condanchri

There are definitely Post-Masters certificate programs. Look on the aana site under CRNA schools. I will have my general MSN, then will be applying for post-masters cert. (after icu experience) Good luck!

Ladynesh - you are such a positive role model for me!! I went to the Information Session last Thursday, was offered a spot in the current Spring 2012 cohort by last Friday, and am now sitting here, having been through orientation and the first day of actual classes (one week from the info session). To say that I'm a bit freaked would be an understatement :-) . You're success gives me hope - thank you!!

Okay, now I get what you're saying (I thought there was a chance I was reading it wrong :)). During my LTC clinical, I thoroughly enjoyed and was constantly amazed at the constant learning going on by the residents - I agree that any type of narrow-minded answers (and those that establish limits) would more likely be false.

"Look at real life. Have you seen anyone in that age-range using a cell phone? Did they learn anything new in order to use it?" I could be reading into your comment above, and if that's the case, then I apologize ahead of time. My 77 year old father and 68 year old mother both have cell phones, and had to learn quite a bit of new technology to do so, as well as to operate their laptop and desk top computers. I just completed my CNA training, and will be completing my 2nd quarter of RN school this spring (I took a break between quarters). There is a gerontology course in the first quarter of nursing school that covers a lot of the myths concerning aging (CNA programs cover this too, as it is usually the first population you will be working with). I'm not sure what you mean by asking which view of the population these questions cover.

I recently completed Kamanga's day program, and I have to agree with Kendra. There were definitely parts of the course that were unorganized, and there were several times where I was frustrated. If your goal is to work in Long Term Care, then Kamanga is a good start, as that is what they design the program around completely. However, if your goal is to work in a hospital setting (or anything other than LTC), I would probably recommend a community college program - although I do not have any experience with the other private companies that offer CNA programs. If you are simply using it as a pre-requisite for an RN or BSN program, then Kamanga is probably not a bad choice - there were several girls in my class that were doing so, with no plans to work as a CNA. Good Luck!

Just so you know, this is a REALLY old thread - the daughter graduated from her BSN program LAST year. I agree with you re: BSN programs though.

Congratulations on your daughters graduation (which, by now, should have already happened)!!! I'm so glad she took advantage of the BSN - wherever she ends up!

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and advice. I'm going to be doing some job shadowing at a few area hospitals over the next few weeks/months to see if I can get a better idea of what to expect in a career in nursing. I think I will apply to the BSN program - hopefully the fact that I have done more research on the profession will help to mitigate my prior ADN program departure. Thanks! :)

Thanks for your reply, caliotter3 (cute name & pic, by the way!). The plus is that the BSN school I will hopefully be applying to is the 4-year school I started at out of high school (but never finished), some 20 plus years ago! I guess I'll find out if they can see their way to giving me another chance (which would truly be bittersweet for me). I appreciate your input. :)

Before you read on, please know that I did do a thorough search of this site to see if there was any relevant information for my particular situation (I came up empty). I was FINALLY accepted into a local ADN program last Spring. I got through the first quarter okay (with a 3.65 gpa), but I had some reservations that kept creeping in on me about the nursing field (this program does not require volunteer/shadowing experience - and I don't have any). When introduced to care plans, I was much more drawn to medical diagnosis's, instead of focusing on nursing diagnosis's (I love to put the puzzle pieces together). After being told repeatedly that I was not "thinking like a nurse," I got discouraged (shame on me!). We had the entire summer off, and after some soul searching, I left the program thinking I might try my hand at pre-med instead. So, here I am, having second thoughts. I am by no means a "spring chick," and while I considered all aspects of my life in my change to pre-med, I still find myself wondering if there might have been a place in the nursing profession for someone like me. I know it's not an option to return to my former program, so here are my questions: Is it possible to gain entry into a BSN program (I've completed all the pre-req's), even though I have left an ADN program? How do nursing programs deal with an applicant whose voluntarily left another program? Do I even have a shot at explaining myself? (and, do you have any advice on this?) I would really appreciate any information and/or advice any of you might deem helpful. Thanks for your time! :)

Hey there, just wanted to post that I sold my books - and I apologize to those of you who called that I didn't get back to. (wish I could just erase the post, but I don't know how!). Best of luck to you in your first quarter!

Congratulations Lilygirl!!! My only advice is to make sure you get all your requirements done early (shots, auto insurance info, cpr card, etc.) and it would probably be good to brush up on your medical terminology (as I told Nathan below). That was the one thing I wish I had done, prior to starting my program. Best of luck to you! Danielle

Nathan, No, I did not work, but I have three children whom my husband and I homeschool - so I would guess that might add up to a full-time job. I do have several classmates who worked during the program - these are very dedicated people who are extremely successful at time-management (honestly, I don't think I could have done it while working, but that's me). I did not find the first quarter to be harder than the pre-req's. However, I know that science becomes more of a focal point in the coming quarters. I am imagining this next quarter to be a difficult one (I also have a friend who is one quarter ahead of me in the program, and she told me so). The first quarter is much more about time management, visiting different clinical sites, listening and learning as much in theory and clinical lab as possible, and succeeding at the last minute assignments that are thrown at you - everything the nursing program does has a purpose (even if it may not seem so at the time!). If you have time to memorize medical terminology (prefix, suffix and root words), that would be very helpful. I don't know anything about the LPN program at Bates (I know that TCC used to put a few students there for their first year, then transfer them to TCC, but I don't know if they still do so - sorry!). As far as "waitlist," I didn't mean a set list - what I meant was the few numbers that get picked below the 24 original are usually the ones notified (in order) if someone declined the program (i.e. got in somewhere else) or some other reason (which I can't think of!). Life happens, and sometimes maybe the timing isn't right for somebody - that's where a lucky person (whose number was picked just below the 24) may get an opportunity. Hope this info helps! Danielle

Hi there Nathan! Congratulations on completing your pre-requisites - we all know that's not a small feat! I was fortunate enough to get into the TCC RN Program this past Spring, and I will be starting my second quarter this Fall (it's been a loooong summer, and I'm afraid I've forgotten much of the huge amounts of information I learned!). I know that for the Spring 2010 lottery, there were less than 200 applicants. I cannot remember the exact number, as there were about ten or so that were able to get into the lottery at the last minute (snags in their applications or mistakes made by the nursing office, etc.). Spring is also when they do the part-time lottery, and I think there may have been more applicants for that lottery than for the full-time one. During our orientation, I remember Nancy Novak mentioning something about how they had seen a drop in applicants, but they weren't sure what to attribute it to. I would say that the Fall 2010 lottery's applicant pool was quite large compared with what I've seen previously - I was surprised at the number. I don't know if this will be a trend with future lotteries, or if it's just indicative of Fall entry. There are 24 students that started in our cohort. I would imagine that would be the same number they will take for the Winter 2011 lottery. I know there were at least two students taken off the waitlist and put into our cohort - so don't loose hope if you don't get in, but are close on the final list. I was able to get into the program on my second lottery try. I wish you the best of luck - TCC has an awesome program, and I still feel like a very lucky girl to be part of it. :) Danielle (hope to see you in the hall way early next year!)

Hi guys - just wanted to say that I got the jumbo orientation email yesterday afternoon - boy, lot's of stuff to do!!! I've got an appointment for titers on Tuesday, then will be getting my CPR card on 3/6 at the TCC class (on the winter continuing education schedule) and HIV/AIDS requirement done as well (take home DVD and workbook). I'm a little fuzzy about the background check stuff - is this the criminal background check (thought that was done through WSP, and had assumed they had done this already), or just for shot records, NAC licenses, etc.? I'm still scared to death, but excited for orientation - it's feeling more real now!

Has anyone that was accepted to Spring 2010 TCC Nursing received any news on a forthcoming orientation meeting? I got an email last Friday that said they would be sending out an email regarding orientation, but have not heard anything since. I'm trying to get going on financial aid but don't want to "jump the gun." Thanks!

Yeah, me neither - but that's what's good about this website. At least we get to know each other a little bit before hand. I'm nervous too - but excited as well. Danielle

Yep, I got that same email sometime on Friday afternoon (I think they have been busy doing two lotteries, when they've only done one at a time until now). Also yep, that's when the quarter starts. Do you guys know anyone that was successful with the part-time lottery? (I got full-time)

Uh, no way!!! I mean, I've heard "legends" about people who can handle a full-time job, full-time nursing school, kids, a husband and a home, but I am not one of them (and I would venture to say most people are not). I would explain to him that it will be a hard two years (you can work during the summer though), but once you are done, your income (and happiness) will increase exponentially (I'm assuming this is the case...). I hope you are able to convince him because I know that your plate would be really-super full if you kept honoring all those commitments. I know there's information on the TCC Nursing website that reccommends NOT working while in nursing school - you could find that information and pass that along to him as well. I'm having a similar dilemma, although I don't have a full-time job. My husband and I home school our kids (it's actually virtual schooling through a public school district, not "off the grid" home schooling) - we have three kids (5, 7 and 9). We are discussing putting them back into a brick and mortar school while I'm in school - we'll wait and see. We are planning on continuing to home school for Spring (to finish the year for them), and then re-evaluate for next year. I personally don't see how I can give what I need to give to my kids, and also be successful in full-time nursing school (that's why I was leaning towards the part-time program - but "a bird in the hand beats two in the bush"). I do have a super-supportive hubby - he's a police officer and he works nights, so he has a somewhat flexible schedule. I know I am lucky in this department. Good luck in your efforts of persuasion Danielle

Got my phone call and congratulations letter, and email confirmation/information sheet sent it back this afternoon. I agree Sunny - I'll be printing my acceptance letter out and framing it as a motivational tool!!! Just waiting to get more info on orientation and what we have to do/when we have to do it by/how we're going to do it... I'm getting a jump on Financial Aid by making sure they have my 2009-2010 Fafsa Application. Enjoy the weekend!!!

I've never won anything either, so I know what you mean - even though I know we deserve this. We deserve to be in the Nursing Program at TCC. There were many others that also deserved this, but we were the ones who got it. I'm gonna watch the video when it comes up tomorrow - I know what you mean about experiencing some denial. I've gone back to the Nursing page numerous times, making sure my number is still in position 16 - that they haven't taken me down for some reason...

I'll be getting some serious shots tomorrow - ouch! I also need my CPR card and the HIV/AIDS class. I'm pretty sure we'll find out more about these at orientation. Tonight I'm going to make a list of everything I'm going to need to get done, as quickly as possible. I would hate to get this far, then not get something done in time. How quickly my mind moves from stressing out, to being ecstatic, to stressing out again! But, it is a lovely kind of stress to have...

Yep - I have child care to figure out as well, but my husband works nights so I know I can get lots of help from him. I'm more scared of the workload (heard lots of horror stories!). Do you gals already have your shots done? I still have to get some, got to get working on that... My name's Danielle, and I'm excited to meet you all!

Have you guys done the "happy dance" yet???? I'm doing it RIGHT NOW!!! Just called my hubby - made sure he was off the road before I told him (we don't need any car accidents to spoil the wonderful news!). Enjoy the feeling ...

Congrats Sunny!!!! Yeah, what are the odds? Oh, I just don't care anymore!!!! Congrats to all of us!