Live4Medicine

This is really good information to know. I had no idea grants paid for the accelerated BSN at OLOL. I wasn't considering OLOL because of the cost of tuition, but I may have to reconsider if there are options for tuition costs. Please keep us posted. I am looking at schools in Baton Rouge. Btw Lagirl1974, congratulations on your acceptance!

Student4lyf, Thanks a lot that definitely helps! I don't know if I'll get in, so after this fall semester of A & P and applying for nursing school in the spring I may take the CNA refresher and start working. It's just me, but I prefer the certification, it may make a difference in doing a little work and some decent pay while in school. CNA it is!

Hello Students: I have a question for you. I already have my B.S. and more than 10 years ago was a certified nursing assistant, but got married and changed careers. I am taking my last pre-nursing class this fall. In the spring I will be applying to nursing program for next fall 2011. I am thinking about taking the CNA curriculum and taking state boards and see if I can get some work hours here and there before nursing school. But I like the curriculum of the CMA course too. It seems MAs get to do more from patient care (injections, ultrasound) and office and billing know-how. I saw that I can do both programs online and at my own pace, since I've taken the CNA curriculum and am registered for A & P I for the fall, I figured they wouldn't be hard to complete. Anyone else take a similar route and why did you choose which curriculum? Also, which is more beneficial to a hospital, CNA or MA? Thanks in advance!

I definitely agree to shop around. Try half.com, it defaults to Ebay used textbooks and they usually have books that other websites don't carry. I have been able to find most of my books from here for school at great prices.

Thank you for your reply. I emailed them for an information package this morning. I hope to get more details so that I can work on needed coursework this fall and next spring in case I don't get in to BRCC next fall.

Count me in! I have recently registered and purchased my textbooks. I have even started studying and familiarizing myself with the course content. Very cool stuff, but I know it will be very stressful when its time to test on it. See ya round!

Thank you so much--great advice! I am preparing for A & P I in the fall and because I'm so nervous, I've book and have been studying the book. I also called the professor and requested the syllabus. He said it wasn't ready, but he emailed me the test content for the the 5 exams. They are pages of "explain and describe" between 79 and 90 chapter objectives. I am reading as much as I can right now and trying to make application. However, per your suggestions, I believe I will adding flash cards and the putting things together like a story. Great tips! I'll have to wait until school starts to determine lecture and testing styles. If I can get an "A" in this class, my GPA for courses reviewed will be a 3.6 for my spring nursing application. I need it!! See you round!

Hello Everyone, I am really trying to make a decision here and hoping for some insight. I am taking my last pre-req for Baton Rouge Community College to apply next Spring, but trying to see if I can set myself up for applying in more than one place (don't we all :)). Since I'm in Baton Rouge, my choices are quite limited--BRCC, OLOL, SU (traditional BSN) and BR General (if I want a diploma and I don't). I currently hold a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration-- and low and behold, the only 2nd degree BSN is at OLOL. I am curious as to what others did in this situation. I know that with the constant traffic and timing of classes the commute from here to New Orleans for LSU Care or Charity School of Nursing, I'm looking at a 1 1/2 hr drive at least. Since this is a second BSN, my funding is limited, I already have student loans, so I anticipate paying out of pocket for more than 90% of the cost. For that reason and the one strike you're out situation, I am leaning away from OLOL. Should I just look at starting over at Southern University? I am looking at Southeastern's 2nd degree BSN and possibly that of ULL in Lafayette, but I'm wondering if I have exhausted all of my resources. Please advise Baton Rouge nurses, I need your help.

I don't know anything about where you live, but based on your age, have you tried looking at an affordable four year college for your BSN? As I said, I don't know about CA, but here in the south, LSU, Loyola, and other neighboring schools are much cheaper. Or perhaps you can get your CNA (very short program) and work in the medical field for experience and exposure while in school. That's the route I wish I had taken. Hope that helps

This thread makes me feel right at home. I've wanted to be a nurse at least since I was 10 and always said a Peds nurse b/c I loved children. I went to college and became discouraged by the "who you know" and "4.1 GPA" to get in the program, so I went to a community college did the CNA program-loved it. I started the LPN program, and for some reason became highly unfocused and got married. I completed Phlebotomy coursework and was working at a bank during all of this and kept getting promotions (which kept me from pursuing medical). Needless to say, now 10 years later, I have a BS in Business Admin, am a branch manager and I'm not happy because it's not Nursing. I am 32 y/o, married with 2 young kids (8 & 6) and more determined than ever to get where I want to be in the medical field. I am completing one more pre-req A & P I for the community college nursing program this fall and will continue if not accepted for SELU's 2nd degree BSN program. I am hoping very strongly to get in next fall 2011 for Nursing. Thank you for your encouraging words and allowing me to share.