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?

OK so what is the point of all of this back & forth?? Seriously how many women have been seen with both breast just completely bared - well correction only one should be completely bared as the other is covered by a hungry baby - really how many have you seen??? It's not as if millions of women are out an about everyday going everywhere you go breastfeeding - well in Qs case I hope they are considering it's an OB atmosphere. So what's the issue here?? I have not once ever seen two bared breast out in public - although on Dr 90210 apparently Media stars just pop them out to show each other in restaurants! So my main question is - where were you that you saw both breasts bared?? In my 27 years out in public places I've not seen a thing, please enlighten me.

Are you planning on having kids?!?!?! Or do you just not get out much??? I take it your mom didn't breastfeed you huh? You'll see, maybe it's just because you're young, or maybe it's your religious background, or maybe you had something tramatic happen to you regarding breasts but you do descibe yourself to a T. You don't plan on going into Mother/Baby of L & D do you?!? :rotfl: I'm fairly conservative, but I sure as Hades will breastfeed my baby (number 3 thank you very much) whenever she needs to no matter where we are. Yeah I use a blanket because I'm modest & maybe I'll resort to a bottle if I have to because I'm driving or in a situation where I myself feel uncomfortable but I'm thankful for my right to comfort & feed my child where I please blanket or no blanket. I've seen many breastfeeding women with their child nursing quietly in public and NEVER have I seen a bare breast! Where in the world do you people live that just see women "whiping" them out or letting them just "hang" out for the masses to see?!?! And if they do - WHO CARES?!?!? Don't you have something better to do than worry or be "offended" by someone who is minding their own business?? Who knows you might be "offending" them in some way yourself. I understand that children might see but really like others have said that's what breasts are for & better yet it's a great way to either remind young children or 13 y/o boys (:chuckle ) that their mom did it too, or shows that they & their future spouses have a choice in how they feed their children for the future. Geez - we're looking to possibly have a female candidate for President but we can't be ok with breastfeeding moms??? Rediculous!

I haven't been with my current company long enough to be fully vested (5 years) so I don't think I can do the 401a (we have a not k like everyone else) So that's not an option I think. And I met with the fin aid office @ Austin Community College and I may or may not even get approved for a student loan & it might take up to 10 weeks to even find anything out So now the question is do I wait until the summer to start & put off trying to take classes until then? Or do I try & take out a personal loan to cover myself for a while - and if I do that & the student loan doesn't come through....

hi all!! ok so here's my situation: i just decided last month w/ all certainty that i'd like to go back to school, made a plan on how to get in to a local community college and have applied & registered. but i have no idea if i'll really be able to do it. because i may not be able to pay for it. i already have student loans (16k) from my first degree from a private college, so i can't get any grants, and i'm afraid that i've waited too long to make up my mind that i won't be able to get any financial aid until the semester has started. i'm super stressed!! i won't be able to go to school if i can't get any loans, my first choice was to just get a small loan while working at night but the place i want to work at isn't calling. i don't know how else to get to go to school other than taking out loans. is it too late? i know that i can't work a full time 40 hr a week day job & take 4-5 classes because just working right now has left me pooped. has anyone been in a situation like this? the fin aid office (well one of them anyway) has said that it can take up to 10 weeks to even find out if i can get anything - the other school's fin aid office is closed for winter break. they both have my fasfa on file. i am so nervous that i won't be able to go to school after all that my stomach is in knots, i would hate to have to put this off for another semester. any help would be great! thanks! steph

I was getting worried everyone was going to tell me that I'm crazy for trying to go about getting an RN this way. :rotfl: Ok so I don't think I can work at my current job, I've been there for 3 years & it's very much a stale job, doing the exact same thing and numbing my brain whit little room to advance, plus it's very hard to go to school in my department, the people that have (2) were already going to school before they started and were lucky enough to almost be done (it helped that they either have no kids or had a spouse that took on more responsibility) and they were going to school for communication/advertising. Sooo much different from A & P, Micro etc... One of my friends even didn't get hired for the same position that I have because she had to have a different schedule because of classes, she was finally able to move over because she went down to only 1 night class. And I know that it would be too much of a stretch to try & take A & P, work a full 40 hour desk job & take care of 3 kids, asnd my hubby is gone 3 nights a week so there is too much room for distraction. And I want to give my all because I want this sooo much. As far as child care - my mom has been watching my girls for the past 2 years because the NNP that worked with us in the NICU always let us know that our preemie should try & stay away from day care as long as possible. More than anything I want to give my mom a break as she has been the best ever (taking care of my girls AND working full time/nights) I couldn't be more blessed. But she's retiring early and will be able to watch the girls when I will actually be in the ADN program (which would be no sooner than August 06). Plus by then they should all be in some kind of school or pre-school. Even if it takes a while to get in I just really want to get started already. The pay cut isn't too terrible because it would mean being somewhere I want to be and I'm willing to make that sacrifice before I get sucked in by the pay of my current job and never leave. I'm going to the fin aid office today - I'm not afraid of taking out a big enough loan (I still have 16K left to pay off from my BA- yikes) I'm just afraid that I won't be awarded enough. I'm not really concerned with the debt because it will be worth it in the end. I guess my back up plan is that I stay at my current job but I just take every non science class the program required because it would be too much for me to try the sciences & work, thus I can't apply until the spring of 07 and quit then. I can't think of anything else - all of the science classes I would rather take in a classroom setting so that I learn more (I'm a kinetic learner) and to do that I'd have to have more time available for studying. I took intro to genetics thru UT distance my senior year of college with only a waitressing job & one kiddo & it nearly knocked me off my feet!:chuckle Thanks everyone for your advice - I truly appreciate it - if there's any more feel free to keep it coming!

Ok so I'm desparate - any help would be greatly apprecited - I don't know what to do if I don't get a night job & I know that if I stick with my job now I'll get too comfortable with the pay & never leave - so now's my chance... anyone have any advice?

Hello all! Ok so here's my plan... Wait let me give you some back story first. I live in Austin and our middle daughter was a 29 weeker severely IUGR. She spent 3 & 1/2 months @ Seton and was sooo well taken care of & loved that I realized the NICU was calling me and that I want to do what the nurses & CA's did for me for another family going through such a stressful situation. So 2 years later she's doing great & I'm ready to leave my full time job to take a MAJOR pay cut and be a CA (well that's IF I can get hired! I've been talking to the hiring coordinator for 4 months now with nothing to show for it:o ) so that I can pursue my ADN @ Temple College. (instead of ACC & it's big looooooong wait list) My plan is to work somewhat full time as a CA at night (3 12's preferably) so that I can take care of my girls during the day/week (7,2 &10 months) while taking A & P I & Intro to Psych (my only pre-reqs). I'd get help while I'm in class so that's not a problem I just don't know if I can get a loan big enough to cover our house payment & bills while I'm in school so I would really like to have some kind of income, plus working as a CA would be invaluable experince no matter what unit (I'm willing to learn anything if it can get me closer to my goal) Anyway I'd only go full time until the nursing program started (if I got in of course) and the just go PRN so that I could still get to know more. Anyone have any advice? Not only on if this will work, but how to get into Seton as a CA? I've made it clear (I think) that I would be willing to go to ANY unit so I don't understand why no results I'm a good person I promise!) I wouldn't be able to start now until January due to xmas traveling.... but it's almost the middle of December & for this to work for the most part I feel like I need to have a job already lined up... I was told that the tele manager would like to meet me but that was almost 2 weeks ago... help please!! :selfbonk: Is this a lost cause?? Thanks in advance!!!