SLS7533

I live in Colorado Springs. I moved out here 3 years ago from Maryland, right outside DC. I do not care much for this area. It's very pretty and the weather is nice and there are lots of hiking trails. Colorado Springs does have a very conservative and very religious crowd here which is pervasive enough that I don't like it here. I'm not yet in the nursing field and find the job market outside healthcare is not great. The construction industry is seeing a lot of layoffs at current which is trickling down a little bit. I love Denver. I find there is much more to do up there--resevoirs, parks, trails, a great downtown area, museums, shopping, etc, etc and the job market is probably a little better. We have two main hospitals in the Springs. Not sure about Denver but it's so spread out and vast that there are probably many. The Colorado Springs housing market is pretty decent as far as bang for your buck. But Denver is probably not bad as there are so many areas. Hope this helps some.

Bekindtokittens--I did attend the info session on Monday night. I got a copy of the review sheet for the Bio 090 placement test, so I need to bone up on that and see if I can place out of the class. I got so excited after the meeting and it was a little deflating to think I'm still a year away from even signing up for the wait list. I actually just signed up to volunteer at Memorial Hospital to try and get a feel for the profession. I'm afraid of going back to school and racking up the debt if this isn't what I really want. So I'm hoping that will give me some more insight. Sorry to hear your current clinical is so stressful. But it sounds like you're really getting in there and getting experience. That seems exciting in only your second semester! Are the classes preparing you well for the clinicals? Thanks for the update and I hope things get better for you. Stacy

I am just beginning the pre-req process for nursing school so I'm not there yet, but the science of it all is what is drawing me to the profession. I used to work as a veterinary technician and since leaving that 3 years ago I've realized how much I miss the medical field. I loved the critical thinking, diagnosis and treatment processes and watching the healing process. I loved surgery and the OR, especially when I got to scrub in and help. I'm hoping to pursue the OR once I become a nurse.

I will let you know. I was just looking at the catalog and I see that I can take Bio 090 on the late start semester (although I can't find an exact date of when that is) so maybe I can get into that class if need be. Maybe I'll see you at the info session.

This change came when they released their 2005 guidelines. They release new guidelines/changes every 5 years based on the research they have completed. You can check out the summary of all the 2005 Guidelines here http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1132621842912Winter2005.pdf including the lay person changes located on page 4. On page 7 it explains why lay person changes were made. If you read through it gives the rationale for each change made.

Hey Robyn. I plan on taking A&P 1 and Human Growth and Development this summer and then A&P 2 and Micro in the fall. That's provided I get permission to skip Bio090. But as I last took A&P in high school and haven't had chem since freshman year of college, I'm not sure they'll let me. I'm going to the nursing info session on Feb 4th so after that I'll set an advising appointment and go from there. Good luck!

I will probably have to speak with an advisor. I took A&P in high school and did well, of course that was 10 years ago now. I took 3 quarters of Chem for my first undergrad degree but again that was 7 years ago. Thanks again!

Bekindtokittens, did you take Bio090 or request permission from the department chair to go straight into Anat & Phys?

How does the night shift effect your relationships? Are you always on that schedule even when you're off? Or are you able to spend time with your family and friends during your days off without it throwing you too much?

So, they're running two a year? One fall, one spring? That's encouraging. Now that my mind's made up I want to get going and am not overly enthused by the wait. But I have to get my prereqs and saw another poster talk about how they got some of the program classes out of the way while they were waiting (those that didn't require admission to the program). Are your clinicals on weekends or weekdays? Just went back and reread and saw that was you, bekindtokittens, giving the good advice on the previous thread. Thanks!

Thanks for you help! I am going to be attending the meeting on the 21st. It's too bad you can't apply to the wait list and then complete prereqs . . . it wouldn't seem like waiting then. Although I am very impatient and just want to get going now. :)

I'm going to attend the next info session at PPCC for their nursing program but until then . . . does anyone know the approximate wait time once you get on the wait list? Does anyone know how that works? Are you able to register on the wait list and then complete your prereqs in the meantime? Thanks!

I'm concerned about this as well. I am only in the very beginnings of starting the process towards an accelerated BSN program and this is one of my biggest concerns right now. Can you get enough of an overage in your student loans to cover living expenses? My bills are substantially higher than when I went to college the first time around.