rawlee58

I took alot of courses through Rio to do my nursing prereqs years ago; Rio doesn't really teach I feel like... it's all regurgitation and work sheets. And the tests are pretty difficult--in part because you are self teaching. Though you won't really use chemistry later in life, I would recommend taking an in person course. And the lab too if you plan on going to grad school.

I would also recommend not doing an LPN program; Arizona, and I'm not sure about other states, are transitioning away from hiring LPNs, especially at hospitals. So if you did go and get your LPN, you'd most likely be working in a SNF.

Phoenix is really tight, but I would look into Flagstaff or Tucson.

If you have options to relocate somewhere else, I'd strongly suggest looking there first. Arizona, specifically Maricopa County (Phoenix Metropolitan Area), produces the most nurses nationwide. Furthermore, they are trying to transition out associates level nurses for bachelors level nurses.

I graduated from the NAU Distance BSN Program in Tucson and had a great experience; one that I heard was even better than my friends had at UA. I'd strongly reccommend looking into it!

I have never heard of any type of speeding ticket hindering fingerprint clearance. There were some students in my class that even had MIC/MIPs and they didn't run into any trouble on their clearance... granted they turned in a sheet explaining what happened. As long as the AzBN doesn't send you a deficiency notice specifically telling you you had a criminal record, you're fine. So if I had to guess, when it says they can't read your fingerprints, it means they can't read them. The best thing to do is just call AzBN and ask... but call early in the morning because it's always a 5-10 min wait!

This is an interesting post... None of the new grads from my graduating class of 20 have gotten anything better than $24/hr + shift differential if applicable. Granted they are all in Tucson, but I'm curious what other Phoenix area hospitals are paying their new grads now. Any ideas?

Are you talking about pathophysiology? I graduated from NAU's regular BSN program and at the time the nursing program was 6 semesters; they've now made this shorter into 5 semesters by eliminating patho AS part of the nursing program and instead as a prerequisite. If I were you, I would take patho for 2 reasons: 1) because you have a greater chance of getting into NAU's program and 2) even if you are accepted into UofA's, you now will have one less class required and will be able to spend that time studying!

I applied to Abrazo's new grad program (it was at a specific hospital in their system, I don't remember which) way back in October/November. I graduated/passed my boards in December and have been hounding them on what the deal is with the program as I haven't been declined yet and made it through an HR survey. When I finally got ahold of a nurse recruiter said they don't have a timeline or any idea of a timeline when they will actually be able to hire new grads. It was very unhelpful :/