VJinOK

Hello. I will be finishing an accelerated BSN program this summer. I have already started applying at hospitals because the May grads are applying now. I currently work as a Nurse Partner at OU Medical Center and I have a job there after graduation if I want it. I am reluctant to commit to staying until I have looked at what else is out there. I interviewed at the VA Medical Center last week, and I have an interview at Norman Regional this week. I have also applied at Integris Baptist, but so far I have not been called. If you have recently worked for any of these hospitals, what are your feelings about them, pro and con? My interview at VA went really well, and the federal benefits are appealing. This is a second career for me, so retirement is a bigger deal than it might be for a much younger grad. I don't have as much time to "play the field" before I settle down. I also want to pursue an advanced practice degree, and the manager who interviewed me suggested that the VA might pay for that and salary too. I like my unit where I am now at OU Med Ctr, but from what I could tell in employee orientation the insurance and retirement benefits are not the greatest. (I am part time and therefore do not participate in the benefits yet.) I also worry about the corporate health of HCA, the parent company. I live in Norman, so Norman Regional is the closest to home and therefore in the running! How did you go about choosing your first nursing job? What did you look for?

My turn. I am 40 and started an accelerated BSN program this summer. I'll graduate next summer. I worked in social services for 16 years, most of that time in developmental disabilities. My last job was in administration, cushy but really boring. I have had an interest in medicince since junior high school, and when I discovered a program that would allow me to get a BSN in just over a year, I decided to go for it before I got any older! I have really enjoyed the training so far and I think I made the right choice.

I just started an accelerated BSN program last month, and I do not think I am alone in being curious about the salary. Yes, there are resources out there that give you overviews and averages, but it's nice to be able to gauge things according some of the many variables: location, specialty, work schedules,etc. Quite frankly, I have done some research and I am pretty sure I'll be taking a pay cut as I begin nursing as a second career. I am proceeding anyway, because I believe nursing is valuable and rewarding profession and it is well suited to my interests and personality. I do hope, however, that as I gain experience and persue advanced certification/education, the salary will match the time, effort, and MONEY I have invested. It is silly to expect people to make an investment into a career and not expect a reasonable return on that investment. What is petty about that?!

I just enrolled in my accelerated program yesterday. (That was a circus that I will save for another post.) I would advise you to research available scholarships to cut down on the amount you have to borrow. I was fortunate enough to receive a pretty significant scholarship, and will be applying for a couple of others soon. Do you have a degree already? If so, that pretty much cuts you out of most federal grants, you're left with loans and any scholarships you can find. I am proud of my independence, but not too proud. I also hit my parents up for assistance. I realize this is not an option for everyone, but fortunately it was for me! I am not planning to work this summer, as we will be doing 14 hours of course work in about 10 weeks. (Yikes, I'm scared!) After the fall semester begins, I may try to find some part time work to cut down on the loans even more.

University of Oklahoma Accelerated BSN beginning June 1! Boomer Sooner!

Hey all! I'm about to start the accelerated program at OUHSC and I need to find a pair of men's white shoes. Does anyone know where I should look in the OKC area? Price is really no object when it comes to my feet. My priorities are comfort and good support. I saw a pair on a guy that looked pretty goofy, but if they fit well and feel good I will swallow my fashion sense.