scanders77

It could be. I’ve never heard of it either. I’ve hunted around online thinking maybe it was a role specific to the VA, but except for the initial job posting, I can’t find it anywhere. There is now a Clinical Nurse Expert for Psychiatric Clinics posted for the Buffalo VA, but the job description is fairly different from the position I was offered.

Does anyone have any knowledge of or experience with the Clinical Nurse Expert position? I was recently offered this position on a med surg floor within my area VA hospital, and apart from the job description and my short interview I have very limited information on the role. This would be my first job with the VA- I'm an outsider. It sounds like an excellent opportunity bridging nursing education department/admin and floor nursing- acting in a supportive educational role for a specific nursing unit. I find it strange though that I can't find any more information about this specific role online. Is it a newer position? Infrequently staffed? If anyone with VA hospital experience can tell me more from an insider's perspective, I would really appreciate it! From the little I know, it's seems like a dream gig. If I jump ship from the private sector RN job I currently have, I'm looking at a $12,000-15,000 annual pay cut. Worth it??

Hello! I am in the current program- we finished our third semester today- whoot! It goes amazingly fast. I'll answer your questions as best as I can: 1. We began May 12, 2014. There is always a week's overlap with the graduating class, which is kinda cool (unless you're a professor teaching in both programs, but hey- wasn't OUR decision! 2. There is not too much information after the acceptance letter until you go to Orientation in April. It will drive you crazy. Once at orientation, much is explained. 3. We started off with about 56 and ended the summer with 51, I believe. This fall we joined in with the traditionals, adding about 70+ to our group. It's a LOT of people, which means LOTS of group work fall and spring, with sometimes unmanageably large groups (we're trying to "encourage" the faculty to fix that for you guys!). Try to pick your own- by then you'll know who you can work with. Thankfully, no group work in the summer. They do a nice job of streamlining the information then. You will get to know the other ABSers fast- I have made some terrific friends. They are a great support! 4. During the summer, don't work unless you absolutely have to. Some did, but not many, and only a little bit. Per diem is the best option if you can swing it. Although technically there is more time for a job in the fall (class time more spread out), you will have a LOT more work assignment-wise. I don't have to work, thankfully (thanks, husband!). I had thought about getting a PT job for fun this fall, but it just wasn't worth it. Chose to spend my little free time with my family instead. You do get 6 weeks off over December/January (which you will need!), though, so that may be the time to do it! 5. I purchased my books, but did it online at the cheapest costs. Don't get the optionals, but you will want the required texts. Reading, especially in the primary nursing content courses, really does = better grades. 6. Overall, I love the program. You get your BSN in one year, and I really can say that even with a full semester left, I feel like a nurse, I've learned a ton, and I'm ready to get out there. You will feel like your clinical experiences, especially at first, are too short. They are, in the summer especially. But fall will bring a more in depth experience (2 5-week placements), and spring you will have a 10 week critical care placement, plus your capstone at the end (3 weeks of basically FT clinical that many students try to use as a stepping stone to that first job). I have NO REGRETS at all about my decision to attend UB. It's been great. 7. Early assurance applications to the DNP programs are due February 5, I believe. I will be applying. 8. During the summer, you will have class basically 8am-5pm every day, and on clinical days typically 7am-3pm although weekends and later schedules are sometimes assigned. There is NO break between session I and II during the summer, and just a week between summer and fall. You will be doing work at night and on the weekends. But you get through the sessions quickly, so you see the payout from your efforts, which is nice. This semester I had classes M 9-11am and 2-4:30pm, T 12-3pm, W/TH clinicals 7am-3pm, and Fridays class 9-11am and 12-2pm. Much more a typical college schedule. You will fill your free time during the day with group project meetings (blech!!). My schedule next semester is similar, only classes will go til 6pm on Mondays in exchange for nothing on Fridays. I can handle that. Spring is supposed to be the hardest, as they cram all the material into the first 12 weeks so that classes are totally over when you begin your 3 week capstone experiences. Then 4 days of ATI review/NCLEX prep, and graduation! I hope that helped answer some of your questions. Feel free to ask more, or for clarifications if I was confusing. I remember feeling like I had NO information last year at this time, and it made me a little crazy. Overall, if you are accepted, do it! It really is a great program, and at UB prices instead of private schools. Good luck, everyone!

Hello everyone! I didn't think to look on allnurses until today to find a thread about NurseCorps. Glad I did, as it's always better to have company when you're going crazy waiting for something! Lol. I am in an accelerated BSN (started in May- it's been a crazy summer!) program. No emails (yet??) and my status is under review. I DID check my credit report (thanks for the credit karma tip- it's awesome!) and my credit was pulled July 31st. So, from what I can gather, I still have a chance?? I'm in western NY. Good luck to everyone still waiting!

Alicia- thanks for the info- that is great!

Hi Alicia! No- my husband was a career-changer. He was a wood-worker for years and after being laid off a few times, got an Anthropology degree and, while doing that, decided to be a nurse. He finished and at that point decided to get the ADN. It was a round about path, but worked for him. I do think we'll have an advantage w the 4 year degree. Kaleida rarely hires ADN RNs because they are trying for magnet status, so that's a plus. My husband liked his program and was pushing me towards it a little, but I plan to be an NP too, so the ABSN seemed like a no-brainer (I am still so psyched I got in!!). I'm hoping it gives me an edge into UB's DNP program- we'll see. :-/ Does anyone know if we get more detailed information before April?? I have so many questions, but I don't want to bug the nursing office staff- haha!

I have very little healthcare experience. LOTS of people experience, just not health-related. It couldn't hurt to volunteer ahead of time.

Hello! I'm in too! TeraTW- thanks for starting the new thread! My husband is a new nurse- graduated from an ADN program in May. It took him longer than we expected to find a job (we are also in the Buffalo area), but he was sort of picky. Only wanted to work at ECMC. It took him four months, but he is very happy now. He also has the 2 year degree, so hopefully it will be a little easier for us. I'd be interested to know what the current student you met has to say. Does anyone know when we will get more detailed information, like schedules, financial aid, etc.? Congratulations everyone!

The estimated price for the 12 month program at UB, with books and materials, fees, etc. factored in was about $18,000 I believe. There was an info sheet with the figures at one of the information sessions- I can't remember exact numbers, but $18,000 is ballpark.

Hi nycnursetobe2014- I am 36 and have pretty much lived in Buffalo my whole life, except for about 4 years out of state for my BA. I am a huge Buffalo fan, and honestly think there is a wealth of things to do, good food, culture, night life, etc. I think you'll be surprised- Buffalo gets a bad rep but it's a great little city. I live in the Elmwood Village neighborhood and my husband and I bike and walk all over. It's my favorite neighborhood in Buffalo and one of the cultural centers. Rent is pretty cheap too! You can get a 3 bedroom flat in the area for $600-900 easily. You'll find stuff to do- I promise!

We should plan a get together for those in the buffalo area- I'd love to meet everyone!

Ooh- that's a really tough decision! U of Rochester is a great school! Enjoy having two great options- you can't go wrong! Let us know what you decide.

Congratulations etnursing!!!

CHECK YOUR EMAILS!! I got in! I think I'm going to cry! Good luck!!!

Well, it's snowing in Buffalo, too, so if you say that's a good sign, let's go with it!! Good luck, everyone! Not too much longer now!!

Hi Beestar- that was a really good point regarding the "extra" prerequisites. I dug around a little on UB's website and it looks like those prerequisites are waived for applicants to the traditional program with a previous BA/BS, just like they are with the accelerated program: "Applicants with a previous non-nursing bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution or international equivalent and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 will be waived from: PHI 337 Social and Ethical Values in Medicine (3), PSY 101Introductory Psychology (3), and SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3) or UGC 211 American Pluralism and the Search for Equality (or cognates) (3)" So that's good. AND you can take prereqs the summer before, as well. Of course, it's a moot point, seeing as how we are all going to be accepted to the ABS program this week, right?!

Hi Korgan. It looks like a very similar application process to the ABS program (UB ap, nursing ap). The nursing application is open January 15-February 15 for fall 2014. I would assume that you would just have to contact UB to adjust your general application to reflect the new program. The nice thing is, we'll know about our ABS status way ahead of the deadline for the traditional program. I think the traditional program is going to be my back up plan, especially after taking all of these prereqs that you don't need for an ADN program! :) I know it's also a competitive admissions process, but not quite as competitive as the accelerated.

I sent an emailed the department to ask about a prerequisite I still have to take, and tacked on a question at the end regarding when decision emails might go out- my prereq question was answered, but not the decision letter question. I didn't want to ask again! Nycnursetobe2014 I think you're right- about the 19th last year. I was looking at previous class year's discussion boards and several years ago it was Dec 24. I hope we don't have to wait that long? If I don't get accepted to the ABS program, I think I will apply for the tradition program at UB. Anyone else?

Hi TeraTW- the student I spoke with yesterday told me that the schedule is typically 8am-5pm straight through on class days. Wednesdays and Thursdays are typically clinicals, which can start earlier than 8am. Sometimes you might be assigned a weekend clinical rotation, and then you wouldn't have class on W/TH (if it stays the same). Summer is very rigid- because the classes are packed into a shorter time frame you aren't really allowed to miss anything. She said schedule relaxes come fall, but workload increases. There is about a week off between summer and fall, but that's about it. 6 weeks between fall and spring though, so that's not bad. That's about all I know. I am itching for details! Does anyone know exactly when the program would start?

Thanks for the advice re pharm! I've got the others covered but have been struggling with figuring out where to take that. I'm glad I'm not the only one with classes left! :) Yes- she was working full time and volunteering on top of that. Made me feel better- I am lucky to not have to work during the program, which will be awesome. It will be a luxury to only have school- no work- to focus on!

Hi jjmm. I did like Trocaire. The clinical experiences are really good- they have a dedicated mother/baby and peds rotation (2 separate) which is really nice. Also mental health. These three classes/clinicals start before the actual semester so you can focus on that specific topic, and then the ends of those classes overlap with the regular semester classes. It's a pretty good set up, except that you begin a month before the regular semester begins so your breaks are a lot shorter. But still much more or a slower pace than the ABS program. A negative (besides the tuition) is that some of the students aren't as academically-prepared as I would assume UB or ECC students to be (those programs are so much more selective). But, I feel I got a lot out of that first semester and in many ways would be very happy going back to complete the program. On the flip side, I think graduating from UB opens up doors that maybe the other programs don't offer. And personally, my goal is to be an NP and the idea of completing a two year program, and then a BSN, and THEN a graduate program just seems like an incredibly long road! This will be a second career for me. :-/

Hi all! Does anyone else have prereqs to finish up this spring? I thought I would have pharm and nutrition, but they did not accept my old developmental psych course (did not cover whole life-span was the verdict) so it looks like I would need to complete 3 courses this spring. Does anyone else have 3 or more to complete? On another note, I randomly met someone who is currently in the program last night. She says she is exhausted, has no life, but thoroughly loves the program. Feels very prepared to begin her career and that the education she is receiving is excellent. It was so nice to actually speak with someone currently going through it! I think I kinda grilled her, but she was awesome and kept answering my questions. Interestingly, she also works full time in the evenings, which was a relief to hear. She was still surviving. Is anyone planning to try to work while in the program?? Ack! It's so hard to wait...

Everything I have heard says that they send an email, and to check your mail very carefully as it doesn't really stand out. From past classes, it sounds like it is sent out around the 20th of December. Ack! Jjmm- where were you accepted for your ADN? I did a semester of Trocaire's program, liked it. I stopped for family reasons and am torn now between finishing up there or doing the BSN in a year (should I be accepted).

I have applied for the May 2014 start as well...impatiently waiting for December!

Hello! I am looking for some firsthand feedback about the ABS program- how you liked it, how well it prepared you for your first job, etc. I just finished up my first nursing semester in Trocaire's RN program- did well and really enjoyed it- but I am toying with the idea of applying to the 2014-15 ABS program. I have a BA in Psychology and an MS in Education. Also, would have the luxury of not having to work during the program (which was not the case while at Trocaire and part of the reason I went that direction in the first place). So, thoughts, advise, pros/cons, etc?? Thank you so much!