Oakland University Accelerated BSN fall 2011 Cohort

CD820 · Dec 15, 2010

Evansmom

Did you take Pharm and Patho at the same time? If so was it extremely difficult to take both?

evansmom · Dec 15, 2010

Hi CD820,

Yes, I took both Patho and Pharm at the same time. I found it extremely time consuming. I didn't necessarily find the coursework difficult, but my undergrad degree is in a science field. If you don't necessarily like reading texts and powerpoints, it might be more difficult. I did spend a lot of time studying and writing though - so please don't think I am trying to make it sound easy. I probably spent about 30+ hours a week studying/writing between the two classes. I hope that helps. Are you starting Fall 2011 as well?

kvisintine, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2010

Dandy7778,

@ Kvistine,Just a word of advice.....since you are a working professional (with many years of automotive experience) - be prepared to answer why you did not pursue nursing from the get go and pursued Engineering. I think they might be looking at automotive workers trying to find a ticket out since it has been so bad recently....wish you all the best getting to your goals!

Thanks for the advise! I figured that this might be a question....Did you get asked something similar? I thought it might help that I have a pretty comfortable position, so jumping because of instability reasons is a non-issue for me. Money is not the reason either, because nursing is a step back for me financially.

I have always had an interest in the medical field... but 10years ago, my first child was born with cancer and I was immersed into the medical community, the more I educated myself on my sons condition, the more I realized my personal comfort level with the field and how quick I was able to pick up on the terminology.. within months I was adept at administering meds through a broviac line via an IV pump, administering inter-muscular shots and monitoring blood ions to determine ADH levels at home. Long story short, despite my personal situation, I felt so comfortable and at ease with procedures and communicating with his nursing staff and doctors, that I was often asked if I was in the medical field already.... obviously, the timing was not right for me to personally make a career switch. But because of that exposure, the desire to change has stayed with me. Now that my family's life is back in order, my youngest is starting school full time next fall, and my husband's career has taken off so that we can maintain our lifestyle on one salary, I can finally pursue my dream.

I guess I am telling you all of this, because I am hoping that this will be a sufficient explanation to that question... it is definitely something that I have thought long and hard about... Do you think the interviewers will accept this type of response? Do you mind sharing how you handled the question if you got asked something similar? I know that they don't want people bailing from automotive or just looking into nursing for the $$... My personal opinion is that you need to have a balance between feeling that nursing is a calling (without choosing the career out of blind emotion) and having practical reasons for choosing the field (ie., are you going to make enough $$ to support yourself, are you comfortable in a stressful environment, ect)...

ejcl68 · Dec 15, 2010

Hi Kvisintine,

Yes, I took my NA course through Red Cross. I was very impressed with the course. I went downtown. The experience you will get is great. Just understand that you will only be certified when you pass the state exam. If you decide to work in a hospital, they typically don't care if you are certified. If you plan on working in LTC, you will need to be certified within 6 months of starting. I applaud you for your decision to be a nurse. Do not worry about your automotive background. I come from the same background. As a matter of fact, Oakland has a programs for displaced automotive workers and the encourage people to start in their nurse assistant or PCT programs. Trust me, you will likely not be asked any questions about your current career. After all, this program is second degree and pretty much everyone is going for a different direction. There's absolutely nothing wrong with changing careers. In a few cases you will find students just graduating with another degree(i.e. sociology, psychology, etc) but most will have worked for a number of years. Frankly, I don't get why these people spend all that money and not just do the traditional route.

Anyhow, best of luck to you. I think you are well on your way to making a strong impression. If I can just offer a few more bits of advice. 1). Put your heart and soul in your goal statement...be honest, and show you passion. 2). Be prepared for you interview..I say this because I have heard so many say they didn't do well in the interview (this can make or break you regardless of GPA). The interview is not difficult - just be yourself and sell yourself. 3). If I were to take the NA class, I would do so through Oakland.

Good luck again.

ejcl68 · Dec 15, 2010

Hi again Kvisintine,

I posted before reading your latest post. You do not need to explain to me or anyone else why you are going into nursing but I was very touched by your story. Everything you wrote in there should be in your goal statement. My father had cancer and I made a decision to move back to help care for him. So I know exactly how you feel about being called to be a nurse. I felt the same way but I didn't act on it till years later. Again, you sound like someone who will make an outstanding nurse. Let's face it, we can all say we're caring people and nursing is definitely for us - but one never knows until they actually get into clinicals, working, etc. It's not a job for everyone and even in my clinicals for Red Cross, I found a number of people who said nursing might not be for them after spending 40 + hours caring for residents. It's not for everyone and certainly not an easy job.

ejcl68 · Dec 15, 2010

Yes, they typically will have orientation approximately 6 weeks before the start of the program. There is a very valid reason why they do this because you have a bunch of stuff to get completed during that time frame (health assessment, titers, background checks, drug screen, etc). I know people in other classes and 6 weeks is about the time frame. Hope this helps.

CD820 · Dec 15, 2010

I start in fall 2011 and they told me orientation was in may.

TonyTony · Dec 15, 2010

I may have a 3.76... Do you guy's think this is too low of a GPA to get accepted with????

I think that was my exact pre-req GPA...but I still had to apply twice...Grades aside, I think that they just want to be sure you are 1. doing it for the "right reasons" and 2. you can handle the demanding curriculum.

I may have flinched when I was told that there might be times when I'm at the hospital all day and then I would have to go home and work on a group project until 1:00AM...Not sure if that's really how it is, but they make a point to let you know it won't be an easy 12 months...

evansmom · Dec 16, 2010

Hey CD820,

Can I ask who told you that orientation will be in May? My letter only says "summer". I am just trying to plan some things for next summer. May seems like it's really early for a September start date. At least I assume we are starting in September, around labor day. I wish we could get more information. :)

Thanks,

evansmom

CD820 · Dec 16, 2010

I asked the Advisor to the accelerated program when it will be since I have things going on this summer. She emailed me back and said it was in May. I thought May was kind of early too.

evansmom · Dec 17, 2010

Thanks CD820! Maybe I will email the advisor too and see what I am told. I am really surprised it would be planned for May, but that would actually work out better for me - interesting. :)

evansmom · Dec 17, 2010

Also, has anyone's status thing on their SAIL page updated to say Accelerated Nursing Student or whatever? Mine still says pre-nursing, but the school cashed my deposit check more than a week ago.