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oneday_nursepoundcake

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oneday_nursepoundcake's Latest Activity

  1. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    The way the MTA (subway system) has been lately, you might even be at an advantage to do the bulk of the commute via another system (e.g. MetroNorth or whatever). I live on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, which seems not too far as the crow flies, but transferring/going crosstown, etc, can get messy in busy times. Just be sure to give yourself extra time going anywhere on the MTA!
  2. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Congrats again to everyone! Does anyone here have any insight about when the "financial aid award offer" that is "forthcoming"... may actually come? And, if you are not awarded any scholarships, will it list details such as how much student loan $ you can get based on your FAFSA, etc? Just wasn't sure how much financial counseling is available to help you make a decision. I have never attended a pricey private school before, and it's all very intimidating! I will be attending Visiting Day, but need to decide if I'm turning down a spot in another program sooner (yes, it is a lucky 'problem' to have).
  3. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Thanks for your insights, @Doulaseason! I do have longer-term dreams of going toward a DNP route (or more toward a PhD nurse-researcher direction), but I have *no* medical experience at all and really want to soak up the possibilities while I'm in the MDE program -- if one can do so. Also hope to see what makes sense at this stage of life. If money was no 100% object, however, I honestly would dive headfirst through the MDE/DNP. But I still think for MDE it's a solid investment (probably) compared to the other options in NYC -- especially with a timely public/affordable BSN being pretty much impossible.
  4. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Totally agreed. I learned the hard way from my first degree 20 yrs ago how critical that time in school/building relationships/getting unique experiences is. Being a wallflower back then really set back my success a lot, especially as a woman in a male-dominated biz. Also (and I hate to say it) but NYC is very name-brand-oriented in many ways. Currently in statistics! I feel so weird going to school every day and wanting to be excited about the nursing program there (and it's good for what it is). But I think it's really best suited for folks who have, for example, been working as medical assistants or LPNs for many years and already have an "in" with a hospital and are building their career with that foundation. For a middle aged lady like me with zero medical background, I can't imagine how I'd sell myself with an associate's from there. And again, I hate this "brand" crap (it's been my career), but your "brand" is kind of important in all careers these days to stay competitive.
  5. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Congrats to you! I was very intrigued Suny Downstate, but my B.S. is ancient and it sounded like they required *ALL* (not just science, etc) previous coursework to be fairly recent for the ABSN program? The idea of re-taking English, etc, made my head spin. I do wish public was more of an option overall. It still kills me that to even apply to Hunter or Lehman, I'd need 4 additional semesters of general/then organic chem -- assuming with 4.0.
  6. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Hi @Slc - I'm on my last pre-requisite at LaGuardia (statistics) and also just attended the orientation for the LGA RN program and have been prepping to start it in March (but sorta ambivalently as I waited on Columbia, but just got in for MDE). I honestly think it was harder to get into LGA by far -- much less forgiving, needed As in everything. Yet it's weird to contemplate being stuck there for two entire more years to emerge with an associates. I hear "oh you can get your BSN afterward online in 3 semesters" but have yet to find proof of how this works. I'm old(ish) at 43, have 2 young kids and not in the best place financially. Yet I think I have almost talked myself into why I don't mind taking on a scary loan for Columbia -- mostly from a time perspective and also for the power of connections/experience Columbia would offer vs LGA (which has its strengths, but "customer service" of its students is not one of them). Please reach out by message if you like too
  7. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Hey @Gmilitar - I didn't realize you were in the exact same boat as me! Were you at the Nursing orientation at LGA recently? I've been running around doing all the prepwork stuff. These are wildly different routes, with so much to think about. We should talk offline. Please message me!
  8. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Bless them for telling us today, because I'm pretty sure I was going to lose my mind this week otherwise.
  9. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    OMG! I'm in, holy cow
  10. oneday_nursepoundcake
    After slowly chugging through my pre-requisites, I'm finally about to get on with the clinical phase of my nursing education. I did well in A&P, but definitely feel rusty. Any tips for books/apps/websites, etc that specifically focus on the anatomy knowledge that will be most crucial in nursing school? I assume a working knowledge of muscles around injection sites, blood vessels, heart physiology -- but welcome any other ideas, especially regarding the tougher-to-memorize physiology stuff that might involve chemistry (e.g. will I really need to know the fine details of how kidneys work)? Thanks for any ideas!
  11. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Yes, I'm pretty sure they mentioned in the orientation that something like 1 in 3 applicants gets accepted? I could be completely delusional though. Today I got accepted into the RN program at my community college. Now *that* was crazy competitive. And I'm very grateful. Just lots of mixed feelings. It's a 2-yr program to get an associate's degree (even though I hear constantly that even BSN new nurses in NYC can't find jobs, so I dunno). Very affordable, though. Yet in the same amount of time, I could earn a master's from Columbia and get the most amazing experiences/connections, be on a better track toward becoming an NP someday. But also wildly in debt, as a new grad in my 40s with kids, so... Good luck, everyone! Lots of pros/cons with every choice I guess. Fingers still crossed for Columbia acceptance. Even if I can't really swing the money, I guess it would be nice to know I could get in.
  12. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    I guess I'm getting antsy, because I involuntarily jumped like a foot when I saw a Columbia update in my inbox. Just a few more weeks...
  13. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Change from software to NP

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to MayaSwiss's topic in Students

    I've been on this path for a couple years now -- also a mom, 43, leaving an unrelated career. Community college has been an awesome transition opportunity. I still work part-time and take a class or two each semester at night. But they are meaty classes with labs (e.g. a&p) where studying almost a full-time job in itself. Coming from a creative field, simply learning *how* to study science has been a huge thing for me to figure out, so as an engineer you probably have the kind of brain that gives you an edge on this. If your kids are still young, as mine are, juggling their expectations/schedule with your spouse and household will also take some figuring out that can take time and have many ups and downs. Maybe it's where I live, but it kinda surprised me that getting into the community college nursing program is actually more competitive than some of the more elite BSN programs. Everyone is trying to make As and things get pretty intense (though non-science pre-requisites like psychology have been insanely easy and most people in those classes are half-asleep). Be sure to go to open houses for nursing schools and start making a spreadsheet of pre-requisites of each (there may be some differences, which can be frustrating if applying to several!). Just be open to jumping in and meeting people in your classes, ask them about their path too. Many are probably currently in the medical field as LPNs or similar, and have great insights. That's helped me way more than school advisors and stuff. Also, it can be very affirming to meet other "mature" students and develop a bond. Anyway, best of luck! I'm currently waiting to hear back from nursing programs after finishing my pre-requisites and never thought I'd even make it this far. But it's been such a fantastic experience that's really energized me and made me excited about the future -- especially after kinda petering out in a career that made me feel "old", unappreciated, etc, at this point in my life.
  14. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Hey @FuturePNP18 - Glad you asked this. I've been curious as well. There don't seem to be tons of fabulous alternatives in the area. I'm sorry to hear about NYU. I couldn't quite make their application deadline for the spring, but may try for the fall 2020. The other 'big contender' for me is Philips School of Nursing at Mt. Sinai, which I thought seems like another good option for ABSN (and less costly/smaller). Yet I have not met anyone else who's applying there and that seems weird to me. Is there something I don't know? I've also applied for RN program candidacy at my community college, where I've taken my prerequisites. It's super competitive so obviously many people are happy to go the associate's route for their RN (at a waaaay lower cost). I'm not super excited about the idea, however, because I'm 43 and want to emerge from school ready to launch into the workforce full-force. Needing to still go back and get a BSN *after* all that... sigh. Just too much. Plus it sounds like new BSN RNs are even having a hard time getting jobs in NYC these days. Best of luck to you! I'm almost glad to be distracted by finals at the moment, but I know January is going to be torture in terms of the wait.
  15. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Direct Entry MSN 2020 at Columbia University

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to FutureRN2FNP's topic in School Programs

    Thanks for sharing this, FNP2B1210! Is there anything you recommend brushing up on academically-speaking before the "boot camp" semester that will help in any way? I have already been doing my best at home (I have kids) to establish the expectation that I will be 110% focused on school during that time. But it is daunting! Best of luck to you as you continue in your studies.
  16. oneday_nursepoundcake

    Feeling discouraged

    oneday_nursepoundcake replied to guest1129128's topic in Pre-Nursing

    I feel like just about everyone I've gotten to know in my pre-nursing courses at my community college has at least a couple of "W"s unfortunately. Often it is *is* because of awful professors. Heck, my A&P I professor was fired for sexual harassment the semester I had him. It's all a hot mess, but in the end it worked out a million times better for me start over, actually learn the material well and make As. I know actual nursing school it's a different story. But in community college, many of us are older/working and in survival mode. Currently applying to programs now too (at age 43), so we'll see! This is a tough period, though, getting through these courses with your sanity intact and not yet having much to show for it. Wishing you the best of luck.
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