SecondCareer?

Thanks for your response, Sunny! I don't know where to begin... I've been by campus and had my transripts audited. I have to re-take AP I & II and take Microbiology. Do you know if these are offered in the summer? I was wanting to possibly enroll in one of these in the evening this semester (next week!) However, I really feel that I need to shadow a nurse to see if I like it before I invest in coursework. The material is interesting to me, but if I don't like clinical work, I more than likely won't enjoy my job. (I learned this the hard way in my undergrad work.) I plan to call St. Edwards this week to see if this is possible... not sure with the new privacy acts!!! Maybe at least I could get a tour? What would you recommend? What has been the toughest part for you so far? Do the Dr.s treat the nurses with respect? I worry about this being true or being a stereotype that I have. (I don't tolerate disrespect in my classroom or elsewhere. I have only been in the hospital once (to have a baby), so my knowledge is very limited. How many students are accepted each year/term into the nursing program? How competitive is admission... how many apply vs. how many get in? I have a 3.5+ undergrad overall GPA, but a couple of my sciences are low ©... Chem II, Physics, Biology. I know that not all of these courses are required for the UAFS program, so will they count only the necessary ones or do they include ALL science courses? Don't know if you'll know all of these answers... anything will help! Thanks!

Is anyone a student or graduate of the BSN program at UAFS? I'm looking into going back to school to become a nurse. (I'm a teacher, currently.) Admission - how competitive? Clinicals - Where? Instructors - Do you feel (for the most part) that they are there to help you learn? Any insight would be helpful! Thanks!

I can see why one might be torn between nursing and education... there are many parallels. I've been a teacher now for seven years and LOVE it... however, now that I'm a Mom, I want more flexibility in my schedule and not to have to sign a contract each year (you're locked in if you're no longer happy!) In nursing, I don't think I will have piles of paperwork to do at home on my own time. I have my M Ed + 30 hours, so that puts me at the top of the pay scale now with no opportunity for advancement unless I want to be an administrator (and I don't). And no, really GOOD teachers do not have the summers "off." We continue to read, study, attend conferences, work on state committees, etc. Furthermore, I think in a lot of nursing situations you have short-term relationships with patients - not nine months - which is soooo long with grumpy/uncooperative parents and students. Did I mention that I will earn more money? From what I've read, I believe that I could walk into a nursing job out of school at my current pay rate - around $20/hr - and go up from there with a BSN, which is where I'm thinking I'm headed.

I am currently a teacher looking at going into nursing because of the benefits nursing offers.... flexible work schedule, medical benefits that aren't so out-of-pocket expensive, multiple opportunities for advancement, better pay, tuition re-imbursement, potential to work P/T, etc. Not to mention that as a nurse I won't have endless piles of paperwork that I take home, I will work fewer hours, and no yearly contract to fulfill. (If you become unhappy, it's a really long year! I've had two of these now.) SecondCareer

Sunny - Can you tell me more about the program at UAFS? course work, clinicals, instructors, intensity, etc. I have taught school for 7 years (and love it) but I'm looking at a career change that would offer me more opportunities for advancement, more flexibility and more pay. I don't know of any other programs in the river valley....are there any other options for nursing school around here? Thanks! Diana