araew2129

I 100% credit my new grab job in an ICU at my preferred hospital to the fact that I went to their hiring mixer at a local restaurant and spent an hour talking with the critical care director (among a group of people). It is all about your people skills imo.

Did you apply through the hospitals New Grad RN position posting? A lot of times these applications are handled differently and are prioritized together so the cohort starts timely and together.

What? "50% of those caught in abortions..." What does that mean??

If you will always wonder, I say go for it! I also second the recommendation to look into community colleges or state universities. Don't go into crazy amounts of debt because all new nurses start at the same level.

I think it would be easier to work on an internal transfer from med-surg to an ICU at your local hospital rather than to apply externally with some PCU experience from a different hospital system.

I personally chose to complete an ADN program first. I was accepted to MEPN, BSN and ADN programs but, as a second degree student, I had to pay out-of-pocket for my degree so the ADN just made the most sense. I was hired into an ICU without any issues regarding my degree. Plus, my hospital pays tuition reimbursement so I plan to enroll in an online RN-to-MSN program in about a year or so!

I was simply upfront by saying I had another interview coming up and asked for some time to decide. I was told that I could take the time but they would not hold the specific position I was being offered (so I would have to choose from what was open if I decided to go with that hospital). This policy likely varies by hospital. And yes, they will tell you everything being offered with the position. If there is something specific you would like to know, just ask! I always asked about tuition reimbursement. Good luck!

I emailed my recruiter and asked about shadowing in my unit prior to starting. This was not an option, unfortunately, but I was offered a meeting with my director and nurse educator, which I jumped at. In the meeting I asked about schedules and was given an idea of how at least my first month will go, among other things. Overall, super helpful and my director commented that I was the second in my new grad residency to ask for a chance to meet prior to our start date, which he found to be a great indicator of our dedication and initiative. I would reach out for sure!

@mc156 yes it does. AZ requires us to apply for our license from the BON, send in our fingerprints for clearance, and pay for the NCLEX from Pearson Vue all before graduating. Then the school sent our verification of graduation and we were given ATT. Because it can take up to 6 weeks for fingerprint clearance, we were instructed to begin this process in early April. I think each state's BON might work this process differently though.

This is dependent on area and even hospital system. In my area 2 of the hospital systems have set start dates for their new grad residencies which are about 2 months after graduation, and the other 2 hospital systems have rolling start dates for new grads based on when they pass the NCLEX. Also, here in AZ NCLEX dates were generally available about a month out from graduation. My timeline looks like this: March: New grad residency positions posted by hospitals, began applying April: interviewed with 3 hospital systems and accepted a new grad residency position in the ICU at my preferred hospital to start in July May 12th: graduated May 21st: received ATT from our BON and scheduled NCLEX June 23rd: NCLEX July 19th: Start date at hospital Good luck!!

I have been able to work about 30 hours per week. I know many people in my cohort have continued to work as well. Several are techs in the hospital and working as close to full time as possible (more during breaks, less when close to exams ect). But keep in mind that you will have NO control over your school schedule so work has to be somewhat flexible.

Hello! I am actually graduating this May from the PCC ADN program. Only my preceptorship left to complete! I did start the GCU concurrent enrollment but found it nearly impossible to get funding for that program with having a prior bachelor's and found it much more doable to pay out of pocket for just Pima and not Pima and GCU. I do plan to go back for the NAU MSN in about a year or two, after completing a New Grad Residency program. Congrats on being accepted! It is a lot of work, but so worth it!

I ended up getting a scholarship through pima that paid my normal tuition (not the differential tuition) for this first year. I paid cash for the other costs, which mounted to about $800 per semester not including books/uniforms/stethoscope. You can utilize the payment plan which splits the semester tuition into 3 payments. I had already used up any federal financial aide on my first bacheokrs, but many who do not have prior degrees get enough federal aide to cover the entire cost. It is highly dependent on your situation! P.S. Fingers crossed for you!

I dont have any experience directly with ABSN programs as we dont have an option for that in my city (only ADN, BSN, or master's entry). If you are that close to finishing, I would assume that it would be a good idea to finish. If you still had 2 yrs to go, I would say invest that time in the ADN program, but if you are in your last year I would go ahead and finish up while I was making sure I had everything in line to apply to either and ADN or ABSN program.

I would say that there is not much difference, at least here in AZ. All new grads start at the same pay, regardless of education. When I am done with my current nursing program, I will have an associate of science in nursing and I will start with all the MEPN graduates at the same pay while having paid about 35k less for my degree. In fact, in Tucson the Pima Community College nursing program graduates have a much better reputation in the nursing community than the MEPN students in terms of being better prepared. And some find having a master's degree in an area where you have no real-life experience as an insult (NOT saying I feel that way, but I have heard this from many already in the nursing field). Also, my prior bachelor's degree is in social work and I worked in child welfare for 10 years! Small world. Anyway, for reference, I applied to and was accepted at the Pima nursing program, the MEPN at the UofA, and the traditional BSN program at NAU in Tucson. I ultimately chose the Pima program because of cost (less than 10k vs. 45k and 25k for the others respectively) and the reputation of the Pima program. I know I couple people in the current MEPN cohort and the cohort which just graduated in 2019. I have not heard great things. But, plus side, you do get done quicker. I am very happy with my current choice! Also, I dropped the GCU concurrent enrollment because I found a more affordable option through NAU. After completing my ASN degree through Pima, I plan to pursue the online MSN through NAU which is available to those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Good luck in whatever you choose! I also recommend getting started on nursing prerequisites asap. They took my 1.5 yrs, plus the semester of applying to programs, which means there was 2 years between me deciding to go into nursing and actually starting my program.

Have you looked into your community colleges? It may take a bit longer but I'm also sure you will get a better education and NOT leave school with tens of thousands in student loans. I am also a non-traditional student, going into nursing from social work. And I am 38 so I understand wanting to be done with the school part and into the career part asap, but being a better, safer and more competent nurse is the highest priority. I chose an ADN program at my community college because it is the best program in my area and ultimately saved me 35k over the MEPN program is was also accepted to. And for-profit schools likely cost at least that much or more! And you wouldn't even walk away with a reputable degree as I would have. 100% consider your other options!

I think a lot depends on your particular job market regarding sonography. But I believe in general a RN will make more money and have a greater field of opportunities.

I have to agree with the previous poster. Not only is school going to be stressful, but imagine working as a nurse. It would really be a shame to put all the time and money into a school program and not be successful in the career. Perhaps therapy, not just meds, could help?

My school had the same format. General Biology was a prerequisite to A&P and you were expected to know about cells, it was not taught in A&P. I took that prerequisite 15 yrs (!) before I took A&P. I still got an A in the class. You don't really need to know too much in-depth cell info, but you do need the basics (organelles and their functions, cellular division basics, ect). Get your A&P text now and read the chapter(s) on intro to biology and cellular biology (usually the first couple chapters of any A&P text. You should be good to go with just that.

I discovered recording lectures in a&pII and it was amazing! I would listen to lectures while commuting ect and I retained so much more of the info. I got a cheap recorder off amazon.

As a career changer to nursing, after 15 years in social work, I can 100% agree with this. This was what I tried to teach all the baby social workers I was training and the things I hope to bring into my career as a nurse!

Yeah, names would help ? I'm Amanda.

Same here, I looked into it but don't qualify as I already have a bachelor's degree. I applied for all the scholarships pima has listed though ?

Colivares did you request the evening classes? Also, are you doing the CEP or only the Pima program? Dreamchaser, we have classes together!

This is mine!