FLNurse2015

I am a brand new ADN RN wanting to specialize in pediatrics, however the hospitals here are magnet and will only hire BSN nurses. I am starting my BSN classes end of this month, but have to work elsewhere meanwhile. My question is, which would look more appealing when I apply once I have my BSN.. acute adult experience in the hospital, or a pediatric psychiatric position I could obtain now? My mom, who has been an ED RN for 20 years is insisting if I do pediatric pysch, the hospitals will not look at that as real experience. I wanted to get your opinions though as I would much rather stay in pediatrics if possible without hindering my future chances. Thank you!

thank you!

An update! The hold was gone by late evening yesterday so that was fast and the PVT trick had the good pop up (I know the validity of it the first day is questioned but I did it anyways). Today I found out I passed, 24 hours after my exam!! I'm so happy to be an RN now!!

Just thought I would update you guys. Took my NCLEX - RN this morning in Florida and it stopped at 75 questions. I'm already an LPN so I've been through this process before so I wasn't panicked when I walked out having no clue if I passed or failed. This time however was the first time my results were put on hold. Two things happened, one I finished the exam super fast, around 35-40 minutes so I know I was flagged for that. Then when I went to leave the exam the examiner said, "Whoops your test was already sent before I could do your last fingerprinting," so we had to do an addendum fingerprinting session. I do not have the patience of a saint when it comes to myself so this wait will be agonizing, but I'll keep this thread updated as hopefully it will be helpful for others put on hold!

I survived guys, it IS possible! I graduated on Wednesday from the AVS program! I'll be here if you guys need any help or a shoulder to cry on hah!

It is all online except for lab check off the first semester and clinical. It's extremely fast paced, be prepared to spend a minimum of 60 hours a week reading, doing discussion boards and online assignments. Since you aren't going to class for lectures you are handed a weekly list of chapters to read and you just have to read and learn it all. Clinical is usually 1 day a week except for mental health days and then it is 2 days a week for that portion. The material itself isn't hard, it's just the amount of reading in the short amount of time that makes it challenging

It's ummm hard! It will be the hardest year of your life. Lots of people fail out.. we are down almost 50% from our original class

You have to keep in mind that everyone gets an email stating you've been accepted, put on the waiting list or declined from the program... so not hearing anything doesn't mean anything at all. All of those go out at the same time

no problem, try to breathe.. most people make it in from what I've heard as there isn't a huge influx of people wanting to bridge. Even the people on the waiting list usually make it in as people drop after orientation or when it's time to pay

I'm in the last semester of the AVS program at Valencia now.. it took the length of time they stated to hear back... the wait was agonizing. They let you know either way though so you will hear something soon

I'm in semester two of Valencia's AVS track (there are 3 semesters). The first semester was the worst because everything was such a shock to the system. I had never experienced such an intense program and I was always a straight A student. I find this semester to be much "easier" and I'm happy being in this program. This local hospitals put Valencia graduates at the top of their hiring lists so all this hard work will be worth it. Good luck!

Happy Birthday and congratulations!! I'll be 31 when I become an RN so I loved reading this!

Mine was around $3,000. I graduated last November

That's awesome congrats!

I became an LPN because the waiting list for the RN programs here are 2 years long. By becoming an LPN I am bridging over and becoming an RN before I would have even been called to begin the generic RN program. 90% of my classmates found LPN jobs here in Florida immediately after graduating at places like doctor's offices, LTC, ALFs, and surgery centers.

I VBAC'd at Winnie Palmer in Orlando where there are always anesthesiologists and doctors in house anyways

I did all my RN pre-reqs before LPN school. I graduated with my LPN November 2013 and am starting the RN bridge program next month (August 2014). I'll have my ADN July 2015 and then want to bridge straight away to get my BSN. I have two young kids but I am not working so that helps a lot

Awesome I'll see you in a couple of weeks for orientation! I'm so easer to get our syllabus and see what our schedule will be like!

I think me doing so well in LPN school helped me get into the bridge program. To get into the bridge program you have to do really well on your TEAS exam, good grades (B or better) on your pre-reqs (especially in the sciences), and they look at your grades from LPN school as well (though those aren't calculated in your GPA). So I don't necessarily think it matters where you go to LPN school as long as all those things collectively add up well

Thank you so much I appreciate that! I have orientation on July 18th so I'm sure I will have a lot of questions then lol

I did feel pretty prepared. I graduated with honors and passed my NCLEX with 85 questions on the first try. I also got accepted into Valencia's LPN to RN program on my first attempt and start this August! The job market for me personally has been terrible, but most of my classmates were able to find jobs immediately. I haven't because I don't want to work at nursing homes or home health

I graduated from Lake Tech in November so ask away! There are no pre-requisites, you just have to pass the TABE and TEAS tests as well as an interview with the heads of the program

Is anyone else starting this August? I'm so excited for orientation next month!

thank you! Good luck to you when the application period opens!

I can't believe I joined this site while trying to get into LPN school, and now I'm a licensed nurse and about to start the RN bridge program this August! I was officially accepted into the RN bridge program at Valencia College and can not wait to take this next step. I decided to become an LPN first because the waiting list for the generic RN program was 2 years long and this way suited my schedule much better. I'll try and update throughout the year and hopefully I'll be able to post in the RN - BSN threads next. I love documenting my journey through allnurses :)