cuppy

Its odd to me how many RN's complain about their situation, and then come to our UNION hospital, leaving their homes and families behind, so they can make the wage that UNION RN's have fought for. Makes no sense.... Kudos to you Decade1 for speaking the truth..

Hello... I just went to the Frontier Nursing website to check on some information before sending in my application, and the class I was applying for is closed!!! The applications were due Aug 10th. I am so sad... Does anyone know when the classes start up again after the first of the year? I tried to call but they must be closed for the holiday. Has anyone else heard from the school? (if you applied for class 71 and 72) Thanks for any information, and congratulations to those of you who are Frontier Bound!!

Thank you everyone for the great information about Frontier. Has anyone heard anything about the NP program in Womens Health? I am currently a RN in Labor and Delivery, and would like to start the Womens Health NP program in the fall. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you

I love your article. It felt like what I would have written in my first year... I agree, new nurses should have to read this. Congratulations on your first year, and the best of luck to you in the many years to come.

I graduated nursing school a month before I turned 45, and I was not the oldest one in my class.... Now that I have been a nurse for about 6 months, I will say, that life experience, and the age factor has come in handy in some areas. However, the body does feel a little stiff in the the morning after a busy night at work...

I attended an accelerated BSN program. Not only do you have to have a 4 year degree in another field, (many have masters degree's) but all the nursing pre-req's required of the traditional BSN programs are also expected to be completed before you are accepted, (or at least before school begins) A minimal of a 3.0 in all coursework is required, ( and competition is pretty stiff) so in reality, you need a higher GPA. We completed 1300 clinical hours in addtion to receiving a public health nurse certification, and rotated through ICU, CCU and NICU. And just incase you are still feeling like it is unfair, not everyone makes it through. So please don't think that we just show up for a year and take the NCLEX, and get our RN. There were many sleepless, tear filled nights that some of my classmates and I just did not know if we were going to make it.

Hi Nathanielandiranna- I graduated from SF location. I was in the first SF cohort to come out of SM ABSN program. The average GPA was approx 3.4-3.6, and the net was about an 85 or so. I did not get these figures from the school, but everyone in our class was quite close as the year went on, and from what I knew about what the individual scores were on the NET, (which is a very easy and basic test) they were all well into the 80's. The job hunt was challenging at first, but if I had known then, what I know now, I would have applied for the new grad training programs in January while I was still in school. It is never to early to start looking. The bay area only runs training programs for new grads once, or maybe twice a year, (if you want a special area of training) and the competition is great. Everyone I know has eventually gotten a job, but it took a lot of effort. Good Luck!!! If you have any other specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Have a BSN. Started out with my BA, and then on to an ABSN. This fall its on to my NP!:smackingf

I thought my tuition alone was more than 48K, but once you add in transportation, books, parking, uniforms and supplies for clinicals( stethescope..) and if you plan on not working,(which I do not know how anyone could work during this program) cobra or some type of health insurance. I am thinking off the top of my head, but if you want to PM me I would be happy to go into more detail. I am not figuring in rent, food or housing bills, but just all the costs associated with school. Your expenses may be much less. Books were $700 one quarter, and then 300.00 the next. And every 5 weeks or so you change classes. I have seen posts on here where people have commented on how easy it is to get into the San Francisco or Peninsula program. That surprises me because it was very competitive for my class. We were told that over 300 people were narrowed down, and only 95-100 were chosen from them. In my class many people had their Masters degree's and even one had a doctorate.

Just my two cents, but I graduated in May from the ABSN program and I agree. It is much closer to 70,000.00. By the way, did she graduate 2006, or 2007. I am looking for an L&D job, and as a new grad would appreciate any information available. (I personally think it the program was worth it, but that is up to each person.)

Hello everyone: Well, I finally have graduated and passed my boards (YEAH!!) and its time to look for a job. This morning I had a phone interview with Alta Bates. (L&D training program) Does anyone have any information about Alta Bates? Also, I would like to know if it is appropriate to call HR departments or recruiters, and inquire about positions although they may not have any posted. I really need to start working soon, and did not expect to have this much trouble finding a position. (I know.. I have been reading all the posts...I just don't want to move out of the city!!! )

Hi John, I don't know if you have to come to the Bay area, but the Sacramento area is beautiful and the cost of living is much less expensive. I have a couple of friends from nursing school who have expressed how much work is available in that area. If that is a possibility for you, maybe someone more familiar with that area can help you. I do not have children, so I don't know anything about the schools in that area. However, the pay is the same, and the cost of living is much less.

. In most of Northern Ca, you would be lucky to get a run down shack. (for 200,000) The average price of a two bedroom one bath home in Northern CA, (this was just on the news the other night) is 720,00.00. I would guess most of us live here because we love it, and the ones who come here seeking the big bucks get a rude awakening to the high cost of living.

Hi Nursegirl, No I am not looking for a graduate residency program. I am not planning on starting graduate school for a year. I just finished an ABSN program, and all I am saying is that there is a huge amount of new grads right now in the market. Many people I know are having trouble getting jobs. As an experienced nurse I doubt you will run into the same problem. And believe me, I am not trying to discourage anyone from living here, but please keep in mind, the cost of living. One of my professors presented a report to my class that when only looking at wages, SF bay area nurses came in first. Once living expenses were factored in they dropped to 48th. (thats out of 50 states) Just do your own research and I am sure you will be fine.

Hi Bertolozzi, I sent you a private message. Again, thanks for the input, and I have started looking south for job prospects. I am very familar with this area, I have been here 27 years, so bart and I are well acquainted! Things will be fine I am sure. But really , I am not being bilked.