FlagstaffRN

I enrolled at both UTA and WGU, and ended up choosing WGU. UTA had group projects and discussion boards, and the books required were costly, and I needed more classes than at WGU. UTA would have taken me 3 terms. WGU was less expensive, no fee for books, and a work-at-my own pace. I completed my BSN in 7 months, and am currently working on my MSN. Good luck with your decision!

I am really happy with WGU. I just finished my first term, knocking out 21 credits. I didn't do anything in September (long vacation) and limited work in Dec (new grand baby). With the program, you have 6 months to complete about 12 credits. When you complete the required classes for the term, you can accelerate and add some from later terms. I switched to the RN-MSN on Jan 1, and so far this month have completed 9 credits. I use the webcam to take the proctored tests, since I am a bit impulsive, and will often decide to take a test RIGHT THIS MINUTE (drives my husband nuts!). Any study material is included in each class. So far the mentors are amazing. The biochem ones were my favorite - so friendly and helpful. I'm really happy I chose WGU.

I made models out of food (dried cranberries, black and green olives, chunks of mozzarella cheese). After my task was graded and accepted (usually within about 12 hours), I ate them.

My first term will end Dec 31, and I've completed the initial classes and added two more from upcoming terms, so I've finished 18 credits so far. I took 3 weeks off in September, and did a little procrastinating in the beginning. Yesterday I started Information Management at 10:30 and took my webcam proctored test at 1930. Not too bad. I still get emails from UTA and GCU trying to get me to enroll. The rep from GCU actually blasted WGU. I love the fees, and really like that there are no textbook fees. I've had NO problems contacting mentors - they have all been awesome. Best BSN program, in my opinion.

Same here - July 1!! Biochem and stats (ugh) plus one history. Goal is 2 semesters.

Thanks for the specifics !

Not sure how many residents we have - I see them mostly in surgery. Great team of hospitalists; I can honestly say I like them all. Nice having that coverage at night too. Here's a link to the recruitment video which has some nice pics of the area too (hope it's allowed on this site!) http://www.nahealth.com/Careers/Recruitment_video

Report received on a direct admit coming from an outlying area - "Well, he's not a diabetic". That was what she led with, not the chest pain, diaphoresis, previous MIs with stents, and a blood pressure of 220/122. I called the doc to alert him of the arrival time of our "box of chocolates".

I've been at FMC for 4 years, starting as a new grad. I love working here - management seems to really look out for staff. We are a level 1 trauma center, have 5 med/surg tele floors, 1 ortho floor, SDU, ICU and CVICU. There is also a peds/picu/scn unit. The providers work well with the staff, and we have a great team of hospitalists. What is your experience level?

I became an RN at 47. Do it!

Flagstaff is beautiful. Housing can be pricey. There are several neighborhoods near campus, and the NAU bus is available. If you have transportation, you have tons of options.

Come to Flagstaff! Our facility just had a new grad program mid semester, and typically have two yearly.

I love mine. I really didn't notice the toning aspect; rather my feet were no longer fatigued at the end of my shift. I originally worked in a SNF; major walking between the hallways, long 13-14 hour shifts. Now I am at the hospital. Before the skechers I would immediately have to take my shoes off; now I take them off because they are icky. Love them so much, I bought another pair and they are in the box waiting for my first ones to wear out.

I love this post! I am a relatively new grad, and reading through these made me realize I am guilty of quite a few! Good to hear what others think but are too polite/timid/nice to say out loud. My gripe? Getting report that lasts forever from the gal that likes to tell me medication dosage changes from 2 shifts ago. I really don't need to know that his metoprolol was changed days ago. And it is always helpful to know at the start of my shift that my pt is on MRSA precautions, instead of finding out 6 hours in when I accidently come across it in the chart. To my CNAs: you guys rock! You can go through my snack bag anytime - you can make or break my shift.

Brush up on your EKG skills, such as recognizing heart rhythms. Cardiac medications too; you will see those on nearly every patient.

I would definitely apply! I applied for the new grad program here that stated the same thing in the ad. I was hired in July, and have been on my own since October. The current new grads started two weeks ago, and many were from the same ADN program as I was.

I wish I had seen this post earlier. Flagstaff Medical Center recently opened a new grad program. They offer it twice yearly, so it will open again in March. I just completed it, and it is a phenomenal training program. I really feel as though I got the orientation I needed. For our July class there were 32 of us. Not a huge amount, but FMC is a great place, and Flagstaff is a cool place to live.

Can I come work with you? Loved your post!

I am encouraged by this post. I too just graduated (Dec) and started my first RN job in a SNF this week. We had a quick 8 hour office/policies/paperwork orientation (no nursing), then I started on Wednesday. The staff was awesome, but it was rough, and I felt like we were always behind (19 patients). Thursday morning, I showed up at 6:45 for my second 12 hours of orientation, only to discover that my nurse had called off, and another nurse had been in a car accident. That left me, two agency/temp LPNs, and the CNAs on the floor. The night nurse asked me if I would get report and do narc count. Ok, I was comfortable doing that. They put me on the floor, with 18 patients. About an hour later the DON and charge nurse were working on getting another agency nurse to come in, and working the floor too. It was INSANE. I didn't know where anything was, didn't know my residents, and felt like I was getting farther and farther behind. I was doing IVs, dressings, meds, charting, assessments, insulin, etc. The temp LPN came in about 10. She was very efficient, but I felt judgmental. At 12:30, she asked me if I had given my noon meds. I said not yet, and she actually said, "well, then you are late". Really? Seriously? I had been a working RN for a mere 16 hours. Sigh. If it wasn't for the DON, charge nurse, and even the education director checking on me frequently, I may have turned in my badge. I had noticed a LOG (little old guy :) sitting in the hallway, looking cold. I brought him a blanket and went on my way. Later I overheard him telling the DON that that nice nurse was nice to him. THAT'S the reason I became a nurse. If I get through the next few months, I will be able to work anywhere with the skills I will get here.

Thanks for all the info! I graduated three weeks ago, got my license 2 weeks ago, and start my first job at a SNF with roughly 20 patients on Monday. Yikes! I am both scared to death and excited at the same time. Jobs are insanely scarce here, so I am thrilled to be working so soon after graduating.

I graduated last week, and I take my exam on Thursday. I could use some support! The only new grad program in my area filled up quickly, and I did not get in. I wanted to get my license as soon as possible, as many jobs required it. Now I am second guessing my decision. It is so soon!!!

Good luck!!! I hope everything goes well!

I graduate in December, one month shy of my 48th birthday!

Our application process gave higher points for classes already completed, not just in process, even if you were nearly finished. I'm applying for Spring on the last day applications are accepted, since I will have completed my summer class by then.

10 Week class, 3x weekly, plus working, plus kids. Yoohoo!