cdm369

I consider it very unprofessional. The heart behind nursing is not to gain the attention of others, but rather give attention to those in need.

Well, if you carry a good GPA come to San Antonio - that's where I am. They have some very good nursing programs. There are 5 nursing schools that I know of. There are two BSN programs 1) University of Texas Health & Science Center and 2) University of Incarnate Word (private college - so a little pricey). The ASN/ADN programs are through two communities colleges, one of them has a very good reputation and prepares you to be an RN, the other one is aimed more for LVN's, and EMT's.. There is also a program that is done through one of baptist hospitals. I'm pretty sure its paid for (for the most part) as long as you sign a 2-3 year contract to work for them when you are done. I believe that one is primarily geared for LVN's. Personally, I'm seeking to get into UTHSC for the fall 06' semester. I will apply in February, and find out in March if I make it. It is very competitive. It seems every semester the lowest GPA keeps going up. If you carry a 3.7 your pretty safe. The pre-requisites are pretty tuff, but then again it is a bachelor's degree. If you just want to be an RN San Antonio College (the community college mentioned above) is the place to go. I'm not sure about waiting lists or how many students they take, but I can find out if you would like. Just let me know. Craig

Yep........same here. Last semester there were over 800 applicants to the nursing program, but they only take the top 100 [GPA], no waiting lists. The cutoff for last semester was a 3.51...wow. I'm hoping to apply in February. So far I'm pulling a 3.9, but I still have 6 classes to take.

I'm in a similar boat, 36 yrs old leaving the engineering field [not a money driven move )], but I do not think age will be factor when I graduate from nursing school. I would actually think the healthcare industry would prefer mature individuals who have faced various and many difficulties in life, and have demonstrated an ability to hold down a job, raise a family, and fulfill academic responsibilities at the same time. Experience in life is important when dealing with people. Nursing is very much a multi-tasking career, so proven experience that demonstrates the ability to do so can only help you when looking for a nursing job.

What is the big draw for psych nursing? How is it different? I liked studying psychology, but I don't think that has much to do with psych nursing, does it?

Thanks John

What is L&D?

Thanks :)

I'm going to be taking my A&P I class in the fall and I was just wondering what study aids or guides you found most helpful in assisting you to learn the material.

My transition is tri-fold. 1) I am a father and husband of six, and the needs of my children and family are increasing. I am as far as my education will take in my field (mechanical engineering). I do engineering work, however, I am not a degreed engineer. Realizing this limitation 5 years ago, I began to take classes part time at a local community college. We have four local community colleges that have made arrangements with the state universities into putting together what's referred to as a 2+2 program. Meaning, you can take the first two years of your core ciricullum at the community college level, and all of that work will transfer to the state university of your choice. It's a very nice arrangement, mainly because the community colleges offer so much flexibility schedule wise (nights, weekends, flex classes, maymesters, etx). I started five years ago knowing I needed my core no matter what (my current associates is purely trade oriented), so I started taking some classes at night with few possibilities in mind. I had interest in an BSME, mainly because of the money and that is where all my experience lies. However, to be honest, I don't think I could handle the math intensive courses after this many years away from it, also (and this is my 2nd reason) I do not find much fulfillment in design machines that replace peoples jobs. That's not completely fair to say, I do design things that enhance associate's tasks - but you understand my point. I want to work in a field where I am actually contributing to people's lives, making a different, helping others. So, my two primary thoughts were communications and nursing. I first started out pursing communications, because I was ignorant of the fact that you could obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing. I was just under the impression that you went to a nursing school took the required state text and became an RN, and that's all there was to it. Once I found out there was such a thing as a BSN, and that we had a good local university program my desire instantly changed because 3) I wanted to also use the field I become degreed in for future missionary work. Nursing opens up many opportunities in foreign mission fields. I have interest in being involved in pioneering works when my children are grown and on their own. We will see what the Lord develops. As far as my current schooling status. I still need several pre-requisites in order to enter the BSN program. Once I discovered the program I had already taken some classes that will end up not transferring, but I've mapped out the next fall, spring, and summer semester to be finished with all the pre-req's and be ready to enter the nursing school in the fall of 06' - that is if I get accepted. I will apply in February for the fall of 06' and find out sometime in March if I get accepted. They only take 100 student each semester. Last semester there were over 800 applicants...GULP. The nice thing is they have no waiting list, and the determining factor is completely driven by GPA. Right now I'm carrying a 3.89, and I only need to finish my summer and fall 05" classes to apply, so hopefully I should make it ) Right I'm taking college algebra and my brain is frying from all the quadractic fuctions, polynomials, graphing asymtotes, etc.......can't wait for A&P and the nursing stuff!!

Nurseguy: I don't think the BSN route would benefit you much at all. You already have a Bachelor's Degree, and in business management at that, so I would see no need of pursing another bachelor's. You have the management skills, now you just need the nursing skills and experience that put you into a management position in the nursing field. I'm pursing the BSN, because I never got my bachelor's, but if I already had it I would take the ADN route. In fact, I have heard very good things about our local ADN program from those in the nursing field. In fact, some of the comments I have received have indicated that they had been more pleased with the students coming out of that program than some of the BSN's. I would just look at your options and ask around. Find out from other nurses what their thoughts are regarding your local ADN program. However, beware of opinions driven by bias experience ) Good luck.........and let me know how your transition goes. I'm interested in seeing how other guys like ourselves will make the transition to office desk to nursing )

I'm new to the site and nursing. Please guide me to where I can learn the abbreviated terms like PEDS, LTC, etc. Thanks :)

I'm new to this site and nursing. Could someone please guide me to where I can learn the abbreviated terms that are often used on this site like PEDS, LTC, etc.

Thank you Mike. Just what I was looking for :) As far as physical condition, I'm in pretty good shape. I try to workout on a regular basis. Lifting will not be an issue - I lift weight for fun. I believe the emotional aspect will be my most difficult. I'm not really sure how I would/will handle that? I know this may sound strange or even morbid to some, but I actually like the idea of being close to death, because it underscores the preciousness and uncertainty of life, and (I know this is rather selfish) but it serves to humble me and make me more sober minded about life in general. Obviously, that is not what we want to see [death], but as you mentioned it is a certain reality, especially in the realm of nursing. At the same time, working for, pulling for, and praying for someone you serve - only to see them pass away has got to be a most difficult thing to handle. If it was not, I would most certainly have to question if I have the right heart for such a profession. There is nothing worse than having a professional who serves you, do so half-hearted. I NEVER want to be that.

As far as the time factor is concerned. I have taken so much of my core for a Bachelor's that the difference between ADN classes and BSN is not much, mainly the convenience differs. At this point, there are about 3-4 more classes I need to take in order to earn my BSN vs ADN. I say that, however, that is just referring to classes outside of the school nursing program. I'm sure the programs themselves differ between the ADN and BSN. The biggest advantage of the ADN route is I can remain working fulltime and take night classes, however that would take me about 4-5 years to finish. If I take the BSN route I would have to quite my fulltime job, because the program is a fulltime 2 year program.

Thank you Tweety. I live near one of the university health and science center's, that offer a BSN without any nursing background. They do not have a waiting list, but rather take applicants every semester and only admit 100. Last semester there were 800 applicants . The good news is they determine the 100 by GPA and mine is currently 3.89. The cutoff for last semester was 3.51. So, in other words, if you don't pull a 3.5 or higher your likelihood of being accepted is very slim. I feel like this is a good opportunity. I still need to complete my science pre-requisites, which I can get done this fall, the spring, and summer. So I would be looking at entering the school in the fall of 06''. The biggest challenge for me is getting out of debt. I really want to tackle it and go fulltime, so I need to be completely out-of-debt in order to support my family while doing school fulltime.

Hello :) I am currently trying to determine if nursing is for me. I started out five years ago chipping away at my core studies for either a BA or BS. As time has progressed I have narrowed my choices down to communications or nursing. I want to be in field that has contact with people, helps them, and makes a difference in their life. There are some aspects of nursing that are very appealing to me, however in all honesty, their are some aspects that I'm not too crazy about - namely bathing and bedpans. Not that I could not see myself doing it, however it is not something I would want to be doing on a regular basis everyday. I've probably changed more diapers than any man west of the Mason-Dixon line (6 kids :) ), yet I can't say it's something I looked forward to doing. Does this mean I am not fit for nursing? If I could not survive nursing home service does that mean I don't pass the acid test of being a nurse? Perhaps, these are stupid questions, but they seem very practical to me and if there is any validity to them it would help me in my decision making. I know most people see the glamorous side of careers (thanks to Hollywood) and are sadly disappointed when they realize "this is not at all what I thought it was", so I seek to focus on the real practical duties and responsibilities of a position when considering my pursuit of it. r

I am new to nursing, and I'm seeking to research as much as I possibly can about this career. I am currently working in the engineering field (have been for 15 years), making pretty good money, yet finding my career rather unfulfilling. I started out as a draftsman and have worked my way up to a designer. I'm pretty much as far as my education will take me, so I started back to school in 2000, working on my core for a BA or BS. I had considered becoming a mechanical engineer, however I want to do something that involves helping people (not replacing their jobs with automated equipment) and contributing to society. I want to come home with the feeling "I helped improve someone's life to today - I made a different." I wish I had this outlook 15 years ago, but time does different things to different people. I also would like to enter a profession that would make me useful in foreign soil, when my children are grown and on their own. My choices have been communications and nursing. I am leaning more towards nursing at this point, and need to make a decision before this fall, because my core work is at the point where the two majors start to require different studies. This fall I am considering taking pre-requisite courses to enter into nursing school, but I'm not sure what I should do? I have many questions............far more than the title will allow me to post ) One major question is ADN vs BSN? What's the difference? I realize that this may be a loaded question, and that I am not the first to ask this question, and that some answers are sure to be fueled by anomosity, jealousy, or lack of understanding, but I'm hoping that someone on here can truly give me an objective answer to this question. What does a BSN give me that an ADN will not? I've been dead set on getting my Bachelor's, regardless of major, however as far as nursing is concerned I ask myself "Does it gain me anything, by being a BSN?" Will a BSN afford my more opportunities in the nursing field? If so, what? Thanks :)