keepaskingy

Got in too! super happy :)

Currently I volunteer in the ER of one of the main hospitals (there are about 5 big hospitals in my immediate area), and I always see students from the assosicates program doing extern/internships there. One company owns all the hospitals in the area, and they currently have 75 nurse openings ranging from registered nurse to nurse practitioner. All of the ads for registered nurse (mostly PRN, but about 10 or so FT openings) just say "graduate of accredited professional nursing program" under the educational requirements. If the ad is for an RN case manager, it says that you should have an associates with a plan to complete the bachelors in 5 years. If the ad is for a supervisor position, it says BSN required. Obviously, case management and supervisor require 3-5 years of RN experience anyway. Someday, if I want to do management and all I have is the ADN, of course I will do a bridge to get my BSN. I guess I just don't know that I would want to do management or a masters yet. Its helpful to discuss all these things though...even if I'm just beating a beaten bush.

Sounds like you need to re-do your FAFSA. I got a lot of money for college (wish I hadn't taken it now, lol), but I was definitely under 24 and I was independent. Basically, your parents can't claim you on their taxes to be considered independent. What happened to me was I lived in a dorm room for 10 months out of the year, worked two part time jobs, and paid for all of my college via loans. I filed independent on my taxes...I NEVER included my mom's info on my FAFSA because I was independent. My mom tried to claim me as a dependent...because she wanted the deduction even though I barely lived at home except in the summer, and paid for all my own stuff. Plus it was my grandmothers house and my grandmother paid for everything. So anyway I got a letter in the mail from the IRS telling me to double check my tax return if I was independent/dependent. The letter said if everything was correct, do nothing. So I did nothing. My mom had to file an ammended return. Why? Because she would be audited if she didn't, and she wouldn't be able to produce any receipts, etc proving she paid for my living expenses. So many students fill out FAFSA wrong, can't get the money they need because their parents don't want to give up the deduction.

So up until a few days ago I thought I wanted to go straight for a BSN as opposed to going to the community college and doing a ASN. I got accepted to both programs. So now I have a decision to make, and I need some input! The BSN program: PROS - I get my BSN in two years. CONS- school is 50 minutes away. costs twice as much as the associate program. Clinicals can be assigned across several counties. Word on the street is associates program gives stronger skills than this bachelors program (read that here on the forum, and heard the words from a girl that is currently in the bachelors program). The ASN program: PROS - School is 20 minutes from my house, clinicals only done in my county, heard that this program better prepares its students skill-wise, program costs half as much as the bachelors program. CONS - Assuming I need my BSN at some point, I'd have to put in another year for a RN - BSN bridge program. I've been to college before (BA in English/History from 10 yrs ago). I have student debt. I don't plan on taking out more loans for this...I plan to use the savings I have and to work part time as a CNA. So having a two hour commute every time I need to head to class at the BSN program can sure eat away at hours I would have available to work or to study. What do you all think?

I got the impression Collier was easier to get into than Lee...so I would think 87 points makes you competitive. I got in to Lee summer day program 2012 with 93 points. Good luck!

Apps were due Feb 1. I know we aren't supposed to find out until late March/early April, but who else has applied and waiting on acceptance for Florida Gulf Coast University nursing Fall 2012??? I am so anxious about getting in! I also applied to Edison, although I am not sure when we hear back about those apps.