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Woops. I meant to take this summer OR fall.

It's taught by **************8 and is online. I'm looking for a good online pathophys class to take this summer of fall. Having a difficult time finding recommendations. Thoughts??

Hey you guys - if any of you are still out there, can you please send me a copy as well? I'm panicking over the science on the exam (this Tuesday!). [email protected]

Ditto Oceangel & elkpark. If you watch the needle you can indeed obtain SBP & DBP. That comes from my grandfather, a surgeon and veteran. It is certainly not ideal but a good skill for those you-never-know-scenarios.

I'm sure that there are instances where a sonographer makes more than an RN, but they don't make more generally. As a nurse you can earn a much higher salary the longer you're a nurse. With Sonographers, it caps out quickly. I researched sonography as career & the salary stats hold true regionally and nationally.

Not necessarily. I had the same question. The TEAS test I'll be taking is v. 3.0. Go figure. Ask your nursing program coordinator. ATI is no help, btw.

Hey folks! Just wondering what the job market is looking like in Asheville and vicinity for a new grad with a BSN?? I know some hospitals/clinics prefer ASNs and some prefer BSNs and so forth. Trying to suss out the likelihood that I'll be hired upon graduation. Relocation isn't an option. Also, where do you all suggest working (i.e. hospitals/ floors/ clinics that are friendly to new grads or especially team oriented, etc)? Thanks for your help/ advice~

It depends on your area, the hospital hiring practices and the number of new ASN and BSN grads being spit out by the local institutions. Where I live, several Universities/ Community Colleges have pretty much doubled their degree awards - and the hospitals will hire ASNs but "prefer" BSNs (as listed in all the new grad hospital website job posts). Very few new grad spots. Call the hospitals and ask the recruiter about their 'hiring-of-new-grad-practices' and ask how many applicants they see per new grad job posting. Even if you don't want to work at the hospital, the answer will tell you a lot.

I know it's an unsound bias (the BSN over the ADN) but since a lot of hospitals fully embrace that bias, I'd look at clinics as well. One way to keep your foot in the door, so to speak, is to to continue to 'shadow' nurses to 'see what field you prefer to work in' (just to keep making connections). Keep the conversations going. Here's the thing - people really want you to succeed and it makes them feel good to have a role in that, in your development, so if you make it a point to (selectively) ask for advice - from whomever has the power to hire at whatever clinic you volunteer or shadow at - ask them for the advice and keep in contact with them. Send thank you notes. Call and leave a voicemail of thanks and let them know your positive thoughts on their advice. Continue in that manner. And of course, if you;re running out of time, do it fast. This worked for me in virtually every 'no-way-possible' experience. And I gained some wonderful contacts/ friends. YOU CAN DO IT. But it'll take being really proactive to make it work in this economy. GOOD LUCK.

Thanks! I just have to decide if it's a worthy risk (I'd love to go the BSN route). My current thinking is that it just isn;t worth the rick and I should probably go the masters or dr of physical therapy route. It's just a surer thing. It's too bad that I have to assess the risk so thoroughly, but it's due to my circumstances. Anyways, thanks and good luck!!

I was considering doing the accelerated BSN program nearby but see that a lot of new grads aren't finding work yet. I know the hospitals here advertise "BSN preferred" but that doesn't mean that the entire industry isn't just saturated. I just found out the program I was applying to has actually quadrupled their ABSN output this year. OUCH! Having a family, I can't afford to get out of school and not find work. I'm sure you can relate. Barely makin' it right now. Thoughts?

Do you have your BSN or your ASN?

If it were unrealistic then I'd opt for a different degree. Sadly. Thank you guys for your help!

That is very helpful. Thank you!

Understood. Maybe the DPT is a better option. I just think I'd really prefer nursing. It has to be feasible financially though. Oh - and community college isn't an option. First, no one here hires new ASN grads anymore (all prefer BSNs now and I can't move) and second, I already have a BA and can't get any assistance at all via the community college here. SO, I have to go to the state school which is a 3 hr commute. Lovely.

THANK YOU for sharing your story with all of us, with me. Thank you. You will find the right place. It does exist. It will just take longer than it should. And I'm sorry you ever went through what you went through. Lately, I find myself repeatedly upset by the lack of integrity shown by those with power. It is so unnecessary. It is so sad. It is so unjust. It shouldn't and doesn;t have to be that way. It's just incomprehensible to me. You know, I say that having been the owner of a large, successful, profit driven company too. I just never thought to put profit over honesty or humanity. Why? It makes no sense. Anyway, I wish you the best. Honesty is the best policy!!!

I understand entirely. Although if I couldn't take out loans, then I'd likely never go back to school. Which is too involved to convey here. I must say though, that debt doesn't bother me as long as it's reasonable enough to pay off early (obviously, without penalty). If I can't afford to pay a significant amnt more than is technically due, then any debt is 'bad' in my mind. I don't mind taking it on as long as I can be quickly free of it. I'm willing to sacrifice for that freedom as well. And I'm good with a budget. So, it all comes down to how reasonable $55k is on a nurse's salary. I have the discipline but I also have the financial quicksand of family, hehe.

Are you finding that monthly payment to be reasonable? And to be sure I understood - you're managing $1300/ month out of your salary as a RN (some for loans, some for ed)? I am finishing the last of my pre-reqs right now. I'll be enrolled in either the ABSN, MPT or DPT program in the fall (knock on wood). The budget I generated makes it look like the BSN is NOT very realistic... but I want very much for it to be realistic so I'm looking for evidence that my paper budget is erroneous (as they frequently are) and that I just rounded up way too many times (as I frequently do)... and that the BSN degree would fit my financial needs just fine! LOL.

Oh - I know! I really do. I have paid back student loans b4. I've also had massive debt that I paid back (early even). BUT the big difference was that it was my company's debt and it changes the entire terrain of what monthly is manageable (since in that world, what you make is entirely up to you & that's not a fixed salary). Plus, I was single, sans family. Entirely different. I'm not foolish enough to go for the $110k. But I am considering $55k with a BSN and not a great job outlook (lots and lots of nurses here, though most with ASNs). I'd prefer it to the MPT because I am much more inspired by organs (love that pancreas!!) and the evolution of MRSA, BUT I have other responsibilities, which I won't get into right now. So, how realistic is the $55k? Anybody?

Thanks you guys! I understand what I'll be paying per month, but my question is really, how reasonable is it to pay back these $50-70k worth of loans on a nurse's salary? The monthly does indeed vary (rest assured that I'm savvy, & am only going for low interest staffords but there are other terms which change your payments) so I didn't list an amount. I'm just concerned about such a large debt and because it's out of my frame of reference... I'm hoping for a reality check from you guys who have opted for that kind of debt. Did it work? You have work? Re-payment is in process? You can still eat?? Your kids still have insurance? Etc. Know what I'm saying? If it's iffy then what would make it work?

OK, I just read the posts as to how much everyone owes. The real question for me, having just applied to an ABSN program AND an MPT program, is how much are you paying per month on those loans? AND is it do-able w/ your income? I already owe $20k. So, that puts me at $40k owed for the ABSN program.... and $70k for the MPT program. Yes, these are in state schools. And to those of you who were posting disbelief over the price of private ed - I can say that fter being in a public school, I can totally understand why the private was more. Lots of reasons. The private vs public is just a choice between different variables. But really - how's everyone doing with their loan repayment???????? What amnt ceases to be reasonable debt?