cheat25

I will be starting school in August. I have seen here that it is reccomended to get private loans before quitting work, but how do I do that if I don't actually start school until August? I have looked at Wachovia and Bank of America, but I am under the impression that you have to provide proof of enrollment like a transcript. The only thing I have is an acceptance letter. Will someone who secured private loans before their school started tell me what proof of enrollment they used? Thanks! - Carollynn

I think you have an excellent plan. It shouldn't be too hard to get your visa status changed once you get a job as an LPN. The path you have in mind is exactly the way I pursued it. I have a few tips though....If you plan to start with an LPN program, be sure you can carry those credits to a ADN program that will accept your work in the LPN program or else you will spend a lot of time and money becoming an ADN when you could be a BSN for almost the same time and money. I spent a year in LPN school then had to start from scratch in a ADN program. The only benefit was being able to make decent money after only one year of school. It may be more time/ cost effective to go straight into an ADN program and bridge to BSN while you are getting your ICU experience. You will just have to decide if you are willing to take more time in school in order to start working sooner. You are probably also eligible for many grants and loans. Good Luck!

I also found University of Pheonix to be very expensive. Luckily, I was eligible for tuition reimbursement at the place I was working at as a ADN RN. So, compare prices and when you get your RN look for a job with good tuition reimbursement policies so you do not have to pay for the RN-BSN. Many places do not require any time committment for this.

Your plan sounds just like mine. I started as an LPN, then ADN, then RN-BSN online while I got the ICU experience. Now I have been accepted to a CRNA program and I will start in August with a little over three years ICU experience. I highly reccomend the RN-BSN program at Regis University. I was able to complete my RN-BSN from start to finish in about 11 months. I went through the college network and clepped 6 or 7 classes. Statistics being one of them. You will need stats almost everywhere and Chemistry in a lot of places, but not all. I really liked the program because there were only two practicums and you could take as many classes as you wanted, so you could finish at your own pace. The added benefit of being able to clep a lot of the core classes was a real time saver too. If you are interested in thie route private message me and I will give you more info. Good luck!

Just to update.... I got in!!! Hope to see some of you there in August. - cheat25

yanka, Yes it is crazy to think that way, but we have all done it. I thought one went really well and only made alternate. The truth is, we are all up against very tough competition. We all have the same credentials pretty much. I know for me, applying to CRNA school has been the first time I felt like I would relly have to try hard to be better than the next person. We should all be proud to have made it this far. Good luck.... try not to drive yourself nuts! -cheat25

I interviewed there in Jan. Forget about the test. It was impossible. Anyway, I will post here when I find out if I got in in March.... good or bad. I am really hoping for good news. It is my first choice school by far. Hopefully, we will be classmates after all. The waiting is driving me nuts. -cheat25

Anyone else out there going crazy waiting to hear if you are accepted?! I have been on three interviews in the past month. Apparently, I wasn't accepted to one because I did not get "the phone call", and I am an alternate at one. So, now the pressure is on to get into the only one that I have not heard from (which also happens to be my first choice ). I know I won't hear anything for at least another month, but I am going crazy here. My life is in limbo.... Anyone feeling the same with some words of encouragement? Thanks! - cheat25:roll

Sounds like textbook herniation/cushing's syndrome. OF course, first assess the ICP if you have the ability to do that. In this situation, I would immediately perform nursing interventions to reduce ICP: head at midline and elevated, sedate, and if emergently necessary hyperventilate the patient until they can get to the OR. - cheat25

I started as an LPN and everything has worked out for me so far. I call it taking the scenic route. since you are already in the LPN program, stick with it. I would reccomend brifging to ADN, then you can work in ICU as you complete your BSN. That is what I have done. I took my time and made some money. I have 3 years of ICU, but I just finished by BSN and I am applying to CRNA schools now. Go for it! - cheat25

I have been told that it is better to try to go to a CRNA school where there are no anesthesia residents so that you do not have to "share" cases. Is this really an issue? So many of the programs are at Universities where there certainly would be residents. I just wonder if anyone out there thinks a CRNA would get more experience in a facility where there were no anesthesia residents? Thanks! - cheat25:rolleyes:

I am so sick and tired of all the programs requiring different things. Some require chemistry, some organic, some PALS, and then there are some that require a bachelor's in whatever. This is my first year applying and I am driving myself crazy trying to clep classes and get PALS and take the GRE because I really want to apply for next year. If I have a GPA of 3.7 ish and make at least the minimum on the GRE, will I have a chance. Everyone tells me not to expect to get accepted the first year I apply. Is this true?

I am glad to hear your post, but sorry that you are hating your job so much right now. I have a few suggestions. You could follow the advice of the others on this website and look for other jobs at smaller hospitals. You could possibly get a job at a larger hospital that has a pain service, or you could teach. Sometimes, changing your role entirely from care provider to educator can really bring back the feelings that got you in thi profession in the first place. I do not know about the requirements to teach at a master's level. It may be a pay cut. Good luck!- cheat25

I wish I had my life figured out that well as a Jr in HS. I am 25 and first became a LPN, then ADN, and now finally have my BSN. I would reccomend going to a college where you can get your BSN. It will take about 4 years, but you will be able to work as a CNA through school, so you will still be doing a lot of what nursing is about while you learn. I went about it the long way, and there were a lot of classes that I had to repeat because a credit would not transfer or degree requirements were different. I would reccomend an accredited program that requires chemistry and statistics. This will allow you to bridge to master's some day if you so choose. If you are sure you want to become a RN wihth as little school time as possible, get an associate's and go be a peds nurse! Good luck! - Carol

I am new to the idea of travel nursing too ( in FL as well), so I am interested to see your feedback on this post. - Carol