Th0r

Hello everyone, I have been following this forum a bit now and doing research on my own. I have the desire to become a nurse in the navy but have a few questions about it first. I only just sent a request for a recruiter a few days ago, so I have not yet been able to get the answer to these questions. But want to be prepared. A) I am slated to graduate in December 2010 with an ADN after just having completed my B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology in May 2009. I was wondering if that was enough of a related field to enter as an Officer? And if so how can I separate myself from other candidates to increase my chances of being commissioned? B) If that does qualify me, I will giving a five year commitment. I understand that one receives $40,000 for loans. Will those just go towards my nursing loans (16,000) or also towards my Bachelors loans (still have another 10,000 to pay off). C) I ultimately plan on becoming a nurse practitioner (ER) if accepted. Do we have enough time to pursue those dreams while still serving for our country (especially if stationed at sea or overseas)? D) If my fears are validated and I do not qualify for commission, I will apply after I have received my MSN/FNP (in approximately 2 years), but then would only commit for a three year period. So I have a few questions regarding that as well. 1) Will entering with an MSN provide any added benefits? 2) Can I apply for the NCP program even though it is post-grad nursing education? Thank you all in advance for your time in answering these questions. Sincerely, Robert

Yeah you dont need to get the pants from the school supplier. We are supposed too, but there is only one instructor that really cares about it. The rest want you to save money and have a more comfortable fit. The guys pants are great though, havent been able to find anything that quite compares to the storage space the cargos give. Congrats on getting through orientation.

Yeah, just started the accelerated program and already have the first test this coming Monday. At this point though, exams have just become commonplace and I’ve got a good flow going on so shouldn’t be too bad for the summer. Anyways more stuff: *SPOILERS ahead, if you don't want the magic ruined lol* What to expect for orientation: You’ll meet with an academic advisor, financial aid, the Lippincott book representative, go on the tour of the building with a student (doesn’t matter you’ll get lost your first day anyways), order uniforms from a student, order other supplies from a student, and get updated on what you else you’ll need including: student nurse insurance, CPR certification, completed physical, yearly PPD, get information about the NSNA, acquiring parking passes, and how to get your student ID cards in August. Note on parking passes, its only $20 a month for students. Books will be $600-700. Uniforms are about $100-150 each (order two). And if given the option, go for the cargo scrub bottoms. Extremely nice and plenty of room for stuff for clinicals. You can also order sweatshirts and tshirts if you’d like. And last theirs also some miscellaneous stuff you can get buy from the NSNA (all of which I’d recommend getting). We will also be having a raffle for free stuff including a set of books, uniforms, etc. So basically bring your checkbooks lol. I know it all feels stressful especially since you don’t know exactly what to expect but I hope this all helps. I also do not yet know if they will do this at orientation but I know that the being of your academic year you have the option of having a mentor (basically a level II student to show you the ropes). We are all pretty good and can give you tips for exams, studying, teachers, and misc. if you decide to do that. Anyways good luck to you all and congratulations again. And wannabe, yeah you'll see me there. Shouldn't be too hard to pick out, I'm the only guy orienting that day.

Congrats all on making it. Everything will be alot clearer when you hit orientation. Unfortunately Ive got class the 24th and 30th but I'll be assisting with the orientations Tuesday the 29th from 12.30-5.00. You'll basically be hooking up with 4 students no matter what time your orientation is and get your uniforms, tours, etc. Be prepared to spend about 700 on the books. There good and help clarify information in class if you need that, but yeah ive barely touched them.

Hey BHSN class of 2012, orientation is coming up at the end of June. Be sure to bring your checkbooks lol. Alot of stuff to buy ... books, uniforms, you name it.

to nursstud: i haven’t started nor applied to the accelerated program yet. that will be happening shortly, however. if accepted you go straight through from may- december instead of having the summer off and graduating the following may. same amount of semesters accept more days a week and faster pace. as for teas, didn’t use a study book so can’t help you there. it took about 2 months for me to hear back after i applied. my study habits are not exactly the norm. i just cram 3 hours the morning before the exam, that’s the best way and most time efficient way for me to study. other students gather in study groups throughout the week and study every day so if that’s your thing than that’s fine. nothing special to the syllabus besides what i have already mentioned in my post.

To Cardinal: The first two semesters you will not get a choice of where you are placed but once you start NU104 in January you can begin to request where you get to attend clinical. Here are the breakdowns of where you can be placed based on semester: Nu101 and 102: Yale, Griffin, Bridgeport Nu104: Yale, Griffin, Bridgeport Nu105: Waterbury, St. Raphael, Bridgeport, Griffin Nu201- Nu205: Ill let you know as I go through them. You can also request to stay at those hospitals for other semesters as long as you are able to change clinical instructors. Certain instructors are assigned different areas, and they do not wish to have one student stay with the same instructor for more than 2 semesters. And again this is just a request but they tend to place students for clinical based on your home address. So the closest students get preference. Also on another benefit to BHSN over other schools: The economy is tough right now and yes even nursing is experiencing it. Many hospitals are experiencing hiring freezes for new graduate nurses as many retired nurses come back into the field because of others in their families being laid off. They prefer their years of experience to the expense of training a new graduate, and for good financial reason. Last I heard the accelerated class of Bridgeport Hospital in 2010 all got offered positions in Bridgeport Hospital, whereas other colleges and community colleges do not have benefit of being a hospital based program. That being said it is highly more likely to be hired as a new graduate at Bridgeport Hospital if you attended school there as the take their own first along with of course exceptional students from other schools. No one wants to be stuck looking for a job when they have to begin paying off their loans. Speaking of loans the past accelerated graduating class all got the option to sign the two year contract and have their tuition refunded. Not bad especially when it’s very hard to find any sort of signing bonus for new graduates now, the field is certainly not what it was 8 years ago. That being said, once the economy picks up their will be a big rebound and jobs more readily available.

Im finding that excelling well in school is more about time management than anything else. You need to try and not stress out and just find time to study. If you wait till the day before you might not always have time to adequately prepare.

Yeah look up a few of the big diseases and common medications for em. Id recommend CHF, Diabetes, COPD, and checking out fluid and electrolyte balances to name a few.

You can park on the street if you want and if you can find a spot. But usually everyone just grabs the student parking pass. Its $20 for the entire month. Not bad at all considering other hospitals like Yale can end up charging you $9/day, not exactly great if your a student trying to pay your way through school.

I personally like to get all the time they can give me. Usually end up with an extra shift every other week. But of course if I have plans I will politely decline.

Yeah i noticed there can be a bit of drama on the floor. Not really with the females of my class in general but more with the female floor nurses. Its nice not to have to deal with it and the women seem to appreciate a male to escape to fpr conversation when they get sick of the drama.

Started when I was 22 and Ill be 23 by the time I graduate. Really can't wait to start

Congrats all around. Good luck next fall maybe see ya at your orientations.

Haha ... oh the torture lol. Anyways id say your assessment skills are on par, good luck!