momofstudent

American Sentinel program is 30-32 months, FNP is 26 months

Long story here. I left the USA in 2002 at age 52 to travel after some miserable nurse jobs. I met a Portuguese/Brazilian and we married 18 months later, I went to live in Brazil and Portugal. 2012 I returned without the husband to the USA and did not work or think about nursing until 2020 when I started volunteering. I have worked in LTC a few paid shifts per month and in a few weeks I will be starting a Psych/mental health NP Program. I am 71 with incredible longevity in my family. 95+ is not unusual. My father's sister died 1 year ago at age 103. Sharp as a tack and lived at home, alone. I guess I'm starting the NP Program to cover myself if I do live to my 90's or beyond. If not, oh well. Education never hurt anyone!

During Covid I was feeling that I should do something to help in light of the nursing shortage. Because I had been out of nursing for years I felt LTC would work. I found an agency and worked hard to fit in with absolutely no orientation. I had to learn the computer program myself. I found the regular staff to be touch and go. A bit of sleeping at night and manipulating things that forced day shift to do more work. Crisis staffing was ridiculous the last few months. I was sent to care with only one assistant on floors with helpless people. Of course I had to help the assistant turn patients and lift etc. My rotator cuff was torn in one move. Now, I am at home and in the process of applying for jobs that will be impossible to short staff.

I'm sorry that you feel it necessary to compare yourself to others who are actually taking a different path. Please consider that each individual has different needs and opportunities. I attended a brick and mortar for my bridge from ADN to BSN and I can tell you that I wish the course lectures had been online. Most of the professors were a joke and knew nothing compared to some of the students.

As an experienced expat, this question deserves a better answer. It doesn't matter where in the world she is, she is still working for an American company and her paychecks will go into an American account. Foreign banks do not even want to open accounts for Americans because of the complex reporting laws the USA demands. All she needs to deal with is a visa for the length of time she stays in foreign countries. She easily has 90 days visa free in EU countries. She can typically extend that to her required 4 months as a "tourist"

there was a thread last year with links to FB

What is the problem that you speak of?

please try another school. you had bad luck where you went.

Look, I know most of you are very good and have great resumes etc. But do sit down and do a serious self examination. Do you really interview well? Those doing the hiring have tons of experience with hiring and they can be pretty discerning. I agree with older nurses and instructors who say they have seen tough job markets before. Why? Because we have had many tough job markets. Just because there are people in recent years past who were offered 10 NG positions with lots of benefits plus flowers doesn't mean you should ever have expected the same reception. so, do that self exam, take a look around and do what you have to do. I commuted 100 miles for my first job. I found a room in Portland during my work week. Heck, after 6 months I was hired in my home town. There were 30 unemployed nurses from my graduating class out of 50 graduates sitting in their little home town waiting for something to open up. I made the sacrifice in 1974 and was working before most others and many had much better grades, better work experience during nursing school. Good luck, if you want it it will come. BUT, you have to do your part!

I just went to read this for a second time. I feel those nurses who sit around making comparison statements need to get back to work. I don't even know these schools but I am sure there are good, excellent and mediocre nurses from each.

What about talking to other schools who might be willing to take you as a transfer? This HESI thing has got to go. I disagree with using it as a final gate before graduation. The NCLEX should be the final test, not some commerical program used by schools to artificialy boost their NCLEX rates. My suggestion is that schools should pay for and offer NCLEX prep courses.

I think before you do anything make sure you know what nursing is all about. Do some volunteer work close to patients. Nothing would be more discouraging in life than to go into another field only to find you hate that too. I am saying this because maybe your dissatisfaction is caused by something deeper than you realize and I have met many nurses who hated nursing and wanted to change fields.

Whoa, scratch that. I posted to the wrong thread.

I think before you do anything make sure you know what nursing is all about. Do some volunteer work close to patients. Nothing would be more discouraging in life than to go into another field only to find you hate that too. I am saying this because maybe your dissatisfaction is caused by something deeper than you realize and I have met many nurses who hated nursing and wanted to change fields.

I would like to see others chime in here on this subject. The reason to apply to the MSN doesnt't seem entirely rational. Masters programs are going to be teaching at an even higher academic level than the BSN programs. Are you understanng what the difference is and are you prepared for that? There are BSN programs that will look at the entire picture not just undergrad GPA. I understand your desire to stay in California but what is your highest desire, becoming a nurse or living in CA?