Nursemaple

Congrats on your big accomplishment. Any advice for a newbie? Win start October 1. What do you plan to do with your MSN?

Kline, you were my inspiration for starting WGU! I start Oct 1! I understand how you feel and, really, it is only natural. Taking a term break after this one is a good idea. But for right now, put it in gear! Reward yourself with something great

Wow, you have 2 tremendous options. No wonder you are having trouble choosing. Whichever you take, you can't make a "wrong" choice. If it were me, I would choose Brock because it is easier on a day-to-day basis and means less debt Brock is a great school! Truly, I have never known the uni attended by a candidate to be the deciding factor during hiring (at least in Canada). Have a blast, whichever you choose!

Nurse Blondie, I am curious, as I am searching. Did you settle on a program?

Toaster, the advice from the previous poster about talking with your parents was good advice. Yes, it is important to work towards a career but also, please be kind to yourself

*need your medication*, not mess. Sorry

Sorry this is happening. It sounds like you need your mess before you can address your schoolwork effectively. Could you visit an ER or walk in clinic?

I think the admission officer gave you good advise. Take courses which would count towards your BScN. Make good grades. Maybe get a PT job in a healthcare setting? Don't be so hard on yourself. Sounds like you were not ready to commit to nursing yet. Give yourself time.

What will you do to stay afloat? I hope you plan on going the extra mile, otherwise you may be disappointed holding a masters and still working as an RN since you did not heed the warning. Seriously, what is the extra mile? I need to know!!!

Oops. I did not see this was a LTC forum. I work an acute care setting

I am not a DON but a nurse manager. I interview and hire. Prospective employees are cleared by HR before I interview. Someone with a serious offense would not reach me. If there is a misdemeanor, HR would send them to me and would not tell me about it. Of course, I interview the occasional person before HR but I still leave the background checking to HR.

CNO has a publication "am I practicing nursing?" There is a tool to apply to the activities you are conducting. Volunteer activities count. You can always email them about your specific situation. I am glad I have email confirmation From CNO that my volunteer hours constitute nursing practice

I have a question about recognition of a US MSN in Canada. I work in the US but hope one day to work in Canada again. I work in admin and would like a leadership MSN. I started Athabasca's 10 yrs ago but nobody at my hospital had heard of it so I was concerned and only took 2 courses. Now I am looking at Western Governor's from the US. Any idea if it would be recognized if I applied for work in Canada?

You can do volunteer work and it counts as practicing. You could volunteer for parish nursing at your church or look at posted volunteer positions on CNO website.

I don't see a requirement for your peer to sign, or even for you to identify your peer. Your peer provides input on your str/weaknesses. Your can enter their input on a worksheet but you never have to provide the worksheet, even if audited. Then you use the worksheet as the basis of your learning plan, which is subject to audit. The learning plan can be entered on line. Not sure if you are required to enter online for first time this yr.

I work in Michigan and cross the border from Ontario q day. When I got my first coordinator job, I had worked for a long time already (ICU, cath lab.) But I have trained many over the years and newer nurses can make great coordinators if they are detailed oriented and are respectful of pt.'s who volunteer their time to serve as research subjects. Oh yes, there is tons of paperwork. You might consider throwing yourself into this coordinator position while studying for the exam over a period of months. Who knows? You may love research

Actually, I took the NCLEX in '95 (I know, I am ancient). I used a Saunder's prep book). Are there prep courses? Sometimes a prep corse makes all the difference

Are there many schools not accepting your WGU degree? I am considering WGU for MSN-leadership track. I got my BSN years ago. Would you caution against it?

Sorry, I see now see it is a clinic setting without other nurses. Do you have an RN friend who could prep you and let you practice once? Sounds crazy but I worked on a unit where newbies drew the managers blood

I am a CDN RN working in research in the states. Are you working in a hospital setting or an office? I am a manager and hire nurses who need to refresh blood draw skills. I have them shadow a phlebotomist for a half day, but we are a hospital setting. It works well

Strongly agree with last post. Make baby the priority

Thanks for your insights. I am not sure what impact the program changes will have and hope to talk with WGU on Friday. Like most of us, I have a busy work and family life so expect it to take 2 yrs. I would probably be better with the project, as a manager/education RN in research. I haven't given a med in 10 yrs so the 3 p's are scary. Mind you, I worked ICU for yrs, then cath lab so I have clinical experience, even if remote. I appreciate the support here. Thx

My mistake. BSN to MSN is 2-2.5 yrs. I must have looked at RN to MSN or something else. Thx for setting me straight.

Do you think I am misunderstanding the website? It says 4 years is avg. I will look again. If 2 years is a reasonable timeline, let the application timeline begin!

Thank you for your patience with my many questions. A friend has been in a MSN program for years. She wishes she had investigated more thoroughly, so I am trying to benefit from her bad experience. The website says avg completion is 4 years. Is that accurate? I understand the role of experience (I have worked in ICU for yrs, now I am an educator/manager for a research division at a hospital.) But can I expect to do it in 2 years if the avg is 4?!