, I just had my flu shot and TB test and I am getting my hep B booster on monday. other than that no :crying2: , all i have done this week is doctor appointments for school as well as my new job, and we are moving next week....so ill be doing Hippa and get the malpractice right after we get settled. are you from san diego?

gnomik79 · Jan 24, 2009

Ok, I will email her. Yes, I've been living in San Diego since 1996. We will also be moving soon though. We will still be in San Diego, but my husband and I got an offer from my parents to move in with them, for the duration of my school (since I will be quitting my full time job to go to school full time - and we can't afford to live on my husband's salary alone; we also have a 2 year old son) So, it was either take a $50 loan for living expenses or move in with my parents. :uhoh3: We chose the later, even though I am not pretty thrilled about it. I love my parents and am very greatful to them, but there's nothing like living in your own place - you know what I mean? So, we are now looking for like a 4 bedroom house to rent for all of us... My husband is also in school at night, after work... so we are a pretty busy couple....:typing Where are you moving from?

gnomik79 · Jan 24, 2009

Oops, I meant to say $50,000 loan (not $50 loan)...:imbar

danni314 · Jan 24, 2009

its not a huge move, just moving from el cajon to more central san diego/mission valley area. my parents are there, my daughters school is there (she is 2 also, well, very soon she will be 3) and my husband works in there area as well so it just makes sense. ive been in full-time school for almost 4 years now, so i am used to being BROKE. but i did get that part time job to (hopefully!) help with money. that is so great of your parents, and it'll just make you guys appreciate your new home after nursing school even more. what does your husband do/go to school for? my husband works 2 jobs and also takes classes and with our daughter and my getting a new job myself plus starting nursing school....im scared :uhoh21: haha.