DDD

I'm entering my senior semester in the fall (i made it through med/surg with the other 25% of my class!!!). I began applying for internships a few weeks ago. I never heard back and many of the positions were filled. Im afraid that if I don't get some experience, I'll be unemployed when I graduate. Is my fear unfounded? I hear many people say that there's a nursing shortage. However, I've heard that before. I graduated with my BA in education and couldn't find work.

You took the words right out of my mouth. They most often lack patience, hold one another in contempt, and act as if they were not once in your place. Oh yeah, I also come home hating clinicals because I feel so stupid. But it comes to this. This is a microcosm of the world. No matter the occupation, it is the same. Some, no, most, call me pessimistic. My reply? If you want to see the truth, be prepared to discover misery. Reality is pessimistic. Every occupation is not what you think it is. Work is called work for a reason. And we are paid for a reason. And paid well for an even more obvious one...it stinks. And I'm OK with that. I work for my family first. I became a nurse to provide for them. Don't quit because there is no where to turn. Teachers (which I once was) fill our heads with nonsense from day one. And the ivory tower of collegiate academia perpetuates this. There is no pot of Gold under ANY rainbow. And your identity and purpose IS NOT synonymous with your occupation. You were not meant to enjoy work. How many people do you know love there job? If anyone were to plot this, statistics was scream that occupations are "fun".

Can anyone direct to an agency, etc, that can help me find work in England. Also, what's the job market like on the other side of the pond?

PRN positions are just part time positions that you work when you're available. They usually pay about time and a half. I'll just use those entire checks to pay off the loans.

Don't worry about comparing yourself with others. We all have unique situations. Some have families, others live at home with parents. Like myself. I have a wife and child, a BA, going to an ADN program. I'm looking at about 35,000 in debt (including 7,000 from previous degree). I'll work part time, but I'm not going to work so much that my family and studies suffer. Be sure you're right, then go ahead! Take a risk...you'll be glad you did. That much debt will allow you to extend your payments for 20 yrs at about $200 a month. But you can, as I will do, work a PRN position to pay it off in about 5 years.

In the current job market (thank you Bush), it's like that everywhere. All of the entry level jobs require 1 year experience. Well, it's not really entry level then, now is it? I had the same problem as a grade school teacher. After two years unemployment, I'm in nursing school :angryfire .

Finally, 15,000 years after the dawn of civilization, we've eradicated bigotry and sexism. If you believe that, I've got a brigde in Brooklyn for sale, real cheap...interested? How do you know he wasn't hired based on his gender? Where you there? Do you know the hiring manager personally? In fact, I myself was TOLD by an employer that I would not be hired because I am a male. Don't be so sure about the nobility of the human race.

How do you know it isn't a male issue? Where you there when they looked over the application? Do you know the hiring manager? As every person is unique, so is every situation...including the hiring one's. Don't be so sure that your fellow men and women are so noble. I, in fact, was TOLD by a manager (not in nursing, but in an elementary school teaching position) that I wouldn't be hired for being male.

Well, I'm a hypnotist. If you live in KC, I could help you. A hypnotist can also teach you self hypnosis and other relaxation techniques to calm you in those stressful times. If you see one, don't pay more than $50...they'll try and rip you off.

I am a 28 year old father of a 14 mo boy. My wife is a stay at home mom. I, too, have a BA and couldn't make ends meet (was a 1st grade teacher). So I'm entering NS in a few weeks (worked fulltime and saved all the loan money that year for later while completing my prereqs). Oh yeah, I have been working pay check to pay check, and the ship is sinking. My wife will be home with my son while in school. So my situation is a little different. But I'm going to be candid, go against the stream, and a little old fashioned. I don't think you should start school on a fulltime basis until at least the little one is in preschool. Probably better to wait until Kindergarten. Almost all new families experience financial difficulties. It's OK. You're not alone. So if the pay checks are making ends meet, I say bite the bullet, complete the prereqs over the next few years or so, and wait. Hang in there, be patient. And yes, is sounds like your family comes first...so make no apologies, ever again :)

3.67 Overall 3.82 Science prereqs Already have BA in Education Accepted on first try. Know someone admitted with a 3.15 overall. Point system based on GPA and Prereqs Completed. Essay required. That's it.

Do what I did. Call or email the President's Secretary, send any supporting documents (ie, receipts for transcripts, emails, etc), and give specific dates and names (assuming you've already PERSONALLY spoken to each department head...use the chain of command). Once their managers are aware, the fire should be in the pants. If that doesn't work, go to the campus news paper. If that doesn't work, contact the board of directors. If that doesn't work contact your state congressional representative (hit them where it hurts...the power of the purse). Unlike a US rep., your state rep is a phone call away. I had a problem once and called her at home. She spoke to me, and then called the school president the next day...problem solved. The school had dropped me from my classes because they hadn't received payment from the Veteran's Admin. We've become regular friends. Never surrender. Make yourself a nuisance. One more thing. Instead of hand carrying it, have it sent to you, then send it registered mail. Then you'll have proof that they received it.

MY ADN program requires a Child or Human development course. I have a BA in Elem Education which included a 2 hr Child Development. I noticed immediately that the degree description shows it as a 3 hr course. Apparently the school doesn't think I know anything about child development because they wouldn't accept it...but only after telling me it would be fine! So the advisor (not a nurse and, who, obviously knows nothing about the program) says, "Oh yeah, that will be fine". I didn't trust her (I have a lot more stories to go with this one) and proceeded to email the Curriculum Director from the Nursing Department (so that I would have it in writing...always get it in writing). Curr. Dir says I'm right, that I would need to retake the course. So I emailed the Curr. Director's email to the advisor for posterity. The advisor emails me back saying she never said that (though I have that in writing too). The Curr. Dir. says she doesn't care if the advisor put it in writing or not, and that I wouldn't graduate with out it. So I almost didn't take the class with 3 hrs, which would have made my acceptence into the program null and void. CYA - because nobody else cares.

Karmyk, The original poster asked what route they should take as a baccalaureate. I, and other post graduates, gave our opinions...as solicited. True, you provided the only BSN suggestion. We, as older, more experienced people, know the path this student is about to take. This wasn't meant to stroke one's ego over that of another, but to provide REAL advice to a REAL person with very REAL consequences. If you can afford to make poor financial decisions, more power to you. The rest of us cannot. Many people are willing to spend loads of cash for the "status" of "higher education". Now that I've attained such "status", I'm telling you it's not what it is all cracked up to be. And if I were to be consumed with status, I wouldn't be in nursing school :) If you want to be helpful, please stick to the facts, argue your pionts, be prepared for rebuttals, and don't make this personal.

I'm just going to say it like it is... Don't listen to the cry babies. 50/50 divorce rate? Really. So they have the data at hand? Much Ado About Nothing. The whole "Nursing School Causes Divorce" can be a self-fulfiling prophecy if you let it. Another example of if you repeat a lie enough, it becomes the truth. How's it any different than a job? You do a 40 or 50 hr work week. Treat it just like that. Set those hours aside, do the work, and leave it there. Don't bring it home with you. For better or worse...don't forget it. If getting an "A" rather than a "B" is more important than your marriage, then you have the wrong priorities. If this "hard time" will cause you to divorce, then you'll be divorced whether or not go anyhow. I mean, you're going to face tough times either way. Commit to daily time with the family, and put them first (which is why you are doing this in the first place, I hope), and everything will be fine.

Karmyk, I didn't sense any "hate" from MBA2BRN. I understand how you don't want to let go of the investment you've made in your education to this point. When I graduated with my BA, even though I didn't want to be a teacher, I didn't want to believe that I had wasted my time and money. So, I did it anyways. I evetually decided to take a serious, and uncomfortable, look and where I was at in life. Not that all degree's are worthless. Every career endeavor needs to be evaluated for what it is. And nursing, well, in this profession, were looking at being entry level nurses...all of us. And the route to get there is varied. As a utilitarian, considering all options and opportunity cost, the ADN route seems most practical. He/she is bursting your comfort bubble. It would be better to cut your losses now. In the words of Shakespeare, "To Thy Ownself Be True". As my fellow baccalaureate's can attest, degree's, in general, are hype. In a capitalist system, experience (and connections) are king. Most employer's outside of teaching could care less about my degree.

I have a BA and am going back to school myself. I don't know the area and, therefor, the requirments. However, here in Kansas City, I went back to junior college. They required 2.5, an essay, and a few prereqs. I know someone who was accepted with a 3.15. Many could be lower. I have a 3.7 GPA and considered many options. But why go through an accelerated program? Why? Because I already have a degree? So what. Even my "advisor" suggested I get the BSN or go accelerated. But consider this: for 18,000 G's, I could finish my BSN in 12 months, with no time to work. Or, I could pay $ 4,000 for an ADN in 21 months...just 9 months longer. Same jobs, same NCLEX, same license, same scope of practice. And the extra time would allow me to better absorb the info and work little (thereby getting a little experience). I suggest you move (many CC's give priority to residents) near a CC, finish any prereqs, establish residency, and apply. Look for somewhere that doesn't do all of the "red tape" of recommdations, etc. Accelerated programs are probably going to be more competitive and more demanding. With your GPA, they probably arent' going to think you'll make it. Your past experience suggest you wouldn't do well there (just being honest and candid). You may be a better student now, but there's know way they can know that. But before you do, take some of the classes that you did poorly in to bring up your GPA.

I just started a post answering this question. I know people who had 3.15 GPA's and were accepted (ADN). Maybe even lower. If it doesn't, take the courses you did poorly in over again. Most schools allow you to replace grades.

This is my biggest worry. Please let us know how it turns out for you. I'd love to hear a daily progress report. I was never able to find work when I graduated the first time with my BA in education. I've been there. It's a nightmare! Three years later, I'm a nursing student.

Since I don't know you and your character, I can't really say, with honesty, that you will or will not make it. I can, however, say that, as it appears to me, if a relatively intelligent person with a strong will has determined to do something, he or she will certainly succeed. So, in other words, if you want it and are willing to sacrifice and remain steady, of course you can. Your mom-in-law is probably just projecting her own insecurities onto you. Avoid these people at all cost (or as much as your husband will let you get away with :wink2:). Let her insults motivate you. As a cadre in special operations once told me, "Get big, get bad, get mean!!!"

Research, having a program run by the hospital, might be fine. I can only speak of UMKC and me and my families experiences there. Jimtem said he's never heard anything bad about this school...well now you have. The primary complaint, among many, is the utter incompetence of the advisors. They'll put you in classes that you find later on will not be counted towards what was stated by him/her to be. In other words, make them put it in writing...which I did (and it came in VERY handy numerous times). The professors were, as a whole, incompetent and rude. Many didn't speak english. UMKC charges for parking. Well, when they were building a new parking garage, they sold 6 times as many passess as spaces. So when you got to school, 45 minutes early for a class, and STILL couldn't find a parking space, day after day, you'd give up and park illegally. Of course, they would ticket you 20, then 40, then 80, etc. So, either the school is poorly managed or in the business of extortion. I ended up parking about half a mile away from the campus and would begin my daily hike across town and campus. Oh yeah, they wouldnt refund my parking pass. The reputation of the school in the metro is so bad, that school districts in Kansas refused to hire ANY teacher who graduated from there (my first career). These might sound like anecdotes. But they are examples of symptoms all related to the nucleus of the problem. This school sucks!

What is more American than the free market (not considering the pros or cons...though I tend to not trust the "self correcting mechanism" it suggest)? So, likewise, what could be more American than filling a position for income in response to supply and demand? I became a nurse for income and job security alone. Sure, I like helping people. But who can argue with me that my loyalty to my wife and kids will drive me to be a better nurse than I would be just for simply loving the job? The same dedication that would cause me to die for them pushes me to excel. May the best man or woman prevail, regardless of the motivation. Don't get me wrong. I've had my share of disappointment and I sincerely feel for you. But to suggest I am not as a good a candidate simply because I reject the notion of a "higher calling" or that of a capricious interest in the profession simply isn't fair.

My first degree (El. Ed) was from UMKC. After being unemployed upon graduation, I've returned to JUNIOR COLLEGE for nursing...if that tells you anything. Just one man's opinion, but the school is extremely incompetent.

DATE RECEIVED: May 30, 2006 PROGRAM: ADN SCHOOL: KCKCC STATE: KS START DATE: Sometime in August I waited for so long. It took almost three months after applying to find out (and I've been worrying about it ever since I started my prereqs a year ago!) I had a 3.67 and wasn't sure how that would compete (that's the final determinant). People with 3.0's were accepted!!! Apparently I was near the top of the list! Only fifty were accepted and I have no idea how many applied. I've been taking Health Assessment while I waited. If this is any indication of what were in for, hold on! I have a BA and have never had such a difficult class.

Veteran here...this is what you do (and what I did). Military personnel can change their residency to any state they want and it will take effect immediately. I'm pretty sure spouses can do the same. Check with finance. Having a previous degree means squat. Accelerated programs are just as long as JuCo ones. No online programs exist. And you can't work full-time. You'll just have to bite the bullet.