apitslife

Is anyone out there a School Nurse in New Orleans or Metairie, LA? I am interested in volunteering some time in order learn more about the profession. Where did you get certified and how many years professional experience do you recommend? What are your opinions on working in a Catholic school vs Public schools? Thanks!

Wow! What a controversy I started. I did get that info from my charity instructors at orientation.

I am finishing my first semester at Charity now and I too was torn b/w LSU and CSN. The reason I decided to go to Charity is b/c I felt it would get me the best technical training. We spend a lot of time in the hospital and a lot less time in lectures. We basically get "on-the-job" training for 2 years. Charity RNs can graduate and hit the floor running! I have heard from many nurses and my patients during clinicals that they can always tell a Charity nurse! The BSN is important to me too but there are many ways to get the BSN once your working and making the big bucks. LSU actually has an RN to BSN program that you can do once you're working. You only go to one night class a week (or maybe its a month) so its not bad. My friend just graduated from Holy Cross Nursing and she is working at Oschner. She makes $0.25 more an hour than an ADN on base pay before differentials like nights and weekends. Regarding the NCLEX scores, I'm not sure about LSU but Charity is #3 in the COUNTRY for ADN programs. Our pass rate is 98%. It's definitely a wonderful school and it was the best decision for me to go with Charity. Good luck deciding what works for you!

Awesome post Maria!! This is really helpful for all of those waiting to get in. I wish I had it a year ago :)

To follow up with the A&P discussion... say you get your application in for Jan 31st deadline, you don't have to have your A&P I completed, but you should be enrolled to take it that semester. I agree that it will increase your chances for getting in because it adds to your "points". I applied Jan 31, 08 for Spring 09 semester and I was enrolled for A&P lab/lecture and Psyc in Spring 08. Got my acceptance letter June 08 when I was enrolled in Micro for the Summer. Last semester I finished my A&P II lec/lab and I'm good to go!!! I think the best advice is for people to get their apps in ASAP and also enroll in their pre-reqs ASAP as well. And regarding the ADN/BSN discussion... I have a Bachelor's degree from LSU already but this is a career change for me. I looked into both the CARE program and the CSN program. I decided on Charity because of its reputation among nurses. Not only is it ranked among ADN programs nationwide but locally, many agree that Charity nurses are the best prepared right out of school. Since healthcare was a total career change for me from Law, I wanted to learn nursing in a hands-on approach to ensure that I developed the bed side manner and critical thinking skills I need. I plan on going online for the BSN later but the ADN gets me into the hospital to make money and learn faster. BSN grads make only .50 cents more than ADN grads in the NO market. So, I too am a HUGE advocate for the ADN route. To whomever posted about Midwifery... we should talk! I think I may be interseted too. There aren't too many programs around here but I have a good friend in the Georgetown program now. What do you think our options are in NOLA for programs and then for jobs????

Natasha... When I found out I was accepted to Charity, I too went around looking for a tech position. It's correct that a nurse tech must have completed their first semester. I ended up getting a Rehab Asst position at Touro which pays a little more than a tech. We had a tech on our floor and he did the EXACT same stuff we did but the nurses would sometimes take him aside to do other stuff. But since they knew I was a student too, they did the same for me. If you can get into the hospital before you start school, it is REALLY helpful. It "breaks you in" so to speak as far a patients and what the hospital is like. I know what to expect in my first round of clinicals now that I have done all of the baths and changings. You may also want to look into some different non medical home health agencies. They dont require a CNA and you can gain some patient care experience. I did that too and it helped a lot. Please send me a private message if you have any other questions. It sounds like you are where I was a few months ago.

I applied to Charity before I took any of my A&Ps and I was accepted and start this semester. You need to have taken the general classes like your English and Maths before you can be considered but you have a year to take the other stuff you need before you start. You just have to have your A&P I lab and lecture complete before first semester. Although, no one recommends taking A&P II during your Basics and Pharm. It's best to take everything but your Nursing classes in the year you have to wait. Check out the Curriculum track online... http://www.dcc.edu/campus/charity/rnprog/cirriculum/index.html. Your A&P I classes are pre-reqs to ENROLLMENT not application. I know a lot of classmates that were confused by this too and they wasted a year. DCC should really make it clear. But I promise I am right b/c I was accepted before I finished A&Ps. Good Luck!

The Tulane Life Support Center was listed in my CSN Orientation packet as an accepted CPR class. But it is in fact cheaper than the AHA classes offered through the hospitals. Smartferret... when I signed up, they told me to take the BLS course, is that correct??? Thanks!!

I'm taking CPR at the Tulane Life Support center. CPR classes are $45, cheaper than American Heart Association. They have a class on Jan 7th from 5-9p and Jan 14th from 5-9p. http://www.som.tulane.edu/lifesupport/BLSHCP.htm Call 504-988-2212

Hey there!! I am starting in Jan too but I am not in any of your classes. I wanted to let you know though... i have heard some bad stuff about the night professor for pharm. My advisor at Charity even told me not to take her. They have a lot of student complaints. Just a heads up... If there is anyone out there in Basics Section 321 (at Touro), lemme know! I would love to start an early study group YAY! I am so excited to finally start