lnsjes

That's terrible about the problems you had at CSCC :/ I actually know a handful of people who transferred to COTC due to the lack of caring from the professors at CSCC. My coworker failed her first nursing test, asked the professor to set up a meeting to talk about the test/ questions she had missed/ test taking strategy and the professor told her maybe nursing wasn't for her and she should look into different options. She switched to COTC and I know she is now doing well. It's a little bit of a farther drive but if CSCC has the problems that some students have said, it might be worth it to at leat check out COTC. From what I understand they accept applications for nursing every semester as well. I'm not speaking from personal experience since I do not attend either school, but just a little input from some people who I have talked to. Good luck!

I know it's like a catch 22, you have to pay more (it seems) to get into a program without a waitlist, or you wait and pay less money :/ Good luck to you as well!

You know I don't know if it is hard or not. The one person I knew who did not get in had terrible high school grades and had previously dropped out of college. I think they look for an well balanced person, you have to meet with an advisor before they put your application before the admitting committee and I think it's almost sort of an interview to get a feel for you. I think if you have strong grades and do well on your entrance exam then you should be good to go. Luckily my parents are agreeing to help pay for it or there is no way my husband and I could afford for me to do it. I can't justify why it's so expensive but I do feel they have a good solid program.

Chamberlain does not have a waiting list, however it is a little pricey :/

The Chamberlain Columbus Campus has an online ADN program, however there are still labs done on campus and clinicals nearby.

I really appreciate your input and help! I am going to call around this weekend and get signed up for a class. I'm excited to get back in the "groove" of things, and relearn everything that I haven't been practicing in the past few years!

Thanks so much! I am considering obtaining my STNA only because when I start up my nursing program again in May, I will be starting in my 3rd out of 6 semesters, which will put me right into clinicals in LTC facilities (I did my 1st 2 semesters a few years back at the same school, and am now finishing them up). It's been a while since I have done "basic patient care" skills and I will not be retaking what I feel, is a very vital class that helps to build a strong foundation. Do you think the STNA will help me "relearn" those fundamental skills? Also do you think this would help me get a leg up when applying for PCA positions?

I am trying to figure out the best path to follow while I am enrolled in my nursing program. Since I have already done my basic patient care skills course I know I could take the STNA test, but would it even be worth it? Or should I just apply to jobs as PCT/PCA/PSA's without doing this certification as the only hospital that looks like it really requires it for patient care positions is Nationwide Childrens. I was also thinking about finding a phlebotomy job while enrolled. Which option would be the most beneficial for obtaining an RN position after graduation/NCLEX? Thanks for any help/input/ personal experience!

I have also heard that holding such a job as a CNA will ultimately be the contributing factor as to finding work as an ADN. I have a Bachelors in Healthcare Management so I do believe that will help me out in the future with my ADN, but as of right now my degree is worthless so I'm beyond ready to get my RN license. I plan on volunteering at places or calling to shadow people as well, if I can't find a CNA position right away. Good luck!

Thanks for all the info/help everyone. I have decided to pursue and finish nursing. I am meeting with my academic advisor this evening to start/finish this process. I completely agree with the healthcare admin degree being a scam, and would love to discourage anyone pursuing it. I am really hopeful about the nursing degree helping me get to where I want to be. I am also limiting myself to Chamberlain since I already have so many credits there, and would essentially lose them if I went elsewhere (none of the nursing programs around me seem to accept any transfer credits for nursing, or acknowledge them). As for pursuing another college, I have missed a lot of application deadlines and would have to wait 1-2 years to start. Thanks again for everyones help!

DO NOT have healthcare administration as plan B! Coming from a person with a Bachelors in Healthcare Admin, there are NO jobs out there. The qualifications are almost always 5-10 years experience, and many require some sort of healthcare background such as RN, MA, etc. Take it from someone who was halfway done with nursing, stopped, finished a BS in Healthcare Admin, out of school a year and working as a receptionist, and going back in May to finish my 1.5 years left of nursing school. Luckily, I'm still young and have no children as of yet, so it is very easy for me to go back. I wish I would have known what a crock the healthcare admin major is for entry level graduates. If you don't get in to nursing, try, try try! Good luck!

I was considering it, until I found out they are under "conditional" status with the Ohio Board of Nursing. I know they could very well become fully accredited in a few years, but I am looking at places that are established and fully accredited. Breckenridge doesn't seem to be any more expensive or cheaper than other local schools. I would hate to see people attend there and finish and not be hired due to this accreditation status.

KAR813- do you live in the Columbus area? (I noticed your picture, go bucks!) That is also where I live, I tried to send you a PM but it didn't allow me to so I was wondering on what you are doing regarding a job while in nursing school?

Thanks for all the help everyone! I am actually becoming BLS certified this Wednesday so I plan to start my search after that. I think I will call around to do some research before I take any specialized classes or anything :)

Can you land a job as a patient care tech/assistant without specific training and just nursing school experience? Would it be worth it to take special classes to land a job?