emetts

Greetings! I start the MSNEd. program in July. Do you know if this residency program is still in effect? Admissions advisors seem to know nothing about it. I can do my practicum with the director of my initial ADN program, who also teaches online for CCN RN-BSN program. I was hoping that, coupled with the potential for online mentorship after graduation, would help me to secure a spot at CCN after I graduate. TIA! -Eli

Thanks so much for your reply! I also work nights in an ICU and have no kids to care for, which is the only reason I am considering doubling up. The more I think about it, however, the more nervous I get. I don't have to decide until I get through NR 510 (first for bridge students), so I'm not stressing too bad quite yet. I will need to decide by March or April of next year. Research isn't sounding too fun based on your description, but it's sorta what I'm experiencing in a DeVry course as we speak. I also self-schedule, and have considered a WEO position once clinicals begin. I guess my next move is securing a few sites, even though it's super early. I hear that's the biggest issue CCN students are currently facing, but luckily, I have some good contacts and leads already. Thanks for your help! Best of luck...

Hi there... I've seen your contributions on several CCN FNP threads. Were you working full time when you doubled up on the early classes? Any family commitments? Just trying to get a heads-up on what I'm getting into, as I will start 500-level courses in March. Thanks in advance!

So it only took you 1 year and 1 month? How did you accomplish that, if I may ask? I have spoken to an advisor about beginning the MSN Ed. in July and it sounds like there are 7 semesters [(14) 8-week sessions] required of me. And I am 100% core complete.

I remember seeing in one of your precious posts before you started at CCN that you were a new grad with no experience. That is exactly my situation (licensed yesterday, starting in the MSICU June 19th). Did you feel that your lack of experience was a disadvantage? Was it hard to orient to the working world while trying to keep up in the bridge program? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

How do you feel about the 3.0 GPA model of WGU? I have been speaking with admissions reps there, at GCU, and at Chamberlain about their respective RN to BSN/MSN bridge programs. Th cost at WGU is definitely appealing.

Thanks so much for the quick reply, abixxy! I'll be on my first full time gig—nights on an MSICU—starting June 19th! I like WGU's competency model; my only concern is losing my high GPA

I've still never seen anyone on this thread answer the questions about newly-graduated RNs enrolling in the WGU RN-BSN/RN-MSN program. Would those of you who have completed this program think that not having years of bedside experience would slow me down significantly? In my case, I just graduated RN school, completing over 109 credit hours with a 4.0 GPA. I consider myself a pretty strong, self-motivated student who has a good grasp on patho and "core" nursing content. Would this be a good fit for a newbie nurse?!

I completely understand. I simply meant there are a lot of places with competitive pay based on lower costs-of-living besides Atlanta that often get overlooked. You definitely can't commute to Valdosta from Stockbridge! Best of luck to you!

South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta has an outstanding ICU residency program, if you are interested in critical care. As far as MedSurg, they would definitely love to have you, no new grad program needed. There are a lot of places in Georgia outside of Atlanta with very affordable cost-of-living, great neighborhoods, and easy commutes!

Umm...Could you throw one my way, while you're at it?:)

I start the RN-BSN program in June. A heads-up regarding instructors would be fantastic!

I am an RN student who used to be a specialty bed/mattress vendor. The main thing to note about any LAL mattress is that although pressure is redistributed from the bony prominences, true "offloading" is never accomplished as it is with q2 turning. One of the things I frequently witnessed was the heels responding extremely well to the pressure-redistribution mattress/overlay, but sacral-coccygeal breakdown would invariably occur if a caregiver failed to reposition q.2.h.