Deeks0

I graduated from Villanova's BSN Express. It was the best experience of my life. That is not to say it wasn't difficult...it was! However, it was paced. We got several, much needed breaks throughout the 14 months which is more than some other programs offer. The faculty was incredible and I still keep in touch with them. Our class was small which was great and our clinical groups even smaller. Everyone I have talked to from class has passed their boards on the first try...most of them only got 75 questions. Several people have jobs. It is a highly respected school with a long history and outstanding reputation in nursing. I truly can not say enough great things about it.

Honestly, for new nurses I don't think it is enough to look at job postings online. I really don't think they are posting new grad positions on websites. I think you have to know someone or do some investigative work. If you already graduated I would find out the names of the nurse managers of previous floors you were on for clinical. Email them... even if they never met you or don't remember you at least they know you have a jist of their floors routine then you are already looking better than the other candidates. Call recruiters, nurse managers, or anyone you know who works at a hospital! Call every other week or call one week wait a week then email the following. A recruiter once told our class there is a difference between being persistent and being a pest. And another recruiter told me not to wait too long to get a job if you have to go to a long term care facility. Give that institution the professional courtesy of one year refine your skills and search for hospital positions later as an experienced nurse. We need to keep our skills fresh or else the newest grads will come out and get jobs before you bc the skills and information is still fresh in their minds. Ps- LoriNJ I will be on the Hematology Unit

I believe things are definitely loosening up out there. I just got my dream job at CHOP. I graduated at the end of July and pasted my boards in mid September. I had my interview last week and they offered me the job on monday. The position I interviewed for wasn't posted online. I was able to keep in touch with the Nurse Manager on the floor I was on for my clinical rotation. The best advice I have to student nurses is get the business card of EVERY nurse manager of every clinical rotation you go on. As soon as you graduate let them know, then let them know you passed the boards...let them know the day the license comes in the mail...use any excuse you can to contact them adn keep your name fresh in their heads. I firmly believe it is the only reason I got this job. Best of Luck.

Hey I was really hoping someone could help me. I need a court case that deals with an ethical dilemma in the medical field. Please help! Everyone seems to be doing physician assisred suicide, transplant, and/or pulling the plug/DNR. I need all the advice I can get

I am beginning my job hunting as well and I am in the Philadelphia Area. I don't graduated until July. Recently I have heard of many nurses in the area getting laid off- this makes me extremely nervous. Other hospitals have filled positions up til October of 2009...don't ask me how that is possible. But what happened to the shortage? I guess this isn't too encouraging, I just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain! I am really worried about not finding a job. Also, I just finished up my psych rotation at the VA in Philly. You should try there. Best of Luck@

The question is How does a nurse maintain a heparin lock or iv-lock? I know this is a dumb question, but its due for my class which starts soon. I though maybe reg the infusion, change fluids and tubing, but if its a lock wouldn't i just assess the skin around it? Somebody anybody!! PLEASE

I'm about to start nursing school in..Aghh..a week! But anyway I had couple of questions about the above posts, What is a pool nurse? And if you get paid per hour do you still get benefits? Do nurses get offered salary too? Sorry I have sooo many questions

Hey hushpupgrl, my stats aren't anything spectacular my gpa overall is a 2.97...my gpa for the prerequisites is significantly better. I will have my degree May 10th of this year and the program starts May 19th! I feel really really fortunate to have been accepted because I thought I wouldn't even compare to the competition. So just work hard on your prerequisites and be positive and passionate about nursing and you will make it!!!

I know someone who graduated from Brandywine and they loved it! I have applied to WCU BSN 2 Advanced program and have my interview coming up. I have to say that I have been very turned off by WCU. I will be graduating this May and will have all prereq's complete in time to start their program, but they have been very discouraging and down right rude about certain things. They only accept some 20-23 of the 100 or more applicants, but they are only looking at people with prereq's done. The other schools I have applied to have already sent me acceptance letters, and this lady laughed at me when I said I was graduating in May. She was like, " Oh you don't even have your degree,yet." (with chuckles). After all my hard work over the past years to get to where I am, I was highly insulted. That may have come off more like a venting than advice. What I'm trying to say it that WC is a little discouraging and somewhat "stuck up" with their admission process. Brandywine and DCCC are great programs I've known people in both, who loved it and have great jobs today. Brandywine even offers a tution-forgiveness in exchange for your employment at their hospital for two years. They even showed me at the interview the type of pay you would start out with once you graduate... NOT TOO SHABBY!! But best of luck with your decision making process, I know its not easy! Apply to many places so you have options. And there are other accerlerated programs in the area Villanova, Jefferson, Drexel, and I believe LaSalle, check them out! Good Luck

bast11, I just got accepted to both those programs too!!! I'm so excited! I have never heard anything bad about Villanova, but I have heard that Drexel is very difficult, disorganized, and have a high drop out rate...but I'm still torn! keep me updated on what yu find out and are leaning toward. It would be great to know someone at orientation! Well, Congrats!

Hi!!!! I just got accepted to Drexel's Ace Program yesterday!!!! I can't believe it. I also got accepted to Villanova's BSN Express. I guess I have some research to do, buti'm very interested in both and I would love to here any info

Congrats to you too! It is one of best feelings in the world...words can't even describe! It is really the reinforcement I've been waiting for to let me know that all my hard work and long hours are paying off!!!

I applied to West Chester this year....and today I just got invited to have an interview with them. They are very selective because they only take 22 students or something like that out of 180 applicants, and they said they were only looking for people with all the prereqs done, but I don't have a stellar gpa or all the prereqs done and they are actually considering me!!! So I would go for it!

My prayers have been answered, and my dream has come true! I got accepted to my number one school today and got asked to come in for an interview for my number two school!! At first I was in school that I actually got into these schools, but then it hit me that I am on my way to my dream career. I can't not believe any of this right now!!!!!! Good Luck to all who are still waiting and have faith because I really thought it would take a miracle ( and maybe this is a miracle), but honestly dreams do come true.

I've recently applied to several accelerated BSN programs, Villanova being one of them. I have my interview tomorrow and I'm so nervous and don't know what to expect! If anyone has been to an interview for Villanova or any other school I was hoping to get some advice and maybe an idea of what kind of questions they ask....I've never interviewed before!! PLEASE HELP!