MoreThanAJob

Thank you so much for your response! :)

O' I'm so glad that was helpful. Yes, you are correct, the accelerated doesn't seem very "accelerated" compared to other programs that do complete in 12-18 months. I think they might be adding open summers in there...don't quote me...that could just be a rumor. Doing the traditional route will guarantee you summers off if you had completed all your general ed and pre-reqs prior to the nursing program (GE: History, Psych, Human G&D, Nutrition, College Algebra, language, etc // Pre-req's: Microbiology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology [can be taken as the combined class for UMKC], etc.). You would then only have your core nursing classes, yes. You can take certain classes like your nursing electives (1-2 credit classes) during summers if you want to, but can finish the program if you were to only go to school during the semesters. The schedule is actually very nice. And, I have to say, if you are geared toward this type of learning (the body & science, etc) 15 credits in this program is much different than 15 credits of Algebra, History, and those types of classes. Our classes very much overlap, so the material is repeated in various ways making it more readily absorb-able. I'm not sure if you've been to one of the BSN information meetings yet, but if you bring your completed classes they will look them over and tell you if everything should transfer and if you are missing anything. I am very excited for you (wherever you end up attending)! Please feel free to ask me any questions throughout your "journey" if any come up!

Hello! It's so good to hear a little of your story and plans! Both the traditional route and the accelerated track are great programs at UMKC, even for a mommy of three! The two programs aren't much different in every-day demands. The accelerated is required to go during the summers for time sake--as you know-- and the traditional program is 3 years long whether you have finished every extra gen ed class or not. If you already have a bachelor's degree (in any field) I would say that the accelerated choice could be a really good option for you (I'll explain a little more below). This next coming class for the accelerated program will be in their program for 24 months (as you may already know), that's a change from the current (and previous) 18 months. It's a lot of work, but it can definitely be worth it if you can sacrifice the time. Starting with this year's students the accelerated students have been integrated into classes with us traditionals. It seems that, so far, their daily schedule is pretty much the same as ours through the regular semester. My current schedule has me in school Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8am til noon'ish, and Friday and Saturday mornings for labs (there were other options for labs too--some students "stacked" their Monday's full, for example). The drive from Topeka area could be a little challenging for you (about an hour with good traffic)---and especially with three little munchkins at home!! One BIG reason I would say UMKC is a really good program and worth the significant sacrifice is that the program has about 1200 clinical hours (check around, that's significantly more than most RN programs in our areas). If you are able to do it, the accelerated program also has the added benefit of even smaller clinical groups (more one-on-one'ish) than ours. UMKC's nursing students also have a really good reputation with KC hospitals, even KU often hires UMKC's nursing student graduates before their own KU grads (generally, it is believed that this is b/c of the amount of clinical time we come out of the program with). If you think it is vitally important for your family to have you home during the summers, I would say the "extra" year of the traditional program may be worth it instead of the accelerated. I'm not sure if you also have a job (that would be an added time constraint of course)...but, there are quiet a few mommies (and daddies!) in our accelerated program, and I know that is like a full-time job next to school. I work about 16-18 hours/week and have to arrange my schedule to be able to not be away form home longer than 6-7 hours in order to let my "furry children" outside (I have two wonderful Sheltie dogs), and with the 15 credit hours of first semester, it still all seems doable for me. I am a pretty disciplined student. We don't have a T.V., and I don't mind HOURS of studying (plus I only have laundry for one person right now while the hubby is overseas with the military)...SO... ...all that to say, I think if you are willing to sacrifice for the 2 or 3 years it takes, the UMKC program (either one) is very doable and very worth the effort. But, it really IS a sacrifice and requires time. If you have family who can care for the babies for a little while and help you get through school it would make it a lot easier of course, but that's not always possible. I would say do the best for your family. If that means staying nearby, that may be better in your case. You'll still be an RN in the end, and it's really up you YOU what kind of nurse you're going to be no matter what school you end up attending! I really wish you the best!! Please feel free to let me know if you have any other questions anytime! A

(I possibly should have made this a blog about this subject instead...? Staff: is it possible to move this to a blog posting?) So exciting news!!...I GOT ACCEPTED to the traditional BSN program at UMKC starting this Fall 2011 (class of 2014)!!!!!:yeah:I could hardly believe it when I got the letter of acceptance. What a great moment! I didn't take any classes this summer, which has been nice. My Nursing classes start August 22. On August 15th we have a Clinical Jumpstart Day. So far everything has fallen into place as necessary...with only one scary moment: when my Doctor's office couldn't find my first record of Hep B shot (this was at the appt for my 3rd and final shot which was due in 4 days or I would be dropped from the program!!)....yikes!! They finally found the record after an hour and a half of me sitting in the exam room wondering what in the world was going on. So, as far as all the preliminary requirements, I'm all set. Now, the real fun begins...intense study & lots of learning, humbling, and growing!

I am currently a BSN nursing student. I am committed to doing international medical missions in some capacity. After graduation from my BSN program I will be going on to complete a Doctorate of Nursing Degree/Nurse Practitioner Degree. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share some advice on the best Advanced Practice Nursing Specialties for international medical missions work. FYI: I especially intend to work in the regions of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, other Middle Eastern areas & Southeast Asia. My first choices for AP: Family Nurse Practitioner (or) Adult/Gerontological (or) Women's Health (I want to do work in the Middle East and Southeast Asia where I am aware women are sometimes more easily accepted in areas where they work with women patients, as well as vise versa) My second choice: Midwife Other specialties I would be interested in getting extra training for international work: Wound Care OR Areas I am considering working after I graduate with my BSN and begin preparing for graduate school: ICU (Med, Surg, Adult) Burn OR Public Health Any feedback would be greatly welcomed! I really want to take every step well in-line with the goal of work abroad. Thanks!

I like that!!

Absolutely! My pleasure. I think your plan is excellent! It's really good that you are asking these questions now. I think that shows that you're a "planner." You will be glad that you do your research as much as you can ahead of time. I know I am! Then, you'll also be able to share with others when they come to your with questions of their own. I wish you the best!! :redbeathe

Metropolitan Community College, Penn Valley location (downtown) also has an evening & weekend ADN program that accepts applications every ODD year (so this year they are accepting for the next weekend/evening program that will start in the SPRING of next school-year (Spring 2012). Here is a link to their website for the ADN program: http://mcckc.edu/main.asp?P=DP_RNUR-CU :stdnrsrck:

Hi CNM, I am a pre-nursing student. I will hopefully start my nursing program next school-year at UMKC. I live in the KC area. I've been here for about 5 years. The consensus seems to be that professional nursing is heading more and more toward higher education levels (ie. a BSN & now DNP by 2015 for most NP's). There are definitely still jobs for ADNs. Certain positions are stating that they require or prefer BSN nurses but there is still a job-market for ADNs. There is, however, also a certain push for Hospital Magnetization right now, and in order for a hospital to get Magnet status they have to have a certain percentage of BSN prepared nurses working for them. The thinking behind this is based on research that has identified a lower patient mortality rate associated with Bachelor prepared nurses. My guess (and this is only my deduction from what I have heard from teachers and other nurses) is that there will be a continual movement toward BSN as the base education requirement for professional nursing. (This is HUGELY controversial, however...as I'm sure you can imagine) I have decided to get my BSN because, 1) This is my first degree and I wanted to have a Bachelor's degree (I will be the first in my family to get a degree and that is a big deal to me). 2) I want to go on to a graduate degree in nursing and this would eventually require me to obtain a BSN anyway. 3) For the cost and the time-spent in the program to get an associates (about 3 years'ish with pre-reqs included) and a BSN (about 4-years with preqreqs), I decided I wanted to do the extra time and get a bachelor's degree. I hope some of this was helpful. :) :stdnrsrck:

Okay, yes that makes sense. Thanks for the response!

Would it be a different allowance for nurses who have obtained a Bachelor's degree in nursing? (As far as being able to work in the UK from the US) Just wondering, thanks!

Here's a useful website you might want to visit when you get to microbial genetics. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/ You can do a practice version of transcription and translation plus a bunch of other interactive activities. I'm half-way through Micro (Spring), but i did take Chem over the summer....so bless you guys! If I could do Chem over the summer you can do Micro over the summer!! Good luck! :redbeathe

To follow up with this post a little, we had a group of current UMKC BSN students come visit our Nursing 101 class @UMKC yesterday. We got to ask them any questions we could think of. Here are some the the details I gathered (this is paraphrased, I may not get every detail perfectly as the student said it). There were 2 first-year students and 5 seniors (third-year) that came to our class to speak with us: (One of my main questions was about whether working a job during the program was doable) According to the students, working during the program has been possible for most of them (even one of them working full-time until their last senior semester). It seems like the consensus was that, it really just depends on how good you are at organizing your time. From what the students said it also really does seem like that first semester is the "weeding out" semester, so-to-speak...it sounds like it gets a little easier to manage in the following semesters...just as long as you make it through the first one. :redbeathe UMKC's BSN program has about 1200 clinical hours (this is also why the program is 3 clinical years instead of the "normal" two years at most universities for a BSN). The next closest one as far as number of clinical hours (in the metro-area) is about 900 hours (I'm not sure what school this is). The UMKC BSN program has a "Capstone" clinical project in the last semester (basically like an internship). You get to bid for your top choices and you are given an assignment based on your GPA (the whole class gets ranked by GPA for this matching process). Then when you get your location (hospital and area of speciality) assigned, you are paired with an RN there, and you work one-on-one with him or her for the duration of the internship! That's awesome! There are a good number of men in the program , and they have what sounds like a VERY good support system! They have meetings once a week (which, if you volunteer also can count as "leadership hours" in your senior year when you are required to get leadership hours). There are similar programs for us women-folk too. The advice from students was great! There was encouragement that non-traditional students can make it in the program (this advice came from a second degree-nursing student who is a little older than your average "19-year old" college student). One student said that you just need to take the program seriously (there were a few students in the back of class that were talking over the visitors...it was a good time to make that point )...he was really sincere though, he said that he isn't your average super-student (so-to-speak) but that as long as you try and get as much contact with the subject material as possible (go to class, go to clinicals, read the book, etc) you will do fine! Another student gave a brief counterpoint (she seems to be a bit like me, having a mini heart-attack over scores in the low-90's...), she said that she wished someone would have helped her realize she could RELAX A LITTLE! She goes in the opposite direction and said you really CAN enjoy the experience and not over-worry so much. One of the things that stood out to me the most was that the students all seemed HAPPY and (even the seniors) really enjoyed their time in the program. They all were really close (even in different classes, seniors and 1st-years, etc). All-in-all, I was really encouraged by their visit and REALLY appreciated hearing what they had to say to us. There was more they said but this was the part I remember the best. If anyone has any questions I would LOVE to try my best to answer them from what the students said...or since I am in a class at UMKC, I could use your question as an excuse to go "digging" for some more answers (good for me, good for you :))!

Here is another good link to TONS of helpful nursing-student related: http://studentnurseconnections.com/

Unfortunately, I don't think any of these links still work. I tried each one.

There does not seem to be a lot of information/input regarding the UMKC Traditional BSN program. I see a few sporifice threads here and there. I would really like to see a good strong thread develop for those that are looking for information on this program. Mostly, I would like to hear people's input who have completed or are attending the program. Such as: How was your experience the first semester with the 15 credit load and PathoPhys (I have heard it is pretty challenging). Why? Were you able (or are you able) to work during the program? If so, how many hours and what did you do for work (CNA, Food Service, etc?) Do you have any tips as far as website's or study materials that were helpful for you? How do you like your experience with the Human Patient Simulators? Anythin you would have wanted to be different? Do you have any suggestions for clinicals? Nursing elective choices? Places to volunteer? Places to seek work after graduation? Why did you choose UMKC's program? Was it (or is it) what you had hoped? I am currently completing my pre-req's for the program. I chose UMKC's Traditional program because of the cost, length (three years long as opposed to two years long) and clinical time, the proximity to home (I live off campus), and some of the positive experiences I have heard from students of the program. I have applied for the graduating class of 2014 (I would start this August if I get accepted). It is very competitive, as are all RN programs. I have tried my best to keep a high grade point average but realize there is no guarantee even with a perfect GPA and great references. If I don't get accepted this semester I plan on re-applying the following year (finish more gen-ed in the mean-time). I am a semi-nontraditional student. I am 26 and married (no kids though, waiting until after graduation). Here are a few FREE websites or resources that have been helpful for me as a pre-nursing student: http://www.discovernursing.com/nursing-students (Lot's of helpful resources here) http://nursing.umkc.edu/undergraduate-degrees/bsn.asp (UMKC's pre-licensure traditional BSN program web page) http://nursing.umkc.edu/documents/transfer/jccc-ce.pdf (equivalent courses for transfer from Johnson County Community College to UMKC) http://nursing.umkc.edu/documents/transfer/mcc-ce.pdf (equivalent courses for transfer from Metro Community College to UMKC). http://nursing.umkc.edu/documents/academic-programs/plans-of-study/bsn-4yr-pos.pdf (UMKC's 4-year sample plan of study) http://nursing.umkc.edu/documents/academic-programs/plans-of-study/bsn-5yr-pos.pdf (UMKC's 5-year sample plan of study) http://msjensen.cehd.umn.edu/webanatomy/ (Anatomy and Physiology study guide, quizes, etc.) http://www.getbodysmart.com/ap/site/resourcelinks/links.html (more A&P links) http://www.getbodysmart.com/ (the BodySmart A&P interactive modules) http://ect.downstate.edu/courseware/haonline/index.htm (A&P, human body dissector) http://physiology.med.umn.edu/anatomy/learning.html (More A&P help from U of Minnesota) http://www.periodic-table.org.uk/element-map.htm (Interactive Periodic Table) http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_home.jsp (Lots of helpful disease/condition information, 3D animations, etc.) http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/tests-treatment/question146.htm (a GREAT explanation of how Blood Pressure works!) Here are a few interesting and helpful websites I have found in my browsing for more specific nursing and practice information: http://www.saddleback.edu/alfa/ "This web site was created for easy access to nursing procedures...Easy access, to real-life Nursing procedures was the goal of this project. Step by step directions with photos and videos make learning come alive. Over 150 nursing procedures or related content have been recorded and can be found throughout this site. These videos were not reheorificed." http://enw.org/TOC.htm "Emergency Nursing World"- Great scenario walk-thru's, Check out the "I can't breath" scenarios. http://www.icufaqs.org/ (This site is mentioned elsewhere on AllNurses and is a GREAT resource). http://micunursing.com/ (medical ICU information, also a good resource) http://www.madsci.com/manu/indxtrau.htm (Stabilization of Trauma PT's) I would LOVE to hear from anyone who has some connection and/or experience with the UMKC BSN program or other helpful tid-bits!!!

I am currently finishing my last semester of prereq's for the UMKC traditional BSN program, and I am also hoping that there will be some more input from graduates (or CURRENT students) of UMKC BSN program on this thread. I am attending the N101 (nursing 101) class this semester that is a prereq also. It's at UMKC. One thing I have heard from Students and staff is that the first semester is the "killer" semester. They mostly say this because you have 15 credit hours (the schedule is set, you can't change when you take most of the nursing classes due to clinicals and such), and you have two full days of skills lab (learning how to insert a catheter, etc), and you have Pathophysiology which is supposed to be a VERY challenging class. They say it lightens up a little after that first semester. The suggestion is that you don't work a lot this first semester (they kind of discourage working much the rest of the semesters as well, but students say that first semester it is the most challenging). Please, if anyone has any input on the UMKC Traditional BSN program it would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you! That's great advise. In a way it's still sinking in that as a nurse I really can carve out a niche in any area where my heart is if I just commit to it! I believe what you said is very true. Thank you for your encouragement and advise!

Hi, I have done a good amount of research looking into both of these programs. At first I thought I wanted to go to Rockhurst. I would be able to do the tuition reimbursement program that they offer to save on tuition. I really liked their staff and the coordinated effort they put into tours or answering my questions. They also seemed very flexible at making my entrance to the school work with an unusual situation (my husband arriving home from over seas). The last thing I did (and which ended up changing my mind) was to talk to as many students that had gone there as possible. This is, as you may be finding, harder that it should be! I did manage to speak with some graduates of the program. They all said some of the same things you'd hear about any nursing program. "It's hard. You might get a good teacher you might get a bad teacher. It's hard. I graduated. I'm not sure I would do it over again." But, in the end when I compared the general experience of those that went to the Rockhurst program to those that did the three year program through UMKC, the ones that attended UMkC just seemed...well, lighter and happier, for lack of a better description. The ones that attended Rockhurst were honest about their experiences and most of them had done the tuition reimbursement program and were now working for one of the ACH hospitals...they had a good deal of frustration with the ACH system. They were also disappointed that in the end not ALL the students that "received" the reimbursement program were able to get a job with an ACH hospital and thus not able to fulfill their end of the reimbursement program. There were varying opinions on the hassle of this situation. It's not entirely clear to me what happened to the students in those cases. The UKMC students seemed to also have worked very hard and had their share of difficult teachers but they also seemed to not have as much apparent bitterness over the whole of their experience. That was a highlighted factor in my decision. The final reason I ended up choosing to go to UMKC rather than Rockhurst (I'm still doing the pre-req's which are different for each school) is that in doing the three year (four or five year total program length depending on which you choose to do) nursing program is that I am married and have to work at least part time through school. The three year nursing program allows me to not have to take more than 12 credits a semester, sometimes only 9 per semester, which allows me to handle my work schedule as well as family schedule. I hope this helps. The best thing you can do is ask, ask, ask! I hope and pray that you find the best school for you!!

This is a great question. It is a very wonderful highlight to nursing that you can choose from so many areas. I was intrigued to see quiet a few responses indicating Forensic nursing as an area of interest. This is an area of interest for me as well. SANE also interests me. Anything along those lines. I know I don't want to do L&D. I also don't think ER is my area. I would possibly like Nursing Research or Home Health as well. A population that stirs my heart is those with developmental disabilities. I worked in this area for a year before I started full time school and loved it. I'm looking forward to clinicals and getting my "feet wet", so to speak. I really hope and pray I get good clinical instructors that impart a love for and healthy respect for their area of specialty but also are good teachers. :lvan:

That's awesome! I'm so glad you responded. What state does your sister practice?

:up:Thank you very much for your feed-back. It's very helpful and I appreciate you sharing what you have. I have not spoken to any UMKC students personally (I had an unpleasant visit when I went to visit the school) but I really do like the idea of a residency program. KUMC also does a similar thing, although you can come from any nursing program and if you get hired on within six months of your graduation date to KUMED you can qualify for their actual nursing residency program which is also a one year long program. I have heard really good things and definitely appreciate that approach to preparing new nurses! Thank you! Abreeden

Yes, that's a good point and I will look into it. It doesn't matter somewhat for me yet because my husband and I are not sure where we are going to settle down yet. But our careers --not the move-- would be a bigger factor in the decision as a whole. So for me I am simply curious to know if it is known whether Chiropractic Doctors work with FNP's and/or D.O.'s and what the general viewpoint on the subject of the partnership itself from those who might be familiar with this type of partnership. If it seems like a promising and potentially rewarding avenue then I would look further into what states support FNP's that are in private practice. Thank you for your input. Abreeden

Hello fellow colleagues, I am interested to know if anyone has known of Chiropractors ever teaming up with FNP's in family practice style or collaborative practice of any sort (under one roof)? My Chiropractor and I were talking about this recently and I want to know if it seems possible or reasonably possible to any of you for an FNP (possibly with a DNP) to work as a Primary Care Physician and team up with a Chiropractor for a more holistic practice? I graduated recently from Massage Therapy school and am soon to pursue my BSN unto my FNP or DNP. I will possibly also pursue certification in Holistic Nursing at some point if I go that route. I have considered pursuing my D.O. instead of a MSN or DNP and that brings me to my second question. What would seem more appropriate (and even acceptable in the eyes of those who are pursuing holistic healthcare)? A FNP with holistic training acting a PCP or a D.O. (all considering the proposal of working with a Chiropractor and or other "alternative" health-care providers? Thank you very much for your feedback, Abreeden

When you say that they were let out of their contracts, just to clarify, do you mean to say those students were released entirely or then stuck with the bill for school and no job? In a sense if they were let out of their contracts because of a hiring freeze but Rockhurst didn't slam them with the bill that would not be horrible...not totally wonderful...but not as horrible as being surprised by the huge bill at the end of it all.