doni718

Boxer Mama I'm right there with you in the sense of not caring about the congratulations. I'm 33 and will graduate from a BSN program in NYC in May of 2013. This was a decision that I made for my own life and sense of accomplishment, it doesn't need to be judged by others comments or quick recommendations when they don't work in the medical field and probably have no clue on what it takes to becoming a nurse! While my family and loved ones DO support what I want to do, my close friends come from such a different world that it has been hard to transfer the support. While I do work hard for the best grades possible I have found it hard to identify or become close friends with younger people in my program. I've tried, but I think the 'older' label has been applied and has created a border. Believe it or not, 30 is not an average age in my program, I'm a rare one as I think nursing is becoming popular again with a younger generation. The average is probably around 25 or 26. I wish that age wouldn't matter but sometimes it does when everything plays out in social circles and study groups. I live with my boyfriend and have lived in NYC for over 10 years so I already have a separate life. This may play a part being that I don't hang out at bars with everyone and once I didn't want to 'hang' the distance became bigger. In short.. or long :) this has been an interesting experience in age related relations and how accomplishing your goal may take different paths depending on where you're at in your life. All that said, if you want to become a nurse - DO IT. While it may be hard during nursing school you'll be working with a wide age range of nurse's while working after it.

Did they change this rule because they updated their website and there's nothing listed about being at the school a semester before applying? I was going to go see one of their advisement counselors but I know last spring that rule was still in place.

Hi Mellieinab, I'm EXTREMELY interested in SB since it looks like a great program and the price tag isn't outrageous. How are you liking it? I'm thinking of applying over the next few months for the accelerated program. My GPA is almost 3.9 in Pre Req's and 3.4 in undergrad but I don't have a lot of volunteer/ health care related experience. Any news on how you're liking the program would be great! Thanks

Hi Barkow, I just looked at their website but they mentioned that it's advisable to apply in the Fall a year before you want to be admitted. Did they require that you had every pre requisite done when you applied or were you allowed to finish classes in the Spring semester before the Summer start date? The program looks great according the website.

It also seems kind of nuts that they don't want you to send a resume or recommendation letters for a 2nd degree program!? I guess it's purely on GPA and that's it. I'm wondering how they determine how a candidate would be a good fit for the school, possibly that they have an undergrad degree in science? I left a message for the admissions counselor so hopefully I'll hear something back next week.

Hey Schick and ItsaRoad.. Thanks for the quick reply about the pre requisites. You guys are ON IT! Prepared to the fullest :) Out of curiosity I was looking at deadlines etc. for 2011 but I didn't know that so many people were already prepared to file an application at the end of this spring! It feels like I have so many classes to finish but I need to be starting the application process at the same time. Applying to a bunch of schools is going to be like taking a four credit course besides trying to ace the remainder of my pre req's. I'm still debating on taking the GRE.... Pace requires it but I'm debating about even applying there after reading stories about the accelerated program on allnurses.... I'll figure it out over the next few weeks.

Quick question, has everyone already finished all of their pre requisites or you will finish them by this coming fall term 2010? I need to finish three classes in the Spring 2011 term so I was wondering. I just called the admissions office but they were about to close for the day.

I passed also! Just found my name on the registry. If you think the RN marks something wrong while you're performing your clinical skills you'll most likely be OK because you're allowed a few minor mistakes.

I took the test today: 1. Handwashing 2. Indirect Care 3. Weight 4. Ambulation 5. Peri Care. The test giver was on the phone while I was doing Peri Care about an emergency so I hope I passed! I was extremely nervous so take a deep breath, or MANY and you will be OK. I practiced a lot before and was still really nervous because I didn't know the procedure around the room during the test etc. Ask questions about the test procedure before taking it from your instructor!

I had the same exact skills today, I'm freaking out about my test and seeing if I can get the results earlier than 5 days because I don't want to be banging my head against the wall for the whole week :) Hopefully the results will come up before then but we'll see :) The test giver asked me at the end of Ambulation if I'd forgotten anything and I couldn't remember anything but the one thing I did NOT do is put the patients hands on my shoulders instead of just grabbing their transfer belt while lifting them out of the chair and counting to three. I realized this AFTER leaving the test room. I couldn't think of anything else that I had done wrong. SO, don't forget to do that people. I think I was marked wrong because of that. Other than that, stay CALM. I have problems with anxiety and it came out during the test. Whatever you do too calm yourself - praying, meditation, yoga, working out and whatever makes your nerves CALM .... do IT. I became emotional once she was asking me about a 3/4 of a pound on the weight measurement skill. My RN was pretty particular and harsh. There are NO questions that you can ask during the test... After the test I was talking with my volunteer and she mentioned that I was walking beside her RATHER than behind her. I WAS walking behind her BUT I guess make sure you are behind her for a reason, I was behind her but by only a few steps... so be behind them by more than three steps. Besides that I have received great recommendations from this website for videos and I can't believe I forgot the shoulder incident! :) I forgot that in all of the practice sessions. ALSO, If they don't say anything to you when you say "handwashing required" which is beyond the first handwashing step GO AHEAD and do the full handwashing step. They will get annoyed of you doing it every time and tell you to go ahead and proceed without doing the 4 minute process because of time.... This lady was to the T! Just be very thorough and take your time even though they may be rushing you. The number that you are given for skills will depend on when you finish the written test, this MAY NOT be for every test giver. I didn't know this but I was one of the first one's going because I finished the written test early. So if you need to go over your test a few times, wait till someone else turns it in. I hope this helps with everyone else's NYC test experience. Good Luck to ALL.

Hi Dee, I think I have a situation similar to yours with the transcript situation since I wanted to register for classes right away for summer. When registering they weren't sure about my status and placing people into pre-clinical (or pre-req classes) in the pre clinical nursing department so they put me into another major while I was standing there! I had heard how quickly the classes filled up and didn't care and wanted to be able to register right away, but now I'm thinking this is going to be harder to get into the correct program. I'll find out over the next few weeks... The only reason I hesitated toward an ASN is the job requirements in the city regarding ASN vs. BSN. I'm sure there's jobs for both but of course everyone has gone through a million forums about this subject. I'm going to take a few classes at BMCC and see how it goes. Thanks for all your info. and plans for the future. Best of luck to you! :)

Hi ddeguzman2, Thanks for all of the information in your post before but I have a few more questions for you. Are you in the clinical portion of the program at BMCC? I've just registered for courses over the summer and fall for pre-requisites to transfer for applications in accelerated BSN programs around the city in the beginning of 2011 but of course I'm reconsidering taking the courses at BMCC and applying for their program for ASN as it would be much cheaper. I'm not doubting your choice but trying to see why people chose different routes. I have a serious issue with cost so I'm also considering this. I also have a BA already and have looked into accelerated programs at Pace, NYU, LIU and Suny Downstate but I'm wondering why you wanted to stay at BMCC to get your ASN if you already have your BA? I've been wondering if doing this is better than going for the BSN since it would be cheaper in the end but it seems like the time it would take to get the degree would take longer. Also, considering the waiting list time at BMCC get into the clinical portion ... I didn't know if I wanted to take the chance with CC's. Were you established as a pre-clinical major while originally registering at BMCC. They aren't allowing transfers to immediately be in the pre-nursing major so I'm thinking this might be a problem! They are asking everyone to be in the Liberal Arts general major. It looked like this might be a huge problem down the road. Thanks for any info. you have on the process! Thx.

Also, Isabella is one of the nursing homes where people do their externships during the class so you might not have to wait six months to get a spot for the next free spot if you go for a grant from workforce 1.

I'm almost done with the program at New Age Training. It has taken longer than expected but is up to par with the other programs offered in NYC. You can also get a voucher for this program from Workforce 1. I think a lot of the CNA courses in NYC are kind of crazy being organized etc. but they are sticking to schedules and graduation dates including scheduling the state board and externships. It's worth checking out the school to see if you like it, I would schedule an appointment.

Thanks for the info. Kimberlina, I'm done with the sticks, Finally! But I did end up getting some scarring where I was stuck about 30x in each arm. The vein ended up becoming very hard and swollen but it's relaxing finally and getting back to normal. I did end up getting sick during the class because I wasn't taking enough vitamins, so if you're doing the phlebotomy course make sure you take Iron supplements and Vitamin B! There is one girl in our class who has done 20 sticks and has never gotten blood, I'm not sure how you could do so many sticks and never get blood but I don't think our teacher is going to pass her. There was also another girl who overcame her fear of needles in the class which was great to go through. We had to use a butterfly needle on her and she was bawling through the first five draws. She said she meditated and prayed over the first weekend of the class, came in on Monday and demanded that everyone stick her. She overcame her fears pretty quickly, it was great. I'm in a school that is doing CNA courses and then you move on to PCT courses (Phlebotomy and EKG). I'm not in "nursing school" yet but am trying to get some experience before applying to school. These are the first nursing courses I've ever taken and it's surprising to see how different you learn in each class depending on who's in the class with you. I actually changed my group for PCT because everyone was very competitive and exclusive in my CNA class. I'm hoping that when I get into nursing school that the group I'll be in will be like the current class, encouraging and helpful. It has helped a lot of my classmates overcome fears and believe in themselves, it's been great!