LEAFjr

I'm applying for Spring 2014. Wandering the same things!

I'm transferring from EKU to BCTC this coming Fall 2013. I was in the BSN foundation classes at Eastern and HATED it! I live in Danville and am hoping to take the Nurse Aid class next fall at BCTC Danville Campus and then apply to the ADN program in Lawrenceberg. Question--does your ACT score matter when applying to BCTC's ADN program? I've been out of high school three years and would hate to have to re-take the ACT--I had enough trouble with it three years ago when I scored a 19! Also, is the NLN PAX-RN difficult? I plan on buying the book and CD-ROM to study for it. My GPA at EKU was 2.87 (but that was just because of the BSN classes, my pre-req and gen ed grades were good.) Hopefully the program isn't as competitive as EKU's programs.

I'm looking into BCTC's ADN program at the Lawrenceberg campus for Spring 2014. I started the foundation classes for the BSN @ EKU this past Spring 2013 and was unsuccessful, so therefore I did not make it into the Clinical Sequence. It was the med math that killed me--apparently EKU is one of the only nursing schools that doesn't allow you to use a calculator on med math exams (which weaved a lot of us out). The passing score was an 80% and I made a 78% after 3 attempts. I also felt like we completely rushed through the actual clinical application parts (including med math) and spent most of our time on nursing communication, theory and research. Not much of our time was spent in the lab actually practicing hands-on skills. Because of this, I have decided to apply to an ADN program because it will focus more on applied nursing skills, then do the RN to BSN bridge later on. I was going to apply to EKU's ADN program, but apparently you have to pass the same med math test without a calculator. I'd love to apply to Midway's program, but it's a long drive from where I'm at, plus it's quite pricey. The only courses I need for BCTC's program are the Medicaid Nurse Aid class and Developmental Psychology (which I plan on taking this coming Fall 2013 @ BCTC in Danville), then hopefully I can start the nursing classes in Lawrenceberg. I'm thinking about also applying for the LPN program in Danville just incase I don't make it into the ADN program.

Well I just completed my first semester of foundation courses (NSC 232, 242 and 252) at EKU and it KILLED me! I know I'm not getting into the BSN program. The med math tests at Eastern are what kill most people...they don't allow calculators (unlike most other nursing schools). I'm looking at ADN programs at Midway, BCTC and Campbellsville now.

I'm interested in the FNP/Public Health program. How hard do you think it is to get accepted?

Since you already hold a B.A. degree, I would strongly recommend going after your Second-Degree B.S.N. It's a specialized accelerated program for people with bachelor's degrees in other fields; that way you don't have to re-take all of your gen-eds and will finish sooner. NP programs require at least 1 year of work as an R.N. before applying, so get your Second-Degree B.S.N., work as an R.N. and then apply to an M.S.N. NP program.

I'm from Danville but live on the EKU campus in Richmond where I'm a junior working on my BSN with a Gerontology minor. I was born at Ephraim McDowell and am a HUGE fan!!! Been a patient there my whole life.

I'm working on my BSN with a minor in Gerontology and LOVE the aging studies classes! I know that Geriatrics is the field for me! My long-term goal is to become an NP and work for an Internal Medicine/Geriatric Primary Care practice, or I've looked at those new companies that do NP house-calls to senior citizens in their homes (be it nursing homes, assisted living, or private residence). My question--though I know Geriatrics is the field I want to go into, would it be wise to just do the Adult-Gerontology NP track? I've been told by several people that PNP and AGNP are limiting and the FNP track is the way to go since it opens up more doors, but I do love how the AGNP focuses more on older adults and would broaden my knowledge of treating those patients. I'm just wandering with all the baby boomers rising up in age, if AGNPs will be in much higher demand in the years to come. My plan is to complete my MSN (AGNP track) and then go for my PhD in Gerontology. What do you guys think?

You should be fine. I think people under a 3.0 are the ones who need to worry.

BSN program getting ready to start my junior year...LOVING IT SO FAR!!

I'm a junior at EKU going after by BSN and LOVE it so far! We have one of the best programs in this area, it's one of the many things that we're known for. I started off at the Danville campus (funny you should mention Ephraim McDowell Hospital--where I was born), and am now in Richmond. I'd say stick with EKU, they take good care of you and the hospitals in KY respect nurses who are graduates from there (since most RNs in KY are EKU graduates).

I'm considering Gerontology...but I know it's hard to do a minor when you're in Nursing school working your butt off just to pass that major alone.

I'm considering a minor in Gerontology with my BSN degree