VeggieBSN

You sound very bitter and disgruntled about this but to be honest, most of the information you've provided in your "manifesto" is gossip and hearsay. Maybe you should look into other schools if your unsatisfed with this one. Not all schools are like what you doscribe. Mine was a BSN program based on GPA, TEAS and ESSAY and I got in the first time.

I feel like I've gotten the whole "stepford nurse" when co-workers ask me why I work when my parents are well off and supportive and husband has well payed professional but I honestly think it's something women say when they are still stuck with the idea that a man should provide and when people work just to (hopefully) enjoy retirement. I want to enjoy life every and be financially care-free every step of the way.

Hello everyone! I'm currently in my first semester of NP school but I'm having second thoughts about doing the pediatric NP instead of FNP. My nursing background is 2 years of working at a children's hospital in California. I feel comfortable working with children and have no particular interest in adult care. However, after getting into the program, I feel that the FNPs have more flexibility and options. They can apply to any NP position (peds or adult care), they can work in Urgent cares and ERs not specific to peds, and of course they seem to get payed more. My program educates PNPs and FNPs with first semester core classes taken together so I can switch now if I want to. But I don't want to regret leaving my passion for pediatric care either. Basically, I love peds but need some reassurance. If there are PNPs on here, can you tell me about your experience being a PNP vs FNP?

Honestly, you should apply everywhere and worry about reputation after you know you've been accepted. The only sure advantage is a BSN program over an ADN.

Hi guys, I would say that you'll be able to get away with working for the first few classes because you'll only be in school 2-4 days(TTh or MTThF or MTWF). However, after you start fundamentals and med-surg, unless your a genius who doesn't need to study, I doubt you'll have time to work. Maybe you can get away with weekends (if your not scheduled for a clinical on Saturdays). The clinical schedules are never set in stone. The hospital has full control and can schedule you anytime and change it around with only a day or twos notice. Honestly because this is a fast pace program you really won't have time for much else.

Is saying YOLO appropriate for this? Lol Honestly I think you should do what you need for yourself. You will only hurt yourself and maybe even your patients if you cannot give nursing your 100%. There will always be jobs (even in crap economies) and with your experience I'm sure you'll find one, whether its in nursing or something else. Go for it, it would suck to live the rest of your live with regrets and "what ifs" and resent nursing.

Glad to help :) I hope you figure out which route is good for you. I'll probably check back in here after a while too just to share any updates or anything.

There isn't a lot of math in the pre-reqs for NU, just that med statistics class but its about more data analysis/interpretation with basic math than hard advanced math (At least that's how my class was like). I'm sure you'll do fine once you put your mind to it. Agh, that whole Clovis adult school route looks harder and more time consuming than the bsn route for some reason (plus i might be bias lol). But the one good thing about that is you'd have your CNA done and can work while in school, the pay wouldn't be amazing or anything but you'd get experience and make connections. I don't know a whole lot on LVN department but from what my working RN friends/cousins have told me, it's way harder to find jobs and at the some hospitals they work at they aren't even hiring lvns any longer, but that'sjust Ina few places in this area, could be different elsewhere. And my short personal experience with this: I was going to go the LVN route before, applied to Gurnick and everything and about 3 weeks before pre-reqs I dropped because everyone I spoke with told me its not worth paying so much money for a field where I'll probably not get a job and won't even have my bachelors. Gurnick in fresno especially isn't worth the 30k, it's kind of a tacky place and their clinicals are in mariposa. For this economy where it's hard to find a job even as an RN, I don't think lvns have much of a chance. Even The working RNs that I know who don't have BSN are even going back for those to keep up with the competition. There a lot more factual information on this site about this lvn topic so you should definitely research those up.

I was generic entry because this will be my first bachelors degree. The only difference between accelerated and generic is that generic also requires you to do GE classes for the bachelors while for accelerated you only need the Nursing classes. But during the program both generic and accelerated students are in the same classes. There are about 20 students per cohort but sometimes a student or two will drop out mid-program due to financial/personal issues or they failed the course. So far I really like national but I've just started the program this fall so I'm still new to this (ask me in 6 months how its going! Lol). I think if you're going to do all your pre-reqs at NU then it will take about a year to do them plus the program is almost 2 years so make that around 3 years for you to graduate. But thats just my guesstimation so make sure you talk to those advisors! Do your best in all the classes but make sure for A&P, Micro, Medstats you get A's :)

No problem :) actually a lot of the students have no previous healthcare experience, including myself. I think it's worth it because you'll be able to pay it back within a couple years because you'll be working earlier. As for jobs, quite a few people from previous cohorts got job offers from the hospitals they did clinicals at because they made such a good impression. Plus, after getting a degree, most people look only for jobs in hospitals...to get that 1 yr experience also look for jobs at clinics, LTC facilities, veterans hospitals, etc too. It's also good to get connections with other nurses and doctors who can help you out.

Hey, I'm in the RN program at national (cohort 9 - fresno). Wanted to say that yes it's a BSN and while its good to start studying for the teas early, I would suggest waiting until you've actually taken the A&P, Micro classes so you have a better understanding of the material. For study manuals, the ATI TEAS V and McGraw Hill are best in my opinion. I also looked into Fresno state and city but decided on NU because it doesn't have a wait list or lottery system and unlike City, it's BSN with WASC and CCNE accreditation. I'd say if you'll be doing all your pre-reqs and the BSN at NU your looking at somewhere near 45,000~ The best thing to do is take some of the classes like sociology, English, public speaking, etc during a semester at community and transfer them. Only take ILR, A&P, and Micro with them if you have to, it will save you money. Sorry for any spelling mistakes, typing away on an iPad.

Definitely go for BSN, your young and have the time for it. Plus most hospitals are now leaning towards hiring BSNs only.

Maybe you should post this thread in the Teas Exam Help area, you'll probably get more replies there.

There are evening classes for pre-reqs and most likely you'll only be taking one class at a time so I don't think there will be an issue with working and school. However, that's my opinion on just the pre-reqs. Once you get into the program, scheduling for classes and clinicals will be out of your hands so unless your job offers very flexible hours, it will be hard. At the nursing forum they said they don't recommend working but if you do, stick to part time. I don't have personal experience with being in the program yet though (just got exacted into the November cohort!).

I got in too!!!!