Direct entry and graduate entry programs II

Jess RN · Jun 7, 2005

HI Gen-

Sure I'm doing my Micro with http://www.ccconline.org They have a good selection of sciences with labs and are reasonably priced (I think 200 a credit) for around here anyway! Before assuming you need to do over your 5 yr old classes, I would definitely check with DePaul if you haven't already. I mean- they are within the 5 yr deadline if you consider how old they are when DePaul recieved your application, kwim? Even if you go for winter term- DePaul might have some leniency in terms of what they will accept. Anyway, you may have already covered this with them, but if you haven't it's worth the conversations rather than re-doing classes from scratch.

So far my Micro class looks good- lots of work though. The class is structured in 5 units each including 3 or 4 text chapters. For each chapter you have a quiz, each unit you have a test. You have to start one and participate in one online discussion per week and there are also some short answer mini- essays (200 words) that have to be passed in at the end of each chapter. Oh and lab reports- there are 12 labs and you have to pass in 9 lab reports but you can do more for exctra credit. Most of the people in the class are either nursing or pre-nursing- with one PA and one pre- BSN-MSN-DCN (whew!). The lab kit looks cool. I'm afraid of germs let loose in my house- but I plan to be pretty careful. I want to culture the inside of my 2 yr old's sippy cup! Eeeeeewwww!:chuckle I'm not sure if they have orgo- but they might have a chem for health sci majors- which should cover some orgo- not sure if your program would accept it though, so you'd have to check. If you don't end up having to re do them but you still want to brush up I've heard there are some free online self study classes that might fit the bill. Anywho- I've got to run and get ready to leave for MY chem class now- blah! Only three more weeks of it!

-Jess

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2005

Go Gen! You know we will always support you, no matter what you decide!

Gennaver, MSN · Jun 8, 2005

Go Gen! You know we will always support you, no matter what you decide!

Thank you Elizabells! and Jess again too!

You both are super.

Guess what now? Yesterday as I had fully come to terms with pushing school off like this I got an email and called another school.

The laminality stage is so arduous and well, even good news can be overwhelming if not exhilerating.

Well, a Masters of Social Work school that I tentatively applied to told me that I could still be accepted for the fall of 2005, (hmm I thought, still interesting, it would not conflict with my work or my desire to next pursue the MSN).

Then the kicker, they offer graduate assistanships and I would get the $50,000 education paid for by the University! What? Get out!

I have to seriously look into this. I clearly do want to pursue the MSN in community health also and well, DePaul specializes in this so, depending on what happens with the MSW school I want to schedule an appointment with the dean of Nursing at DePaul to see if they will consider me for fall 2008, (don't want to jinx it so I will withhold the name for just now).

Phew, slight head spin but, could that be kismit or serendipity or what?

:)

Gen

p.s. just sort of holds the one off until I complete the other but, they truly are complimentary and are a blend of what I hope to do in the future

Jess RN · Jun 8, 2005

Well, a Masters of Social Work school that I tentatively applied to told me that I could still be accepted for the fall of 2005, (hmm I thought, still interesting, it would not conflict with my work or my desire to next pursue the MSN).
Then the kicker, they offer graduate assistanships and I would get the $50,000 education paid for by the University! What? Get out!
.....
p.s. just sort of holds the one off until I complete the other but, they truly are complimentary and are a blend of what I hope to do in the future

Wow Gen! A 50K assistanceship- get out!!!! I'm very impressed!! I can see how an MSW would be complementary to Community Health Nursing- I just don't want you to get sidetracked because I know you would make such an awesome nurse (not really sidetracked, but you know what I mean)!! On the one hand, education is always good and free education is even better. But I would encourage you to look at the opportunity cost of starting nursing school two years later. By the time you are in nursing school (under the MSW first plan) you could have been working as an RN, started in your nursing profession and earning money. So the true cost of waiting is the cost of tuition and living expenses (in this case, none) plus the "lost wages" and "lost experience" that you could have had during that same time period. I know no one goes into nursing (or social work, for that matter) for the money- but it is something to consider. If you think you would do your MSW and then work as a social worker for a while before returning to nursing school- that's another matter and the opportunity cost doesn't so clearly play into that decision as much. But, from your post it doesn't sound like you were thinking of working as a social worker before going to nursing school which then begs the question- why do the MSW?

I don't want to seem like I'm pouring cold water on your great news. I think you are awesome Gen- and I think many, many, many schools would think so too and would be tickled to have you as a student. You will chart your own course and come up with the best option for your career and educational goals!!

Way to go!

-Jess

Gennaver, MSN · Jun 8, 2005

Wow Gen! A 50K assistanceship- get out!!!! I'm very impressed!! I can see how an MSW would be complementary to Community Health Nursing- I just don't want you to get sidetracked because I know you would make such an awesome nurse (not really sidetracked, but you know what I mean)!!
Way to go!
-Jess

Hi Jess,

Feel very free and welcome to post and ask anything, it is valid and taken in a good way, (no implication of pouring cold water on anything Jess).

These are valid questions and insights. OH! I miscalculated the cost of tuition, eeps, its a $38,500, (I had the wrong credit hours).

Yes, this is a two year committment. There are pros and there are cons. This is tough.

One good thing that I like is that I would not loose my eligibility for graduate school loans which I will need for DePaul.

Another good thing is that this will give me two more years to somewhat save money for DePaul too (although it would not be full-time work though due to the MSW program and demands).

While this would have me in graduate school working towards one of my multiple goals, this also puts my initial timeline for my MSW/MSN into reverse. I had hoped to work on the MSW part time after completion of the MSN, (figuring that the MSN salary would be highly beneficial).

Although, if the tuition for the MSW is compensated for...well, gosh, that is also highly beneficial.

On the downside is that it is indeed another two year's worth of committment and work in another, (albeit related) feild.

I will really need to think hard on this for the next 2 months.

Another note on the positive side is that I would have time to take my sciences over, one class per semester, (the A&P I&II and the GenChem).

Phewie, this is so much to consider.

Lots to mull over.

:)

Gen

p.s. your time and words are highly valuable!! I appreciate them very much

smile123 · Jun 8, 2005

Well, a Masters of Social Work school that I tentatively applied to told me that I could still be accepted for the fall of 2005, (hmm I thought, still interesting, it would not conflict with my work or my desire to next pursue the MSN).
Then the kicker, they offer graduate assistanships and I would get the $50,000 education paid for by the University! What? Get out!
:)
Gen

$50K? That is so amazing! You are definitely at a crossroads! Whatever you decide, we are behind you!

I am in the 3rd day of class - it's a little overwhelming. We see our first patient at the nursing home on Friday! I'm very excited to be in the program!

Smile123

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2005

my 0.02 - we have a few social workers in my class, and the faculty seems really excited about having them there. It would certainly give you an edge in terms of relating to patients.

Free money, whoohoo!

Gennaver, MSN · Jun 8, 2005

my 0.02 - we have a few social workers in my class, and the faculty seems really excited about having them there. It would certainly give you an edge in terms of relating to patients.
Free money, whoohoo!

Elizabells,

You guys are all super supportive here while we are all striving to grow forward.

Thank you for the two cents too by the way. This is good to know about flip-flopping my direction of MSN/MSW.

Yes, the waived tuition is a monster big factor in this flip-flop too.

I will let you know more when I find out for super-certain and have it in writing.

Gosh, I will peep in here though between now and then to see how everyone is doing. If at the very least I can CHEER :rotfl: :rotfl: you guys on!!

Go, go, rah, rah!

Gen

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2005

My brain hurts.

thank you, that is all...

smile123 · Jun 10, 2005

My brain hurts.
thank you, that is all...

Hi Elizabells,

What's up? I have 1 quiz and 1 major exam next week, not to mention other homework! My brain is working overtime with this program!

Smile123

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2005

Hi Elizabells,
What's up? I have 1 quiz and 1 major exam next week, not to mention other homework! My brain is working overtime with this program!
Smile123

Pharm, and advanced physio mostly. They're not hard, precisely, just so much info all at once. Well, you know, we're in the same li'l boat. I never realized how much having just one really long lecture per week in each class would kind of, um, suck. Meh, when I wrote that earlier, I had just read 5 chapters of pharm, none of which had much actual science to it, it's just a leeetle overwhelming. And quizzes, exams, projects (group projects are the bane of my very existence), and oh by the way, in the hospital next Wednesday.

It was so cool though, yesterday. I learned to take blood pressures. Now THAT is why I am here.

Jess RN · Jun 10, 2005

One good thing that I like is that I would not loose my eligibility for graduate school loans which I will need for DePaul.
Another good thing is that this will give me two more years to somewhat save money for DePaul too (although it would not be full-time work though due to the MSW program and demands).

These two points are really important. You have a big decision before you! If you could know you are in at DePaul for the fall and also had this offer on the table, which way would you lean? What about an acceptance at DePaul for the winter?

A bird in the hand is certainly wonderful- and if it's something you were set on doing anyway after the MSN- then it could be that a MSW then an MSN is the way to go.

Keep us posted and good luck with your big decisions!

-Jess