Made2Care

I hate to see people waste their money on College Network, but it is nice to have options. Excelsior College offers the same program, with federal pell grants and government student loans at a price comparison to community colleges with similar programs.

Have you tried contacting the Board of Nursing and discussing your situation. They may be able to offer a solution, and you never know they could direct you to companies needing jobs. I'm an LPN in TN and there are over 100 jobs currently posted in the Nashville region, where are you located?

I would be glad to help. My email address is [email protected] I currently am an LPN who graduated in August 2010, and was accepted into Vanderbilt's OR Internship. It has been an amazing opportunity. Because we are a teaching hospital, as an LPN I am able to scrub and circulate. Would love to help in any way. Ashlee Goodson, LPN Excelsior Student working towards RN

Good Luck on your interview. I went straight into an OR internship from graduation with absolutely no previous healthcare experience with the exception of caretaking of my grandmother with CHF. That being said, your goal is possible. My interview was very nerve-wracking. I was interviewed by a panel of 8 including department managers, charge nurses and members of the education team. I was very honest about being nervous, which took the edge off. I took time to think about answers to questions they posed. I also did a lot of prior research as to what an OR nurse does and became familiar with AORN's website. While doing that I found how my previous life experience correlated to that of an OR nurse. I can't remember all of the questions I was asked, I do remember them asking me how I would troubleshoot problems with electrical equipment, and I compared it to using my laptop and what I would do if it froze up on me, going through each step. I capitalized on previous experience in service industry, being a multi-tasker, problem solver, and very consientious of safety practices for myself and especially the patient. I asked lots of questions, took notes, and was very eager. Also, a big thing for me is I studied the company, I knew about them, why I wanted to be a part of their team. I think a lot of people make the mistake of not doing this. Best wishes!!!

I just paid my enrollment fee at Excelsior, and I don't know if I am just reading too many message boards or if I did this too soon. I have already met my English and Humanities requirements and need the following credits for my ASN: Information Literacy 1.0 Credits Life Span Developmental Psychology Core 2.0 Credits Sociology Core 2.0 Credits A&P 4.0 Credits College-Level Math and Additional Natural Science/Math 3.0 Credits Nursing Components I am afraid I didn't have to enroll so soon while needing these credits. Should I take Excelsior courses for all of these or what other options besides Brick and Mortor can I look into? Since, I have already enrolled, should I go ahead and start studying for any particular Nursing Component Exam. Do you mostly study for one exam at a time? Do you get any credit for carrying a LPN license for any of the components? Any help/advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ashlee Goodson, LPN

I am a full-time working mother of 2, just paid my enrollment fee today at Excelsior to bridge over. Good Luck to us all!!!

Thanks so much for taking the time with your post. Definitely printing a copy!

Look into Vanderbilt's Periooperative Internship. It is amazing, a lot of people move to Nashville for it

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

You do have to be accepted into a program before you can apply for assistance. I did not have to test, nor has there been any mention of it, but other county programs I have heard of require it. I guess it just depends where you are located. I'm so thankful for the program. Luckily, financial aid covers my tuition and books, but I will be getting assistance with childcare. They have also already sent me to pick out scrubs, shoes, stethoscope/bp cuff, I just signed for it, and they covered the cost. In addition, they've helped cover physical expense and background check. It is awesome. They do track your progress for 6 months after you graduate, it helps determine future funding. No big deal.