Veigar3

I'm in a similar situation as you - $40,000 in student loan debt from my BA, 3.09 GPA with a 4.0 in prerequisite classes. My hope is getting accepted into an ADN program, work and pay off my debt after several years, then apply to RN-MSN or RN-DNP programs. I'm scared of entry-level NP programs because they are expensive (I don't want to be close to six figures in student loan debt), and I'm also cautious if I would excel in an accelerated program.

That is my career goal as well: ER NP or trauma NP. And I've been leaning towards a dual cert FNP/AG-ACNP program too. However, the PA program in my city is soon switching from a bachelor's to master's degree in the next few years...I may just suck it up and continue accruing CNA/tech HCE and apply later on. It would sure cut my overall tuition costs and years of schooling.

Sure, and some PA programs don't even require HCE. But, to be fair, PA students go through about 2,000 hours of clinical hours during their program compared to only ~700 in NP programs. As someone with a non-nursing bachelor's, I'm cautious about direct-entry programs and if they'd adequately prepare me as a provider. I'm leaning towards getting into an ADN program, get a couple years of RN work experience, and finally bridging to an NP program.

Nurse tech jobs are always on-call, meaning you basically work when you want.

ADN-BSN-MN study option | UW Tacoma This is the link to that ADN-BSN-MSN option at UWT. Anyone else anxious to hear back from TCC?

I've seen several people post on here about receiving bad test grades or even GRE scores "due to health problems." I don't understand that. Anyone else think that's BS? I don't want to be misunderstood - I recognize that long-term health problems can affect work and school, but do people too often use this as a cop-out excuse for their lack of preparation?

I would argue that you are more pigeon-holed as an NP than PA. You are required to choose a population area to specialize in as an NP - family, adult, pediatric, neonatal, etc. For instance, if you specialize as an Adult-Gerontology NP, you'd have to go back to school again if you changed your mind and wanted to treat kids. I think the PA route is way more flexible, and the program arguably much more rigorous with about 2000 hours of clinical rotations compared to around 700 in an NP program. I've never heard of any NP program requiring 2000 hours of clinical rotations.

Haha someone make a TCC 2016 post.

I got denied as well. I have to say that I'm very surprised. Good luck to those who haven't heard!

For Pierce, I believe the only things that are worth points are the functional resume, essay, and Kaplan scores. And there are bonus points for a statistics class and two years if foreign language. GPA doesn't even matter, which I think is odd.

I'm sorry to hear that you guys. Well, TCC's nursing application opens up in a few days on the first, so apply there definitely. Good luck to you both. I still haven't received a call and I've been figuratively crapping my pants all week. Lol.

It really sucks being at work right now. Haha. Congratulations to those accepted, I am envious! I wonder if all the calls are going out today.

Anyone get a call yet? Also, what other schools have you guys applied to, or will apply to? I'll apply to TCC this June.

Only one cohort per year for fall start!

I am paid $15.79/hour before shift differentials and on-call pay (15% extra). I'm a new CNA in a hospital in WA. Strong nursing unions in this state. Most of the CNAs in my department make over $20/hour with 5-15 years of experience.

Same! Haha. Looks like be getting calls next week!

I have an old email saying that everyone will receive a call around May 27.

Taking nursing prerequisite classes does not make you a nursing student, similar to how someone earning their bachelor's degree and will apply to medical school is not a medical student. Student status means your are currently enrolled in your program.

Go to PA school instead! You'd be a great applicant.

No kidding, I'm eager to hear back. I heard that all applicants will receive a phone call, to tell us if we're accepted or rejected, in late May. The functional resume was weird, I agree. I sort of winged it.

Any fellow applicants to Pierce College in Puyallup? This is the first time I'm applying to nursing school, and I understand that the application process has changed a bit from past years. What'd you guys think of this year's application process?

Something neat about UWT is that if you graduate from TCC's or Pierce's RN program with a 3.7 or above, you'll be eligible to transfer into UWT's RN-BSN-MSN program. It's a cool thing, I think. My goal is to petition the BSN portion, and go straight from RN-MSN at UWT, or elsewhere.

You could also become a prosthetist/orthotist, though you may have to relocate since there are relatively few programs (master degree). I've look at UW's but decided it wasn't for me.

If you're an RN, you can still work in the field on an ambulance, if you're that worried about your pride. CCRNs in ambulance services make a good living, and you'd pretty much be in charge. In some states, I've heard you can challenge the paramedic licensing exam if you're already an RN, so I'd research that too.

I know in WA, naturopathic doctors are pretty much restricted to private practice. But there is a great school called Bastyr University here for those interested in Eastern medicine or naturopathic medicine. Check out their programs on their website. It sounds like you've already done a lot of research on different careers. The only ones I have to add (maybe you mentioned them already) are athletic trainer, occupational therapy, genetic counselor, pathology assistant, anesthesiology assistant, and pharmacist.