dtoast861

I think it all depends on how many people apply to each program at one time. My understanding is that they rank order the applicants by GPA and HESI scores, then go down the list and place people from highest to lowest preference. So if there are fewer applicants during a cycle for a particular program, then you might have a higher chance of getting in. That being said, I don't think 3.0 is extremely competitive, so if you are set on getting into the program and don't get in this cycle, think about retaking a class or two - NAU lets you calculate the retake into your GPA while ASU does not.

The key to patho is you can't just memorize the material, you have to understand it. If you just try to memorize long lists of information, you're not doing anyone - yourself or your future patients - any good. For example, when trying to remember the signs of hypovolemic shock, you can memorize a laundry list of symptoms that you may or may not remember. The better way is to understand what happens with the disease process to begin with. So, for example, in hypovolemic shock, a large part of the blood volume is lost. So what is going to happen to the heart with less blood to pump? It's going to have to work harder to deliver oxygen, so the heart rate increases. Likewise, respiration is going to increase because the body is working harder with less red blood cells to deliver oxygen. The pulse is going to be thready because less blood is running through the veins, which will also cause skin pallor. With less blood to the brain, you're going to see altered or loss consciousness...etc, etc, etc. The point is, if you understand the HOW and WHY of a disease process, you'll automatically know what the symptoms are, why they occur, and the basics of how to treat them without having to memorize a ton of information, and you'll also be a better nurse for knowing how to critically analyze what's going on with your patients in a moment's notice. Good luck!

Nobody? I'd appreciate any info I can get. Thanks.

I think they mail out acceptance/denial letters at the end of February or beginning of March. Should be any day now... Good luck!

If you can graduate with a ADN in May 2013 or a BSN in Dec 2013, that's a no-brainer to me. You can increase your potential for advancement into management, increase your marketability as an RN, and you have the door wide open should you decide to go into a MSN or DNP progam (most of which require BSN or bridge classes) - in only 7 extra months of work. I'm actually in the same boat as you - Bachelor's degree in Biology, working as a full-time LPN, wife and kids to support. I've seriously contemplated moving to be closer to an LPN to ADN program (NE State doesn't have one) or even going the PA route and skipping the BSN/MSN program altogether, but right now I'm leaning towards the guaranteed spot at ETSU because the accelerated program ends up being the same amount of time as most of the ADN programs, with no waiting list, I wouldn't have to move my family or find a new job, and it's guaranteed admission. Not too shabby. In answer to your second question, I'm planning on doing the accelerated program because the course loads are the same. The summer semesters run from Pre-summer to the end of Summer 2, so it's like a normal semester in that regard, not a shortened one. If you look at the course loads each semester from the traditional and the accelerated, you are still taking the same credit hours every semester, it's not like the load is lessened when you go traditional. I don't really need a 3 month break, I'd just rather be done 6 months earlier. As for work, I work second shift at a long-term care facility, and I'm planning on working weekends and maybe one night a week to keep some kind of income and so I can have more experience on my resume. I'll probably end up having to take a couple of Perkins/Stafford Loans though since I'm not eligible for Pell (second degree). Hope that helps.

I'm an RN in Tennessee considering moving to NC, either Charlotte or Raleigh. I've heard that RNs make about 20/hour in the hospitals in Charlotte, but does anyone have info on the pay in other settings like home health or long term care/nursing homes? I work in long term care in Tennessee and have found that I surprisingly I love it (I know, it's not for everyone). Just wondering what the pay would be like down there and if the job market is as tight as it is for hospital-based RNs? Thanks.