Nursing Students in Northern Kentucky?

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I just started nursing school in Northern Kentucky and am having trouble locating other people in the same boat and geographical location

Since there are very few who can afford to just go to school, I imagine there are plenty of others who work and go to school (both full time) and feel a bit like they've sold their souls... Where is my time to hit the gym? Aside from the fact I have no one to go with on this insane schedule, it feels like I'm on the go all the time (even in my sleep, hence the lovely dark circles) and lack motivation for purely personal/fun excursions. Anyone out there also trying to dig out of their hermit holes, let me know! Gold's Gym in Erlanger is central to both school and home for me.

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Hey there.

I'm not from KY, but I'm attempting to apply for the accelerated BSN program at Eastern KY University. Seems like a good program. I thought it would be more crowded in here; KY has lots of schools to choose from. Congrats on getting into school. How do you like it so far? I can't wait to start...somewhere!

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I love it so far, but I'm only halfway through CNA (which is mandatory in Ky). EKU is an excellent school! I used to stay the summers there. I'm in a smaller 2yr school, but it's got a high rated program, it's affordable and it fits with my schedule. Let me know where you decide to go.

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

I graduated from EKU with my BSN quite awhile back. I initially started out at Morehead but found EKU to have a much more extensive program particularly in relation to clinical experience. I had researched alot of the other schools and found EKU at that time was listed within some of the best in the nation. Tuition was much better then say if I had gone to UK or UofL. Lexington not be too far off I did externships at then Good Samaritan and also at St. Joseph's during my junior year. When I graduated I stayed in the same unit and it made the transition from student to RN so much easier. Also I think the hospitals in the area are so very much in tune to new grads. I was never made to feel I was inadequate or the "nurses eat thier young" attitude you hear so much about. But remember EKU is known to be a "party" school too lol, but I never had much time between the long clinicals and the theory classes combined to party out anywhere during my time there. Good luck and enjoy your time at EKU as you will find down the road its very much worth it and you will get a great nursing education there. I loved the research rotation they used to have, not sure if they still do this or not.

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Wow, thanks for the insight to the EKU program. It is my first choice. I figure I'll put this old degree to work for me, and in a year's time I will be done with my BSN. The requirements are not bad at all, and I got the impression that the program was very well rounded. Only thing is that out of state tuition and being away from my family for a whole year. EKU is about 5 hours from Atlanta.

No partying for me, lol. I had my fun with that the first time around. This time, it's strictly business! I'm so motivated and focused, and I hope that makes the time go by faster. I'm talking like I've been accepted to the school, and I haven't even applied yet, lol. I'm really looking forward to it though, and I really hope I get in.

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Hey AndiG, I just started NKU's accelerated BSN program. I'm enjoying it so far, but it is also a lot of work. I'm in Florence, don't work, and am just trying to make it through this 18 month program. Just wanted to say hi.

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I'm dual enrolled through Gateway at NKU... 18 months for BSN? Now I wish I'd have looked around more lol. Gateway works so well with my schedule though. The only thing I'm not so fond of is the selective admission process at my school. Hmm... Maybe I'll transfer completely at the end of the semester. I'm in the Florence area myself. Stick in there, it's really quite fun. Have you gotten to do any clinicals yet? That's when you start to realize it doesn't suck all the time :chuckle I got your e-mail, look for a reply today.

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I've heard good things about the Gateway program. I know a couple of people there that really like it. I did the NKU Accelerated BSN program because it worked good for me. I already have one BA degree, and the accelerated program is for people who already have one bachelors degree, and want to change career....soooo, that pretty much fit me perfectly. I started clinicals already, and have mixed feelings about them so far. On one hand, I can see how interacting with patients and learning about drugs and diseases is great experience. On the downside, there is lots of downtime with our clinicals where we are just sitting around trying not to get in the way. Being there for 8 hours is too long, in my opinion. But, I'm sure it will get better as we get to do more stuff. C'ya,

John

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Hello!

I am considering going to NKU for their Accelerated BSN program. Was it very difficult to get into? I unfortunately lack a lot of the Pre-Reqs that they require because I never took Anatomy and some of the other classes at my other college. Did any of you that went there have to take these before hand as well? IF so, where did you take the classes at? :paw:

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I didn't have the pre-requ's either, so I took them all at NKU. I thought taking them there was a good idea because then they could see my track record at NKU, and I thought it may give me an edge to get accepted into the ABSN program. I took A&P I and II during the summer sessions, which last 5 weeks each. It was hard, but I'm really, really glad I did them both over the summer like that. I took A&P I during the first summer session, and then A&P II during the 2nd summer session. Because I didn't have any other courses to study for, I spent all my time studying for those classes. I got A's in both, and am really glad I did it that way. Then I took Micro, Chem, and a Psych class in the Fall. Started the ABSN program in the Winter session. Now I'm done, and I am so happy I completed the program. Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions at all.

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Thank you so much for that information! I figured it would be best for me to take those pre-reqs there instead of trying to transfer them from a different school where they might not transfer.

Can you apply to the nursing program before you take those classes if you show them that you are going to enroll in the classes? Or do you have to take them all first? Should I contact the school and meet with the admissions counselor about this?

Also, Since I would be taking only the pre-reqs for a year, i think it would be a good idea to try to get a job at a hospital as a PCA or CNA.

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The way I did it was I applied to NKU for some other major ... biology, I think, while I took my pre-requ's. In order to apply for the ABSN program, you have to have had the majority of pre-requ's completed, or at least are in progress. So, I took my A&P's over the summer, and in the Fall, I took Chem, Micro, and a Psych class. Then about 1/2 way through those classes, I applied for ABSN program. Since I was going to complete these classes before starting the ABSN program, that was fine with them. I think it's a great idea to get a job as a nurse's aid while doing the pre-requ's. to gain experience, and see what nursing is like. However, once in the ABSN program, it is difficult to work while going to school, and keep the grades up. The grading scale is a lot tougher in nursing school, and anything below a 78% is considered failing. So, you don't want to work too much and risk failing out of the ABSN program. Some people work a little, and can do it fine. I, however, am one that wasn't able to do it. I tried, but my grades went south, so I quit my job to focus on school. I passed though (woo hoo). Anyway, hope this helps. Keep me posted.

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