on_the_path

I completed Block 3 over the summer at SCC. I would definitely say it was grueling. Lectures were very long, we are talking about 8-10 hour long lecture days at times. And we had some weeks where we had 2 clinical days per week. The last week we had something school related going on M-Th. I reduced my hours at work over the summer and only worked 24 hours per week. Block 4 over the summer would be interesting since the in-class portion is shorter which leaves time for preceptorship. So lecture days may be shorter than we had, but you would probably have 2 weeks at most to get your preceptorship done. And I specifically remember pretty much being at my wits end by the time that semester was over. Probably from completely all four blocks of nursing school without a long breather like a summer off. But you will be almost finished with nursing school, so that incentive may get you through it. In retrospect, taking my block over the summer was one of the best decisions I ever made, but that was also due to perfect timing in regards to clinical sites, and landing a job because of a great preceptorship. Good luck no matter your decision!

I would seriously think about it. I drove from the area around San Tan Village in Gilbert to SCC during my time in nursing school. It seemed like fate threw in an extra hurdle when they decided to rip up the 101 freeway and begin what has turned out to be 2 years of constant construction right when I started. I just know it was so annoying when I would have to drive to school just for a 1 hour long requirement like a lab checkoff, or a quick exam. You really have to think about that. But you do what you have to in order to get that degree! We had a classmate that lived in FLAGSTAFF! And you may have classmates that also happen to live in Ahwatukee and you could car-pool.

I think they are interviewing the candidates with a previous/existing relationship with Mayo first. I know someone who works there that also has an interview next week.

Here are my two cents for what they are worth to you: I am in my early thirties, and needed a career change (last 11 years spent in allied health) into something that could pay better than what I am making now, has lots of room for growth and different opportunities, and could be rewarding at the same time. I came to the conclusion that nursing could check all those boxes for me. I am also male and was hesitant at first, but I have seen many good male nurse role models out in the field. I am in my last semester of an ADN program at a Maricopa Community College. My suggestion to you: Definitely look into the Maricopa ADN programs and get started on your pre-requisites ASAP so you can apply. I was lucky and already worked for HonorHealth (formerly Scottsdale Healthcare) when I applied, and they have paid ALL of my tuition, leaving me to just pay for books and supplies like stethoscope and shoes. I believe they offer tuition reimbursement once you have been employed for 6 months, or perhaps a year. So you could go that route. I think the concurrent enrollment options through the Maricopa schools and NAU or ASU is the best option to save a little money, but I was really worried about being able to take on that kind of work load since I had to work 3-4 days per week for financial reasons. If you don't have to work, do the concurrent enrollment thing!!! If you need more of a work/life/school balance, go the ADN route and know that yes, it can be difficult to get a new-grad job right now with so many students graduating from BSN programs, but it is NOT impossible, especially if you already have your foot in the door at a health system. I could relate to you when you wrote that you preferred to be volunteering instead of working. I think, like me, you will find nursing and caring for people extremely rewarding. Good luck!

Yes, they offer it twice a year. I believe the other start date is in July, but I forgot when the application process for it begins. You either have to keep watching their site or click on the link that says "For questions - email us" and ask them closer to that time.

I applied for both, but I only had 100 hours of critical care experience if I counted up my clinical rotations, I don't work in an ICU or anything like that. I wonder if they extend offers in December after they see our final grades for the last semester? I'm going to try not to get nervous until I'm actually told I have an interview (if that happens).

I also applied for this, as I also graduate in December. Do you know how long it typically takes to hear if you get an interview? I would be very excited to start my nursing career at Mayo, but I'm trying to stay realistic and not get too excited.

Here you go. I don't own the image, if you search "male nurse symbol" in Google images, it's the third image that pops up. I've always thought it was pretty cool.

I'm glad I could give you some ideas. If you are severely hard of hearing, Littmann also makes an electronic stethoscope where you can adjust the VOLUME on it! We have 2 students that have hearing aides that use this model. It is very pricey though, currently $345 on Amazon. It was a good idea to defer if you aren't financially prepared yet. I was able to save some money and pay down many bills in the 2.5 years I had on the waiting list, and then thankfully I was able to go down to part-time once I started. I think part-time is the perfect balance. I have seen some students try to work full-time, and they often look like zombies! However, I feel the students that don't work at all spend most of their time over-worrying about our exams and lab check offs. Plus, if you can work part-time in a hospital, it gives you a leg up for when it is time to get a job. Good luck!

First off, I am very sorry to hear about what you are going through right now. That said, one of the things they are CONSTANTLY telling us at SCC is to "BE FLEXIBLE!". At first us students joked about it, but it does get old after a while. It refers to the way things in the program can constantly change. Dates, times, clinical sites, mornings vs evenings, all of these things have changed for students at one time or another. This is all much easier for those that don't have to work, but I have been blessed with an employer that is very understanding and just happy to have me work when I can. I think you will need to just learn to go with the punches, a constantly changing environment reflects what life is like as an RN! Try not to stress about the uncertainty. I have seen some students stress so much about things like this that it affected their exam scores and they ended up not moving on the the next Block.

From what everyone has been telling me, things have been getting better. I had a co-worker get her ADN in Dec 2013 and it took her 8 months to find a job, not directly in the hospital. Fast forward a bit, and another co-worker just got her BSN in May 2015 and got 2 full time job offers in hospitals within a month! It really all depends on where they have a need, and of course it helps if you know someone.

Hello, I'm currently a student in Block 4 at SCC. As far as nursing gifts for Christmas, I would honestly ask for an Amazon.com giftcard! I remember the bookstore wanted close to $1000 for the books they recommend getting at the start of the program, but I was able to purchase them all on Amazon for around $680. You can also rent the books from Amazon if you want to. You will also need a good stethoscope, preferably a good Littmann. A RN that was hard of hearing recommended to me the Cardiology III, so I invested in that one. Good nursing shoes that won't leave you hobbled after a 12 hour clinical will usually be over $100, you can try them on at a nursing store and then order them on Amazon for cheaper. A BP cuff is only around $20, so I would suggest purchasing that for yourself instead of asking for one as a gift, unless you want just a small gift. Hope this helps!

CONGRATULATIONS smilinjen!!! :balloons:

Hey AkAtHrt, did you ever apply to the GCU fast-track program in the east valley??? You said it was based near Banner Gateway, which is practically in Gilbert. Were you referring to the A.T. Still University campus on Recker and Baseline? I went to a GCU BSN info session in November, and they said that they PLANNED on having classes there, but since then, I have not heard of anyone actually preparing to take GCU classes there, so I wondered if their program was still being offered at that location??? I also live VERY close by, so I am crossing my fingers that their plan is still a "go" :) Also, if anyone is still worried about GPA's, I was told at the info session that they are most concerned with your GPA in general bio, bio 201 and 202, micro bio, intro to chemistry, and pathophysiology. This will become your science GPA. They actually said your science GPA will be looked at, as well as your GPA for all your pre-req's combined. This applied to coming in with pre-req's done and going directly into the BSN program but without a previous degree, but I would assume it is the same for those already possessing a bachelor's degree of some kind. I was told it would be very wise to keep my science GPA at or above a 3.5, but for all the pre-req's as a whole, we were told they even offer a scholarship for people coming in with a total pre-req GPA of 3.25, so I think that says something. It seemed like a great program to me, everyone at the school seemed genuinely nice, they now have locations close to just about any part of the valley, and it's an excellent way to leap-frog everyone waiting 5 to 6 semesters to start the ASN program at the community colleges. Yes, $41,250 for 5 semesters (after already paying for all the pre-reqs) seems like a lot, but they do offer many GPA based scholarships, and as someone pointed out, that's the chunk of change some of the trade schools want for an ASN!!!