HOPE2BNP

Oh Golden West Community College in CA. I have taken a two online classes now. For the first one (statistics) I had to come in for the tests but this one actually administers the tests online. They are open book but timed so you still have to study because you'll never have time to look up all the answers. It works pretty well as long as you can trust your computer not to crash on you in the middle of an exam or something.

I just took it a few weeks ago. 630 verbal (yay), 570 math (boo). Still waiting on the essays. Anyway my advice is definately to study. If I had studied more I think I might have upped my math score. Kaplan and Princeton Review have some pretty good guide books for only abou $15. Good luck!

No worries. I am now taking Growth and Development online. If you are going to do an online class I think Growth and Development is a good one because its pretty easy. I think online classes are a little harder in many ways because you don't have the chance to interact with you professor, but it is definately worth the time you save.

Hey bonjovigirl, don't stress. A lot of modern women go through this. I am struggling with the same questions as you but if your still in your 20s, you have time and I think that by putting pregnancy off until you are in the right place IS putting family first. I too fear waiting until I have waited too long too, and sometimes it just tears me apart but I know it will be worth it for us to be well-established, secure parents. On the other hand, the time is never absoultely perfect. Only you and your husband know what you are capable of and what will work :).

Actually, I have the same question. I was considering NP school in Illinois. Is that a bad idea?

I am pretty tied to my own religiou but if somebody with a different religion than mine prayed for me I wouldn't mind. It is the thought that counts

Just writing to let you know your not alone. I am going through the same thing. My college grades were good but I have to take the GRE for the program I want and I am terrible at those kinds of tests. I am trying to prepare, but it is so hard with working, taking care of my sick mom and taking three prereqs. I am having a hard time with Anatomy too. There's is so much to know and the professor is so useless he might as well not be there. The hardest part is that I am working so hard now and I don't even know if I will get in. I am afraid it will be for nothing. Do you have that fear? I just keep telling myself that there are a lot of programs out there and there has to be something that will fit my skills as well as my faults. I am sure the same goes for you. Just don't get up. I truely believe there is a way. As for your fears about grades once you get in, I wouldn't. If you can do well enough to get in then I am sure you can do well once you are there and you will probably be in a much more structured environment. Good luck!

I am not a nurse yet but I do have an MA in Religion so I can offer what I know about working with a range of faiths--there ARE ways to do it, although it may take some effort to figure them out. I think it is great that you want to do this by the way. I would start by getting in touch with the Chaplain's office at local hospitals. Many of them provide interfaith services. Ask them if they have any roles for licenced nurses or if they could recommend a way for you to find a role involving a spiritual aspect. Divinity schools/schools of religion that have chaplaincy programs may also be able to help you find your niche. There are many divinity schools that are open to interfaith practice: Harvard, Duke, Graduate Theological Union, Claremont School of Theology...I am not saying you have to go back school, only that they probably have a career counsiling office that would be willing to help you. Also, you could try contacting the Unitarian Universalist Association about whether or not they have roles for parish nurses. Hope that helps.

You make a great point. following your bliss can lead you right into trouble. I followed mine, and now I have an Masters Degree and a totally lousy temp job that I am about to lose. I am now hoping to enter an Entry Level RN-NP program. I would be lying if I said my motivations were purely that of interest. I picked it because I thought it combined fulfilment with some practical needs like pay and time with my family. I think it will do that. I really think I will like it, but will it be my bliss? Will I wake up every morning exclaiming how much I love my job? Probably not. Maybe you should think about that as you consider your next career move. What has the potential to make you happy at work without forcing you to completely sacrifice the rest or your life?

Ever considered a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Degree. This would give you more flexibility and allow you to persue both interests. Also, rumor has it that the pay and opportunities are better too.

I am so sorry. I understand how bad you feel but don't give up hope. You'll get through this, and I can tell by your determination that you will pass next time. You will get through being jobless too. I know it is the scariest thing. Since you won't need a non-nursing job for very long, I would advise going to a temp agency. Temp jobs are easier to get and usually easier to do so you can dedicate you energy to studying (the most important part). Try Adecco and Apple 1. Both are pretty good.

i am sorry to hear about all you have been through. of course this would make your discision very difficult. i should add i am not a nurse yet, but i am here to offer a lay person's opinion. before moving forward i would ask my doctor about the risk of not doing the amnio. what i mean is that there is always the chance that if you don't do it, your doctor won't know about something he or she can treat. if the chances of this are greater than the chances of spontaneous abortion because of the amnio, than you should probably do it. otherwise, trust your heart.

I just want to reiterate. I'm not a nurse yet either but personal experiences as a patient and the family member make me want to be one. Why, because its all you nurses out there that make being sick or hurt a little bit more tolerable!! You may not get to hear all that often how important you are to people but you are!

I just want to reiterate. I'm not a nurse yet either but personal experiences as a patient and the family member make me want to be one. Why, because its all you nurses out there that make being sick or hurt a little bit more tolerable!! You may not get to hear all that often how important you are to people but you are!

Thanks, I really appreciate the encouragement. I also appreciate reading everyone's perspectives and concern. It is helping make more careful and informed educational choices

Thanks, I really appreciate the encouragement. I also appreciate reading everyone's perspectives and concern. It is helping make more careful and informed educational choices

This is kind of what I meant about misinformation. I have done a lot of research on accelereted programs. They are not 1 year long as many people think. They are 15-18 months long. The same as ADNs, only no summers off. The students are awarded BSNs because they already have already completed non-nursing requirements in English, Math, Science, History, Social Science etc. They complete the same number and types of classes as traditional ADNs and BSNs. I am confused about why this is no okay? I am trying to enter an accelerated MSN. I have looked at the curriculum and I have to complete the same classes as traditional students, just not in the same order. I will also work as an RN for two years by the time I am done with the MSN portion of the program.

This is kind of what I meant about misinformation. I have done a lot of research on accelereted programs. They are not 1 year long as many people think. They are 15-18 months long. The same as ADNs, only no summers off. The students are awarded BSNs because they already have already completed non-nursing requirements in English, Math, Science, History, Social Science etc. They complete the same number and types of classes as traditional ADNs and BSNs. I am confused about why this is no okay? I am trying to enter an accelerated MSN. I have looked at the curriculum and I have to complete the same classes as traditional students, just not in the same order. I will also work as an RN for two years by the time I am done with the MSN portion of the program.

I am taking pre-reqs to enter and Entry Level NP program next year. It seems like the controversy is much the same. I really understand it. A lot of the info on these programs are vaugue and confusing, but at least with the case of the Entry Level NP programs, there is also a lot of misinformation. There are some differences from the traditional route in the level of experience (Most Entry Level Programs DO expect you to work as an RN while finishing your degree so you are not completely green) but in terms of education, the main difference seems to be order. I am wondering if the case could be the same with these ADN-NP programs. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding about the level of education eventually involved. I could be totally wrong, but I am just putting out the possibility. I think it is appropriate to regularize the educational and training requirements to become an NP, but does that mean that there can be only one way to enter and only one order in which you can get your education and training? Would it help the concerns and anger to put some standard in place that could go across the board for different pathways to becoming an NP?

I am not a nurse yet, just doing prereqs to enter next year, but I know a lot about being a lay person and a family member. My mom has been in the hospital 4 times for 4 different reasons over the past few years. Most recently she had an accident that put her in a hospital for 1 week and an LTC for 4, so I can offer up some explanation (not justification) on why patients families are rude. First I want to say that using profanities and threats is never okay even if you are upset. I really think nurses and other medical professionals are doing something wonderful and deserve the greatest respect. The reason for the rudeness is that patient's families may be going through the most difficult and scary experience of their lives. This is not an excuse to abuse people and doesn't mean you should take it, but sometimes there are legitimate problems and the patient/family has the right to request a change. When complaints are legit, I think it is a good thing that patients and families stick up for themselves. The problem is that they are not on their best behavior and/or they may be complaining to the wrong person (not the one who messed up or won't respond). In other words, they might come off as rude when they really mean no harm. In my case, I have only gotten upset twice (did not scream or use profanities though). Both times I think there were good reasons. Also, I did not get upset until I had repeatedly tried every kindness and official avenue. I recognize now I might have handled it better but in one case, I am not sure what would have happened to my mom if I hadn't demanded change. I was afraid to leave her room for fear she might be harmed. I may have overreacted a bit but I still think my "rudeness" protected her from some things that could have made her condition worse. Like I said, I have been in hospitals a lot and I knew from experience that other hospitals had better standards of care. Most of the time it is not a nurses fault even when things are screwed up and I don't justify rude behavior, on the other hand, there are rare cases when they just might be right about something and it might be pretty easy to calm them down by just listening, explaining or apologizing. In my case, I received lots of apologies and a promise to hold accountable the people (at least some of them) who made mistakes. Also, my mom finally got a band put on her arm that listed her allergies, and after 5 days, a doctor came and explained my mom's conditions. Once I had some information I got some sleep and some food and I was really nice to the people who helped me. In fact, I offered to call their supervisors and explain how great they were, but they said no. So anyway, on behalf of families, I apologize and ask for your mercy.

Hey thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. I am the same way, I want an advanced degree because I want options. Unfortuntaely I am not too interested in East of the Mississippi but I will look into it. Yes, non-nurses with BAs/BSs can get RNs via Masters work. These programs are few and far between and super competitive but they are pretty neet programs if you get in. Most do require a year or two of prereqs but then you go through and RN program in 15 months (4 semesters with no summer breaks). After you pass the NCLEX you start working as an RN but continue on to your MSN part time.

Dear Gampopa, can you tell me alittle more about your ND program. How did you learn about these programs. Do you know of anything similar? I am looking into Entry Level MSN-NP programs for non-nurses, but I am curious about the ND route. Didn't know it existed. Sounds interesting.

Wow yay, I am so glad to "meet" a fellow hopeful. I am also doing prereqs for an accelerated NP. Sorry, I am sure you are hoping to talk to some current NPs. I am looking at PLU and Seattle U. I live in CA right now but want to move back to WA, and I like their programs better. If we both get in, well be in the same neck of the woods. Anyway, good luck to you. Good idea working in a hospital. I don't have time right now because my mom has been in an accident and I am taking care of her-still lots of exposure to hospital settings (and now Long Term Care) anyhow. She is moving in with me tomorrow! Anyway, thats an aside. I would love to hear about how you decided to do this. Have you read the posts on the concerns some have about accelerated programs. At first I found those discouraging but in the end I think it just helped me be more careful in selecting programs. I hope that people on this sight will help be able to answer some quesions and help us both make good decisions. Good luck again.