ArborVitae

Hi, I work as an injector at a Medspa, my 2 cents would be to get your FNP rather than Psych as you'll get a bit more experience with hormones and general dermatology if you ever wanted to expand your esthetics practice. The programs between psych and family are similar in length. I just finished my FNP program with Herzing, I'm going to be expanding my scope to hormone replacement therapy and weight loss in our clinic.

My first job as a RN was on Progressive Care Unit, very stressful and if I had 4 patients I felt like I was drowning. I did a year in the hospital and now I work in medical esthetics (last 6 years) and just got my FNP. So many options in nursing, sometimes we have to try different paths before we find the one that works for us. Also I did home health for a short bit and really enjoyed it, you can find some companies that will orient new grads as well. Best of luck!

In some ways I disagree with nursing school being "easier" than expected. A lot has to do with the manner in which information is presented. If I know what is expected of me I have a much easier time (in the case of block 1) however, block 2 was a "crap shoot" because we were given an excess of information which one had to wade through in order to sort out what was being taught. I worked very hard, in many cases "teaching myself" in block 2. I'm hoping that I will find a more meet me half way approach in block 3. I'm willing to pay attention and study I just would like to know what content I am expected to understand and apply.

I too STRUGGLED with becoming a nurse because I have/had a very intense phobia of contracting a blood borne pathogen (such as HIV, ect) since I was a little girl. I knew God was calling me to leave school for social work and to become a nurse. I decided to be proactive and sought counseling through a church before I was to start school. What I learned in 'group' and the healing I feel I received has helped me tremendously over this last year I've been in nursing school. However, I personally, have to make a choice every time to trust God, and stay focused, while I am handling needles and/or bodily fluids. I would encourage you to look into where your fear is rooted and seek healing and coping skills to handle that fear when it comes up. May you find strength and peace.

Yeah it's weird I didn't even know about the "special placement" spots until I talked to a friend who works for St. Lukes... and at that time you could view the page that showed how many openings there were for employees-but even then you had to go about getting to it from some weird link... it seems like everything is kind of "secretive" in the nursing program until you actually get in!

PS As of now Banner is discontinuing their cohort (Nurse Fellows) program, they are no longer taking applications for the program.

The post above is correct, but the preference also applies to the spots reserved for hospital employees in the "regular program" as well, however, seniority plays part as in deciding what employees get those spots.. also you MUST have all your pre-reqs done in order to apply regardless if you work for a hospital or not, just a heads up!

Each school in the Maricopa Nursing program has a limited number of spots (anywhere between 2-15) "reserved" for employees of the Hospitals that school is partnered with. These spots are often filled with employees with the most seniority first... the longer you've worked for the hospital the better your chances of getting a spot.

Although I am not a mom, I was in your position a few years back as well! I started my prereqs almost 4 years ago-which took me 2 years to finish and then I waited another 2 years to start the nursing program-which I begin this fall. Here's my advice...(take it as you will) After extensive amount of research and planning I decided to go with the community college RN program for these reasons: 1. Cost (The average cost of schooling for the RN program is 71 dollars a credit at the community college level which makes the whole program under $10,000) 2. Cost of Program vs. Pay as RN: If I were to go to a private school to get my RN at the AA level or BSN level I was looking at 40,000 dollars for a AA degree, then to come out making 23-28 dollars or an hour- which is the about same amount I would make with a BSN as an RN, only a BSN would be around 60,000 plus dollars for private school (i.e. chamberlain) I can understand in your situation wanting to finish school ASAP! However, it may work out to your advantage to consider these factors. 1. The community college program has a wait list-however-they've changed alot of their pre-reqs to co-reqs so you can apply sooner and while you are waiting you can take the "co-reqs". Which takes about a year plus anyway. 2. If you wait a few years your son will be "school age" so you can go to school while he's in school and not pay for full time day care. 3. Once you're finished with your studies you won't have a huge amount of debt to deal with, many hospitals will pay portions of your loan if you sign a contract too! 4. If you want to get your BSN after you go to the community college-many hospitals have "bridge programs" which they pay for you to get your BSN. 5. You can also get a jump start on nursing school by getting your LPN through Maricopa Skill Center, then you can apply for advanced placement in the RN program at any of the community colleges and get in faster because you will start at block 3 rather than block 1. I hope this HELPS!

I LOOKED for the Patho class at Scottsdale and I cant find it! Could you give me the course number please? Thanks!

I thought about doing the same thing... going to Maricopa Skill Center for my LPN and then getting my RN, however when I did the math the time it would take me to get my LPN- that means I would have to take the LPN NCLEX first my spot would come up for the RN program and I wouldn't be done in time so it was actually going to take me longer and cost me more even though I could "start sooner". I also looked into private schools which were WAAAAY to much money upwards $40,000 (that was with my pre-reqs already finished) for a Associates Degree!! I decided to wait and just got in for this Fall. I'm glad I waited! If you can afford to wait and work at a hospital in the meantime I would recommend that!

It's typically been a 3 semester wait, not counting the summer and following semester that you applied in, I was hoping for Spring 2010 I applied in September of 2008 but didn't get in until Fall of 2010, if that helps at all... so realistically it might be Fall 2011 BUT there's always other factors to consider i.e. people drop out, or defer placement so that could get you in sooner!

I just GOT MY LETTER!!! I got into MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE! Time stamp Oct 17 2008!

I am sooooo anxious about tomorrow! I've been waiting since 2008! I got a time stamp for Oct 2008... so it may not be until Jan 2011

Anyone else SUPER NERVOUS about tomorrow?! I've been trying not to think about it! I have an OCT time stamp too!

You would have to know how many people applied in that time frame, however, this is how the process works: If you applied between Nov-Jan regardless of applying in Nov you could still get a Date Stamp for January because they mix them all up and then start assigning dates and times down the line. For instance I applied in September but my Date and Time stamp is for October, I have NO CLUE how many people are ahead or behind me from who turned in their applications Sept-Dec. Plus some people may drop out or go to a different school, so it's kind of a crap shoot to see when you'll get in based on various factors. I tried to figure it out early on. Now I just wait and pray.

The number you posted above is just the "Time" part of your date stamp. It goes Hours:Minutes:Seconds you need to also find your date portion of your Time stamp which would look like Month/Day/Year.

I'm on my 3rd semester of waiting, my time stamp was Oct 2008, I've signed up for all 5 choices, accelerated, part-time, and traditional! I'm hoping this Fall 2010 I will get in!

I'm sure it was in 2008!

I totally hear you there.... the NOT KNOWING stinks!

I applied for both July and October, I put my application in Feb and I haven't heard anything either.... so all we can do is wait

Thanks for the update, I still haven't gotten word for an interview opportunity yet.....

I haven't even got an EMAIL indicating whether or not I'm getting an INTERVIEW.... should I contact them? I applied for July and October. No word as of now from them. At the info session they pretty much said "Don't call us, we'll call you" which is totally understandable, BUT it's almost been 2 months since I turned in my application. Any advice?

I haven't heard anything either from Banner. I applied in Feb for both July and Oct... they said you would recieve an email either way indicating whether you've been selected for an interview, or they haven't choosen you for an interview. I check my inbox daily and haven't gotten word either way. Good luck to all those who are in the same boat, keep me posted if you hear something (or see something from them in your inbox). :redpinkhe

I would say something along the lines of: Mr or Mrs (insert name here) I want you to know that we're working hard to make sure you get the best care and you're as comfortable as possible. To the question "Am I going to be okay?" You may say something along the lines of: We're working on getting you stabilized, is there anything you need/ want? That way the person can request a chaplain, or family member to speak with. While it's important to be optimistic while working with a pt who's in a "bad way" you should also be honest with them so that they can mentally prepare or speak with loved ones or a chaplain in case they weren't to make it.