Calixan

Meh, definately slacking. I'm actually at starbucks right now to redo some assignments. I need a motivation partner!

Eck, so many grammar/spelling errors in my previous post. Sorry!

There you go, nursing experience not just RN experience. People gain experience through different avenues and to have them wait 3-5 years before entering an NP program seems crazy to me just because they weren't an RN all those years. People have experience as an LVN for example and I've known some really amazing RN's who were paramedics for years before becoming an RN. That just seems insane to me to make those people wait 3+ yrs before advancing just because they lack RN experience. I've actually known plenty LP/RN's who were in their first yr of nursing who could run circles around some RN's with over 5 yrs experience. Especially with cardiac patients. These are the nurses I don't think need to wait all those years experience especially when they are entering a field they already have plenty experience in. Just an example, Medics with 10+ yrs experience and 2 yrs as an RN I don't think should be denied entry into a 2-3 yrs NP program. A lot of the nurses I know in my dept at interested in Acute Care NP and to make them wait to become a NP in a field they have years of experience in, I don't know maybe I'm crazy but that doesn't make sense to me (we hire NP's in the ER I work in). This is what I mean when I say look at the person as a whole. We may just have to agree to disagree on this topic. We could debate the subject forever.

While all that may be true, I still don't think all NP schools should require 3-5 yrs experience. Maybe look at the person as a whole and their knowledge base/experience. Or require some type of entrance test to see where you stand (not the GRE because that's just not going to cut it as far as nursing knowledge) kind of like they do before nursing school but maybe cover more nursing topics. I don't know, just an idea. On the other hand, hands on experience is going to be better than a test. I see what you're saying with the clinical hours of NP/PA but that's why I think they should look at the individual and not automatically require 3 yrs experience. I would like to have a life again/kids, and hopefully sooner than 7 years down the line.

I can kind of see the view of that. Just as doctors and PA's don't have to have any medical experience before going to school, and most of them never work in the medical field at all until after they have graduated. At least those who go to a FNP program (usually) gain some nursing experience during their 2-3 yrs program. I have to say I am personally grateful that not all universities require the 3-5 yrs experience. The school I am looking to attend does require 1 year experience as an RN so the post masters after WGU is going benefit me in this particular case. I've worked as an LVN for 4 1/2 years before graduating RN school. That would suck if I had to wait 8 years after becoming a nurse to FINALLY be admitted into a FNP program. Although the roles are different from LVN to RN...some would argue the same as the roles being different for RN to NP. With that all being said, I would hope a new grad nurse with no health care experience would want to gain some experience before starting an FNP program, but everyone is different and not everyone learns the same. So to each their own I guess.

That is my plan too actually. I want to be an NP and it will be a lot cheaper going through WGU first and less time. If you don't start WGU in July, where will you go? You'll end up waiting to get into school somewhere. I know how you feel about being pushed back, I was initially suppose to start in March. I didn't have all my stuff together so then April, well they had me under RN-BSN instead of RN-MSN which was full til June. So I know how you feel, just stick it out. It will be here before you know it! 99% of the reviews I've read for WGU have been nothing but good. Can't beat that!

I still havent heard back from my EC, but if I start in May. Count me in!!!

I just recently graduated from CTC and having received my LVN from another school, I can say CTC has a lot of work to do. I too had problems getting into their program after being lied to and I also had countless problems in the program. I am just glad to be done with that school and I have no intention on ever stepping foot back on their grounds. I also have 3 co-workers who are trying to transition from LVN-RN and they have been getting the run around so 2 of them have given up on going there. I've heard of much better outcomes from Temple College students. Can't speak fully for them since I didn't go there but from what I heard, I would of preferred that school. Good Luck to you!

I am scheduled to start the RN-MSN in leadership on June 1st.

I am scheduled to start June 1st but I talked with my enrollment counselor today and I may be able to move up to the May 1st start date. I am doing the RN-MSN program but we have the same classes to begin with. I am up for having a buddy or two, or ten (lol) to keep each other on track. If I get moved up (I'll find out on the 16th), I will email you. I'm so excited to get this started and done! I am done with all pre-reqs except Biochem.

DO NOT DO LAMAR STATE LVN-RN PROGRAM!!!!!!!! Take it from an LVN who has tried it. I started with one girl and neither of us were able to pass. I was about 6-7 months into the program. They're testing in the program is not good, and when I called to ask questions, the instructor told me she wasn't allowed to discuss grades over the phone. Well its an online program, I am not driving way to PA. On top of that, you have to find your own clinical site and if you are in Central Texas....GOOD LUCK WITH THAT! Unless you want a home health or Nursing home, I couldn't find a single hospital that would take clinical students from Port Arthur. When I started the Program I lived in East Texas and you may find clinical sites there but once I moved to central texas....NOTHING! Also when I moved to central texas, there were two girls at the hospital I work at that were doing the program as well and they both failed out as well. I am telling you, this is not a good program at all. Do not waste your time or money! I just wish I would of got a warning before I started and it wasn't til after I got out of the program that I realized they had a warning on the BON site. Good Luck to the brave souls willing to try this school. But don't say no one warned ya!

In the ER I work in currently we do verbal reports but in the ER I worked in previously, we did SBARs and that seemed to work out well. Basically had all the general info on the patient, name, age, hx, allergies, current vs, sx, etc. Then that was faxed up to the floor and the patient was sent up 15-20 min later. If it was a critical sick patient like on going to the unit, then yes we called report. Sometimes I like the calling report thing but a lot of times I wish I could go back to sending SBARs just because usually when I call the floor the nurse is "too busy, giving meds, in with a sick patient" etc. Oh well, nursing isn't easy and I guess communication about patients isn't either.

There is a difference between graduation rate, and NCLEX pass rate. I have found that a lot of schools have high nclex passing rate, but very few have good graduation rates. Might want to clarify and that is also something i am trying to find out about this school. For example, Lamar State College is NOT a good program to attend. I know that for a fact, don't believe me, check the board of nursing.

OMG!!! I wish I would have seen all this before hand!!! I would have applied already! I was in an RN program but got out of it in March and I been looking to do straight BSN now. But if I would have known I could start another ADN program this fall already I would have applied. Ugh! Well you guys let me know how it goes and I will be applying for the spring. Gosh I want to cry I could have been there with you all haha. Good Luck in your classes!

I graduated high school when I was 17 and I been paying out of pocket since my second semester. My parents never paid for school. I was never a party girl and I still did bad. I just simply didnt like school. I am paying for it now. I'm an LVN trying to get into a bridging program. I know this post is old but I just had to say not all bad grades come from people partying because their parents pay for school. Some come from people overwhelming themselves because they want to get out quick (like me taking 18+ hrs a semester) which caused poor grades, which is causing me to be in school longer.