Curls105

BFA from University of Michigan in Musical Theatre. Graduated 2001 Starting accelerated BSN Nursing program this monday at Suny Downstate! Will graduate August 2008.

ps. The Hippa thing was very long and tedious! Definately took longer than 2 hours.

I spoke to someone at the school and they said it was in Lecture Hall 6. I assume that's in the main school building? I'm really surprised we haven't gotten any additional info on this. Can't wait to meet everyone tomorrow! Kristen

Hi jujufireal! I am starting this summer as well and am starting to feel pretty nervous and excited. I have no idea what this test is going to be like. It's called a "placement test" so maybe they are just trying to get a basic idea as to where we are to target students who may need extra help. I'm nervous about it since I like to study for tests and be really prepared and have no idea what to study for it. I'm also not great in math so I'm worried about that as well. I know that last year they didn't give the test but one fifth of the class failed/dropped out of the program the first summer. Where do you live? Feel free to PM me if you want to chat! Kristen

Hunter has a very competitive Nursing school and it has a great reputation. I would go there if you have the chance. As Chuck said, the community college programs are extremely competitive as well. Good luck!

Oops, my bad, I thought they were.

You can deliver in birthing centers, hospitals or home births if you are a CNM. Since you are already an RN becoming a CNM seems like the most logical route for you. There are Certified Professional Midwives who are not nurses but there are more legal restrictions on them and there are also lay midwives which are pretty much illegal. Good luck!

I took my pre-req's for the second degree at LaGuardia in Queens which is easily accessible by the 7 train (about 15 minutes from midtown). Some of the classes were great some not so great but I feel like you are going to get that anywhere. Good luck!

Try Rutgers

PS. I asked a Doula friend of mine who works on LI what the best hospitals for L&D on Long Island are and she recommended Winthrop and Stonybrook.

I would recommend St. Lukes Roosevelt's birthing center in NYC. It has a much more "homey" cozy, relaxing vibe but it's located withing a hospital just in case you have a problem. You can also choose between a Midwife or a Doctor which is a nice choice to have. They also have birthing tubs in the rooms. One of the major things to check out when choosing where to give birth is a hospital's cesarean rate. You should look for a hospital with a low rate since many hospitals and Ob/Gyn's are performing c-sections with an alarmingly high rate in recent years. Remember that you have a choice in what kind of birth experience you want to have. I also highly recommend the book by Ina May Gaskin about natural childbirth, it's amazing! Good luck!

Stonybrook University also has an online program, although I've heard good things about Frontier.

Anyone know anything about SUNY Downstate's Midwifery program? It's in Brooklyn, NY.

Go to Stonybrook. Everyone I have spoken to says that the most important this is to become an RN and it doesn't really matter where to you go to get it. The cost difference between the two schools is huge, there is no reason why you should have to pay that much money for undergrad if you don't have to. Congratulations and good luck!!!

Hello Lucy ball!!! Yes! I was a singer/dancer/actor for MANY years professionally before deciding to become a nurse. I am starting Downstate's accelerated nursing program this June and I'm so happy that I made this decision. I actually know a few other actors turned nurses as well. I feel like for me I had spent so much time and energy on a career that was very much for me and it began to feel very shallow. Show biz tends to be a very selfish career, always thinking about how you can improve yourself in a myriad of ways. Also it's very hard as you know to commit to a career in the arts full time because it is so hard to actually make a steady income. Basically I really wanted to do something in my new career which was giving back to those less fortunate or those in need as well as something that I could actually get a job in and a paycheck. Now as far as doing both at the same time that is something that I think could be done but probably as more of a hobby. My sister is in two bands and also has a full time job so it is definately doable. I know for me I eventually want to do something creative in more of a hobby capacity down the road once I feel really settled in as a Nurse. Please feel free to PM me if you have any more questions! Good luck! Kristen

Hi NYC guy and Sal! I'm starting the program at Downstate in June as well. Can't wait to meet everyone! Kristen ps. Have you guys done the BLS certification yet?

HI Lullaby- I am starting Suny Downstate's accelerated program this June and I am super excited and nervous at the same time. Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about LaGuardia or Downstate. Good Luck!

Hello! I am starting an accelerated BSN program this June and have my heart set on ultimately becoming a CNM. However, I am concerned about a couple of issues and I was wondering if anyone who is either a CNM or who decided to go ahead and start a program could give me some insight. Is is very difficult to find a job as a CNM? I would be looking in New York City and the surrounding boroughs. I have heard from other NP's who have claimed that it is very difficult to find a job and /or keep up a practice as a CNM. Along with this, what about malpractice insurance? When you work for a hospital do they pay this or would I have to pay it and how expensive is it? What about once I started my own practice? I have heard of Ob's going out of business and stopping the delivery portion of their business because of rising insurance costs. Is this a profession that I can make a decent living in considering all the insurance and that fact that most women choose to be delivered by an MD not a CNM? Thank you so much!!! Kristen

I did my pre-reqs at LaGuardia in order to attend an accelerated BSN program. It ended up taking me a little over a year to do all of them (I took between 1 and 3 classes per semester). I think that if you plan really carefully and don't work or anything it's possible to do them that quickly. However, you may fun into scheduling difficulties. Also some of them you have to take before others and will not be able to take at the same time. Good luck! Most of the classes at LaGuardia were pretty easy, especially if you already have your bachelor's in something else.

Hi! I completely changed careers from being an actor to starting nursing school this June. I am so excited and can't wait to start my new career! My first bachelor's is in Musical Theatre from U. of Michigan so I didn't have any of the science or math classes needed to apply to school. I am going to be attending SUNY Downstate's accelerated 15 month program for people who already have a bachelor's in an unrelated field. I would recommend you do the same (not that you have to go to Downstate). A number of NY schools have programs like this and it's faster than going the traditional route. You will need to check what pre-req's each school requires and then take the one's you need (didn't take for your first degree) at a community college. I took mine at LaGuardia in Queens but any one will do. Most of the programs require Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology 1 &2, Chemistry, Biology, Statistics and some require Dev. Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology. Some of the schools with this program are SUNY Downstate, Stonybrook, NYU, Pace, Adelphi and Columbia (Columbia's program is actually a 3yr Masters program but you can just do the first year and get the RN). Good luck!!!! It can be done!!

I just got accepted to Downstate with a 4.0 in my pre-req's from LaGuardia Community College and a 3.6 from my first bachelor's degree (U. of MIchigan). I think a 3.5 or higher gpa would make a really competitive applicant from what I understand. I think it also depends on your references, health care experience (I volunteered for 7 months) and essay. Good luck!

Hi- I am also starting an accelerated 15-month in June and I'm getting really antsy about the whole thing! I keep having these thoughts like, "Am I going to be able to do this?, Will I be a good nurse?". I feel like the period leading up to starting may be more nerve wracking than actually just diving in! Good luck!

Hi- I was wondering if anyone knew the legality issues of having a CNM attend a home birth. Do CNM's attend home births? I am specifically interested in the laws in New YOrk. Thanks! Kristen

Thanks Katie and Shuffler for the encouragement and advice. It is so much better to know these things going into the program than to be taken by surprise. Thanks again!

Well, it's the only place I got accepted so I guess I'll just have to make the best of it. Oh well.