olijam

Thanks for the wonderful post. I'm headed to COT in less than a couple of weeks. I was prior enlisted in the Army and totally agree with everything you're saying. I'm looking forward to the time off from work and learning some new things.

I'll be there too and can't wait for the Alabama heat:)

Hi everyone, I have been a critical care RN for 5 years and graduated last summer with my ACNP (acute care NP). I'm currently not working as a ACNP because I chose to work as a flight RN (civilian) for experience and a little excitement. I also joined the Air National Guard as a flight RN (46F) in an AES unit, but I'm still waiting on my schools (hopefully will happen in the next 6 months). My current thoughts are: 1) stay in the ANG for a couple years and try to do a couple of deployments as a flight nurse and continue doing my civilian flight nurse job, then applying for CRNA school and never working as an ACNP 2) considering joining active duty as an ACNP now and applying for CRNA school 3) applying for CRNA school now (afraid I won't get any flight time in AF) The factors directing my decisions are: 1) my age-35 2) no experience as an ACNP 3) there are ACNP jobs, but I've always wanted to work as a flight RN and it is difficult to find per diem or part-time ACNP jobs without experience 3) I have a lot of debt, and being active duty would make it difficult to pay my bills unless there was a sizable bonus I'm currently a 1LT in the CA ANG with 6 years of prior service in the Army Reserves as a medic. Any advice, direction, or resources are appreciated. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I'm currently looking for a travel assignment in SD and have a job interview tomorrow with American Mobile. I have been an ICU/ED nurse for 4+ years and make plenty of money in SF. However, I'm not in it for the money and that is why I want to move to San Diego (but of course I need to pay my bills). I'm not 100% on my move to SD so I thought I would try a travel assignment. I've heard a lot of bad things about American Mobile, but I went through them because they are a large organization and seem to have the most jobs. Here is what they are offering: So what I can offer you for the assignment in San Diego is : Base pay of $21 per hour, plus $2/hr shift diff. = $23 per hour ...I'll be on night shift. Plus $35 per day tax free per diem which equals = $245 tax free per week Let's say I got you $2000 per month for housing-- $2000 x 3 mos on assignment = $6000 in housing, divided by 13 weeks you are on assignment is $461 per week that you would get for housing weekly that is tax free. Now, take the $23 per hour and put that into paycheck city, along with the 36 hrs- you will net $606.01. $606 plus $245 per week Daily per diem, plus $461 per week for housing = NET PAY OF $1312 per week. This is more than what would equal to $50 per hour. Now, I make at base 56/hr in SF. Am I being low-balled here or is this a good offer. I realize the lower the taxable income the better so 21/hr doesn't seem bad. I used to travel in a different health profession years ago and made more than this, but I realize the market has changed and there are a lot less jobs. I also figure if I like it I'll go full-time. Any advice would help. Thanks. p.s. I love that it's sunny and 70degrees in SD right now:)

you will easily make over 50/hr..i've been an RN for 4+ years and make around 56 straight pay plus diff. You can check out the ucsf site and their pay rates are public. I'm considering moving to SD for the weather and surf. Where would I make the most money down there, scripps, ucsd, or sharp? thanks and good luck.

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for awhile since finding out I was #1 alternate at UCSF. Since it was the only school applied to I was a little down, but they called today and offered me a spot. Crazy! With only 6 spots for Acute Care NP I thought I was a long shot, but I'm living proof that alternates have a great chance! Good luck future nurses!.......James

Hi Starem21, thanks for the info. I have to mail in a form by 3/11 stating that I want to be an alternate. Hopefully at least one of the ACNP students will choose another school. UCSF is one of the top schools though, so I'm not sure if that will happen. At least there is some hope left. Hopefully I'll be one of your classmates this summer!

Hi everyone, I live in SF and received my letter from UCSF today also. I'm alternate #1 for the Acute Care NP specialty. So I'll continue to wait patiently. Does anyone know of any experiences of being an alternate. My envelope was thin also. Good luck to everyone!

Hello everyone, I've been reading these threads for the past month waiting to hear if anyone had been accepted to UCSF and finally decided to post. I interviewed on 1/21 at UCSF and felt that I did well. We were told we would know by 3/1 if we were in or not. UCSF is the only school I applied to because of it's reputation and the fact that I live in SF. I have a 3.8 GPA, but average GRE scores, maybe even below. I've worked in healthcare for over 10 years, since I was 17. I think this is a major factor. From my interview with a faculty member, it seems they want a student that knows what a nurse is and does and will not be surprised and discouraged when they start the program. I think they are looking for genuine candidates not just bright! Let me tell you, I felt a little discouraged after hearing everyone's background(i.e. Ivy league degree, research in foreign countries, Master's in this and that), but after the interview I felt at home. I'm checking the mail everyday looking for that UCSF logo. Good luck and congrats to everyone! Feel free to send me a message. Thanks.....