budderflize

I did not get a notification that you posted! Well, I graduated! The fall semester was pretty involved and a bit stressful, BUT our instructors made themselves available for ANY concerns. The level of difficulty did not change, but it felt like there was more involved this semester. You lean on your classmates more for support and I can say that we got really close this past year. What a great experience overall. 3/4 of the way into this semester I felt overwhelmed, but we all just put one foot in front of the other and we all did great! I definitely recommend this program for its comprehensive curriculum, phenomenal instructors, and being able to work full time and still get the grades you are seeking. If you plan on going further than your BSN I also recommend LSU. They have an extensive list of available programs and plenty of support to see you through to the end. I always felt that I would do okay because of the amount of support you feel from your instructors and LSUHSC as a whole. Geaux Tigers!

The semester ended great! It was definitely more intense than the Spring semester, but summer courses are generally condensed so I was expecting it to be such. I also moved in the midst of the semester and even with the added things to do/stress I did fine. Under normal circumstances and working full time the summer program is totally doable. I really enjoyed the preceptorship and the teams that I was paired with. It was a bigger class because these courses are only offered in the summer. We were teamed up with the class that started a semester before us, and they graduate this month! I registered for my last semester... I start Aug. 20th and God willing will graduate on Dec. 8th! :)

You are able to choose one from your place of employment as long as it is in a department different from the one you work in. The person you pick must be in a leadership role (management etc.) and I wouldn't think your scope would change. You aren't doing RN duties. If I am correct I think it is more like a mentor/shadow situation that introduces you to different leadership roles that are available. It sounds very interesting as I know every time I have been put in an area that I would have never picked on my own, I enjoy it and am amazed at how many different paths we can choose.

The semester ended great! No increase in workload, really steady throughout. If anything it may have lightened up towards the end. The Pathophysiology course content was pretty intense but he was super helpful and posted the lectures (similar to Tegrity). I start the summer semester this Friday which includes a Gerontology class and a Professional Leadership class. Part of the Leadership course is to complete a 45 hour preceptership. You can choose your own preceptor or they have several that they can match you with. The instructors for this course are the same as last semester's Professional Nursing Concepts and they were great. I am looking forward to this summer and know its going to fly by. In August we will start our last semester of 4 classes and then we're done! I will update after summer. Hope this helps :)

Congratulations to all of you!!! What an exciting time. I graduated last December and took my NCLEX right away. Word of advice: Try to test sooner than later. You would be surprised how quickly things slip when you don't use them everyday. I can say that any orientation program will prepare you to be on your own. I was blessed with a fantastic unit and when I finished orientation I told myself (in my mind) that I still have a whole floor of preceptors. Don't ever feel like you can't ask questions. Every nurse has been where we are and most really want to help. We are supposed to be nervous. My unit manager said she would be nervous if I wasn't. Time management is probably where I need the most work. It is such a great feeling leaving work having had learned something new. Don't get me wrong I have already had a shift or two where I was like, "OMG! Maybe I wasn't supposed to do this!". Just hang in there, learn from everything, and move on. Best of luck all!

Well I just wanted to update as I am in the home stretch of my first of three semesters (one is over the summer) at LSU's RN to BSN program. First off I need to say how much I enjoy the program! We are a small group and even though we only see each other for a few hours one Saturday a month, we are pretty close and help each other with reminders of assignments due and study tips. As far as the work load compared to Charity it is definitely not as difficult to maintain grades. I am doing very well and working FT nights. With that being said, it is a lot of work to keep up, just not as hard as preparing for the NCLEX and learning all it takes to enter the workforce as an RN. I feel like my associates was extremely intense as far as the clinical portion (safe to practice), whereas the bachelors goes into the professional aspect at a much higher level. This is my initial impression and it will probably change by next semester. Either way, everyday gets me closer to where I want to be.

I will definitely update after my first semester. I have gotten off to a great start but haven't started my FT job yet. Three 12 hour shifts is considered FT so I don't see it being a problem as far as time. You sound motivated so I am sure you will achieve whatever degree you are planning. I would say that my pinning at Charity and passing the NCLEX were the highlights so far! Enjoy your time at Charity. The friendships we make are incredible and truly lifelong.

Yes chemistry and stats are needed to start. I used Delgado's Chem101 (no lab) and Math203 (Intro Stats) which I took in the summer. You can apply with pending classes as long as they will be complete before you start. They have information sessions that you can register for online. They answer all of your questions and are very supportive. I think it is a great idea to go straight through after graduating Charity.

Yes! I just graduated from Charity and rolled right into LSU's RN to BSN program. I hear that they just recently started allowing Charity students to begin the program while awaiting NCLEX testing. I have 90 days from the 1st day of school to test. I loved Charity and am able to work as an RN with my Associates. Many of my friends are choosing ULL as it is 100% online. LSU is one Saturday a month and I am hoping to graduate December 2016. Whatever route you choose you will be well educated and very grateful for your journey. It has been one of the most rewarding accomplishments to date and I am thrilled to start my career. I would say apply to both and choose from there. There are a lot of discussions on here about both programs. The more you talk to people about it, the more you will know which one to choose. Best of luck!!!

Congratulations on your graduation! I am at Charity now graduating with my ASN in December and hopefully starting LSU in January. Thanks for the input and best of luck in your Nursing career!!!

Has anyone applied to or planning on applying to LSU's RN to BSN Spring 2016 program?

Check the Charity SON Fall "2013" blog here on allnurses to get a timeline of important events... Looks like the first week of April for acceptance letters, but people posted as early as March 22 that they were accepted. You can also get an idea of what's ahead after acceptance all they way through orientation and the first day of classes. It is a very exciting time for you all, best of luck!!

Hopefully everyone got who they wanted for clinical. As for lecture and pharmacology there are only 4 classes for each so everyone should be happy there... Don't let not getting your clinical site take your sights away from the ultimate goal, becoming an RN... clinicals are only 12 hours out of the week and the semester is only 4 months. You will more than likely be grateful for who you had for clinical, and it will be over before your finger uncramps from hitting the refresh button... then we can do it all over again for summer registration... It's all good!

Yes! Got to dcc.edu, Under the "Locations" tab go to Charity SON, in red letters click "CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION", and in red letters again click "SECTION NUMBERS FOR FALL 2013:", then click "Nursing I".

I don't know if this link will work, but it lists the Instructors from Fall 2013 with their Clinical Hospitals... http://www.dcc.edu/campus/charity/continuing-students/Call%20list%20for%20Fall%202013%20-%20NURS113%20Revised%2011-27-12%20Rev1.pdf