BerthaRN

I did take that assignment and I loved it. I will admit that the money wasn't that great but I totally didn't care because I had such an awesome experience. I'm convinced that they are all just happy people there. The location is awesome too! I spent the 4th of July on Pier 39 in San Francisco, toured Napa, went whale watching and kayaking in Moss Landing, and Alcatraz. I have missed it every since I was there! If you take it I hope you have the awesome experience I had because I cannot say enough positive things about it.

Thank you so much for such a quick response. I have to let my agency know by tonight if I'm going to take it and I've been debating all day. I really appreciate your input, thank you!

There is a job I really want to take at Stanford, and I think it would be a great experience (and vacation rolled into one;))....the issue is I will be giving up an opportunity to interview for a permanent position at a well known medical facility by my home if I take the assignment. I'm unsure if I would get the permanent job by my home anyway....but when I came back I wonder if that Stanford experience would make my resume more attractive??? I appreciate any thoughts.....:)

I graduated from the program over 1 and a half yrs. ago. I went into it not having a clue about anything, and scared to death about the sights and smells I would encounter. And...I hated school. I was always so busy, and I studied every single day. I really didn't feel I had any personal time, but I did have a great support system at home. I actually counted down the weeks to keep myself motivated. The only reason the first semester is the "hardest" is because it's an adjustment. By the second semester, you know what to expect. It is all hard work, but it's only 12 months and it can be done. I was so crabby all the time because I just felt I always had to do something for school...and, I wasn't enjoying it. I hated clinicals, and I was scared about actually being a nurse if I felt this miserable just in school. However, in the end, I am so happy I did it. It was the absolute right choice for me....I always kept thinking, I can do anything for a year. And now, I have a job I love...I actually just feel so lucky to be able to go to my job, and I DO enjoy it. There are so many different areas, we just have to find the right fit;). It can be done and it is worth it....but it is hard, and a huge commitment. Just get through it....OU offers a great opportunity and route to completeing this degree. Good luck, and hang in there;).

Thank you all for your responses...I do appreciate it. The reason it is attractive to me is that I can do it in 18 months. If I went to the university college, which I work for the associated hospital, it would take me like 5 years. I have no desire to be a NP or CNS...I just want to be able to move into management as soon as possible. I have a BBA in Management, a BSN....and I thought a MSN (though yes, generic), would be a good move. I just want it to open doors......ugh, decisions, decisions...... Again, I really do appreciate the responses from each of you...I love advice from peers and I thank you for your time in responding:).

Well, my first degree's GPA was a pitiful 2.3......however, the five pre-regs were like 3.8. It had also been 10 years since I had gotten my first degree. Anyway, I got in, no problem. I think now there is quite a waiting list from what I understand?

Hello lovely readers of this thread:). I really am looking for advice. I have been a RN for a year now...but I have a future goal of becoming a nurse manager or a supervisor. I think I am going to enroll at University of Phoenix for their MSN program. My hope is that it will open doors in administration and teaching. Is it worth it? Do you think it's a good investment? My gut is that it would be a good move...I know a couple people who have gone there and both have said that it has opened doors for them. My fear is that I will pursue this degree, go into debt with student loans, and then not be able to make use of it. It will take me about 18 mos. to get...at which time I'll have been a nurse for almost 3 yrs. I truly would appreciate any advice....and I thank you in advance for any you may have:). I just want to put myself on the right path towards achieving my goals......

Thank you so much all of you for your responses. I am really looking forward now to the program...I know it will be heavy. However, I went through an accelerated BSN program that was just a year long...I have felt if I can do that (it was awfully hard), I can do anything:). We did have online classes in part during my BSN, so thankfully I do have some experience. Again, I truly appreciate the feedback:). You guys are awesome!

Hello lovely nurses:). I am thinking about enrolling in the University of Phoenix MSN program this fall; it is a online program...I am pretty sure I'm going to do it. However, I would love some thoughts or advice from the nursing community who have had the UofP MSN experience. Did getting this particular MSN help advance your career, and have you accomplished what you've hoped to by getting the degree? My goal is to one day become a supervisor, and possibly teach at a community college. If anyone has any input, I would greatly appreciate it. It's going to be a huge investment of time and money, and I just really want it to be worth it. I thank any and everyone in advance for their input:). Thank you:)!!!!

I work at U of M and thought they had an excellent program....plus, you can't beat the nurse to pt ratio. I do however feel they pay less than other places, but they do have a great retirement pkg. I choose to stay because I really don't want two extra pts than what I currently have.

I know you posted this awhile ago, but my two cents is the program is well worth it. It's hard as crud and full of stress, but I am thankful every day that I went through it:). I would reccomend it to anyone who is commited to the experience.:) Good luck to you!!!

Thank you all for your replies, I do appreciate it. Actually, the past couple of days I have been with one individual who really has been quite nice, and I love that. And yes, a good thing out of this is that I will be sensitive to students and orientees when they join me on my unit. I definitely believe in "paying it forward"....good instruction and a good attitude can really make a difference. Thank you all for your feedback and encouragement:).

I have a question...ofcourse a statement too. I'm a new grad (and RN), and I started a job in the beginning of Sept. Since that time I have been orienting on different critical care units so I can learn things from these various areas, which I really do need to learn and be taught. The area I am going to work in doesn't open for another month. During this time with various preceptors, I have had some good, but mostly not so good preceptors. I was talking with one of my future co-workers and she has had the same experience. What we are finding is that these preceptors are treating us like we are their workers who they can order to just go perform undesirable tasks, as opposed to teaching us and fostering our growth. It's really starting to wear on me. Yesterday it was my first day on a unit and they have a completely different routine and charting method from where I was...I was obviously a bit on the slow side because I was trying to learn the area and routine, plus I am paranoid about making a mistake. From the start my preceptor acted like I was an annoyance, and had no problem ripping on me and speaking to me condescendingly. My issue is.....well, I just can't stand it. I'm already disliking this chosen career because it is so unenjoyable to go to work. I'm going to stick with it, and hope that it gets better. But you know....I am witnessing the nurses eat their young thing and it irks me. I have no problem standing up for myself....but sometimes it's not worth it. I am really hoping it will get easier and better when I am on my own. I just think these preceptors need to realize their role is to teach us, not to be condescending and negative. it's really irritating. Has anyone had these experiences? What did you do? I have 13 more shifts of this....ugh......

The grading system for the school and the School of Nursing are different....letter grades don't matter and we've never used them in the program. To pass each of the classes in the program you have to have a 2.5 or better. The only negative I can see with the scale is if you wanted to go to grad school. I've thought about it, and if I do, I'll just submit OU's grading scale along with my transcripts. Anyway, still not sure what scales from other schools nursing programs are, but it would be interesting to know if anyone finds out.

It's true, a 4.0 has to be 100%, a 99% will take you to a 3.9, I believe a 95 is a 3.5 or 3.6. I just graduated from there.....but don't let the grading system get you. I have no idea how it is for other nursing programs (that scale was specific to the nursing program, it wasn't in effect in my pre-reqs), it could be similar. Overall, it's a good school, and that's what counts I think;).