Jess RN

Thanks xj3! My husband's cousin works at Kaiser- so I think I will send my resume along to him before the move and see if I can line up an interview for when we arrive on-island. I'm thinking if HI is anything like Boston- then maybe the hospitals don't post all the openings they have, they rely on word of mouth referrals instead. Thanks again!

Hi- I am a new nurse I will have been in my current unit (postpartum and newborn nursery) for two years in Oct. My husband grew up in Honolulu and his family (parents, brother, uncle, cousins) live there still. We are considering moving our family to Oahu this summer. We have three children ages 6,4 and 10 mo. My husband is an internet guy and can work from home. I am starting to look for RN jobs in my specialty, if possible- but I am open. I also plan to sit for the boards to become a lactation consultant in summer '10- so a lactation counsellor or support position would be of interest as well. Any suggestions on hospitals or clinics that may be hiring this summer? Many thanks! Jess

Congrats on your acceptance! I am at BC in the Master's Entry program and I love it. I had med-surg clincals at NEMC last semester, and they were good- but I didn't get to do/see as much as I would have liked. My clincal instructor was incredible though. This semester we have specialty clincals, I'm in pedi (at Mass Hospital School) and childbearing (at the Brigham) right now and both placements are incredible- they throw you right in, but the instuctors are so knowledgeable and supportive it is a great experience. The instructors are great- very smart, very available for extra help, etc. The schedule itself is gruelling, but that is the same at most all direct entry programs, I think. Feel free to post back or PM me for any specifics you are wondering about. Jess

I had graduated from undergrad in '96 and I applied to my DE programs in 04. I asked my prof who I took A&P 1 and 2 with for a ref and he did a great job. My other two refs were from the Medical Director of the hospital I volunteered at and from the CEO of the company I last worked at. I applied to three schools and used the generic form of the refs for all schools, I didn't want to ask my refs to do any more work. When all was said and done I sent a gift and a note to my three refs as a thank you- I think they were a huge piece of why I got into the programs I did. I think a ref from undergrad days would be ok if, like you said, it is clear that you worked closely with them and that is why they remember you and are able to write a reference these years later. On the other hand, if your undergrad was non-science I would try to ask one of your prereq profs for a reference. My A&P prof did a great job tying in my performance and interest in A&P to the kind of nurse I want to become- I definitely wouldn't have gotten that from my thesis advisor from undergrad, you know? Also, they will have your transcripts- and will know where you went to undergrad and how you did- I wouldn't stress over having a ref from a better-known school. Nurses are very pragmatic- they want to hear all about how what you have done relates to and tells a story about how you want to be a nurse- even academic nurses don't seem to be as impressed by pedigree. We have people in my program who graduated from community colleges as well as the ivy league- and they all are smart, hardworking, unique people who will be awesome nurses. I'm kind of rambling- but do you know what I mean? Good luck! Jess

Thanks lilpeanut and NhavenRN for your input and for that great link to the aacn article. I guess my point in my earlier post was that I am in my DE NP program to become a nurse. When and whether I choose to work at the bedside as an RN or in an office in an NP role are secondary concerns to my primary goal of practicing nursing. I chose my program because it made the most sense to me taking into account my background, finances and timeframe. That is the pickle that many who want to go into nursing as a second (or third) career face- the best, quickest and cheapest (if you take into account the time-value of money) option for many is a DE program. Waiting around on a waitlist and wasting time taking useless humanities courses at a community college is just not an option. As a mom to young children, my childcare costs more than my tuition, and the longer I am in school, the more expensive the final tab will be. I certainly wasn't about to pay tuition and childcare on top of that to re-take gen ed courses. Also, many of the BSN programs don't want/can't take us bachelors-prepared non-nurses for just the nursing classes/clinicals. So that leaves direct entry programs. I'm not saying we are better, smarter, whatever. But when there aren't that many other options, you have to work with what you've got. I wish that there was more understanding from experienced nurses (RNs and NPs alike) that we are not back-dooring our way into the profession. If we aren't well preprared by our programs, we won't pass the boards or the certification exams. If we are sub-standard as clinicians, we will either not find or be unable to keep work as an NP. If we are dangerous and cause serious harm, we will lose our licenses. At this stage in my life I think I have a good enough sense of myself to know what my limits are. I'm not in any hurry to be a crappy RN or NP and endanger patients. If when I graduate I need to work at the bedside for a while, that's what I'll do. It feels like experienced RNs and NPs who hold this attitude have little faith in the licensure and certification exams and/or the marketplace to weed out graduates who are unfit to practice. And, honestly I wonder how many of those there really are... -Jess

Did they have a hard time just because they lacked nursing exp or was it because those helpful, experienced nurses were giving them a hard time as well? Just because MDs can be miserable to each other during their training doesn't mean we should emulate that behavior! -Jessica

See, this is the attitude that just baffles me. Why not reserve judgement and give students what they are in clinicals for- a learning experience, not a whole lot of attitude on top of that. The bottom line is that graduates of DE programs will be "new nurses" just like new BSNs & ADNs. Everyone has a learning curve and isn't going to be running the show from day one. New DE MSNs will have managers supervising them just like other new grads, who will evaluate the competence and safety of their practice. And if the evidence shows that their patient outcomes are good- then really, what is all the fuss about? My word- we should want more nurses, not fewer! When I was applying to programs, I asked if there was any way I could join an in progress undergrad BSN cohort- and there was no such option at any of the schools near me. The only option that would get me into school without having to re-take a lot of useless (non-nursing, non-science) classes was the DE programs. The ADN programs had very long waiting lists and were a joke in terms of pre-reqs (college writing...um, I was an English major, but I guess that doesn't count. college math...does statistics or either of the two math classes I took in undergrad count, no? ok.) I'm far from apologizing for the speed of my program or clinical hours or my lack of nursing knowledge, at the end of my program I'll be a new nurse- just like every other new nurse. Just wondering, what do nurses who are anti-DE programs think of PA programs- same length of program (or shorter), usually more clinicals, same scope of practice once they graduate? Do new PAs need to be put in their place as well? -Jess

LOL I love it! Yeah, I agree that it is probably slightly easier to get into a DE program than to get into Harvard or Princeton as an undergrad... but it's still pretty darn hard! And back me up here- getting in is easier than actually getting through the programs- which are stressful, and tons of work! -Jess

Hi Becky, I took Organic Chem (a prereq for BC and darned hard to find without a qualifying prereq itself) at Curry College in Milton. My teacher Marie Turner was great. It was a summer sesson class called "Chemical Concepts" and it was basically Chem for Nurses. I took it the summer before starting at BC. I did all my other sciences at community colleges (A&P at Mass Bay, and Micro online at ccconline) and I think it was fine. My professor at Mass Bay was on the faculty at BU and was just moonlighting at Mass Bay for the $. I think that is really common. There were at least 4 other direct entry applicants in my class with me. I feel like I learned a lot. I took Psych and Stats through the night school at BC because I thought it might help my chances and BC was my first choice. I have no idea if it did. The classes were more expensive, but they were very good. Especially Stats with Prof. Dan Chambers- I am so *not* a math person. Good luck! Jess

I only ended up taking one prereq online- (micro w/lab through ccconline) but my school (BC) had no problem accepting it. I would check with your schools (where are you applying?) before enrolling, but I bet it will be fine. BYU is an accredited school and I think that's all they care about. Good luck! Jess

Rotavirus is the worst! My whole family (me, hubby, and our two little ones) had it last spring. Ugh. Hope you are feeling better soon! -Jess

ccconline has one- I took it last summer. It was really easy and it had a lab. Good luck! -Jess PS, you do have to buy your own microscope if you don't have access to one in a science lab.

Woo hoo!!!:balloons: :balloons: Congrats on your scholarship- that's amazing! I got into both of those schools, and got a merit scholarship from BC, but nothing from MGH. So I think it's probably likely you will get an award from BC as well. Couldn't hurt to ask! -Jess

It sounds like you already know what you would be most comfortable with. :chuckle I started nursing school this past fall after taking one pre req at a time for the past two years. I have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old and I lasted exactly one week in my full time program before dropping down to part time. I am soooo glad I did. I would have been a mediocre student and a mediocre mom if I was going full time. Many could do it and pull it off with grace, I'm sure, but not me. I think I know my limits a little better now- and I (now) know how much work nursing school is! Even my part time schedule is tough at times! It will take me 4 years at this rate- but that's fine. I'm going into nursing because I love it and because I want to work part time- so for me to kill myself with school full time for 2 years didn't make a lot of sense. Good luck with your decision! -Jess

Woo hoo! Congrats! -Jess

Jess here- I'm a first year at BC. I'm part time working on lecture classes this year- will start clinicals in the fall. I'm on a 4 year plan for a 2 year program! :chuckle -Jess

No- I didn't think you meant me- but the less "thread-time" this kind of stuff is given- the better. And we *definitely* don't need another "entry to practice minimum" debate! :roll -Jess

You are absolutely right elizabells. Sorry for going off on my little tirade guys. -Jess

The whole DE vs RN before MSN has been done so many times on these boards. I too plan to work at the bedside for a while (and maybe permanently if I like it!) to gain experience. I don't worry too much about the nurses who will think I'm a fraud because of what program I graduated from. :chuckle For me, choosing a DE program was a practical decision. I guess I could have jumped through the beuracratic application hoops for my local cc and then waited for 18m-2yrs before starting nursing classes. But at the time I figured with the time-value of money, my more expensive DE program would pay for itself when I started working (as an RN) earlier than I would have been able to if I went the cc route. Also, because of the non-merit based application proccess at my cc- it was actually *easier* for me to get accepted into DE programs, where my prior academic performance, test scores, rec letters were actually weighted. I got into the three DE programs I applied to- but from my cc I got a form letter telling me I needed to take Eng comp. and college math before they would put me on the waitlist for their nursing program. They didn't seem to read my college transcript at all (I was an English *major* for crying out loud- and I had taken math as an undergrad and then statistics as a pre-req for DE programs recently). Considering this cc has an atrocious rate of nursing students flunking out of their program- this non-merit based application process doesn't seem to be working too well for them. I know not all ccs operate their admissions process this way- but many many have looong waitlists- and it seems like if you are willing to wait it out- you can get a spot. I personally think there are too many entries to practice in nursing- and this sets the profession up for devisiveness. For a profession that wants to be viewed as "professionals", I think that the minimum entry to practice should be a BSN. We require a bachelor's degree to teach kindegarten, but not to practice nursing. (No slam on teachers there- I think their work is so important and admirable) If we want to be seen as professionals, we need to have the credentials to back it up- and we need to support our own, not eat them. :chuckle -Jess (climbing into my flame retardant suit now)

Congrats janony, angie, cfrimer and other direct entry acceptances!! As always, I am happy to answer any boston area school questions. Either ask in this thread, PM me or email me at jessicaceleste at yahoo. -Jess janony- did you get the PM I sent you last week?

If I remember correctly, BC cashed my check either the week before or after I got my letter. I remember thinking it was waaaay late- Regis and MGH both cashed them in late Jan. I guess BC doesn't need the money as much! :) -Jess

I am a first year in the master's entry program at BC, and I remember hearing from them last year the second week of March. This year they have gone to an all-electronic application process, so I'm not sure if that will change the timeframe (either earlier or later). I know it is a stressful waiting period- hang in there and best of luck! -Jess

Congrats!!! That is so awesome that they were able to dispense with the formalities and just let you know that you are in! Of course I would love to chat- also I know if you email Maureen Eldredge she will give you email addresses of students from my class year who are willing to answer questions about the program. I would say it is very likely that you will get an acceptance from MGH too. I know people who got into MGH who didn't get into BC, but not the other way around. I didn't even consider Northeastern because the program was just too new and too long. For me, with childcare costs on top of tuition- it would have been waaaay pricey. One good thing about BC too is the tuition remission. They are pretty generous and I'm convinced they grant it to people with the best GRE scores- so, (I'm making a big assumption because you are in a PhD program at Harvard- that yours are high) it's likely you will get some money from them. MGH has a very small endowment- so they will help you with loans, but from what I hear grants are extremely rare. I'll PM you my phone number and email address- feel free to give me a call and we can chat further. Same goes to any BC applicants who may be lurking- just PM me. I remember all too well the confusion and cluelessness I felt during the process- and the schools aren't all that helpful guiding you through the decision process sometimes. I'm happy to help! -Jess

She was invited to BC to speak on "clinical innovations in nursing". She didn't really talk about any specific clinical innovations- but rather spent most of her talk lamenting the derth of nursing students who plan to work at the bedside for their careers. She pointed out that the nursing shortage is for nurses who work at the bedside, not NPs or CNSs. Also, that it takes 5 years of clinical experience for new nurses to become competant, and that novice nurses are more likely to make serious errors. She said that the idea that a non-nurse can go through 2 or 3 years in a direct entry program and then be truly an "advanced" practice nurse or a nurse "leader" is unlikely. She said she felt that the term "advanced practice nurse" set up a hirearchy among nurses that is damaging to nurses. It implies that a bedside nurse shouldn't reallybe content to stay at the bedside, she should want to advance to be an "advanced" nurse. She said a lot of great things, so I'm not really bashing her. She wants the smartest, most experienced, most job-satistfied, most respected, most well-compensated bedside nurses possible. The thing was though, that it sounded like a lot of ranting, without a lot of solutions. AND she was talking to a room full of "advanced practice nurses" and "nurse leaders" and at least one direct entry student (me!). It was hardly the audience that would be endeared to that kind of rhetoric. I almost stood up and gave my 2c that I applied to cc for nursing school as well as my direct entry programs- and aside from the fact that they were extremly literal and bureacratic in thier application process (wanted me to take college writing and college math as prereqs- I was an English major undergrad and had completed a statistics course for my direct entry pre reqs). They gave no weight to my grades or my degree- I would go on the waitlist like everybody else, and I would get to start nursing classes in 18 mo (earliest) or 2 1/2 years (more likely). So, even if I wanted to be a bedside nurse, I'd be better off going through the direct entry program and working as an RN with the salary earned sooner, rather than later offsetting the higher tuition. My experiences applying to schools have convinced me that the nursing shortage is more about lack of nursing faculty and poorly run nursing progams who admit students who are not likely to succeed in the program. Lots of people want to go into nursing!!! Nursing schools are flooded with apps each year! That's not the problem. The cc I applied to had a 40% attrition rate within the program. So, clearly they were not being selective enough and admitted people based on their willingness to stick it out on the waitlist- not their ability to succeed in the program. I don't expect to be an expert when I graduate. And I think it is likely even with my NP, I will work at the bedside for quite a while to get my bearings and feel like I can work safely in an "advanced" capacity. But to dis direct-entry programs, when there aren't a lot of feasable alternative routes to nursing for some seems misplaced to me... Sorry for the rant! Jess