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NurseDawg06, I am thrilled that you landed a job at Kennestone's ICU - and are so happy there. Congratulations! I'm starting my final year at NGCSU, and was wondering if it was difficult getting at job in ICU at Kennestone. ??? I've heard ICU jobs are few and far between for new grads, and I was wondering if you could give me some much needed advice on when to apply, if you went directly to the hiring manager for that floor, etc. I did my clinicals at Kennestone last year and really liked the hospital, in general. I've applied numerous times online for a tech position, but to no avail...any suggestions?! Thanks so much!!!

Personally, I think you should go for the ASN. I had the same situation (BSN and ASN acceptances), but opted to go the ASN route - simply due the 'cost' of the BSN. Not financial cost, but the 'cost' of having to go to school five days per week, with young children at home. I am glad I made the decision that I did - I don't regret it, in the least. I am a NGCSU student, and I really like my program, so I guess I'm a little biased. First year at NGCSU, you have classes one day per week, and clinical a second day per week. That left me plenty of time to not only study, but to also spend a great deal of time with my children. I'm sure many will disagree with me, but for me - it was definitely the right choice to make. Good luck - whatever you decide.

Welcome! I am currently a first-year student at NGCSU, and I absolutely love it. Let me encourage you to pursue their program - it is fantastic. I don't think that you will be disappointed. Regarding your GPA, take heart. Your GPA is not the only thing they consider, but it is important. You will need to make arrangements to take the TEAS, even with another degree under your belt. I also have a previous bachelor's - as well as a majority of my classmates. Some of them even have graduate degrees, as well. (It's an intelligent group of individuals, to say the very least.) Your med term knowledge will help you out in Fundamentals class, first year. You'll need A&P 1 & 2, as well as Micro and maybe a few others that weren't taken with your first degree. But, don't let this discourage you. You can pull up your GPA in the process and give yourself better odds of being accepted. I also found this website prior to applying to North Georgia, and I was able to ask questions to current students. It was very helpful to me, at the time. You'll find the students at NGCSU are very loyal to their school and their nursing program. It's not a big program, but we all get to know each other very well, and it's really like one big family. The friendships I've made in nursing school have been some of the best in my life. Feel free to PM me if you have any additional questions. I'm more than happy to help if I can. Good luck!

North Metro Tech doesn't currently have an associate RN program. They only offer a LPN program. HOWEVER... North Georgia College & State University (aka "NGCSU") DOES offer an ASN program at the North Metro campus. It is a two-year program, but classes are only offered during the day at this location.

I personally didn't think the TEAS was difficult - and I'm pretty much an average student. I do agree with the previous person who said that the worst part about the Math portion was the fact that you didn't have enough time to finish all the problems. It wasn't that the problems were hard, though. I think the ratio problems were probably the trickiest, but even those weren't particularly that bad. Watch your time - don't spend too much time on any one problem, and you'll do just fine!!! :balloons:

Hello. I am a first-year NGCSU student, and just like EagleGirl - I have nothing but praise for the program, thus far. I have been extremely happy at North Georgia - I think you'll find that most people here on allnurses.com feel pretty much the same. There are always pros and cons, of course - but in general, it's a great program, and the instructors are terrific. As far as prerequisites go, you'll need to either go online or call the Nursing Department at NGCSU to find out where you stand, academically. I'm not sure if your years of experience as a LPN will help get you into the program - it depends if they look at something other than your grades for acceptance. I honestly don't know exactly how they determine who gets into the LPN-RN bridge program. The Nursing Department could help answer most of your unanswered questions, and just so you know - I've found everyone who works in that office to be very helpful and considerate. Don't be shy - give them a call. It can't hurt, and you could be well on your way to being an R.N.!!! Go for it!!!

I am a first year student, and we only have class from 9 a.m. until noon on Mondays, and then clinicals one day per week from 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. or so. The 9-12 schedule on Mondays includes Nutrition from 9 - 10a.m., and then Fundamentals from 10 -12. My clinicals are on Wednesdays. So, basically - 2 days per week for school. HOWEVER... That is not the only time I am 'dealing' with school stuff. I am usually studying at least three or more days per week for several hours each day - outside of the two days I am in school. Not all day, and not every day - but like I said before in another post - there is a LOT of outside independent reading and many projects that must be turned in - especially for a class that only meet once per week. I've found that I really have to budget out my time to make sure I allow enough time to finish everything, and I'm pretty organized by nature, anyway. It's been an adjustment. But, things settle into a nice routine pretty quickly. As far as working, I think most people in my classes work either full-time or at least part-time. So, if you have the option, I'd say work part-time if possible. You'll want the extra time to study. Trust me. It's harder than most people think. It's very doable, but not necessarily easy. NGCSU is really a terrific school. Good luck!!!

I am a first year NGCSU student, and I have to say that I really do love it. I am extremely happy with North Georgia, thus far. I am at the North Metro campus, so I cannot personally speak for Gainesville -- but there are others, here, that do attend at the Gainesville campus, and I'm sure they'd be happy to share. Most people who have attended GPC have been extremely negative and disheartened. (Check previous posts -- you are not alone in the experience you had at GPC.) The only somewhat difficult thing about North Georgia is that a lot of it is truly self-study -- the professors can only cover just so much, with one day per week of lecture. So, you have to stay motivated and keep on top of things. Otherwise, you will not do well. (If you know that going into it, you're a lot better off.) The professors really seem to want you to succeed. That, alone, helps tremendously. It's not easy, but it can be done. If you are willing to give it another try at NGCSU, I say go for it. I really think you will have a MUCH different experience at NGCSU than GPC. Good luck!!! :balloons:

As far as I know, the CNA certification classes are NOT transferrable to your ASN or BSN from NGCSU. I know that if you are an LPN, you can bridge over to the ASN program, but the CNA certification is simply good for working as a tech (CNA) in a hospital while going through your nursing program. I, personally, don't recommend it - I am at NGCSU, right now, and it is pretty intense as far as workload is concerned. I can't imagine working full-time, as well, but many people do it because they don't have the option of not working while in school -- they have to work to support their families. If you don't have to work while in school -- don't. If you do, I think it's a great idea to get certified -- it will help you during clinicals. However, just be aware that it is usually around $500 for the CNA class. Also, from what I understand, you can work as a CNA or in a patient care tech position at a hospital after completing at least one full 'round' of clinicals during nursing school. (Not sure if that means one semester, or one full year...) Basically, you learn all the CNA skills in your first year of your ASN program. Btw, North Georgia is fantastic. I love it. The instructors are wonderful. If you are looking for a terrific ASN program -- it's definitely top notch. It is a lot of work, but well worth it. Good luck.

Hey, gals. I remember Michelle saying something about us needing those guidelines, but I am not sure if we need to print them out before tomorrow. (That is one LONG printjob!!! Yikes!) I started printing them out (ten pages at a time), but then had to stop. Need to go study. See you tomorrow morning. :) -Susan

Sounds great! Regarding the driving issue, I, too, will gladly relinquish that job of teaching my kids to drive to my hubbie. I think he has more patience (and a lot more courage) than I do! LOL And, the more I think about it -- those days are not too far ahead for me, either. I have two girls and a boy -- the boy is the baby (age 6), but the girls are 8 and 11. Oh well. Enjoy the rest of your weekend -- might be one of the last few we'll have that we aren't studying like crazy. Oh yeah -- anybody know where we'll have clinicals, yet, from North Metro?

Hi, Jules. I will be at North Metro -- is that where you will be, also? Yes, the whole middle school thing is kinda' throwing ME for a loop -- she's handling the whole thing just fine, but I keep thinking "I'm too young to be the mother of a middle schooler!!!" Hee, hee. Anyway, yes, I am SOOOOO excited and SOOOOO nervous, all at the same time. I've had jury duty all week this week, so that on top of everything else -- well, it's been an interesting week, to say the least. :) I, too, wish I knew what to expect...study-wise, I mean.

:) Hey Jules, Althea, Lisa, and others... Do we need to plan to be in Dahlonega at 9:00 a.m. for advisement and registration, or is registration simply on a "drop-in" basis between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.? (Just trying to plan around trying to drop off my new middle-schooler Monday morning -- can't drop her off until 8:15 a.m.). We basically know we have to register for Fundamentals and Nutrition -- but do you think it's necessary to be there exactly at 9 a.m.? (I know that on Wednesday it is mandatory for us to be there at 8:45 a.m.) By the way, I am REALLY glad that we have each other to consult about all this stuff -- I would be completely lost without all you guys and the very imformative posts everyone has posted over the past few months...thanks a million!!! Can't wait to meet all of you! :) Don't be shy -- if we possibly run into each other in the crowd, come up and say "hi!" and introduce yourself from allnurses.com! We need to all be supportive of each other -- it's the only way we'll all get through the long road ahead! :) Here's to Class of 2007! Best wishes to all!!! :balloons: -Susan

Yes, I'm taking the Nutrition class along with the Fundamentals class --- also puts me at 6 hours vs. 5 hours. (Not sure what I'm going to do for Spring, though...I also need 6 hours for my financial aid...). Anyway, thanks for the info about the uniform store at Towne Center. And yes, we can definitely carpool for the 15th and/or the 17th. If anybody else on this side of town wants to join us in our 'trek to gold town," let us know.

Hi, Jules. I am also going to be at North Metro in Acworth. Thanks for the info on the books!