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That's ridiculous. I don't know where you are located and know that tuition rates vary but it seems like you could have done better. I did an ADN RN program for like 10K at a local state college and just completed 48 credit hour MSN program for less than 30K. However, this is a good lesson for readers. Shop around when choosing a program. School is going to be a sacrifice. Regardless of the program it will take time and energy to get through it. Cost is the one variable you have some control over. There are plenty of programs out there that offer a value. I live in Florida and University of West Florida offers an online RN-BSN program that is very reasonable. Nursing, Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Undergraduate Catalog - University of West Florida http://catalog.uwf.edu/undergraduate/tuitionandfees/Tuition_and_Fees_for_2016-2017.pdf Unless your degree is from the University of Penn, Yale, John Hopkins or another prestigious institution you might have paid more than you should have. Please don't think I'm judging as it's very possible not all your debt is tuition. Many folks have to borrow additional funds so they can "live" while going to school as most pre-license programs make it difficult to work. People borrow to pay rent and buy food and I get that, it just means you're going to work harder to repay that loan. There are some gov't programs that offer loan forgiveness if you treat underserved populations, like Indian Health Services (ihs.gov) I also think there are some military programs as RN's are needed in the National Guard and Army Reserves. Good Luck and congratulations on finishing your BSN

Christine, Assuming you'll be taking two classes each semester it will take eight or nine semesters. The difference being if you're Adult or Family as there is a Peds semester involved in Family so that certification takes a little longer. Regarding Employment I'd say any facility in the BayCare system would be where I'd want to work, but there are plenty of decent hospitals in the area. Good Luck

I'm not going to join the debate but will only add, that I'm sorry LBC2RN had this experience. I'm going to assume this is an isolated event and just one of those horrible things that no one could predict and just went very wrong. I agree with Davey, you have the right to feel however you feel. I'm a decent sized guy and this sounds terrifying to me. I would imagine that I'd be angry and I'm sure I'd be a little on edge when I was at work. Get whatever help you need as the only shame is NOT ASKING for it. If at all possible try to learn something from this as I imagine this is something that you will never forget. Again, sorry you went through this.

Chilli - I'm heading into my last year of the FNP program at UT. Not sure what advice I can offer. It'snursing school, make it a priority and you'll be fine. Yes, the program is challenging but it's not "hard." It's nursing, not rocket science if you know what I mean. Regarding preceptors they do offer help, but the student takes on a bulk of the responsibility. With that being said I have never heard of a student not getting placement. I wouldn't worry about preceptors until you get through your first four or five classes. At that point you can start putting out feelers. If you're working day shift in a hospital, you know the providers you like and respect. Start with those folks as even if they don't take students they may be able to refer you to one of their colleagues. On the whole it's not a bad program and the price is reasonable. When comparing UT to USF it's a bit of a toss up. In my humble opinion there are things that USF does better but there are also some advantages to being at a smaller university. UT certification pass rates tend to be near 100% so they've got to be doing something right? In the end where you went to school and the fact that you made straight A's doesn't matter much. It's what you do when you get out and how you practice. Again, only speaking for myself but I know a lot of great nurses. The reason I hold these individuals in high regard and respect them has nothing to do with their level of education or where that education was obtained. I imagine I'll still feel this way when I start practicing at the next level. Good luck

What state are you in? I ask, because there are some what they call "direct entry" MSN programs that will lead to nurse practitioner certification.(Ohio State Comes to mind) These programs allow you to begin graduate nursing education without being a nurse. Please don't confuse degree with license. Regardless of where or what type of degree you've earned it's your license that allows you to work and hold the title of nurse and there is more than one way to get there. I would finish the BS in Biology and then look at a direct entry program. Another option would be to finish the Biology degree and then see about an accelerated second bachelors degree (BSN) OR find a two year ADN program and get your RN license, work for a year as a nurse and then pursue a MSN. Is there a reason you're not looking at a Physician Assistant Program? A BS in Bio is probably the perfect undergraduate degree and depending on the state, there isn't much difference in the scope of practice between a PA and NP.

I'm in my third semester of the FNP program and thus far things have been pretty good. They have a good reputation locally and have temporarily suspended the "oral boards" which many people found intimidating and a source of much stress. It’s a private school but the cost is reasonable and I prefer fact to face classes.

GXavier - I just saw this post and would like to know more. I've just started the MSN program at UT and this is the first negative I've heard? I've known other people who have gone through the program and all had good things to say (two of whom left USF to finish their studies at UT. Yes, the oral boards are a negative and agree seem unfair, spending all that time, money and energy just so have someone fail you before clinicals. However, I've heard the pass rate on the boards is over 90% so it seem like most people get through. Thanks for the info and would love to know more.

I know this is an old thread but I'm planning on starting at UT in January. Did you end up starting the program and if so how is it going? I know someone who was in the program but just left the program as she was handed a director's title and now doesn't have the time for school. She had great things to say but still the oral boards were always on her mind. Any information you can provide is apprecieated. Thanks

Since no one has replied.... I applied to the ABSN program back in Fall of 2010. I didn't make the cut but I was close. I'm currently a RN but went teh ADN route at a state college. I'm still working towards my goal of a MSN. Check this thread as I believe I posted the rubric they use (or at least they used back in 2010). Your pre-reqs and your CUM GPA carry the most weight. If you've gotten A's in A&P 1, 2, Micro and Stats and your CUM is a 3.41 or better you've got a decent shot. It's a tough program to get into as they typically only have 36 seats available. Good Luck

As the last poster stated - it's really not a big deal. Get a DL made with you new address (legally you're supposed to do this anyways) you can also change the registration on your car - you might even get a break on your auto insurance. Can I ask why you didn't decide to do your last pre-regs at SPC? Please note I've heard of people having problems transferring their Micro credit from HCC. HCC uses a different course number - MCB -1000 vs. SPC's MCB -2010. I'm telling you this as if you're planning on taking Micro at HCC you probably will be one pre-req short with regards to your SPC application. Sorry for the bad news, I know it doesn't seem fair but know you're not the only person who has had to delay their application to the nursing program becuase they had to re-take micro at SPC. Good Luck

I'm a recent grad of the SPC Nursing program. The information below may help you out. 1. Your GPA is calculated from nursing school pre-reqs only. (Go to the HEC Website and there is a GPA calculator) Getting and A in Sociology doesn't help your GPA, you need good grades in the classes that count. 2. There is no waiting list for the traditional RN program, basically highest GPA's get in other do not. If you have a 3.7 or higher you've got a pretty good shot. 4 Program is four semesters and there is only a full-time option. Between class and clinicals you'll be "in school" four days a week. 5. LPN transitoin program is three semesters (those students have one semester by themselves and then they are blended in with students in the regular program for their last two semesters. 6. My understanding is that there IS a waiting list for the LPN program and that it's NOT AS competitive as going the traditonal route but I could be wrong. 7. PTEC doesn't have a whole lot of pre-reqs for their LPN program but you'll still need to have ALL the SPC required pre-regs done before you can begin the transition program. If you decide to go the LPN route you have a few options: PTEC, Galen, Ultimate Medical Academy... and a few others. Note many of these will be expensive and I really don't know how good their programs are but they can get you an LPN license which is what you'll need. Good luck

Came across your post.. I too just graduated from SPC and have a BS in another field and looking at the UT program. Personally, I don't think anyone will care that your BS isn't in nursing.... My wife is a FNP who has a Master's Degree in community health. She went back and did a post master's certificate program to be eligible to sit for the state exam... The fact that her Master's Degree is in community health and not "nursing" has only been an asset. Good Luck on NCLEX

Congrats on getting into the program. I just graduated and can give you the following advice regarding books: 1. Agree with above post - you'll do much better buying them online Amazon and Half.com are great sites. 2. Don't buy EVERYTHING on the books list. You'll need all the text books but can get away with not having many of the other books, like the workbooks (although they can be a good study tool, just depends on how you learn) You can also spread out your purchases... They'll tell you to buy ALL your books at the begining of the program, but you won't really need the Pharm, Maternity, Psych or Peds book in you're first semester... The only reason they have people buy EVERYTHING is to keep everyone together in case a newer edition becomes available... 3. Speaking of Edition #'s you can save big $$ buy using an earlier edition. Example they are using the 8th edition of the Lewis and Heitkemper book but you can probably get the 7th edition for around $10.00 on Half.com - The page numbers won't match what's on the sylibus but the content between editions doesn't change much - Simply borrow a friends "NEW" book and make sure you're reading the same content - I used previous editions for Peds, Maternity and Pharm and had NO trouble. Do the reading, work hard during clinicals and utilize the available resources and you'll be fine. Best of Luck!

I might be able to offer some info, as I jsut graduated from the SPC RN program and had classmates who were in the LPN-RN transition program. Your first semester will be with all LPN's. If you're going over the summer you will have class 3 days a week and clinicals two days a week. The LPN transition program gets blended into the straight RN program in Level III (2nd semester of the LPN Transition Program) During the fall and spring semesters you have classes three days a week and clinicals two days a week so you'll have one weekend off from school. Don't buy every book on the book list as there are many you won't need. Another tip I can offer is by the previous editions.... Example currently the Pediatric Book is the 8th edition which is expensive. I got through the class just fine using the 7th edition which I was able to buy for like $12.00 Good Luck!

No doubt it helps to have a good instructor but it has a lot to do with the facility you’re at. I have heard that many facilities simply aren’t very welcoming to male nursing students. I was lucky as my OB clinical was great and I too was the only male in my clinical group. I was able to witness two C-sections and one lady partsl birth during my rotation. That was actually more than some of the female students got to experience. I just wanted to share this as at least in my case my gender wasn’t an issue.

What is this for? This is a lengthy interview but if it's for something worth-while I may be able to help you out. Then again, I may ask why you chose this forum. If you're a graduate student you should have access to nursing students and I would think someone would have agreed to do a quick one-on-one with you.

I would say all the state universities in Florida are good options. They certainly offer the best value if you're looking for a traditional BSN path or accelerated second bachelors degree program. If you're looking to move back to Tampa Bay I'd say USF is a good option. Clinical hours can be great networking opportunities so it might be easier to find a job in the area where you were doing clincal hours.

I'm in Florida and my previous GPA kept me out of an accelerated 2nd bachelors BSN program at a local state university. They had a similar policy as they only looked at the grades from your first attempts in any pre-regs. So if you got a "D" in Micro the first time it didn't matter that you aced it the second time. However, you shouldn't be stuck at the associate degree level. I'm currently in an ADN program and will continue on with an RN to BSN or RN to MSN program once I pass boards. Once you're an RN you have more options with regards to pursuing that BSN - Going this route will take more time but if you really want that BSN this is a way to get it.

points are a combination of gpa and completed course work. course work is 60% of the scale or 60 points. gpa is the other 40% or 40 points. a 4.0 gpa = 40 points. gpa is calculated using nursing pre-regs and support classes only. go to the hec section of the spc website and you'll find a gpa calculator. it's getting very difficult to get into the program without having all your course work done. most people admitted into the program have all their course work done and a gpa of 3.7 or better.

I could be mistaken but I heard that the CON was considering changing that policy. The rationale was that there were so many 2nd degree applicants with extremly high GPA's the second degree program was taking to many seats away from upper division applicants. Again, I could be mistaken so I'd check with the CON for confirmation.

If you don't have a regular physician you may want to try The Minute Clinic for your physical and shots. A school physical is only $39.00 and they can also do your TB test. They are located in select CVS stores go to their website to see if there is a location close to you. You don't need an appointment and they are usually pretty quick.

Thanks for sharing your good news! I had a feeling you'd make it. If you have questions or if I can offer any advice don't hesitate to ask. You'll do fine and all the Level One instructors are all pretty good.

Only 18 showed? That's precisely why they have the mandatory meeting. The meeting is just one more hoop they make you jump through so they know you're serious and have the ability to start the program on a short notice. Regarding the K&E text... Level I jumps around a lot. I can tell you that the first test includes Ch. 3,4,10,11 and possibly another... Hopefully you'll hear something soon good luck.

I’ll be honest SPC wasn’t my first choice for school. I really wanted to do the accelerated BSN program at USF but wasn’t accepted into that program. With that being said I must say that I’m very please with SPC. Personally I’m a big fan of state schools as I think they deliver a terrific value. There are some good private institutions out there but some of the cost involved get are outrageous. Like everything SPC is what you make of it. Every program has it’s quirks but thus far I’ve been pleased with my instructors and think SPC does a great job with providing a good clinical experiences. Shoot for the A in your remaining classes and you’ll be able to form your own opinion. Good luck.

Indeed I was an alternate for the program and got in last fall. SPC does everything they can to make sure the program is full, which is why they have alternates. At the alternate meeting you'll get some information about the program and asked to rank the available schedules according to your preference. Schedules are determined by clinical site along with time (day or evening classes). They fill available seats according to how alternates are ranked and try to work with your preference. There is a late orientation session for HEC students. Keep this date open as they will continue to fill seats up until this date. I got a phone call two days before orientation asking if I could attend and start the program. The only draw to being accepted late and the late orientation is you have less time to get everything done. You'll need to do ATI testing, get a physical, drug test, shots, CPR certification... It can be overwhelming but don't panic you don't need to have everything done by the first day of class. Good luck.