Tally4970

Also forgot to add. My job does offer $2k per year to help pay with school. So some help, not a lot. They also have a program that offers $16k but you have to commit to them For way too long after you graduate. I don’t want to do that, because if they don’t have a pmhnp job within their system. I’d be stuck or have to pay them back.

I'm 46yrs old. I have 5years of nursing experience. I've been kicking around going back to school for my PMHNP degree. (Looking at NKU program). But worried about investing that much more money into school loans at my age. Sadly, I'm still paying off my BSN, RN loans. Or considering doing travel nursing in 2 years when my husband retires. Any thought or insights? (I have never done travel nursing).

How long did it take for you to recieve a job offer? Where did you attend school? This is a huge concern, I don't want to put my head in the sand and think that it can't happen to me. I hear such mixed answers, it's hard to know what to think!

I live in the metro St. Louis, MO area

I keep reading On Allnurses, about all the recently graduated nurses not finding jobs, etc... Most seem to have their ADN, Is this job shortage also true for graduate BSN? Not to take anything away from people who worked their tail off to get an ADN, I was just wondering if getting a BSN over a ADN made a difference in the job hunt. I already had an Associates degree in Criminal Justice, and did not want another associate degree. I wanted to get my bachelors degree, and I choose nursing. I live in the Midwest, and I am currently working on my BSN, this is a second career for me. I was curious what other people's thoughts were on the subject.

This information is a little off topic, but I am in Maryville's BSN program, and it is very unorganized! Everybody tells you something different. It is very frustrating, because it is so expensive! You wou,d think the program woukd be seamless by now! It's not a new program, so I can only imagine how they would be for a brand new program. Kind of scary....

I have read multiple threads and topics that stress that nursing is all about critical thinking. Everybody stresses the high importance of this, my question is, what does that actually mean? For example, critical thinking means to me; common sense, using your head, thinking things through. Not just superficial thinking, but following through the whole thought and asking questions along the way. That being said, is this what everybody means when they talk about critical thinking in nursing? I start my clinical portion of my BSN program in the fall. I just finished all my nursing prereq's. My current GPA is 3.9, but I am worried how I learned and studied previously will not be good enough......how do I know or prepare for nursing critical thinking?

I took stats in class and thought it was difficult. I received an A, but really worked my butt off for it! Math is not my strongest subject by far, and it stresses me out to even think about doing math. I get al flustered and freaked out for some reason. With that side note, it's all about how much work and time you are willing to put in. If you want it bad enough it will happen! :) Keep that tutor on standby......that should really really help. I needed someone showing me how, I could have never done it without that. The hard part wasn't the problems it was setting up them and figuring out which formula to use, after that is was just plugging numbers in calculator! The math portion wasn't bad at all. Good luck!

I had finished A&P I and II with in class lab. They just started the online labs this past semester. Honestly, I can not imagine how that works our labs were so intense. I did have Micro last semester and our labs were all online. I have to tell you, I absolutely hated it. I got an A for the class, I enjoyed my teacher, but those labs were God awful! When I did my course evaluation I wrote I would not recommend anyone to take micro with Maryville because of this. It was a burden on the student, not too mention the "lab" kit cost over $300. So add another three hundred dollars onto a class that already cost over $1500! I had to keep and grow cultures at home, keeping the kids and dogs out of it! It was a nightmare.......hopefully the A&P labs will be better! I think Maryville thinks it helping students by trying to add things online, because most of us are working and going to school. But I didn't sign up for an online program nor do I want it! Okay, enough venting! :)

Hey, you can't ever beat an honest answer! :)

@calivianya your program is set up exactly like mine! Tough standards to say the least, which can be a lot of pressure. I always just try to think at least my school is turning out nurses that have excellent grades. I would rather have somebody taking care of my family that had great grades, then somebody who passed with a 60%! I think that is crazy, this is one profession where C's should NOT earn degrees.

@saldridge my school is in Saint Louis Missouri.

The school I attend, you are not allowed to get anything below a B, in any class or you flunk out! It's a BSN program, I am surprised to hear so many people saying the can get in the 60, and 70's % on grades and still pass. I thought all nursing schools had the same level of grades needed.

I am starting my clinical portion of my BSN in the fall. I have this summer off, but I am interested in reading/studying/reviewing anything that will help me in the Fall. Nothing too crazy, but I just feel I do have some free time this summer, and if it helps me in the Fall it will be well worth it! So far, most people that I have asked say, enjoy your time off! One person mentioned going over Pharmacology, they found it difficult in nursing and it carried over to every class and clinical. So I am currently looking for a book, that is a good introduction into Pharm. Hopefully, you will hear something from people that have been through it. For me, its the fear of the unknown that bothers me, along with everyone saying how crazy hard and intense it is. I would feel better, if I could do something to better prepare myself. So far, I am reading over my A&P I and II book. Good luck!

I was accepted into Maryville BSN WEC for fall of 2013. I can't say for certain, but last I had heard the lowest GPA that was accepted was around 3.4. Again this is just what I have heard. Not sure if that helps you or not. I can say from my experience, my GPA from the first time I went to college, was not good. I believe my grades were: A, C, D, F. Embarrassing I know, but I was 18! I am now 38, so all my grades that were over ten years old did not count towards my current GPA. They do that for any students that have poor grades from over ten years. GPA forgiveness. I started going back to school a couple of years ago, and when I applied with Maryville my GPA was a 3.9 I then took 21 credit hours with Maryville (all the nursing prereq's) and I still have a 3.9. Hope some of this information helped!

I am 38 years old, this is a second career for me. I have a degree in criminal justice already. I am married with two kids (both in select sports), and work full time. I just finished a year and a half of nursing prereq's with a 4.0. I attend a BSN weekend and evening nursing program. I start my nursing classes in 8 weeks! We can all do this!!! (fingers crossed)

Actually, I know that's not how it works at my local hospital, my mom is a NP and my sister is an RN at this hospital and that is exactly how it works there. Again this is not the question, it's when should I make the transition.......

At our local hospital I am 100% certain this is the way it works, your non-RN job can and does count towards your RN seniority once you become an RN.

The area I live, new graduate RN normally starts at $18-20, give or take for experience, etc. So I am familiar with the rate of pay, and hours/weekends,etc... Thats not really my question. It's more when would be a good time to make the transition from current job to new field. For example, right now, a semester in, a year into program, upon graduate, etc....

Have not confirmed what Director said, but did talk to a small hand full of graduate students and they were offered jobs, but that was a small group. It's a shame someone would do that, but it's a business to them nothing more. The area hospital offer tuition reimbursement anywhere from $1500-12000. Each hospital is different, but they almost all offer it where I live. It's my understanding from people (family) that work at a hospital your seniority starts the moment you are hired and carries over once you become a RN. For example, my mom works with someone that started in housekeeping and did that for years she went back to school became an RN and now her seniority is at 30 years since her housekeeping time was combined with RN time. I am sure each hospital is different so I will check into that. Thanks for the advice it's all good things to think about.

All the nurses that graduated from the BSN program I am in, were offered jobs, per the Director of Nursing Program. She said that they may not have all been happy with the shift offered or the floor, but they all were offered jobs. So if that is accurate, that's good news. I can easily stay at my job until I graduate, if I left I could not come back. Just not an option in my field and my work. On that note, I am excited about finally starting in this new field. So I am taking that into consideration. I have a couple family members and friends in the area hospitals, no one of a VIP status though, so probably not much help there. Here are the reasons for thinking about going earlier rather then later: 1) excited about getting into field 2) getting foot in door, starting my seniority in a new work place 3) networking 4) being able to get experience which may help be get a job or a better job 5) exposure to different things, which may help me decide which kind of RN I would like 6) I would like to pursue a Masters degree, just not sure in what..... 7) most area hospitals offer tuition reimbursement 8) some even offer help with advanced degrees (money or scholarships) Those are the basic reason for thinking about making the switch earlier. I think I like the idea of waiting until I am half way through BSN program too maybe get the best of both worlds.

I am 38 years old and have been in Law Enforcement for 16 years. I am doing a complete career change, I just finished up a year of pre-nursing classes and have been officially accepted into a BSN program. I will graduate in two years. My question is when should I quit my current job, to start working in a nursing/medical setting. I would like to get my foot in the door someplace, but I know it will be a huge pay cut for me as well. I think the exposure and experience would be worth it in the long run. I am also unsure which positions to apply for. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which positions to apply for, or when I should make the transition to medical/nursing work. Currently, I work full time, Monday through Friday, and my BSN program is an evening and weekend program. I could wait until I graduate and then leave my job, but I am worried with no experience finding a job might be more difficult. Thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated good, bad or indifferent!

Well I am turning 39 years old this year, I have been in law enforcement forThe past 16 years. I am finishing up my last prereq class this semester. I find out next month if I have been accepted into the BSN program. It's never too late! Good luck!!

Thank you for your response. I do think there is good and bad to every job. There are things about being a cop that other people can not imagine! Just like there are things to do with nursing I can't imagine. Bottom line is that they are jobs and not everyone is suited to being a cop, a nurse, a whatever... But there still are people who do enjoy their jobs. To each their own in every profession. It's nice to hear you still enjoy it. I am grateful to hear all the viewpoints, I feel like I can make an informed decision at least!