lukeslichy

I work at the Minneapolis V.A. as an ADN. Anywhere will tell you BSN is preferred. It may be hard to get a job right out of school but get some experience at LTC or TCU and keep applying, you will eventually get in somewhere if you are persistant.

Hello! Welcome to MN. Eagan is a great area tons of hospitals and healthcare facilities around to apply at. I graduated two years ago, in general what I have seen from my classmates is it takes about a year of working in a TCU or LTC for you to get into a hospital job. I am not sure how/if your cardiac experience will help since it is so limited. Definitely apply to everywhere you can, but to be realistic you may have to work in a TCU for awhile before you can get back into a hospital. I was lucky, I got into a hospital with a 2 year degree after only 4 months in a TCU but only because I had worked as a student nurse at the hospital. BSNs are preferred of course but 2 year R.N.s do get hired in hospitals still (I am not sure if you are a BSN or not). Anyway best of luck to you! If you have any other questions I could help with please feel free to PM me.

Suburbanite here... Personally I enjoy living outside the city in a southern suburb so I will give you my opinion. Houses are cheap. The downside to that is having to commute in to the city. I work at the V.A. in Minneapolis. I absolutely love it and would never leave. The pay and benefits are amazing (to me at least). I commute about 35 min each way, which is a bit of a drive but it's worth it for me to not have to live in the city! I actually have heard some of my co workers complain even though they live closer and within the city if they hit traffic it takes them longer to get home than it takes me. Check out Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Apple Valley areas, these are all really nice places to raise a family if that's your ultimate goal. Check out google maps too it can tell you commute times at different times of day. That's all the advice I can offer you!

This might be too late for you, but when I was in nursing school I just bought one edition older of each book. It worked for me. The page numbers didn't line up (there is rarely new information in books it's mainly just swapped around so the publishers can profit) but that's an easy fix, you just read about the subject matter. I would also recommend not buying books until after you start the semester, some books we had to buy we barely used and were available for use in the library the one or two times you needed them. There are some you will use all the time though, like fundementals.. It's tricky but I ended up spending about $200 on books while my classmates spent over $1100.... Good luck!

Literally work as hard as you can. If you struggle on the first exam then start going to the teachers for help. Don't wait till the end of the semester where you have to get a 95% on an exam to pass the class. Theory and clinical are split and you have to get at least a 78% in each to pass. Do you live near farmington? I have a ton of stuff I would give you, textbooks that aren't getting anything at the bookstore and med cards!

Yep, that's exactly the Saunders book I meant. It's tough because they expect a lot of you. And it's hard to know what to study and how to study. You need to know the content and then be able to apply it. The tests are nerve wracking. There really are not a lot of tests, but that makes it worse in my opinion. If you do poorly on a test it's really hard to make it back up. Also tests are all that make up your "theory" grade. So if you aren't a good test taker you are constantly worried if you are going to make it. Clinical grades are comprised of papers, clinical, assignments, validations, etc. Most of the time almost everyone gets an A in clinical, sometimes maybe a B. If you work hard you'll be fine. It's kinda hard to explain how it is hard, you will understand though quickly into first semester.

I don't have any advice specifically about U of MN but I did have a similar experience. When I was looking into schools three years ago I called them and wanted to get some information. They were not informative at all and pretty much downright rude. The truth is that it is highly competitive like any other nursing program in the cities. Many people in my classes at Inver had prior degrees, great grades and could not get into that program. My best advice is to start applying to other programs like Inver's program. If you get an associates RN then you can get your BSN and Masters (if you want to do that) online while working and have your place of work either pay for it or help pay for it. I know the MN school of business also offers a BSN program that you can do in 3 years (no breaks for summers) but that option will be very expensive. Good luck to you!

I'm graduating this May from Inver's program. It's tough. My best advice is to try to focus just on school. If you have a job be willing to cut back on hours. If you have kids be prepared not to see them as much as you would like. I would not buy the books at the school, I bought mine on half.com and amazon and spent about half of what it was at the bookstore or heck find a Semester 4 person who is selling their stuff and buy from them! Wait until the first day of class each semester to buy any of the "required" books (after semester 1) they may say oh yeah that's not "really" required. I would also recommend buying a NCLEX book, and I would recommend Saunders. You can get an older version, it really doesn't matter. For the first 3 semesters Saunders lines up pretty close with the content they are teaching and gives you a different way to study and practice problems. The 4th semester I would get Lipincotts. These NCLEX books have helped me GREATLY. If there is one thing I would recommend doing before you go to school is get Saunders and start just learning/practicing nursing tests... It's quite different than any other testing I have experienced and it was quite a struggle for me (and still is). Lastly don't be too hard on yourself and be prepared to see your grades drop.... It's rough but do-able. Good luck!

Racer15- Thank you for the hints. You gave many similar hints to IamKosher so I am hoping the ice water/multiple days works for me! Thank you for your support!

Thank you ImKosher! I am really excited about going to SICU. I cannot wait to start. Thanks for the info about the nap, I will definitely do that. Ice water is a good idea. I will try that too. Working two/three nights in a row was kinda what I was thinking so thanks for that tip too!!

Hi! I am just wondering what people who have been through a similar experience to mine's advice would be. I just learned that my preceptorship (which starts next Thursday) will be 12 hour overnight shifts 8pm to 8am. I have to do 88 hours by May 13th but I want to try to get my hours done quickly if possible. I have never worked overnights before but I am a night owl so that will help. Is it better to group shifts together or give myself a day or two of rest in between each shift? (of course this will also be pending my preceptor's work schedule) Do you generally sleep right when you get home? I go to class one day a week for a few hours, and I have two small children who I am guessing will need to be watched the day after my shift. I really do not like caffeine. I react to just plain coffee with nausea and a racing heart for about an hour and then I crash so I know that is out of the question before someone suggests it Any suggestions would be great! I am looking forward to this preceptorship since it's in the SICU, just the hours worry me a bit. But it's only 7 shifts I know I can make it!!

Feb 1st. That was 2 years ago now! It was seriously the hardest wait ever. I think it's best to just keep telling yourself you won't hear until April so you aren't disappointed every day you don't get a letter....

Elizabeth- If it's anything like Inver's process I definitely wouldn't hold my breath about knowing before April 13th and be prepared for it to possibly take a little longer than that. They told us April 13th and we didn't find out until May 13th. It's a hard wait, good luck!

I just started my 4th semester in the Inver Hills nursing program on Monday. I realize that I'm not exactly a "new" admit but no one else has replied so I'll answer ya. The pre-reqs are pretty general for nursing schools and will take you anywhere from 1.5-2 years full time to complete before you get admitted into the program. You'll need your CNA certification as well. You could probably do it faster if you went super nuts and took a ton of credits and went during summers. I believe they accept applications and admit people 2x a year now. Used to be a once a year application thing when I got admitted. Basically you want as many of your pre-reqs done when you apply with the best grades possible. They will admit some students who have one or two pre-reqs to go sometimes but most people have them fully completed. They use a point process based off a test score you need to take prior to admission, how many pre-reqs you have done, GPA, and prior degrees you may have (I would say at least half if not more of my class has a prior B.A. or B.S.). If you don't have a prior degree it's just best to get the best grades possible. Oh they also give you a point for taking 10 classes or more at Inver (there may be a few that I am forgetting). I was admitted almost 1.5 years ago I had a 3.6 overall GPA with a 3.2 in my science classes (they look at both grades), I have a prior, unrelated B.A. I didn't have to take the test they now require, instead I had to complete 480 hours of work as a CNA. Things may have changed. I ended up being 12 on the waitlist but ended up starting in the Fall. It's very competitive! I'm not sure if that has gotten better since I was admitted but I have to assume it has not. Also since we have started we have lost at least 1/3 of the class we started with. I have kids and I work 1-2 days a week, it's quite a challenge but it's possible to do. I hope that gives you somewhat of what you were looking for.

If it were me with a new baby and still being in school I would take the Med/surg part time position. Unless there is some dire circumstances where you need the money you are going to burn yourself out with a full time postion/new baby/school. Just my two cents!

Kristiesin- It wouldn't hurt to throw your name in at Inver as well. It is so competitive here to get into schools the more you get your name out the better. Also I don't know if this is possible but if you can take a class or two online (do you have any classes you need to take?) at Century or NHCC. I am not positive about NHCC, but I know Century gives you points (toward getting into the program) for "residency status" meaning you have taken classes at that school. I am a 3rd semester nursing student at Inver right now and when I applied I was waitlisted at inver as #10 and Waitlisted at Century as #72. I figure that was because I had taken classes at Inver and not Century. Just a couple bits of info I thought you may like to know! Good luck to you!

If you are looking for the cheapest way simply buy older editions of the books. I wish I had done this and spend less than $100 instead of over $500 (and I bought used books online, buying them from the bookstore at school would have been over $1k). Or you could just buy the current editions online and save a ton of money if you are worried about using older editions. I personally have not jumped on to the ebook craze, especially for textbooks. I like to sell my books back when I am done with them and that isn't possible with ebooks. Also as AMRC6713 mentioned an ADN program really isn't all that different as far as studying/work then a BSN program. You are basically doing the first three years of a BSN program with an ADN program (the first year is pre-reqs, just like you had to do) and they generally start their nursing classes in their sophomore year. It's definitely not less intense. I am in an ADN program and when I talk to BSN students it sounds like our workload is similar. Just as AMRC6713 said, I am not trying to put your down but nursing school is really tough. Be prepared for quite the ride. Good luck to you!

I wouldn't stress about it too much. I'd bring a water bottle, pen and paper, and a lunch. I would not recommend buying your books at the school's bookstore. I saved over $300 ($500 instead of over $800) buying books on Amazon and half.com, in hindsight I wish I had bought older editions of all the books, but that may not be your thing. If you need to bring anything school related (drivers licence, etc) I would assume they would let you know that ahead of time. Good luck!

I agree with everyone else, totally a personal decision but I love giving my opinion so here's mine! In your situation where you have decided you want kids and you have 4 years of schooling to go I say have a baby now. Another poster said possibly and ADN program wouldn't be your best bet, definitely look into those options. I know for myself the accelerated BSN programs in my area were almost impossible to get into and I had a great GPA (of course this was in my area). If you were able to start nursing school in the fall and be done in two years I would have the baby when you finish. But that isn't the case, pre-reqs with a baby is very do-able. I had both my kids young (I was 24 and 26) and I do not regret it. I know people always say that women have babies in their late 30s and early 40s, this is really true. But the truth is the older you are the more likely you are to have complications with pregnancy, and you are a Type 1 diabetic on top of everything else. Don't sacrafice family for nursing school! I started my pre-reqs (I also have a totally unrelated 4 year degree) with a 9 month old and a 3 year old. You can totally do it! One more thing I want to mention. ASN is almost like a 3 year degree. I can finish up my 4 year degree with just one more year of schooling after it's finished. Places around here let you do it online and go in for clinical. Getting the ADN is the hard part!

That's a hard question. Like I have said earlier in prior posts the St. Kates program is probably the "easiest" program to get into. If you are willing to spend the money you can most likely get in there. It'll be 3x the price, but if it's your only choice what can you do? Also the good thing about their program is they offer nights and weekends (I have heard, also I am talking about their two year nursing program RN), which would be helpful with 3 kids and a full time job. Some colleges do not look at the second grade if you retake the class, that's another thing to consider. Also I would not recommend going for LPN. The only place you will get a job is a nursing home and the pay is not good at all from what I have heard.... Good luck to you!

Hey I just wanted to update you, I saw in the Inver Hills newletter that now they are doing two application dates. One for the Fall and one for the Spring. The spring deadline is August 29th. Not sure if Century is doing the same thing but you may want to check into it. Hopefully you get in!

I have heard any facility that accepts money from medicaid is obligated to pay you for your CNA training. I worked at a nursing home in Farmington and got paid for my CNA course after 6 weeks of work. The hospital I talked to in Northfield also paid for it. Call facilities and ask. I am sure most will.

Zebro- Ah yes I forgot to mention that. I heard that their pass rates were starting to climb again recently!

The benefit in going to St. Kates is the fact you can get directly into the program. Is it better than Century or Inver? Actually Inver and Century's NCLEX pass rates are much higher than St. Kates. I am currently finishing up my second semester of Invers nursing program. I already had a 4 year degree and I couldn't stomach paying the high tuition rate at St. Kates for the exact same degree. I did think about it though because the process of getting into Inver or any other college is a total pain in the butt. Honestly if I were in your situation I would lay out the classes you still need to get degrees at both colleges see which program you could get through faster. If in the end you can get through St. Kates a year before Inver/century well maybe that's your best bet because you'll have that year to make an RN's salary. Also if science classes aren't your strong suit it may be hard to get into Inver/Century if you don't keep your science GPA above 3.5. You said you haven't had science since high school, you probably need to take General bio, A&P 1&2, and Micro (in addition to whatever other prereqs you need) before you can even start a nursing program. I would highly recommend doing those at a community college, actually when I took micro many St. Kates students were in my class since they didn't offer it over the summer at St. Kates. Anyway I hope this jumbled mess helps ya. My brain is fried, it's working overtime right now with end of the semester tests! Feel free to PM me or ask me questions if you have them!

Exactly Feistn, I think that's what happened last year. Like I said a girl that was in the 20s on the wait list was accepted in last Fall, with everyone applying to multiple schools you never know!