crazybumblebee

Hi, usually you would need to sign paperwork. Do you remember what department and the nurse manager that you interviewed with? Maybe you could contact them for more information.

Hi all, I recently graduated with my BSN from an accelerated nursing program (woo hoo!). Unlike many of my classmates who went to nursing school because it had been their dream since they were younger, I was working in many administrative roles prior to applying to nursing school. I worked in accounting, real estate/post escrow, data entry, admin support (you get the drift). While I really enjoyed admin work, I decided to apply to nursing because: 1) the pay was horrible in the admin role (there was no way I would be able to support a family with that pay if I were the sole provider) 2) I had always been interested in people and healthcare (which was why I majored in psychology and biology) 3) many people have told me that I would be a great nurse and 4) I wanted to do something different with my life, make something of myself. While I was in nursing school, I initially saw myself falling behind those who worked as an aid before they got into the program, but I adapted quickly. I am a very hands-on learner, I enjoy conversation and am not a very shy person. I enjoyed doing all of the "procedural/skill parts" of nursing, putting in IVS, NG tubes, giving medications, hanging IVs/starting pumps, taking out epidural lines, anything that I could get my hands on, I was excited to do it, and I became very good at it! I loved learning about the pathophysiology behind disease processes, and learning about how to make people feel better, while seeing it firsthand. In my clinical experiences, I have had great reviews from my preceptors and clinical instructors. Everyone said that I am very optimistic, enthusiastic, careful and will do well as a nurse. My clinical instructors always asked me, what type of nursing would you want to do? This question has been a daunting task throughout my entire program. From Psych, L&D, Med/surg, Oncology, School Nursing, PICU and Emergency Room. I haven't found an area in nursing that I could say that I am "absolutely in love with". The only thing I could think of is to combine my skills in computers and nursing. I am very interested in Healthcare informatics. I love computers and technology, my previous work experience dealt with computers. I also spend more time on the computer a day, than I do sleeping. Computers put me at ease, and I am very fast at learning it, I quickly learned all of the Electronic medical record systems in my clinical settings: Meditech, Cerner, Epic and helped some of my fellow classmates on how to navigate the charting systems. Now that I am in the process of taking the NCLEX, and applying for jobs. I can't help but want to explore more about Nursing Informatics. As I am from Northern California, I have my eyes on the Healthcare Systems Leadership program at the University of San Francisco, which combines: nursing, informatics, business and administrative role into one entity. I am tempted to apply to the program after I pass my NCLEX as it does not require any work experience. However, I will probably not do this, as I plan on working full-time for at least a year doing bedside nursing. Any job in nursing would be fine, in my opinion, because I have had positive experiences in all of my previous clinical settings. I am writing here because I am wondering what steps should I take in pursuing this pathway... I also want to know: 1) What are the job responsibilities of the Healthcare Systems Leadership role? 2) What does this career pathway entail? 3) What is the average salary in Northern California? 4) What are the usual hours of work? 5) What type of work would I look forward to with this sort of degree? 6) Is this type of degree in demand? The program is 4 years, and if I were to pursue this, it would be a huge financial responsibility on top of my loans from my first undergrad degree and my accelerated nursing degree. I currently live in Northern California, and would like to stay in the bay area. Thank you so much for reading my post!

That's good to hear. I was wondering. But I think it really depends on the person and how much they learn, and I completely understand that you didn't like med-surg since everyone perceives things differently from each experience. I think that I will drop the taekwondo class for now, and just go into the program full throttle like you said, and if I could manage everything, I'll slowly add more things into the mix. I'll probably keep working out for sure, and study, but I need to remember to keep the program the top priority.

Happy Thanksgiving!! I was interested into going towards the med/surg concentration, so hopefully I will enjoy it as much as you. That is good to know that the first clinical doesn't start until after spring break, so I could get more acclimated to the busy schedule. I was trying to figure out the schedule based on the metro site, but I think you're right, I'm not going to make plans that way since I don't really know what classes I'll be taking the first semester!! HHAHA. So basically, everything I planned was pretty much guesswork. How do you feel the program is in terms of intensity? Are you able to fit in other things into your schedule too, such as working out, or going snowboarding/skiing. I know it's kind of weird for me to ask, since I am being enrolled into an accelerated program, and everyone is different in terms of how they time-manage, but I was just curious. That would be awesome for most of the clinicals to be on the weekends, I don't really do much other than work out and study. Have you two thought of what concentration you wanted to go in?

thank you, you two for letting me know. Sorry i haven't been online to reply back. So I signed up for the taekwondo class... if anything conflicts, I will drop it. :) I think we find out our schedules during orientation right? Which clinicals were your favorite of the bunch? I would be so happy if most of the clinicals were on the weekends rather than at night during the weekdays, I rather use those days for studying.... but we'll see

lol u two are funny. i appreciate everyone's help. it does sound like the clinicals are kind of "spontaneous" and can change without notice. may is not too far away... how exciting!!!

aww thanks. yea i was looking at the ANO courses listing for Spring 2011... and there were a few labs listed. I wasn't sure if I am going to enroll for all of them or not. hopefully I could somehow fit it in my schedule. Sucks because I'm having trouble doing my online orientation and can't enroll for pathophysiology. I need to call the Orientation office again for the third time!!!! How far are u on the program?

I'm so glad that you're good at replying back! It makes the transition there a little bit easier. I was thinking of taking a martial arts class at Metro, but I'm not sure if my first semester schedule would allow me.... I wonder if clinicals start the first semester or not because that would really change up my schedule. I read that this used to be a 13 month program but now it is a 17 month program, so I'm sure there's been a lot of changes and like you said "bumps in the road". I really hope that I could take a martial arts course though.... I am going to bring lots of winter clothes! I already know i will be cold !! Overall, I'm pretty excited for the upcoming experience.

i was looking at some apartments near the Capitol. Do u think that those are good places to live? I have never driven in the snow before, and am coming from out-of-state. How should I dress for winter? And are the bus transportation good? I don't mind leaving an hour before class starts to wait for the bus. But I will drive to clinicals. I'm trying to do as much to save the air :)

Oh thanks so much, that's very helpful. Are u currently attending Metro State? Where are the clincials at and how is the experience of the nursing program going for you?

Thank you!! I just don't know where to start... the website doesn't list much on the Metro State website.... and i only have two months to do everything!!!

Hi, so I recently just got accepted for the Spring 2011 Cohort for the Accelerated nursing option at Metropolitan School of Denver. I was wondering where should I find housing at? And would I need a car for clinicals? I am from California and I have no clue as to where to begin... and the Spring cohort starts in 2 months!! Also could you please share your experiences with the school if you are a graduating class.. I also noticed that the school is up for accreditation again from NLNAC... and has anyone heard about the status on that? Thank you so much!!!

I don't know how it works either... I would think another job would sponser you...and maybe pay you a little less... or the same level as other RN nurses. CNA pay seems ridiculous.

thank you

I have been researching ABSN programs and was thinking of joining the Air Force corps to become a CRNA after the ABSN program. I actually have no clue about the program and have just heard people talking about it. I went online to the AF site and saw the requirement was a BSN, RN license and physical requirements, however I'm not sure how this whole process works? I was thinking of talking to a recruiter but everything is still pretty early since I have not been accepted to a BSN program yet and the Air Force site doesn't really go into much detail as I would like. -If I were to join the air force, would I still need a year of ICU experience after getting my RN license? -Would I need to be accepted to a CRNA program prior to joining the AF? -How is the living situation like for RN aspiring CRNAs?