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Just wear the mask. If you had a reaction, then you should avoid the flu shot, but don't jeopardize a patient's health because you don't want to wear the mask.

What is the best way to get textbooks for nursing school? Should you wait for the first week? Or will you have too many assignments if you decide to rent? Speaking of which, should you went? Or is it better to by used from either online or your classmates? I assume you should almost never buy new, unless it is for online homework access. What was the cheapest way you got your textbooks?

How would students at either school know whether it is worth it? You need to find out 1) if employers really have a preference for degrees from those places and 2) how long it normally takes to payback and break even with student debt and total cost of the education, to determine if it's worth it. With 1), you can ask call up local hospitals to see if there's a preference or any pay difference and by looking on LinkedIn for places/units you are interested in. With 2), you need to figure out the starting (not average) of nurses in your area. You then need to calculate the total cost of tuition, books, room and board, etc. for the two schools and then figure out how long it will take to pay off that amount and what kind of lifestyle you'll have to live.

I'm gonna take a little bit of a different approach than what others have posted. First, I think everyone has valid points about your readiness and desire to be a nurse. You really need to get both of those sorted out, before you start with plans of re-entering school. Next, you to figure out if there is some sort of remediate program (held back a year) with your school or if they will just dismiss you, by talking to the dean of nursing and other administrators. I imagine many programs will try to have that meeting before making those decisions. If you are not given a second chance and you have become more responsible, then you can: A) talk to schools that evaluate your transcripts to see if you could show some level of maturity (taking additional classes, working in healthcare...) and/or B) apply to schools that only look at your test scores and other things that don't involve those classes. I'd do some research on what those programs are.

I agree with others that it depends on the program. With that said, let's just look at your overall GPA and then I'll talk about programs that select for factors other than that GPA. You currently have 156 credits with roughly a 2.72 (assuming it's not over by much). In order to get a 3.0 overall GPA, you need to take an additional 45 equivalent credits (meaning if it's semester-based, you would need to remain taking semester-based classes), with perfect 4.0s in every class - =(156*2.72)+(3�*4) - Google Search . Judging by that fact that you sound like you still have to take many of the common prerequisites, that certainly is possible to do. Of course, if you average about a 3.5 GPA with you new classes, you would need 90 equivalent credits, =(156*2.72)+(3�*4) - Google Search . So, it's up to you to see if you want to go that pathway. The first thing I would do is see what your veteran's benefits will pay for. Then, look up every nursing program in your state that's accredited, according to the ACEN (Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs) for ADN programs and CCNE (CCNE - Accredited Programs) for BSN programs (there might be some exceptions to that). Go onto those nursing school websites and see what they require for admissions. If it lists any numbers on the website, see if they are achievable (pre-requisite grades, TEAS test score average). Then, call up admissions and see if they have any advice for your situation. I can't give any other advice without knowing the state. As you mentioned, there are ABSN programs, which I would look into, but I would also look into BSN and ADN programs, as well. Finally, if you do not qualify for veteran's benefits, but are pretty close, based on active duty time, then I might take some ACCEPTABLE online classes (based on your phone calls with different schools) and study for your nursing school admissions test(s) (TEAS or HESI depending on what is needed) during active duty (if you think you will have the time). But, there are major risks with active duty (some lethal) that you should consider with that option. It is also really important you do well in those classes and test(s).

I know the title sounds cheesy, but it is something I wanted to bring up. You might see your colleague that is able to do tasks more quickly than you or with less worry. You might be juggling multiple assignments, writing everything down so you don't forget anything, triple checking everything, and communicating with multiple people so nothing goes wrong. Meanwhile, your colleague simply nods her/his head when she/he receives multiple tasks and does them with such ease. How do you maintain confidence in your nursing abilities in those situations?

I would suggest sending those schools an email then. Also, the competitiveness of a BSN program depends on the program. Some will require really high grades and test scores. Others have accepted people with really low GPAs without any test score requirements. Also, from a financial perspective, you should have the GI Bill (and Yellow Ribbon Program).

So, the first thing you should also determine is whether you have the support to go through an ADN or BSN program, with your child(ren). You'll probably have commitments that can run from as early as 4-5AM all the way to late at night, especially for clinical. If you have a significant other who can pick up that workload, if the school you are planning on attend has childcare services, or if there is a nearby daycare center, that will all help. You mentioned living in one state, but attending a graduate program in another (Frontier). How will that work with your responsibilities as a parent? Next, you mentioned financial aid. First, how do you know you haven't reached any limits on your financial aid? Have you actually sat down with a financial aid counselor and went line by line on what you qualify for and what you don't qualify for? Even if you have had a brief conversation with one, you really need to sit down and figure out where you with those limits for each aid type that is offered (Pell Grants, FSEOG, Work-study, etc.). If any counselor ever says that there are no maximum limits or that cannot backup what they are saying with writing, you should go to their supervisor. More important, how do you know that financial aid will cover the MSN, once you finish the ADN? Maybe, you will need to take out private loans. You really have to think about how your going to pay this off. If you decide on working for a year to save on the cost of graduate that might help with the MSN. Here are the prerequisites from some local ADN programs: http://www.sanjac.edu/sites/default/files/Nursing%20ADN.pdf, http://www.hccs.edu/media/houston-community-college/coleman-college/pdfs/admission-steps/RNSG_Spring-2017-Revised.pdf, http://www.alvincollege.edu/Portals/0/userfiles/documents/adn/pdfs/packet_2yr.pdf Here are the prerequisites from some local BSN programs: BSN Prerequisite Guide - Prospective Student - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing, RN BS Admission Requirements - TWU College of Nursing - Texas Woman's University, http://www.nursing.txstate.edu/prospective-nursing-students/bsn-admission/BSN-Requirements/Prereq-Courses.html You might notice that there is a lot of overlap with psych, anatomy and physiology, English, and microbiology. Because those prerequisites usually have requirements to take them, you will probably take some form of general chemistry and biology. After you take intro to psychology, lifespan would be the next class you would take, so not too much trouble. Nutrition could also be taken after you take chemistry and biology. The only classes that might give you trouble would be the foreign language (which might take care of other requirements, as well, like arts), arts, history, and philosophy. Again, there might be a few classes you don't need to take by the time you turn in your application, that are only needed to be completed before you enroll. It's up to you, but it seems like you will be spending a year bridging that gap in the ADN-MSN to cover what you would have learned as a BSN. You should see if you can fit those extra classes during the time between when you turn in your application and the start of school. You should see if classes can be applied to multiple requirements. If you have to call up or email the school, that might help with figuring those things out. But you won't know which route is faster, unless you know what you can do with the prerequisites. Then, what I would do is create a table or a spreadsheet and figure out what would cover your ADN and MSN bridge program and what would cover your BSN and MSN program. This information is available now, I would just use current interest rates, maximum borrowed amounts, and any other numbers, to figure things out. That should give you an idea what way would be cheaper. I don't know how you calculated the 6 and 7 year projections, but I would definitely make sure they are correct.

Have you looked at ADN and BSN websites to see what their minimum GPAs are on their school websites? If they don't have it listed, you could call them up and at the same time ask about your situation (even if they have it listed, I'd still call them up to ask for advice). Many schools value veterans, which could put you at an advantage. There might be a few schools out there that only accept test scores or test scores and your prerequisite grades. Look at any accredited non-online BSN program ( CCNE - Accredited Programs , select baccalaureate under program, or by California, under state) that is covered by the GI Bill ( School Locator - Education and Training , search for schools approved for VA benefits and schools that fall under the Yellow Ribbon Program). I would really call up all the programs that the GI Bill will provide tuition assistance and maybe a housing allowance for (not quite sure if this a benefit) and see if they have advice for your situation (whether you need to take additional classes, for example). I would try not to go the LVN/LPN or BS-BSN pathway, especially if you have those VA benefits.

What is your educational status? Do you have a degree already? Do you qualify for financial aid (legal citizen or alien in good standing, low family income, have not reached maximum financial aid amounts...)? Are you looking to staying in your state? Do you have good enough grades and test scores to be admitted to your in-state schools and maybe receive a scholarship to an out-of-state schools? Could you add something to a program in terms of diversity, for scholarship purposes? How close are you to finishing your prerequisites for an ADN or BSN program? Generally, a BSN program will require a few more courses, which could be completed very quickly. And you usually don't need to have every prerequisite done before applying. Why are you looking at this one ADN-MSN program when there are others across the country? Does that ADN-MSN program or the other programs you are considering have a good reputation with local employers? For personal information purposes, you don't need to answer the second to last question, but these are questions you should really think about before you consider what is the fastest or cheapest route. Also, does that ADN-MSN program really save you some any time compared to getting an ADN, then BSN, then MSN? If you look at the the Frontier website for their ADN to MSN+DNP (Bridge) Entry Option, it will take three years to complete the program to get an MSN, if you are full-time (four years if you are part-time). Generally, ADN to BSN programs take about a year, depending on the state, and MSN CNM programs take about two years. These are just some things to think about when deciding on a program.

I sent you a PM. Your GPA is good and I don't think you'll have an issue getting in somewhere assuming you apply to enough programs and that you interview well. I think the issue is more, can you afford to go to an ABSN program? Have you ever thought about getting an ADN first? Going away for an ABSN program is going to be very expensive.

What if you get hired to work at some place you don't live close to?

I'm gonna start off with my major point and then move onto the secondary point about your neck. This is going to seem counterintuitive, but please consider switching to nursing and NOT finishing your first degree. By gaining a bachelor's degree, you disqualify yourself from the all non-loan based federal financial aid and probably disqualify yourself from your state financial aid. Talk to a financial aid counselor to confirm this at UF. Don't ask them if you should finish! Ask them what financial aid you will qualify for with a second degree. If for some MAJOR reason you need to graduate or for some reason you no longer qualify for that aid (you used it all up, family income is too high and your still a dependent, etc.), then move onto reading paragraph #2. If you still qualify for that aid and please ask financial aid if that is the case, then don't finish your first degree, especially if you have no loans taken out now or SUBSIDIZED student loans. I know the allure of an ABSN program seems quite tempting, with many only taking one year, but you will most likely paying back those hefty student loans for ten years. If this message reaches you too late, consider ADN programs that are manageable financially. I'm sure in Florida there are many nurses that get hired with an ADN. For your neck, please see a healthcare provider. You will be surprised what they might be able to do, so that it doesn't affect your life that much. Also, if it hurts while sitting down, consider better cushioning. I don't know the effects on the neck from those bouncy balls, but it would be worth looking into.

Most of those study tips would probably not help for anatomy practicals, unless you are an incredible artist and can draw structures on sticky notes. I imagine you are studying bones, organs, or histology (microscopic tissues). You need to figure out what makes each structure unique and have looked at enough labeled and unlabeled examples to know it when presented on a test. How would you know you were looking at esophageal tissue by looking at a slide? You'll see stratified squamous tissue for the epithelium. If you're looking at a cross-section of the entire tissue (transverse), you'll see the cavity where food and water goes down surrounded by that epithelial tissue, and the mucularis mucosae, mucularis externa, etc. How would you find the linea aspera? Well, first you'd have to know what the femur looks like, then be able to find the longitudinal line along the shaft (you'd also have to understand where the shaft ends and other parts begin of the femur). You can only do this by studying pictures, models, or slides with labels and then quizzing yourself when there are no labels.

Yah, I'd prefer for the non-living alarm clocks that I don't have to cleanup after.

Wow, great advice everyone. Here are some takeaways from all the suggestions (sorry if I missed anyone): set several alarm clocks, but try to get up on the first alarm, have everything prepared, including supplies, breakfast, lunch, uniforms, coffee, and anything else you need the night before, get charting, reading, or anything else your assigned done the night before, try to get up earlier than your supposed to, to get adjusted and have some time in the morning, shower to make yourself more awake, rest according to your sleep cycle, possibly take a sleep aid early in the evening, if you don't get too drowsy, use 4-7-8 breathing method to go to sleep, use yoga to become more awake (got this somewhere else on this site), and go to bed as early as you can. Now, what alarm clock did your purchase for those that don't just use your phone?

This x1000. My thoughts are she should have left a note with the manager and made the cake without her name, as a joke, in the break room. She would have gotten a similar result with a Twitter post of a picture of the cake, without her name.

I would email them or call them again to ask this week. It is better not miss an acceptance deadline, then to not be viewed as bothersome for contacting them three times. If you are really worried, I would hand the phone over to a friend and have that person call up the office. I can probably guess that unless you called them up every other day, they probably don't remember who you are. I would also check your spam folder. Admissions decisions can take awhile for many reasons. For example, the admissions team could have team members that review each application and then rule on it as a committee. Then, they need to make sure they are sending out the right letters, with all the information you need to start the program. However, in your case, they have told you that decisions should be made by the end of July.

I'd call up the school of nursing and see if letters/emails with acceptance notifications were sent out. I'd also check your spam folder.

A good debt collection lawyer for student loans should be familiar with the laws that apply to private and public loans (you can also google student loan lawyers as a search term in your area). It's hard to imagine many lawyers that really only specialize in one loan type, like federal loans. But, it would be worth asking about when calling up law offices. The same logic applies to CPAs, or accountants (you can google local CPAs in your area). A local university financial aid office might have some (free) advice on both loan types, which I would certainly seek out. But, you really should be seeking out an expert before making any important financial decisions, like refinancing.

You need to call a debt collection lawyer now! You need to find one in your area that specializes in student loans. Check around to find one that's reputable and reasonably priced. If you can't afford one, try a local law school. However, getting someone, like a student, who lacks experience with student debt could really hurt you in the long run. You also really should speak to a CPA, or accountant, in your area that specializes in student loan. You need to figure out if you're making the right choices and really need both experts to help you out. If financial aid counsellors are available at a local college, I might also talk to them. But, don't just keep doing what you're doing without talking to someone.

Are unions or employee negotiations for non-union states helping with this at all? I'd like to hear about this from people responding to this article (along with answers to questions in the article).

That's still only two schools, Stony Brook University and Utica College. I would really consider regular BSN programs, especially if there is a major difference in tuition per semester/quarter. I wouldn't limit myself to just ABSN programs. I would suggest looking at options that are cheaper and take only an extra year. I'd call up those programs too and look on their websites. Also, when you retake those prerequisites, please try to figure out what you did wrong to get those grades.

The first thing I would do is go on here - CCNE - Accredited Programs - and select your state. If, for example, you live in New York, there are 45 accredited BSN programs. So, if you've applied to one state nursing program out of 45, twice, and you were not accepted, it might be a good idea to apply to a couple others. I do understand that some of those programs are very expensive and far away. However, if cost is prohibitive, you can always say no to an acceptance letter. Next, you mention your GPA and the number of retakes. This will depend on the schools policy. My suggestion is to look on each schools website for GPA averages, retake policies, and how they view recent grades for someone with a low GPA. Then, I would call up each program to ask more about your chances with retakes and recent grades. You'll probably get way better answers than what you'll find on here. Since you all ready have a degree and financial aid will be very limited, I'd look at ADN programs in your state, as well - Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs . Good luck! To add: I also agree with jsfarri that you need to find out why you got those low grades, especially in math and science.

Great answers everyone!