karibo

Don't worry about staying late -- I think security will escort you to your car or subway if you call them. And there are often cops at the subway station just hanging around making sure things are ok. Plus I imagine that you won't be the only one staying late and people can walk together to the subway or wherever!

Well, I'll add some thoughts about the neighborhood. I work at Columbia now (the hospital), and during the day the neighborhood is fine. There are thousands of employees and students around and the place is very busy. But there are homeless people around (there's a homeless shelter right next to the nursing school actually). There are some homeless people who ask for money at the subway stop, but they don't really bother me much. You get that in many New York neighborhoods which are perfectly safe. Sometimes I go home from work late, and since I'm only walking directly from the building to the subway (maybe 15 feet) it's fine. But I wouldn't want to wander around alone at night, even a few blocks from the main hospital area. Lots of people do it I'm sure, but the neighborhood is not great. I might be overestimating the risk, but that's just how I feel. I will tell you though that during our safety orientation the head of the police there told us that Columbia is the safest of the Ivy Leagues in terms of lowest number of violent crimes. I wonder if that only includes crimes that occur directly on campus. But the campus public safety seemed pretty efficient and proactive, so that's a plus.

Hi everyone! I was accepted to the Columbia ETP program and I've decided to go. I live in New York now and I'm looking for a roommate for an off-campus apartment. Anyone interested? I want to move in April or early May if possible, just to get settled. Ideally I'd like to live somewhere on the West side, particularly around the 100s (maybe up to 116th street or so) since rents are not too bad there, and it's closer to the rest of the city than Inwood. Anyway, please drop me a line if you are interested in finding a place together. Thanks!

I also just found out I was accepted to Columbia's ETP program! I'm doing Geriatric/Adult NP. I'm soooo happy! It was the only program I applied to, and the only place I wanted to go....

Really? NO one wants to talk about their specialty?? Please help me out here! I would love your feedback!

Hi everyone, I am currently applying to several nursing programs for a combined BS/MS. For most of these programs, I have to choose a masters specialty now when I fill out my application. There are a lot of fields I am interested in, or think I might be interested in, and I am a little at a loss to even narrow down the choices, let alone choose one! These are the options I have to choose from (at least for Columbia, where I am most interested in going): Acute Care, Anesthesia, Midwifery, Neonatal, Oncology, Women's Health, Psychiatric Mental Health, and Adult, Family, Geriatric, or Pediatric Primary Care So I was hoping for some help from you wise APNs out there. I would really appreciate it if you would please respond to this post with answers to some or all of these questions: - your specialty - what type of facility you work in (hospital, nursing home, clinic, etc.) - what you actually do on a daily basis - if you feel comfortable, about how much money you make or what the salary range is for your job/field - where you are located and how difficult it is to find a job in your field - if you are happy with your specialty and would recommend it, and if not, why not? - anything else you want to share about your specialty Thanks so much! I am having a really hard time figuring out what people actually wind up doing with their degrees, so I would love some help!

hi quinnie, thanks for your reply. i might be interested in the bsn/msn program at seton hall. thanks for letting me know about it. i will check it out. are you happy with the bsn program there?

doesn't anyone have advice for me? even a little something....?

Hi everyone, I am thinking of applying to accelerated programs for 2009 (either January, Spring, or Fall -- depending on the program). I already have my B.A. in history/pre-med and have worked in clinical research in a hospital for about 4 years. I have almost finished all my pre-reqs, just nutrition and developmental psych are left, and I'll do them online in the fall. Eventually I would like to become an NP, but I think I'll first start with an RN, work for a few years, then go back and get the NP. One general question: Since I already have a BA, does it really make a difference if I get an RN or a BSN? If I want to go on and become an NP eventually, is it going to be harder if I only have an RN? I am interested in programs in New York mainly. Right now I am looking into NYU, Columbia, and Pace. (Any other suggestions are welcome!) For Columbia, their program seems to be only a 3 year RN+MS program. Does anyone know if it's possible to stop after the RN and do the masters several years later?? For NYU, I've heard mixed things about the nursing program. I really want to go visit the campus and see the program a little bit, but it seems like they don't have any tours or anything scheduled soon, when I call the admissions office I only get a recording. Any ideas on how I can learn more about the program first hand? Talk to students, etc?? Also, I would like to apply to start NYU in January. One thing I've heard people complain about at NYU is the size of the classes, and I was wondering if that it any better if you start in January. I imagine there are less people starting then, and that might mean smaller classes...? Or does it just mean more disorganization and slipping through the cracks since you are not part of the bigger group of accelerated students? Sorry this post is so long. I would really appreciate any advice! Thanks!