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Some ppl attend OHSU so that they can go on for their MS and/or PhD. Some jobs like Nurse epidemiologist position at a PH workplace may require Associates and 2 yrs experience or BSN or combination. So, some ppl will do this to become a Nurse epi or Community health nurse.

I'll be 37 this Jan. 2008. I have 2 kids, a 4 year old and a 12 year old. I'm taking one class at a time bc dh and I work full-time. I have 3 more pre-reqs to retake bc the gpa acceptance seems to be 3.7-4.0 and I want a higher GPA. I have a 3.76 but want to be more competitive. Also, some of the pre-reqs from a previous degree expired so I had to retake one course again. It's been a snails pace but as I'm getting closer to finish, I get more excited. I hope to start nursing school when I'm 39. I know it will be worth it in the end. I think it's not about age so much or feeling old -- I see it as a chance to "exercise" my brain. I wish I did it sooner but sometimes things fall into place at different times. Riam

Anyone in the Chemeketa community college -- CCC - Nursing program? How hard is it to get into? I have a 3.76 and figure that's a high enough GPA? I did this on the scoresheet they provide on the website. I'm just nervous bc I really want to enter before one of my A&P classes expire. I know that OHSU's pre-reqs don't but it's so expensive. At CCC, how do clinicals work? Are the clinicals mostly in Salem-Albany-Corvallis area or are there opportunities in Portland? What are the clinical shifts -- are does it vary alot? thanks, Riam

Check into OHSU. Last time I looked at their website (1 weeks ago), they had their accelerated program Bachelors (in another major) to BSN. I believe it's in 5 terms. But do look at the website.

I never thanked you two for your replies. It was very helpful. Thank you!

Since I'm waiting for "the letter", thought I'd ask some questions for nursing students at OHSU who have been btdt. Will help me keep my mind off the waiting. I tried to imagine the workload and what courses are offered during the summer term (I applied for the summer term). How do the clinicals work? I'm in Salem. Are the clinicals just in the Portland Metro area? How much is the class time compared to the clinicals. Is it mostly hands on, traditional sitting in classes, doing papers? Could you give me some perspectives on this? I'm sorry I'm not being very specific. I just want to get a general idea of your lifestyle as a student there at OHSU. For those who have to commute, how did you arrange the drive to OHSU? Somewhere I saw that OHSU provides either discount or free bus passes. It runs almost every 15-20 minutes? Wondering how people solved this problem. In the application process, I applied for a "private" scholarship of some type offered by OHSU. Anyone know what this is? I just wrote an essay to demonstrate financial need, but it didn't give a lot of details. Thanks for answering my questions!

I'm looking into this as well. From reading the job description and criteria of public health nursing jobs (e.g., county jobs), you are qualified if you have your RN especially a BSN. I'd look at job description for the PH nursing jobs. Some are called nurse epidemiologists. Somewhere I read that someone was working in ICU and started doing infection control nursing then got her CIC. I'm looking for people who have BTDT, too.