katie_c_s

Katie

Ksoon2beinCO - there is a new thread I responded to about the program... sorry don't have the link, but you can search Pueblo 2010 and find it. Also, there are quite a few people from Springs in our class and they carpool. They were able to get some of their clinicals up in Springs too.

Hi everyone- I am currently in the degree plus program at CSU-Pueblo so I would be more than happy to answer whatever questions I can. I will be graduating at the end of July, so we will probably get a chance to meet! I have stuff to sell too, so we should definitely keep in touch. First of all, a little bit about me... I have a previous BS in microbiology and wanted a more versatile career. I applied late and they told me it was possible that they would call the day of orientation. I got the call the day before! And FYI, it's a 2 day orientation, which I was never told. Supposedly most of our class was on the stand-by list. Now, if I don't respond right away, don't give up! I just got a job as a student extern at Parkview, so I am a little busy. Second of all, Pueblo is not the coolest place in CO. It's not terrible, but if I could've started another program in Springs or Denver, I would have. But 14 months for a second bachelors is so fast, and you are so busy, you don't even notice where you are. I just wanted to let you know that if you aren't from CO, don't judge it based on Pueblo. :) Next, the program can be extremely frustrating. They are disorganized and it gets really stressful sometimes. Mostly I like the staff, but there is one person in particular that is difficult to get along with. I took 19 credits with one clinical last semester and this semester I am taking 20 credits with 3 clinicals. You will hear this from them during orientation, but you HAVE to be flexible. You get no say in your schedule and the last 2 weeks, I had clinicals at Memorial in Springs until 2330 and had to be back for another clinical in Pueblo at 0530. StudentH- It doesn't matter what "number" you are on the waitlist; they go by GPA... highest GPA gets called first. Kristin- I would say to live in Belmont because it's close to the college, but make sure you check out the place first because there are some ghetto places out there. Glenarm- you will have clinicals at Parkview or St. Mary Corwin in Pueblo and a pediatric clinical at Memorial in Springs. Also, you will have to buy a bunch of stuff when you get here. Scrubs, stethoscope, shoes, PDA, software ($160), etc, so just be ready to spend some money. I can't think of anything else at the moment, but feel free to ask questions and if I think of anything, I'll be sure to write. Good luck to everyone! Katie

Great advice from all of you! I did end up sticking it out and guess what?? The instructor actually "turned around". She all of a sudden became really nice and helpful. She even gave me a ton of compliments during my evaluation! Maybe she was just having a rough couple of months or something... Anyway, I am almost done with my first semester and I am looking forward to fall semester's clinicals. I am so thankful for all-nurses.com! It's great to get advice from people who know exactly where you're coming from and where nursing can take you if you stick with it. Thanks again!!

Thanks guys! Just the fact that some of you know exactly what I'm going through and made it, makes me feel so much better! I got to have a long weekend and I really do feel like I need to finish the program. I know I will be very happy I did come August 2010, and after when I actually have a career :)!! Thanks again! I really appreciate the understanding and the advice.

Thanks llq- you're right. I just needed to figure out what exactly was bothering me and if that was worth dropping out of the program. So I did some thinking... basically that one professor was the reason I was so upset. I thought it would be the nursing home I disliked, but I actually don't mind it. I mean, I don't want to specialize in geriatrics, but I do enjoy spending time with my patient and the other residents and I think it's a good place to start learning about nursing. The class load doesn't bother me, I actually like it; it keeps me motivated and on track. It's just the disorganization and setup of the program in general that upsets me. For example, everyone is stressing the importance of pathophysiology in nursing but we had to take it in an online 8 week class. I hardly learned anything! I just crammed every week to pass the test we took every Thursday. Also, I feel like the school has these expectations from us, but we all come from different disciplines, so how can we know anything about nursing you know? I just need to finish up the next 3 weeks, then I get a 3 week break before fall semester. Fall semester we are taking OB, Peds, and Med-surg, so our clinicals will be in the hospital, which I think I will like even more. The professor I am so upset with is just such a b****. Really. She talks down to me, which is such BS since she's supposed to be teaching me not judging me. And she lies. She lied about 4-5 different things on Tuesday to make the students look bad and her look good. I guess if it's bothering me that much, I should just confront her about it. Anyway, thanks for the reply llq. It was just what I needed, some logical questions to ask myself before I made some emotional decision I would regret later.

I have been really upset with my accelerated program lately. I'm less than 1 semester in and I feel so frustrated. I am upset with one teacher in particular and she happens to be my clinical instructor, which I think is the most important. I think this program is super disorganized and I'm wondering if I made a big mistake. I'm really not enjoying anything, but feel like I need to stick it out because I committed myself. I don't even know if I want to be a nurse. I always thought once I got my BSN, I would go to graduate school to become and NP or CRNA, but I don't know if I can get through this program, even though it ends Aug 2010. Can someone give me any advice?? Did anyone feel the same when they went through school? Much appreciated- Katie

Hello- I just started an accelerated BSN program and have the opportunity to be a nursing student extern. I am having trouble deciding which area would be best though because I am a little confused with terminology. I thought I read that CRNAs need at least 1 year of "acute care" experience, but then I read that they need "ICU" or "critical care" experience. What is the difference and which do I really need? Also, here are the areas availble for an extern: Emergency Department Skilled Nursing Facility Medical/Surgical Tower 5 Which would help me the most for a CRNA career? As always, thank you so much!

I have to agree with NeoNurseTX. I just started NS and was quite disappointed to see "Disturbed Energy Field" as on of our "diagnoses". It's fine if someone wants to believe in and perform these alternative practices, but they don't have a place in nursing, IMO.

I got my first BS from CSU in FC in 2006 and I had mixed feelings about it. I don't think it's close to the mountains at all, but I grew up in a town surrounded by 14ers, so maybe I just don't consider the foothills "mountains". Also, it is growing fast. Traffic can suck and I could not believe how much growth there was when I vistited 2 years later. It's insane. I have heard great things about the hospitals though. For rentals, just be careful you don't end up with a ton of loud college students. Hope that helps a bit! Good luck.

I visited Stewart in the fall of 07 on a drive back to the states from AK. It is tiny and personally, I think the weather would be a drag. It was really cloudy and misty when we were there and being that close to the ocean and that far north, I think it would probably be like that a lot. I did love seeing the grizzlies, but I would be scared for my dogs. Great response from Canada Girl about the hospital and such. Just thought I'd give my 2 cents. Good luck and keep us informed wherever you end up!

Yep I was at the orientation. I'm Katie from Salida. I got my apartment today so I'm really excited. I'll be moving up there tomorrow and I'll see you at class on Monday!

I'm starting on May 11th too! I got into the CSU-Pueblo accelerated program and will graduate in August 2010. I have one day of clinicals and 19 credits, so it should keep me busy! Good luck to all of you and hopefully we can keep in touch on allnurses!

I just got a call from CSU-Pueblo and I'm going to be starting on Monday!! I was on the standby list and they called the day before orientation- crazy but awesome news for me. I'm super excited and I'm wondering if anyone else on here is enrolled in the same program? Or are any of you graduates of this program? If so, how are the classes and professors? I know it's going to be really hard, but I'm ready. I'm just so happy! Oops! Sorry for posting twice. I didn't mean to.

I can really relate to this topic! I learned all the grammar I ever needed to know in my 8th grade English class and have been annoyed with stuff like this ever since. I especially don't like when people misuse "to" and "too". I mean, come on!! Great topic to vent with others on!