Shuggypie

Think twice before getting into more debt to avoid debt. Try contacting the mortgage companies to get the payments modified until you can increase your income, also let your son know he's going to have to get a new roommate, he should at least be covering the mortgage payment, he's an adult, if he isn't paying you rent, he would be paying someone else rent. Also, ask the student loan companies if you can at least pay the interest due on the loans, most companies will work with you in order to get some monies. Start looking for jobs in the area where you have a house, that way you won't be paying rent to someone else. You might need to trade in your car for something cheaper. Many agencies are looking for someone to work nights with pediatric cases, shouldn't be too stressful on the knees. If absolutely necessary, you might need to borrow from your 401k/403b. Hoping it all works out well for you!

As much as you want this first job, you gotta be you. For my first nursing job interview, I wore my hijab (Muslim headscarf) got the job! I've also worn my hair braided (no hijab on) and gotten nursing jobs. I've never had relaxed hair as a nurse. If you know your stuff, and your confident, it comes across in the interview, you'll get hired. If you're not hired don't contribute it to race, or hairstyle, but to the fact there was a better candidate. The nurse that got the job could be of the same ethnicity. I've found that most hospitals and larger organizations promote diversity, and hairstyle as long as it is neat and clean is not an issue. Now trying to get into a private doctor's office without bone strait hair may be a problem.

I'm also from NE Ohio, worked at the Clinic and was 45 minutes away on the highway. I had both an AWD and a FWD vehicle, but not an SUV or truck, never got stuck. Winter weather tires helped. Keep a change of clothes in the car, and the regular winter supplies, shovel, blanket, sand or kitty litter, water and snacks. Always park headed toward the street, so once you start moving forward you don't have to stop. Leave early, allow yourself double time, it's the fools which cause the backups. If I remember correctly when a "snow" day was declared staff wasn't penalized for being late

According to the union contract from which I copied and pasted- "A nurse assigned to the second or third shifts shall receive a shift differential of five dollars ($5.00) per hour in addition to the nurse’s regular rate of pay."

Thanks WoundedBird for the info. OSU salaries rates for Staff Nurses are based on the union contract, which I was able to find online. I was trying to compare that to the other 2 systems. I'm not a new grad, but new grads at OSU look like they start around $24.50ish. The one thing that turned me off about Mt. Carmel was the 403b-retirement match was froze for 2014 which I understand to mean no matching, is that a sign of money issues?

I was able to find OSU salaries in the union contract online. Is it true their nurses have the highest salaries? Does anyone know the shift differentials at Ohio Health or Mt Carmel? Does anyone know how much parking is for employees at OSU? Thanks for any help.

Sorry, did not take either during my time at ULL. If you are required to take them shop around and check out your local community colleges, prereqs don't have to be taken through ULL

Unfortunately, you also told two other people. If one of them also told someone else, the information was repeated. Regardless of what these two individuals may be saying to you, unless you've known them for years and they've kept secrets for you before, do not trust them. Never trust anyone in the workplace unless you've known them for many years and have dealt with them outside of work. I doubt management would say what happened, and I doubt either of those two individuals will admit telling anyone else. In the future remember it is best to keep everything to one's self.

Jocelynwiley, What 2 classes are you taking next? By the time you take the capstone you won't find it extremely difficult at all. More info to come on the capstone once I receive my diploma in hand

Just too toot my own horn---I'm finished and now I'm a BSN!!!! I started last July 2013, and now I'm done, stick a fork in it, complete, finish. To my fellow students, you can do this. I did it, and worked full-time nights (3-12s) and dealt with family issues, and the other junk life threw at me. Did I graduate with a 4.0? No. I'm ok with that, don't plan on going to grad school, too old for that, don't feel like going into debt, satisfied with the BSN. Could I have done better, of course, but in the grand scheme of things in my life, I passed. No hiring manager is ever going to ask to see my transcript. Would I recommend the school? Yep, it wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard. APA papers weren't everything about the program. I actually learned how to upload a video to YouTube, how to do a PowerPoint presentation, how to put together a portfolio, and was able to get my resume together. And I didn't go in debt doing it.

Danij100, I also attended OU's program before attending ULL. OU was not a good fit for me. The papers were just overwhelming for me. I like ULL because even though there are papers, usually they are no more than 2 papers per class, some classes less, and the papers are usually 2-3 pages long. I liked the fact that papers were only a portion of your grade, and discussion posts and quizzes were also a part of your grade. Also, you only respond to one student in the discussion post. I'm in my last class, and have found the program more to my liking than OU. I did take, I think 3 or 4 classes at OU and then got so frustrated and gave up. Feel free to PM if you need more info.

7 more weeks to go! Will be starting the capstone class Monday. Just finished up Health and Physical Assessment NU355, and Role Integration NU396. Professional Role Integration was not difficult at all, and was very informative. That being said, I hope Health and Physical Assessment is revamped. The class was made more difficult then it needed to be. The quizzes were extremely and painfully brutal! The writing assignments weren't too bad though. The final project was a video of an assessment we had to do on one area of the body. Instructor assigned the body area. I started the first week of July last year(2013) and I can't believe I will be finished in 7 weeks, it has gone by so quickly. If you're thinking about doing it-don't hesitate just do it!

Ashmiller85, Congratulations on completing your first two classes, you're well on your way now! I'm also taking those 2 classes starting next week. Since they reduced the credit hours on 396 I'm thinking the workload should lighter. Looking forward to getting this done, and then I'm on to the capstone. Will be done June 20. Hang in there, the year will go fast!

Just completed 344 & 421. Yes, it is very doable. 344 is not too difficult, reading two chapters a week, watching a PowerPoint presentation that goes along with the chapters, and taking a quiz on each chapter. I think there were either 2 or 3 discussion questions, nothing too difficult. 421 is more involved but still doable. 421 included (if I remember correctly) two 2-page papers, 3 discussion questions, and a longer paper at the end, along with the weekly quizzes. I didn't find the PowerPoints as helpful and just outlined the chapters on my own.

I don't think you could double up all the way through, I'm doubling up in the 2nd semester and will finish in exactly 12 months. Some of the classes just have too much work to do. If you don't work you probably could double up all the way through. The degree plan I received when I started had the double classes, it was not my decision, I just followed the plan. I would have the rep explain to me exactly how you could finish in twelve months without doubling up.