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.

It will take me exactly 12 months to complete and that is with doubling up in the 2nd semester. I don't think you can finish in 12 months if you don't double up. Also, all of my prereqs were done. Of course, some instructors are better than others, but other than that, I really don't have any complaints. All of the classes are basically formatted the same way. Weekly quizzes, discussion forum, papers and a final. Depending on the complexity and credit hour of the class, determines how many papers, discussion forums, etc.

Brenda1234, Don't look at it as quitting. You are just finding something that fits you better. I started at a different school that just did not work for me. Do your research though, there are not-for-profit schools that would probably fit you and not cost an arm, and both legs.

I took a couple of classes at Ohio University and it was just not a good fit for me. The one thing I like about UL@L is that they have traditional quizzes, so if you're not a good writer your whole grade is not dependent on 1 or 2 papers. Also, you only have to respond to one other student on the discussion board. So far the grading of papers has not been too tough, and it seems the grading is based more on content than format.

Both. Most of the chapters from the textbooks have PowerPoint slides that accompany them to highlight the main points. In a few classes you are required to do a PowerPoint presentation as either the final, or an assignment. The presentations do not have to be elaborate, I only know the basics. As far as age, I'll just say that I graduated from high school in the 80's

So far, I've had no group projects. I have 2 courses plus the capstone left. As far as Facebook, I'm not a member of Facebook, nor will I ever become a member of Facebook, so I don't know.

Brenda, Hang in there. Its only the first quiz. Now you know what to expect. Tips: 1. Make sure you know the meaning of every term in bold print or italics and why its important overall 2. There should be power points for each chapter. Print the power points and makes notes on them, I also put the page number on them where the info is found 3.Go to the book's website sometimes they have helpful exercises which will reinforce the info 4. I try to take the quizzes immediately following the readings without allowing too much time or days to pass

1 semester down, 1 to go! or 5 classes. 1st semester went good. Most classes follow the same format- weekly quizzes, discussion board postings, 2-3 page papers, crossword puzzle, miscellaneous small assignments, and a final project either a longer paper or a PowerPoint presentation. APA format for everything. Grading doesn't seem too terribly hard. Usually the weekly quizzes are 30% of the your grade, the final is 30% of your grade and everything else adds up to be 40% of your grade. So you have to do the final project to pass, but if you are doing ok leading up to the final, its going to be pretty hard to fail. Very doable while working full-time. Some professors better than others, some TAs better than others, it's school, it's just online. Advisor quick to answer general university questions. Books can be rented, or bought, not terribly expensive. I'm taking two classes this semester and rented both books for a total of $55. I started July 2013 and if all goes well I'll be done the end of June (God willing). I do not have any information on the capstone project. It is the last class. So far, I have not had to meet or do any work outside of the book or nursing journals. For community health, I had to drive around a 2 mile radius of the neighborhood, and do a windshield survey. I attended another university (very popular) online, and it just did not work for me. Too many papers, too many discussion board responses, too much emphasis on APA format over content. I restarted at UL of L and it has a different feel, and has worked out well for me. UL of L may or may not work for you. Good Luck!

https://allnurses.com/nursing-online-distance/university-louisiana-lafayette-695600-page5.html See post #42

Actually it depends on the class. I'm finishing up my 2nd class, Evidence-Based Practice NURS 407, and there is only 1 paper required. It is a 6-8 page paper and it is the final assignment. The instructions were given at the beginning of the course. (It has taken me several weeks to figure them out, though.) There were also quizzes, discussion forums, powerpoint presentations, a crossword puzzle, and other miscellaneous assignments due.

I started in July. I am in my 2nd class now. The program is not bad, I like the fact that there is more than just writing papers, and the discussion forums only require response to 1 student. The grading is not any different than the papers, so you don't have anything to worry about. According to my degree plan I will be finished in June -11 months for a BSN.