soontobe2011

Hey there.. 2 things.. I am in a similar boat.. I read somewhere while I was hunting down answers (it may have been on the board site) that you need to work the difference to make up to the 1500 hours. Then you can apply, and it should be successful. I'm sorry I can't be more specific, I can't remember where I read that. I have a question for you. I have been calling and emailing RI board of Nursing and get no reply. I finished most of my RN program in CT (656 hours) and would love to apply for LPN in Rhode Island. I can't find anywhere on their site that talks about that. All the information I find says you have to graduate from a program in RI. I know that I qualify in New Hampshire, and am on the verge of getting my license there but really it's Rhode Island where I ultimately want to move back to. Any ideas? You're the first person I've seen thats completed part of a program and LPN'd in RI... THX.

Greetings! I am just starting level 2 at BHSN. I was so grateful that I got AP2 out of the way BEFORE I started school. Especially as things got going. I remember talking to alot of my classmates that were also doing AP2, and it was super challenging, many of them regretting trying to do it at the same time as our first semester. There were those that pulled it off successfully but if you ask them now, they would do it differently. There is so much riding on every exam here that it's nice to not have to split your focus. If there is any way to get it done before hand I'd suggest it. That said, you need to do what's best for your circumstances, either way it can be done. I guess if I was making that decision today I'd rather get the highest grade possible than 2 lower grades. Down the road, it helps with scholarships, jobs, etc. Good Luck whatever you do.

Congrats!! Good Luck to everyone!! I was accepted to NCC and just declined my seat a couple weeks ago, so I could start at BHSN sooner. It's exciting we just finished our first week.

Hi there, I am 40, single mom, no support to speak of and just starting my nursing program in Sept. I've worked for years as a Massage Therapist. The accelerated BSN is so worth the drive.. you could use the time to listen to lectures you recorded, etc. The 3 or 4 accelerated BSN programs that i've looked into on the East coast are 1 intense year, no working..and hard studying... You can do anything for a year. :) Then you'll be back at work earning $$,,, and work part time on your MSN. Or if you are inclined/prepared now to spend 3 yrs you could jump into the MSN... Good Luck.. you'll never be sorry for following your heart (gut) I know one man who was in the 6 figure income range in computers..and just dropped it all to go to school for Acupuncture. He is so HAPPY!!! He said that there are moments he's not making the cash he was, over all he's doing just fine, and he's so fulfilled from following his heart that it's worth all the money in the world to have that sense of self.

HI there! I'll be starting BHSN in CT on Sept 8......

Absolutely! Don't get discouraged, I was on the waiting list last year and used this year to take every single co-requisite I could, so now all I have left to take are the main courses -- I'm wondering if that helped me get in the second time I applied. That's pretty funny.... about the checkbook... My orientation is the 16th in the a.m. I didn't actually get my packet yet, I will pick it up tomorrow, there was an error and they mailed it to my old address. Either way, I'm so psyched to finally have some more info! Good Luck everyone!

I am right there with you!!! I had a horrendous beginning in my college career, over 22 years ago, and now at almost 41, I did it! I got in!!! I start Nursing school on Sept 8, have been 'considering Nursing' since '90 or so. Congrats! You will get there!!!!

At this point in the game, I would probably finish the LPN, and then most any job you get will pay for you to get your RN, and if you don't wanna go the job route, still could finish your LPN then you do a one year Bridge program and you'll have your RN in the same amount of time. the community colleges and BHSN both have deadlines of Feb 1st (or just before that) I also think the admission rate is a bit higher for people that are already LPN's?? ( I could be wrong but thats the impression I get.) As far as prereq's they seem to care most about grades in AP1 / Basic Algebra / and maybe Chem. I did get into 2 programs with a 2 or 3 C's, one of which was a a C+ in AP1, but I followed that up with an A in AP2 and Micro. Personally I think the TEAS weighs heavier, as I know a couple students that had way better grades than I but did poorly on the TEAS and still did not get in. Also I think it helped that I had all my prereq's and co-req's done, so in nursing school those are the only classes I will have to do, so maybe they feel my chances of success are higher since I'll be able to focus (?) just a guess. I have heard good things about all the programs so I agree its a tough choice. I asked the same question to start with and so far, most everyone advised me to stick as close to home as possible, especially with a child afoot. The program will take alot as it is, the closer you are to home the better for balancing your family and the need to focus on your studies. Good Luck!! and thanks be for great parents!!!!

Does anyone remember their schedules? 1st year days/hours vs. 2nd year... i wonder which one offers more sanity (daytime study time)

wow..thanks for all your replies everyone!! That's tough, it sounds like the programs may just run neck in neck. I wonder about the teaching styles...Are both places decent about "teaching" lecture material, or do they tell you to read and then test you on it? Here's the latest... I was pretty much decided on BHSN, for the convenience factor alone. I just got my award letters, I will get enough cash to pay for tuition/ and get some cash back to live on. I will probably have to work a bit to make sure I'm okay money wise. If I go to NCC I'll have a substantial amount more cash back to live on, and quite possibly would not have to work. NCC = more $$ back, less convenience, further away, no need to work BHSN = less $$ back, more convenient, much closer, probably have to work

Based on Last years (before I postponed and reapplied for this year, NCC does their orientation around Aug18/19 or whatever weekend is near there.

yepp... someone else was asking/waiting to hear from NVCC as their first choice, they seem a bit slower than the others in getting letters out. But no, if you get into your first choice, I'm pretty sure you do not get put on wait list for your other choices..

I heard from NCC a couple weeks ago, woooohooo --- NVCC can't be far behind.

Hey there! I'm in the same boat but for BHSN and NCC, living in Stratford. I would send the letter back to Gateway to buy you some more time, you can always withdraw later and they will just give your seat to someone else. I am going to wait for my financial aid letter, then decide. I have heard good about both. Good Luck, maybe I"ll be seeing you.

i have heard of a few people that get in from the wait list.. so I would still probably make back up plans just incase...but it could still happen, sometimes not until the last minute

i got my letter a while back for NCC and BHSN... now I'm waiting on the $$ Award letters which will help me make my final decision.

well, I guess I'm heading in the right direction, because after reading 6 pages and every single post on this thread, I am still excited to start in September (2009) My biggest decision is if I go to the more expensive (but much closer school) or the comm college further away but with some money for living left over.... Right now I'm enrolled close to home and ready to go, but if I get accepted again at the comm college, I could change my mind I suppose.

In reply to Laur... I had considered going to NCC for the first semester and the summer maybe, possibly transferring, but as things turned out that wouldn't have been the best choice.. we ended up moving, etc

Thank you for all your replies! After much deliberation I decided to let Norwalk pass me by so I could concentrate this semester on Microbiology without the added pressure of my first semester of nursing school. Since I got into BHSN for Sept I know I have that seat and reapplied to NCC for Sept. then perhaps I will have to choose again, but it will all depend on the scholarship and/or how the financial aid pkg comes together, then I will decide. Someone had asked about how i found out in December, BHSN does accept people as they come in, the apps go up in groups. They had decided on the first group of Applicants (that had everything done, incl. TEAS) by Christmas. They knew about my delimma, how Norwalk starts before I would get my letter from BHSN, someone decided to give me a quick call to tell me that I got accepted so I would know what to do. I am so thankful, No one else in my first group got there letters until Mid/end of February. So I am leaning toward BHSN provided I can pull tuition together, it will just be so much easier to manage with getting my little guy to preschool as well. Thanks again for your input!!

Greetings!!! What do you guys think? Say I got in to Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing to start in September and got into Norwalk CC and could start next month!!??!!?? now what... it's further away, highly inconvenient but am sure would work out, it's cheaper, but I've heard it's a very difficult program, with not too many people making it through and the exam pass rate not as high. Granted ANY program is going to be challenging as it should be but when I hear people compare the two NCC starting to scare me a bit more like it's less forgiving But if all that worked out.. would you guys start 9 months sooner? .. or work and save til Sept and go to the more convenient one? hopefully I'll find out about BHSN end of month/mayybe january. NCC there are some things in the works, cause there was a possible oversight and it's sounding like they'll give me my seat back for next month. Help? What do you think?