sumihane

Hi Stargirl, I was in the accelerated nursing program at Shenandoah University in Leesburg. I got through the first semester but did not make it the second one. It completely consumed my life. I could not stand taking all my classes in the same room from the same seats. I did not like the school that much, it was far too expensive and it really did not met my expectations. I went into it too soon. I am applying for the nursing program at NVCC this Fall.

Flames, I am fascinated with the healthcare system in Canada because it is so different from ours. Tell me about how nurses are treated and paid in Canada. I am curious, because I've heard very mixed views about the healthcare system there. In comparison to standards of living and opportunities and salaries in USA (VA in particular to keep things simpler) how does the salary and lifestyle for a nurse in Canada compare? I'd love to hear more about this since you are blessed to have experienced both sides of the USA/Canadian border.

Thanks for your input on the differences between the AD and BSN programs. I would encourage everyone who can to finish a BSN degree of course, but I know it is not for me right now. I have a couple of friends who are INOVA nurses and they have assured me that NOVA graduates with ADs are well respected and there are plenty of jobs for them. In fact, I've heard that NOVA graduates are more prepared than most from GMU nursing programs. They tend to get considerably more clinical time during their hospital rotations. I will also disclose to you that I got into the accelerated SU nursing program last fall, and I survived the first semester, but the second one nearly killed me and I had to withdraw. I am not going to say that I was not smart enough for the program or anything like that because that was not the problem (my grades were always great) but it totally did not work for me. We had to take all our classes in the same room from the same seats, and it did not work with my learning style at all, and we had very little time to work at a job to make some moneyu. The only ones I knew in the program that had a job while in the program were single girls with lots of family support. I recently moved into an apartment with my fiance, and I could not afford not to work, at first it worked out fine like the first semester, but we had several things that happened that put us in deep financial stress. And I started slacking off in the classes, because not only was I stressed over being in the same room. I started getting panic attacks and severe anxiety during classes, and it was not good. I understood soon enough that I had entered the accelerated program way too fast without looking into how it consumed your life. I don't mean to rant at all or act like I need sympathy or anything like that but I want to share how the SU accelerated program works and why I will not try accelerated nursing again. I would not encourage anyone to take the Accelerated program at Shenandoah, I think it was far, far too overpriced and it will stress you in ways you never thought possible and even more critical, when you go over stuff in class, you go over it so fast, that before you know it you are jumping over important topics, and you have so little time to go back and re-read previous material, there isnt time to go deep into issues and I think many students lose out in the end. I already know the SU accelerated program has a lower than average pass rate for the NCLEX. I do not know much about the Accelerated program at GMU, maybe because it is at a bigger university they are kinder to the students and make them move to different classrooms and don't isolate them into one room, I don't know. I am taking the HESI exam the first week of next month, and it is my goal right now to get in the 90s percentile for all the subjects, so I am working towards that. I think that INOVA in the end is better...not for everyone, but for me at least. I really hope to take classes in the Arlington Campus. Two days a week of classes would be fabulous and I could work 2-3 days a week as well and devote the rest of my time to studying and practicing. I am also looking into the online program, I might apply to both, I have a friend who is in the NOVA nursing online currently and she says it is a very good program but she would not recommend it because it is hard to met other classmates. But she says it is great to "go to class" online in her pajamas and eat her breakfast there. I am wondering at this point, how many accepted students are sent to Arlington and how many to Springfield? and do you get to chose where you go? I've heard the INVOA nursing program is competitive now and is not first come first serve like last year...that means GPA will count a lot more...so its getting to be more like GMU, SU, and Marymount.

I live in Ashburn as well. We might be neighbors! So which program are you referring to in regards to the 3.8 GPA? Is that for NOVA Traditional program? Or the GMU program you are enrolled? I am only applying for the program at NOVA. I am just interested in getting my Associates to get into the field and plan on enrolling in a RN-BSN later in life but I am not worried about that right now. I am fully aware of the advantages of the BSN degree but I want to start out with the AD at NOVA. I certainly encourage you to work towards and finish your BSN in nursing, you will be better off in the end no question about it, the extra effort and work will give you more opportunities. I have a question for you though, do you have insider information as to whether or not there is a serious waiting list at NOVA nursing?

I also have a Bachelor's degree from another field but want to go into nursing. I will be applying to NOVA because it is very flexible and affordable and I've heard it is an excellent program. I've living close to dulles airport so it will be a bit of a drive. I would try for an accelerated program but I think that it would be too fast paced and I want the material paced so I can learn it properly and also not be around lots of very stressed out students who might back stab each other. I have been working as a med tech in assisted living and recently got a new job in an allergy office. Even though it is an associate's degree, aren't there plenty of hospitals and clinics who hire new grads with Associates in Nursing?