JenMorales

My boyfriend works for abrazo and they are actually on a hiring freeze although they aren't telling anyone. They're keeping candidates waiting in hopes the freeze lifts. Abrazo has a really bad habit of also saying "another candidate was hired" when they haven't hired anyone yet, they just didn't find what they were looking for on your application. Don't ask what it is they're looking for either cause it seems to me that they are hiring from within and through word of mouth rather than through applications.

Home care is taking care of people in their homes. You don't have to have any certifications to do it, but it helps if you do. Basically, I help people be independent by going to their homes and helping them with errands, light housekeeping, mobile assist if they have trouble walking, pretty much anything they need help with. Your clients are usually the elderly and sometimes they have dementia. One lady I took care of I would help her dress, go to the bathroom, prepare her meals, and do light housekeeping. Another one, I just spend the night with her so she's not there alone. I check on her during the night and am there if she needs something. I actually get to sleep on those overnights so they are really easy. Others require more care, most are just companionship and errands. You can google home care and get a bunch of hits.

What about doing homecare? I work for a home care agency and get weekend and overnight shifts...pay is not bad and I even get to bring my books and study on the job! There are many agencies that will train you to do the job so you really don't need experience.

Not every Apollo campus has an RN program. I just checked and the one in your area does not. I attend in Phoenix and only one of our campuses has the RN program. Any nursing program requires that you do clinicals. Basically, you go to your classes and then, depending on your semester, you also do a clinical at a hospital or medical office location. So for example, you're taking classes in OB/GYN - you will work on an OB floor in a hospital for your clinicals. The clinical is where you learn to apply what you have learned in class under the supervision of an RN. You don't get to do a lot of things because you are a student, but there is still quite a bit you can do with supervision. Don't give up on being a nurse. Research the nursing programs in your area and go to the schools for information. Be sure to ask questions about "nursing" core classes, where the clinicals are held, etc. If it is a nursing program, it should say "RN" or even LPN if that's what you choose to do.

Yes, I was accepted to Chamberlain and it was rescinded because I couldn't get them a previous college transcript from a school I attended 14 years ago. If I had been able to get the transcript, I would have attended Chamberlain. I couldn't understand why they needed a transcript from a school I attended 14 years ago and I wasn't transferring any credits. In any case, I decided to attend Apollo. It was my second choice only because it's an ADN program and not a BSN like Chamberlain.

The A-2 test is the HESI test. They are doing that and the CPat. To study, you can get a HESI study guide, they're sold in any bookstore, and just practice the vocabulary. The tests are pretty standard and they just want to test your vocabulary, reading comprehension and basic math. Apollo's program is actually pretty good. I'm attending there now. I like my professors and haven't had any problems. Chamberlain also requires you to test to get in, it's actually the same one as Apollo. That program, however, is a 3-year BSN program, not a 2-year ADN. There are many great things about the school, but being that it is new in Arizona, there are things they are still working out. I had been accepted to the program then my acceptance was rescinded because the advisor had misinformed me of some things and I couldn't provide them documentation quick enough for their liking. Every school is different though. Everest also has a 2-year ADN program that you can look into as well. I know they also require testing.

Well, keep posting and then we can email and get together. Have you gone to the information session yet? I recommend that you go so you can get all your information, take the tests, and start the process to start in March. Let me know how it goes.

WOW! Ignorance is abundant. There are many things I would like to address in this thread but first and formost... If you are worried about accreditation contact the nursing board that regulates the NCLEX and find out if Apollo is accredited. As long as you can sit for the NCLEX, other accreditations are moot. Apollo is not a bad school and yes there are several other private school options out there. There's Everest, which I've heard has a worse reputation than Apollo and there's Chamberlain college of Nursing which is actually a 3 year BSN program. If you can spare an additional year, I recommend them. Apollo is owned by Devry so you can attend any RN to BSN program at a devry school including Chamberlain, which has an online RN to BSN program, as well as University of Phoenix. Unfortunately, schools can choose to take or not take credits as they wish for whatever program. So even if you had pre-req credits from a community college and then decided you wanted to go to the ASU nursing program, ASU is NOT required to take your credits. So, you may want to look into what BSN programs will take your credits from you ADN education. Also, you can take your pre-reqs at a maricopa community college and the transfer them in to Apollo to save some of the cost on tuition. However, I find that just attending the whole program is better. Yes, private education is expensive and Apollo is not cheap in the least, but there is financial aid. There are pell grants and other scholarships you may be eligible for as well as the tax credit. If you are going to move to New York anyway, why not look into the nursing programs they have there? There are many in New York and that may be the better way to go. I know Beth Israel medical center has a nursing program with a tuition reimbursement if you work for them. I will be honest...I looked at every nursing program option out here and then some. I applied to a few before deciding on attending Apollo. I would have preferred Chamberlain because I wanted the BSN, but I had an issue with obtaining my old transcripts and couldn't be accepted to the program because of it. Apollo did not give me any hassles on being accepted, my tuition is mostly covered by financial aid and loans and I am on a payment plan with them for the remaining balance...I am still applying for scholarships to see if I can get the remainder covered. You have to look at your situation and decide what you want to do. I also talked with nurses at hospitals and frankly, many hospitals don't care what school you attended, their first question is usually did you pass the NCLEX the first time?

First, I want you to understand that once you start your nursing core classes, you will not be able to take many, if any, classes online. Most of them have labs or clinicals and have to be done on-campus. This first semester I would have been able to take 3 classes online - math, English, and pyschology. I think it would be the same with the second semester - up to 3 classes online. However, I will warn you, taking classes online is not any easier than on-campus. The semester is actually shorter and you're expected to do the same amount of work in about half the time. You also have to be extremely self-motivated and not procrastinate. I prefer and recommend taking classes on campus. Your first semester schedule would be Monday thru Thursday 8am to about 1pm. There are a lot of questions I would love to ask about your situation to see if I could give you any advice but I don't think is appropriate on an "open" thread. Email me and maybe we can do it that way or even set up a chat where I can answer questions in real-time.

It is a big change, but just jump in and do it. You won't regret it! It's like jumping in a cold pool. As for what we're doing right now...semester has just started so we haven't even had quizzes yet, but the pre-req classes are going well. I'm taking English and psychology online - you might want to think about doing some of your pre-req classes online so you can spend some more time at home. Math and A&P on campus. Math is really basic right now. Just review of basic math - whole numbers, addition, number sentences, etc. A&P is a little more intense with a little bit of chemistry thrown in and learning the areas of the body (planes, regions, medical terms). The next term of classes at Apollo start in mid-March. Go to an information session and take the tests needed to see if you can get in the program. You do have to pay for the two entrance exams (HESI A1 and another one. I can't remember the name of it.) I have a HESI book you can use to study if you'd like. They're really not that bad. What kind of a student were you? If you want to meet up for coffee, we can talk more and I can answer all your questions. Bring your little one if you like.

Don't worry, you will get to spend some time with him. You may have to get creative sometimes, but any time is good time. Sometimes I sit with my son who's seven and I do my homework while he's doing his. Or he'll play his video games while I'm studying in the same room and when he gets excited about something he'll show me and I'll take 5 minutes to enjoy it with him. We also cook dinner together. I don't know how old your child is, but you can do homework and studying while he's napping or playing quietly. It will be a big change. I do want to go on to get my BSN. I know University of Phoenix accepts credits from Apollo for their online RN to BSN program, which is probably what I will do. As for class size, I have about 30 students in my class.

Don't worry about asking questions...that's what this forum is for. They tell you to be prepared for a 5 day a week program. Most people only go 4 days a week throughout the program. I've asked a lot of questions on this from both students and professors. Just remember, this is an investment in YOUR LIFE AND CAREER! They tell you to be prepared for 5 days a week 8am to 5pm, however, I have yet to meet someone who has that schedule. Where there is a will, there is a way. Also, with no sacrifice there is no victory. Live by these mottos. You can do it! There are many students who are single moms and making it through just fine.

I'm in my first semester and as far as I know, the first semester is always the same for new students. Mondays and Wednesdays I have college Math and Anatomy & Physiology. My day starts at 8am and ends around 1pm on those days. The Tuesday/Thursday classes are English and Psychology which start on-campus at 8am and end at 11am. I say on-campus because I'm taking those two classes on-line. I could have also taken Math online but I prefer to take as many on-campus classes as possible. We are allowed to take up to 3 classes online in the first semester. The semesters run 16 weeks. Core classes cannot be taken online so A&P is an on-campus class. Pretty much anything with a lab is on-campus. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Well, I don't have a lot of experience with the Apollo nursing program as I am a new student, but so far so good. I will tell you that with any nursing program, the classes are day classes and there are clinicals that you have to do. It's like having a full-time job. I have a child too and my boyfriend helps out a lot. Becoming a nurse is definitely an investment of your time and money and you will need a good support system, but it is doable if it's what you want. There are many great programs both ADN and BSN. I know Chamberlain College has a 3 year BSN program you might want to look into. So far I like Apollo, but I can keep you posted.

First, you have to understand that it's different for everyone and you are right by doing some investigation. There are a couple of things I can recommend. First, without looking at cost, check out the different programs thoroughly and then rank them by the one you would most like to attend down to the least. The programs you look at will depend on whether you want an ADN or a BSN. If you are looking at ADN and will eventually go to BSN, find out where the credits of that school will transfer. Check on what kind of simlabs the school has. How many different hospitals do they use for clinicals. If it's a private school, find out if they will accept credits from the local community college. Now you're armed with your dream program. Look at the costs and determine how much in loans you would have to take out. To do this, fill out a FAFSA and it will tell you what you're eligible for and what your contribution is going to be. Now you have to decide if you'll be able to pay back loans with your goal. If you can, go for it! If not, go to the community college that can transfer credits to your dream program and take your pre-req's, this will save you a tremendous amount on cost. Once you finish your pre-req's re-evaluate and go for it! I'm attending a private college that offers the pre-reqs with my nursing program. It's expensive, but I took the loans and know I can pay them back when I graduate. Fortunately, I have the help of my boyfriend for living expenses and help with childcare, but if he wasn't around I'd still find a way. I have a job with flexible hours (I'm a home caregiver) and they know I'm going to school and change my hours as needed. Set up a support system to help you with childcare and maybe get a roommate to help with expenses. Many times there are other students in the same boat, talk to people at the schools. As for your prior legal issue, it was 18 years ago and expunged. I wouldn't worry about it as long as you have had nothing else since. Talk to the state licensing board and find out their policies on it. If it's ok with them, you should be clear. Good luck!