soon2bnurstudent BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP

I am a FNP and I work in the ED in the same capacity as my ED PA colleagues. We are, in fact, literally interchangeable as far as our jobs are concerned (even to the point of staffing model/swapping shifts, etc.) so in terms of PA vs. NP, I don't thi...

Yes, you do get to pick your start time for classes. As far as getting your class schedule/selecting classes, if my memory serves me correctly, it wasn't very long after I accepted the admission offer. The class schedule is already available for t...

Yes, you will have classes the summer of 2013. It is possible for you to have classes and clinicals the same day (clinicals are done by a lottery system), but I don't know many people who encountered that situation. When I started in the program (I...

80K? Good point, windsurfer 8! Although the OP mentioned 17K in undergraduate loans, I didn't really do the math. That is a significant amount of debt and an ADN would be much less expensive, at least in the short run. In many cases, getting an A...

I know a couple of people who did the MU program who did not have cars. MU will assume that you have transportation to and from any site or activity and they make it pretty clear that they have no obligation to make any special arrangements for th...

@SkiBumNP...it sounds like you are doing exactly what I would like to be doing and so far I am following the track you have recommended. I graduated with my BSN, went right into an FNP program and I am working as an ED RN while going to school. I h...

Ah...I finished the ABSN program at Marymount in May so I definitely understand the cost issue but I'm still glad I opted for January entry. Have you looked into hospital scholarships? I know some fellow students had INOVA scholarships and I believ...

Try looking up organizations related to specialties you may be interested in, e.g. Emergency Nursing Association, Society of Pediatric Nurses, etc. Most organizations offer a reduced-fee student membership and you may have a local chapter nearby. A...

Your grades and experience are impressive so you probably have a good chance of getting into many programs. That being said, what is making you think about waiting until Fall 2012? I was in just the opposite situation when I went into an accelerate...

It is definitely about timing so if you are a December grad I would definitely start looking NOW! In FL, I am not familiar with the Central FL market, but I did find lots of opportunities in Broward and Palm Beach counties (try Northwest, Westside R...

Congrats on passing the NCLEX! Here (at the hospitals in the DC and Baltimore area) it is NOT normal to go to the unit in person and speak with the nurse manager. In fact, the behavior would probably be considered very unprofessional. Think about ...

I graduated from the ABSN program at MU in May 2011 and just wanted to add what I consider a vital piece of information...the program definitely has a high NCLEX pass rate. Our class has stayed in contact with each other since graduating and it seem...

CORRECTION: NLNAC accredits LPN, diploma, ADN, BSN AND Graduate programs. You can do a program search by visiting http://www.nlnac.org/forms/directory_search.htm CCNE accredits BSN and graduate programs only. You can do a program search by visiting...

IMHO it's a good program. The NCLEX pass rate is high and the 16 months go by quickly. I couldn't imagine fitting all the information into 12 months. Doing it in 16 was very demanding.

I went through the ABSN program at MU and would not suggest that you work if you don't have to, for at least the 1st semester until you get your feet wet and see how you adjust. It is a demanding program. If you do work at all during the program, I...

I can't tell you anything about the GMU program, but what you said about INOVA is true. INOVA achieved Magnet status a few years ago. BSN and MSN prepared nurses are essential to achieving and keeping Magnet status so most, if not all, Magnet hospi...

Yes, you should be able to get away with it. The ones I wear to clinical have a little strip of silver also and it's never been a problem.

Unless something has changed since last year when I took Bio 141/142, there are no on-campus labs. The only thing I went on campus for was the exams and you can arrange to have those proctored at a site close to home if NVCC isn't convenient to you....

Not sure, but consider starting a new thread with a current title, i.e. Marymount Accelerated BSN Fall 2010. It will help facilitate communication between you and other current applicants. Good luck!

Sorry, I don't know anything about GW's program but there's probably a DC nurses forum; chances are there's a thread about their program somewhere.

Since your manager is a health professional, that should be helpful also. As far as taking the ATI, if you get a good score it definitely won't hurt, but I would say that it depends on your situation. Are you a recent college graduate? I don't rem...

I personally submitted everything with my application, whether it was required or not, i.e. academic recommendations, personal essay, and ATI test scores. None of these are necessarily required but they do help strengthen your application. In terms ...

When I applied to MU I was in the process of completing a pre-req and had another to complete prior to starting classes. I can't say that it wasn't considered during the admission process, but I was accepted; I had good grades in all the pre-reqs I ...

Congratulations on graduating, lnt3! I am in my 1st semester in the ABSN program at MU and I definitely agree with you regarding GMU's program. I am only 3 weeks into the MU program and the timeline is challenging enough! Do you have any advice on...

Definitely submit your application by the 1st round deadline for ALL the schools you're applying to. The sooner you know about acceptances or denials, the easier your selection process. Also at some schools, if you're accepted first then you'll ha...