bano.bsn

I really hope you aren't implying that I am merely looking for a job. My husband is a disabled Army Vet and I am well aware that it is more than just a job as we live with the choice of him serving our country every day. So, if anyone one has any valuable advice related to joining the Army and being a new grad that would be wonderful! :redbeathe:redbeathe

Does anyone know of the Army having the same huge influx of New Grad nurses wanting to join as active duty? The Navy told me 2 years of waiting to get in, Air Force said at least 1 year, but I haven't inquired about the Army. Its crazy that people want to serve their country and there aren't even jobs there for us New Grads. Thanks!

Thanks for the advice everyone! The ironic part is I have been a runner and extremely active my whole life, and now when it counts I am scared of doing a 5K!

With much research, thought, and consideration I have decided to join the Air Force. I am a new grad in Ca and therefore do not have much hope of getting a job in the near future. My husband is an Army Vet and is 100% supportive of becoming a military dependent. I just had a few questions for anyone with experience. -I have undiagnosed knee issue from previous marathon running (IT-Band Syndrome). It's a sort of unpredictable pain but I am hoping it wont be an issue? It's usually hurts with long distances 5+ miles -We are young and want a family in the next 1-2 years. Pregnant Air Force nurse experiences? -How do you like AF life in general? I've been military before, but my husband says AF is going to be very different as an officer. -I've spoken to a recruiter, who is now getting a hold of the health care recruiter about me. He said I could be in by Jan. 2011 for the next COT. What can I do now to prepare? Should I take a civilian job if offered for the next few months, only to quit to leave for COT? Thanks in advance for responses!

Thanks for all the replies! I think I will fork out the dough and keep the license (I think its around $50 plus 6 units of Continuing Education). I guess its sad that today I may have to worry about not getting an RN job right away! Better safe than....poor and without a job!!:wink2:

Hi All, I am currently in a Accelerated BSN program that ends next year. I currently have a phlebotomy license that will expire in the Fall. Being a broke nursing student, I am debating whether to renew it? My only thinking is that it might look good on my resume to have some experience prior to my nursing degree. But then again I am thinking it's not really necessary to keep it b/c I will have my RN license. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I think it depends on the schools you are applying to. Places like John's Hopkins, Yale, etc., of course those probably need a pretty high GPA. It's just like after you graduate from high school and you know not to apply to Harvard because you don't have the grades. With nursing, you have to be realistic. That being said, a 3.7 is a pretty good GPA so work with it. Apply to schools you think you have a chance of getting into and then to your dream schools too. You never know until you try. It is sad that people give up on getting into nursing school because they hear and read posts that claim "I can't get in anywhere." Everyone's situation is unique, don't base your future on what others are saying. Go For It!! :)

I'm in the same boat. Except I already have about 30k in debt from my first degree at a state school in Ca. I'm starting a accelerated BSN in a week and have applied for financial aid which added up to about 40k for one year. It does make me nervous to be in so much debt, but I see it as a total investment in myself. These days, I want to be as marketable as possible and I think further down the road it will pay off to have that higher degree. Good Luck!

Am I going crazy? I just clicked on the metro nursing website and the accelerated program now states it is "17 months," starts in January, and is completed in 4 semesters?!? Have they changed their whole program within the last couple weeks or something? I got accepted to start next month and am wondering if its still going to be 13 months. Sorta confused. Anyone know what's going on? Thanks

Thanks for your advice. I can see how being the "only one who needs a ride" a uncomfortable situation! I really don't want to be that person! :)

Do you think it is a necessity to own a car during nursing school? I live 2-3 miles away from my actual school in Denver, so biking/bus is ok to get there. My husband & I only have one car at the moment and I was just wondering about your experience getting to clinicals. Do students car pool together? Is it too much of a hassle? What have you found to be helpful for you? Thanks for your advice!

Hi Elizabeth, My husband & I moved last week to Denver. We had flown out and searched for housing (single family home type places). We got really lucky and found a place from Craigslist. It's a high end-duplex with a little backyard (we have 2 big dogs). It's about 2 miles from school in Washington Park area which we really fell in love with. We thought it was worth the pricey rent to be in a safe area with lots of parks for our dogs. As far as the campus, it is a little intimidating because it shares it with a community college and CU. So altogether, the campus seems pretty big. The administration building is apparently where we have all/most of our classes, which is sort-of on just one end of the campus. I like that we aren't smack in the middle of all those other colleges & buildings. It's a nice campus, open, and busy with lots of students. I committed to the program before I even saw the campus, so I guess I have to like it. :) Where in Ca are you from? We are from Ventura. I can't believe we really made the move to come out here, but its really already starting to feel like home. I am just really eager to start the program too!

gj chriso, Did you end up hearing from Metro yet?

They told me to reply by last Friday, Jan. 23. They said "if you dont reply by this time your seat will be given to another student"....etc. Good Luck, hope you get in!!

davwil52, Really helpful stuff and more motivation for me to go to Metro. I was at the campus today, checking it out for the first time (I'm moving from Ca). The nursing secretary said 36 people are in the program, so that's good it is somewhat small. One question I wanted to know: where do you do clinicals and when do those start? What have your experiences been like at the clinical sites. Thanks so much!