Yet2bRN

Eaglewmn, What was your experience of the online RN-BSN program at UMFK? I graduated from NHCTC-Stratham in May and like you (and many others!)working full-time, mom etc are looking for a non-campus option for degree completion. Any info/advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jewelshouse and all others with children contemplating nursing school - you can do it!! I have just finished my first year in a 2 year program - half way - woohoo!! I have a 7 and 9 year old and fortunately great friends and a supportive husband that have helped me through this. My kids know how much nursing school means to me and even when I was having to wake them up at 5.45AM to take them to a sitter they didn't complain - well not too often! I am fortunate that I don't work; I always had the time to keep our house tidy and attend most of my kids' school functions and sports activities. My advice is follow your dream and take all the help your friends and family will offer you. I have no family here in the US and my husband's family live a distance from us; my husband works long hours and my friends all work but somehow it all worked out. Sometimes I wonder how - but it did! Take it a semester at a time and do get all prereqs and general education classes completed before you begin nursing school - I can't stress this enough. Nursing school is hard work but you can still be a great mom/dad at the same time and the end result is a job to be so proud of. Let your kids be part of your journey - let them decorate your notebooks with stickers, take them to visit your college and do your homework with them. I bought my kids their own stethoscopes(cheap ones), involve them as much as you can. Keep up with your work and stay organized - this saves precious time to spend with your family. Oh, and don't forget the slow cooker - mine became one of the most used items in the kitchen, that is after the coffee pot!!! I hope my tips can help some of you and enable you to follow your dreams. Good luck to you all!!

Roxxy - Congrats on your acceptance to Stratham!! I will be a senior there in the fall so will no doubt see you around! Look forward to a year that will fly be - I can't believe that my first year is almost up!

Hi Jamie-Sue, Yes we have a pharm/math test at the beginning of each semester and you are right we have to get a 90 but we do get 3 attempts. It is a case of really keeping up with drugs we cover in lecture and any math formulas throughout the semesters - easier said than done!! Our clinicals are one day a week for the first semester, then two days from then on. We first do a semester in long-term care/rehab then for the last three semesters we rotate through maternal-child, med-surg(x3), psych and community. Our clinical rotations are 8 per group we have 56 approx in our class. I wouldn't say they are slow to teach things, however, I would say we are expected to seek opportunities in clinical. Congrats on your acceptance to Concord and good luck with your other applications!! Bye!

Hi! roxy3773, Stratham has been a great experience so far! For the most part the instructors are excellent - very supportive and encouraging. A lot is expected of us all but I think we all knew that going into the program! The second semester is so much more of a challenge than the first and I hear it only gets worse! As far as the students go, the ages vary, we have six males, varying levels of education and health care experience; I would say we all get along really well. Any other questions - let me know!

Good luck to all who are waiting for THE letter!! I was in the same position last year and remember it well!! I was literally stalking the mailman!! Anyway I did get accepted to NHCTC-Stratham and I received my letter at the end of the first week in April - so I would say anyone waiting on Stratham will hear next week! Again good luck to all

I found this "old" thread after doing a search to find tips/ways to organize my family and my own schedule before nursing school starts in September. I found some great ideas - I am sure others will too. My problem at the moment is trying to work out what to do with my 8 and 6 year old at 6am in the morning! I have a feeling I will work it out but am getting a little nervous. Anyone else having issues with before-school care? Any other organizational tips?

Congratulations Kevin! What a great feeling it must be to be graduating after all that hard work. I start at Stratham this fall and can't wait! I am imagining the 2 years will fly by. The best of luck with your nursing career.

RNIZER3000 - Although your post was to Nursewannabe I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experience. I have been accepted to Stratham for the fall and I believe the program is very similar to that of Manchester - please correct me if I am wrong. I think I will print your post and give it to my husband! I don't think many people understand the work involved to succeed in nursing school; I personally am looking forward to the challenges. Any other advice, tips and information would certainly be appreciated! Good luck in your second year.

Hey Michelle, I am taking Micro through the summer too - what are we thinking?!! I will be using "Microbiology - An Introduction" by Tortora/Funke/Case. I'll keep an eye on this thread for sure!

Lots of luck and congratulations! I am going to NHCTC-Stratham but still wanted to send wishes!

andre - Thanks for the information regarding the uniform. "Hunter green" sounds just fine to me - I am sure we'll find out for definite soon enough. I have heard many good things about the Stratham program - I am so excited to get to find out for myself! You mentioned that maybe you'll see one of us in clinicals - which hospital are you at?

I live in Southern Maine and do frequently read this thread - I will now start posting as well!! I have just been accepted to NHCTC-Stratham for the fall 06 nursing program!! I had hoped to be able to apply to the "pending" program at York County Community College (closer to home) but that has yet to materialize, however, I have heard good reports of the Stratham program so am glad to be going there. Good luck to all out there with your plans and careers.

Great news, coley28!!! Lots of good news, thank goodness!! See you in September Just out of interest, does anyone know what the uniform requirement is for NHCTC-Stratham? I am hoping it is not all-white! Thanks

Ifod4me, Congrats to you!!!:balloons: I also received my letter from NHCTC-Stratham and I am in!! At last the waiting for that letter is over. Coley28, I hope you get good news today too - let us know.