FutureAustinNurse

Hi there! Not sure if you have rec'd more info on UT's program but I was told or under the impression that you should not work during the first year of the program but after that you can go on the floor - I have several RN's that I work with that are currently in the program @ UT and they have all been working since getting past that first year. Have you found anything else out about the program? I am also going to try my hand at getting in to the AE-MSN, 65 spots out of 100-150 applicants, scary but higher chances then getting into an ADN program (I don't have all of the pre-reqs done for the accl bsn) I guess if I don't get in on this try I'll end up going for those last few pre-reqs req'd for Tech's program and apply there. Good luck!!

Ok all, so I've talked to someone @ UT regarding the AE MSN & the average GPA is 3.3-3.6 & they on average get about 100-150 applicants w/ 65 spots to fill. Not all pre-reqs have to be completed by the time you apply but do need to be done by the time you start the program if you are accepted. I work with several AE MSN students right now & they have all said that it was easy peasy for them to get in (GPAs ranging from 3.0-4.0) as opposed to ACC's getting 200-250 applicants for that many spots. I also work with a woman that just got in to the Intro to Nursing class (not the same as getting into the actual ADN) and she has a 4.0 in every since class you can take that isn't an actual nursing class (she just applied this Spring). Not sure how much this helps you guys but I'm going the AE MSN route just because it would mean having my RN by June 08 & a MSN in the end. (Unfortunately my hospital gives the same pay rate for all entering newbies no matter if you have an ADN, BSN or MSN but I like the idea of an MSN behind my name haha! ) Oh and one last note - when I interviewed with HR for my current position she (interviewer) also said that the hospital likes the ACC students better than the AE MSNs or the UT RN's because ACC gets more clinical time. Just a thought (but hey I'm still going for that MSN since I'm already getting hospital time and feel comfortable in that environment) Hope that helps!!

Wow you guys are AWESOME!!! Thanks for the info... well an update... I did eventually get into the hospital that I'd been applying to (for the past YEAR! yuck!) and I'm currently 36 hrs full time/nights. On the school front I've decided to apply to UT's Alternate Entry MSN but now I'm not sure where to go in terms of fin aid... I still have paper work @ ACC but do I keep trying to get funds from them? I'll have 1 more class @ Temple College & a few @ ACC before I can even apply to UT's program. I'm only in 2 classes now (A&P I & Human Growth/Develeopment) because the other 2 I was going to take are not required for the MSN & this whole work full time in a high stress unit & try & be a stay @ home mom/student is just a bit much for me to handle. Anyway anyone have any info on what to do now that I've decided to do the masters thing instead of the ADN thing? We're barely sqeaking (sp?) by on what I'm making now & I can't pick up extra shifts (scheduling/child care conflicts) anyway anything else would be greatly appreciated!!!!! Thanks again!!!

Hi! MD Anderson huh? I have a friend working there & she LOVES it! She's a Radiation Therapist & she was the one I asked about oncology first to see if I could handle it, as you can tell she convinced me to go for it :) Good luck to you too!!

Hello all! Ok so I am going to start in an oncology unit - my first med experience - I'm still just a pre-nursing student but wanted to get hospital experience where I could. Anything I should know before I start (mid-Feb) I'm nervous of the unknown & anything would help. I realize that it takes a strong and compassionate person to work in this unit & I'm hoping not to disappoint. Thanks!!

I got it! I got it! You want me to be as safe as possible :chuckle That is another thing I was worried about - apparently my husband too because he went right out and got me some pepper spray! hahahah I will definitely make sure I'm in the closer garage - thanks! Oh one more thing - what's the health screen like? Mostly things like ability to move & the drug test? I forgot to ask - I was just so excited to hear a "yes"

Oh absolutely! That's my biggest fear - to not be strong enough for the unit, but I know that everyone needs as much attention & support as possible no matter if it's the patients or the families. From what I've read & heard it's such a rewarding unit to be in. I just hope I can do everyone justice in terms of care & concern. I'll be putting my best into it!!! :)

Oncology/7N - I'm a little nervous, but that's just the fear of the unknown :) I'm more excited than nervous - scared about the paycut but it's all worth it in the end:D Anything I need to have a heads up on? Hey Seton isn't haunted is it? I'll be on nights & don't want to walk into this without some warning! hahahaha :rotfl: Thanks again CG for the advice you gave me earlier :) Much appreciated!!

Guess what?!?!?! I'm in!!! I'm so excited!! I will be in the new CA orientation starting next week - :balloons: :biggringi :balloons: I'm so happy!! It's not the unit I'd thought that I had wanted but I really just wanted in - anything to help me get closer to nursing the better!!! Just wanted to give an update :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: Good luck to everyone else!!!

Huh - I don't know why it would take so long I just thought that that's what happens for everyone... Something about having to do appeals & getting reviewed? Now you've got me wondering - hahaha. I've already started paying out of pocket for the classes I'm going to take (4 in all) and if I don't get aid then I'll just end up dropping the classes (w/o aid I can't leave my FT job which takes up so much of my time that I don't think I can get good enough grades to even have a shot @ getting into a CC here - 3.8's have been the cut off - yikes!) Thankfully my current company has worked with me (a total shock! but a great one!) So that I can at least right now take my A & P I. My other classes are through distance learning. I'm not so stressed but I will be when my other classes start in March (they're 8 week courses) Thanks everyone for responding!! :)

For the guys.... about being weary to go out w/ a woman w/cosmetic surgery done & how that (you think) can affect your possible relationship - well what about the women that are great (& have not had surgery) until you realize that they have such self esteem issues abouth their bodies that that too causes stress on the relationship?? Just a thought. I myself are one of those girls (not stick thin, never have been but I was MUCH smaller before the 3 kids) and my body now & how I see it have cause some friction between me & the hubby. He loves it, I don't & by me not liking it I don't like him touching any of my "gross"parts (all of the places I'm not comfy w/) So I definitely plan on surgery - I'm very very lopsided from nursing all 3 & just want to even myself out & perk them up a bit. I want them for completely selfish reason, but my hubby sure doesn't mind:chuckle So it can be just as bad or even worse to have a woman that isn't happy w/herself. At least the women that have already had surgery are already more comfortable w/themselves (I would think anyway)

Thanks - I did call on Monday & she's waiting on the hiring manager, with good reason. So I know it's not because she doesn't want to call me back. She did say that I am still in the running so I'm thinking that's a good sign. I'm sorry I'm just stressed because school starts next week & I'm not sure now if I'll be able to take the classes I'm signed up for.There's NO way for me to stay w/ my current comppny & go to school, not because I don't want to my company & the position I'm in really don't allow it. With one week left... well my stomach is in knots... Thanks for the well wishes! :)

Hey all! I'm still trying to get into Seton and I'll take just about any CA position north of the Medical Center... Anyway I finally got an interview last month, thought it went well & am still waiting - for good news or bad. Is it normal? School starts on the 17th & I'd really like to go ahead & take the classes I've signed up for (A & P I & Intro to Psych) as well as a couple of others that are short semester classes. Because I'm going from 15 an hr where I'm at & I won't get much fin aid because I already have a BA I really need to know soon if I can even start school (hence needing the job now for financial somewhat security) I've been stressed about this for a while & was hoping to know something by now - any advice? I'd hate to put this career change on the back burner for another semester & if I take classes now I could be in the nursing program by the fall.... I know I know all of my eggs are in this basket but I don't know what else to do - for anyone that reads this that has done fin aid through a bank & not their school how did you do that? I was told by a fin aid officer not to go to a bank - that the school had to do that? Well thanks for reading & if you have any advice it's greatly appreciated!!

That's AWESOME!!! How great that you could nurse your son w/o someone having issues!! I've never had anyone have an issue with me except for an "old-school" relative, but did that stop me from nursing at my grandparents house - no way! And now she couldn't give a rat's booty if I feed anywhere near her because she's used to it. Bravo to you & your town! :)

Wasn't this Justin Timberlake's antic?