sholtzma

Lots of caffeine and lots of sugar. Little rest! Congratulations!

It's been a fantastic semester so far. I can only speak for myself but I am really enjoying school at IUPUI, even though it's quite stressful at times (this is a busy semester as far as getting a bunch of beginning nursing classes out of the way, then the real fun starts this summer!). But it's manageable. One thing - if you do start in the Fall of 2011 I hope you can get a Q & A at orientation with some accelerated students, if you go into that program - at our orientation we only had traditional students to ask questions about school and it's kind of apples and oranges difference due to the time frame and how the semesters work, and so on. I may try to volunteer to speak at an orientation after summer (when I have another semester under my belt) to answer questions about juggling work, school and family, and things like that. Good luck!

Yes, the textbook list just came up this morning. I'm super excited about January! It will be a different existence for the next 18 months....

I haven't yet but will start looking at books, etc. as soon as I'm registered. Is there a book list out yet or do we have to wait for our syllabi?

I was thinking about that block too - any block where I don't go in on Thursday would be fine by me. I wouldn't mind going in to research the patient so much if it didn't involve a special trip up there just for that....hopefully in future semesters that can be accomplished on a school day....

I sent in my acceptance fax this past weekend so I guess I'm in! Do you have any idea how many Sundays we have to go up for the first semester? I am driving up from Bloomington so I think I'm going to try to find commuters to get rides with through the weekdays.

Hello - I have been considering joining the military after I complete a second degree BSN, which I hope to start in January 2011 (so I will be done in August 2012 if all goes according to plan). I have been really concerned about the economy and whether I should dive into this but I've been plugging away at pre-req's and really want to do it. I am very concerned with the job market and whether or not it will improve for new grad's by the time I am done. One option, on the assumption that I am fit enough and can pass age requirements (I turn 39 next week so this means that with everything going according to plan, I will have just turned 41 when finished and hopefully taking the NCLEX) I can go into the military (I like all branches for different reasons, so I am not too picky there, although Navy and AF sure do appeal to me due to family members' having served); this would allow me to get my much needed experience, pay off the money I will borrow for tuition, and get good insurance, etc. Questions: what do people here generally think of military need for nurses and since the economy is so bad right now, are you seeing more new grad's joining the military for precisely the reasons I am? Also, if I do want to pursue this course, when should I talk to various branch healthcare recuiters? Do I talk to them after I am accepted to the program, or 12 months prior to finishing, or right when I am done? I know people can't predict the future, but I would appreciate any input/opinions on this subject. Thanks in advance!

Hello - I have been doing some reading on US nurses working in other countries on this nursing forum. I am considering doing an 18 month accelerated BSN program (I am turning 39 next week and would really like to get it done!) and was surprised to learn that according to the forums, many countries do not consider accelerated BSN programs as having enough clinical and theory time to be fully qualified to practice as a nurse in their country. Can members here post the countries that do not consider an accelerated program as being adequate for their nursing degree requirement. It is piecemeal in the forums but not all together. I do understand that many years of experience are necessary but I was really surprised to learn that all BSN's are not equal outside the US. The reason that I ask about the clinical/theory difference is because the regular program at the school I'm considering has basically the same classes as the accelerated, but the accelerated fits in full time summer classes to fill in the summer gap so that you are done in 18-20 months. So if it's just the same but filling in summers then is there any other real difference? Also, my prerequisites, such as anatomy, physiology, etc. all took multiple semesters to complete. Do the prerequisites count for the time spent to achieve the second degree BSN?

Richard, I do think that the Army, especially right now with the Iraq war, is probably going to offer the most mobility opportunities - my husband's brother was in the Army for 20+ years and went just about everywhere in the world that you could possibly go in the military - but I was seduced early by the Navy's website and uniforms. All kidding aside, I can't tell you why, but I am just in love with the Navy Nursing idea....I guess it's just a psychological thing. I have plenty of time to check out all branches and do my homework (I have prereq classes this fall, spring and summer for pre-BSN so I have a lot of time to think about it). This must be why most people are really in favor of a certain branch of the military; it's kind of like rooting for your favorite ball team! And honestly, reading hundreds of posts from allnurses has made it even more difficult, as surprisingly, most people are very positive about each branch that they served in, and left a great impression of every branch. This has actually made things more difficult to decide and think about. Anyway, I still have an unanswered question -should I join as an officer midway through the post-bacc. accelerated BSN program or wait until finished and then offer myself? Will a recruiter honestly answer this? Thanks for all help! sholtzma

Thank you, Gen. It is true that there is a BIG difference between an acc. BSN and an acc. BSN for degree holders. Wasn't even thinking..... So would it be wise to join as an officer (pre-"BSN" but in the program already, so guaranteed to at least be eligible to become an RN at some point) and get the seniority situation started, or does it not matter? From reading dozens of discussion pages on this forum, it seems that people have much better bargaining power holding an RN/BSN than not. Also, does the Navy really offer the most mobility options? This is something I would really like to get out of my military experience. I would like to hear people's histories/stories on this if possible. sholtzma

Hello All - First of all, I want to thank all of you folks who have taken a lot of time to painstakingly point out tons of details that those of us who aren't familiar with the military, how the branches work, etc. I for one am very grateful. I have read numerous threads (and I went through every single page of a forum thread last night that had 25+ pages of discussion about military nursing) and now have a much better idea of what the military is all about, plan of action if interested, etc. Again, thanks! A little bit about myself - I am currently a scientist working on fruit fly genetics. I have a BS in Biology from a great university but am 35 years old, and needing a change of scenery. I don't have anything really tying me down, and am very intrigued about Navy Nursing due to the travel aspect, apparent work satisfaction overall from reading this forum, etc. I was really surprised to see all of the positive remarks that military nursing overall has received on this forum. I can take my prerequisites for an accelerated BSN program this year, and probably do a 12-18 month accelerated program next fall or spring. That will put me at 38 or 39 when finally deciding, but I will still be within the age limits of Navy Nursing (of course, there are waivers). Here are a couple of strategic planning questions that I would like to get your feedback on: Navy Nursing still the best option? I am most interested in the travel aspect and would like to be moved around a lot. AF sounds good but also sounds more stationary/US oriented. Are the Navy Nursing uniforms really all that bad? JK, I couldn't care less what I'm wearing. Is Officer school very scary? I am physically fit, but am afraid of being in with a bunch of 20 year olds that will look at me like I'm crazy. What plan of action on the accelerated BSN? Should I just pay for it, with the idea of just scooping up the sign-on or should I talk to an officer recruiter about six months into the program and get them to pay for it? I don't have any qualms about deployment or commitment to several years of service - after all, it's the military. Thanks in advance for all the help!