Gin Gin

Hi again Aimmm...nope, I had a job within 3 weeks of graduating....I also believe that the school is now accredited ...I would suggest that experience is more important than what school you went to when employers are considering you for hire....try & get as much experience as you can, such as working as a tech or cna...the pay usually stinks, but you get valuable experience that can't be replaced...good luck!

Hi Aimmm....I am finishing my BSN through Excelsior....already have a BS & an MA in another field...good luck in Memorial!

Hey Stella Star! In addition to what I've already posted, I would say the differences for me boiled down to this: 1. Samaritan faculty truly care about you and your goal of becoming a nurse. Much smaller classes and close relationships with everyone, students,faculty & support staff all know one another. While there were very competent faculty at HVCC, there were much larger classes and a very impersonal feel to the whole program. If you don;t succeed, there are 1,000 other people waiting for your slot (this statement was actually stated by one faculty member to our class!). This might help to explain the 80+% attrition rate! 2. Other differences: - On "Lab" days at HVCC, there were 6-7 of us standing around each bed trying to learn new hands-on skills; at Samaritan 1-2 - registering for & paying for courses was always a nightmare at HVCC; long lines, indifferent staff, and you were lucky if you actaually got the class that you wanted and a correct tuition bill. At Samaritan, you knock on one office door and it was all done. - Though I went to the day program @ Samaritan, they have a night and weekend program; Another advantage over HVCC is that they start courses throughout the year (i.e., you don't have to wait a whole year until a certain class begins again like you have to at HVCC) - For what its worth, no CPE's @ Samaritan - No matter which program you decide upon, all of the pre-req's are taken at HVCC, so why don;t you take some of those to get a feel for the 2 school's? Good Luck StellaStar!

I'm not sure that I can help you with this one bananabubbletea....I don't have any first-hand knowledge of the Maria program, just have heard from co-workers who went to Maria. They said that they spent a lot of $ there and that they thought that there are better programs in the Albany area. What other schools are you considering?

Sorry for the delay in responding...and sorry, I have no idea about Jersey City, this is regarding Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. I went from HVCC to Samaritan and loved Samaritan. Much smaller classes and a faculty that encourages you instead of looking for a way to get rid of you. That said, the program was demanding, no slouch in any decent program, I suppose. Once again, just my .02! Only know of 1 RN who went to Sage, supposedly good program but very expensive. I also know of a few who went to Ellis and were happy with that program...also found jobs w/ Ellis right out of school. As far as other Albany area schools, I know of a few who went to Maria College and they all strongly advised against that program. Good luck to you carrie42!

My first-hand experience w/ HVCC...great program. Very thorough + demanding. That said, the 30 or so recent graduates were from classes that were originally 175+ when they began. I know of two recent almost grads who missed by 1 and 2 points! 2 years of very hard work to not make it by 1 point....A very high drop out rate...do not even attempt this program if you intend to work or have other time consuming issues. Try Ellis/Samaritan/Memorial/Sage before you try HVCC....just my .02

As a fellow "upstate-er", here is a great site that lists all of the available courses in the Capital District...hope you find it helpful: http://nyemtinfo.com/courses

Hey there Psychsurf, While I haven't travel-nursed yet, I have spent many vacations in the rv, and plan on traveling once my kids are out of the house. I would suggest that once you decide on a location to work, you can check out any number of web sites that review campgrounds (do a web search for "campground reviews"). The ones that I use include rvparkreviews.com, rvforums.com, and goodsam. They are all reviewed by fellow campers, so you usually get a pretty accurate idea of what the campground is like (warts and all). I would also guess that the trick to all of this is to find a decent campground that is within commuting distance of the facility that you'll be working at. Let us know how it works out for you!

It'll be A+P I and Microbiology for me this fall...lot's of time in the lab!

Maybe this is the wrong place to post this one?, but I've also heard the exam pronounced both "ENN-Clex" and "Nick-Clex"...

Misty, If deployment is a concern for you, my experience is that you are far more easily involuntarily activated with a Reserve Unit than with a Guard unit. BOTH may be involuntarily activated, but as a Federal asset, Reserve units get the not more often. Just me 2 cents...Good Luck in your choice.

Wow, thanks so much for that information! I really do appreciate it folks and will follow-up with this asap. Thanks again all, jwaz

Hey Bell47, Welcome! I'm a 45-year old guy just left my first career as a State civil-servant after 22 years, and am now into my ADN program (and loving it!). You're as old as you make yourself...Though it can be a little awkward in some situations, but I've found that being the only guy (or oldest person in my classes) is a bad as YOU make it...I firmly believe that nursing is a calling though (like being a teacher/clergyperson/cop/military/ etc...) Do it for the right reasons and not just because the $ and hours can be good...Welcome!

Thanks for the info Corvette Guy! I would have no problem going back to "green" from "blue"...Just wondering, did you have to attend any resident Officer Basic Course or any other in-residence course after you received your Commission? How did you find your Reserve unit to be, (I assume it was with a Medical unit), and what type of duties would you normally do during a weekend drill? My reading of the reg.'s appears to say that you would retire at your highest-held rank, so even if I didn't obtain my BSN and remained a Captain, I would still receive 0-4 pay at age 60. Like you mentioned in other posts though, there are so many loopholes and different ways of getting things done, that unless there are glaring problems, I imagine most of those requirements to receive a Nurisng Commision may be "waived"? I am going to contact a Army Reserve recruiter to get some more details....Thanks again, and Good Luck in Ft. Lewis...OOOH AHH!

Thanks all for sharing your experiences! I began my military career as an E-1, retired as a Major, so it would be real difficult for me to go from a Field Grade Officer back to enlisted. Looks like I'll stay on the sidelines for this and use my nursing skills in the civilian sector...Once again, thanks everyone! -----------