PhillyRNtoBe

I am interested in working in Community Health after I graduate (BSN). I'm concerned about training and resources for new grad nurses in this setting. Is it common for new grad nurses to work in community health? Is there a such thing as a preceptor in community health? Are the orientations/ trainings comparable to that of a hospital? I want to work in a setting that will provide me with the best training as a new nurse but will also allow me to work for a setting that is in need of nurses. If anyone has information specifically on working for Philadelphia department of public health that would be great! Thank you!

Awesome, congrats!

For some people their school has a deadline regarding tuition payment, their classes may be dropped without the signed contract or coming up with anther way to pay until they get the scholarship funds. My school will not tell me if I am losing my existing financial aid package until they have the contract. This is difficult for me personally because I can't make a decision if I am keeping a part of my loan or not until I know if my school is taking away over $15,000 in scholarships and grants. If they are rescinding my financial aid package then I need to keep part of the loan to cover the taxes I will owe the IRS on the amount of the scholarship. If they allow me to keep it, I will be giving back all my loans and paying the taxes with the stipend money. Essentially this is either a $10,000 + tax bill vs. a $3500+ tax bill that I will owe the IRS, I have no way to plan how I will pay for it until my school gets the contract. I was very stressed until my financial aid office told me today that I have time to decide on the loan, they have until the end of the semester to send it back so that makes it a little easier to wait now.

My contract is not signed yet and my status still says I'm in final review! It's making me crazy, I hope it updates tomorrow!

And to be clear, I only had someone co-sign a private loan for me 1 year out of the 4 years I will be going. I had to scrape by every other year. For this year My scholarship won't kick in until November and I had to max out all my credit cards to afford my books an another stethoscope. I was lucky that my school didn't force me to pay tuition on time, they are putting my account on hold until November. Other girls were forced to find the money to pay upfront. It's even challenging when you get scholarships! Nothing is easy or cheap as far as education in this country. It's extremely difficult for so many to pull off. I am in my mid 30's and had to put it off so many times in order to put food on the table. Don't give up hope!

Could you get a job at a hospital and then have them pay your tuition? I know many people who have to do it that way also. In Philly many of the larger hospitals will pay for their CNA's and Medical Assistants to go to nursing school. Find the BEST employer in your area, and make it a serious goal to gain employment there and reap the benefits of employment. UPenn and CHOP and Jeff all offer those types of benefits to their employees. Network..network...network, tell everyone you know you are trying to get a job at that particular hospital and ask people if they know of any openings or know anyone with a connection to management to put a good word in for you. I was always afraid to network until I saw it work for people. Sometimes it's all about who you know!

I had to do some extreme stuff to make nursing school happen, including having my younger brother co-sign a private loan for me which is something I would never have considered doing before all of this. I had a yard sale, sold off all my expensive bags, sold stuff on Craig's List and I'm moving! My boyfriend and I are giving up our apartment and moving into the in-law suite of one of his family memeber's home for a $400 a month less than what we are paying now. He and I are making many sacrifices so I can get through the last 2 years of school. I keep reminding him it will be worth it and before we know it I will be working full time again. It's been a crazy journey but we worked together an figured it out. I also got a scholarship this year and feel really lucky. Apply for as many scholarships as you can every single year! If I can do it so can you, I promise, you have to commit and get creative with living expenses. I use my brother's Netflix account and Amazon Prime account for whatever I need. It takes a village, use whatever resources you have to make it through. Good luck! You got this!

you are my hero, I'm 34 and starting Junior year of a traditional BSN program. Some days I feel so stupid for waiting this long to get a bachelor's degree and other days I feel like it's a strength. I couldn't imagine doing this while having children. You are truly a superwoman!

Yes, that is what I figured. That was kind of were I was going with that, if an employer provides the necessary vaccines and they are free, it's easier to have compliance and harder to mess up. With students we are relying on insurance companies, Doctors offices and sometimes the state to accomplish the long list of necessary requirements.

ugh, at least you could still attend clinical and at least I'm not the only one.

I hope so!

Many of us are low income and we get grants, and have to take out loans just like many people do to get by these days. Most people can't afford the cost of a professional program like Nursing School, Med School or Law School. This is why most of Americans are in massive student debt. If you are opposed to student loans, your only option is to move to Canada where education is FREE for all! ( that is what my brother did.)

Yes, I am when I try to login with Chrome but it works when I logged in on Internet Exploer. At least that was how it was yesterday, I haven't tied yet today because I've been so busy shopping, prepping and freezing food to eat over the next couple weeks while I start my med-Surg and behavioral health clinicals! Ahh one more week!

Hello, I think that you need to give more specifics about your program because it sounds nothing like mine and it's hard to give you advice when I'm unsure how they compare. Is it a ABSN program, ADN, LPN or something else? I have a neurology disorder that can be challenging but so far it hasnt interfered with school. You need to ask yourself, if you are prepared to find ways to work through or around your challenges without it impacting the care of your patients. In this regard it can be hard because you have to care for yourself while you are caring for your patients but you will find a way and will need to make a few adjustments.

Yes, you are very right but does your employer pay to have you vaccinated properly? Is it usually a situation where it's done in-house or do employees still have to go to their pcp?