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Imurd45482, I just got hip to the US Public Service. Can you share some info on what a nursing career with them looks like? What kind of job did you have? Thanks!

Hi! So I wound up applying to South Dakota State University's accelerated nursing program in Aberdeen, they also have one in Sioux Falls. The program is only one year versus 18 months and about 15k cheaper than the Cali program I got into, but it's also not a mepn program. Just a BSN. I'm happy with the decision, I still think I spent less than I would've had I gone to Cali program. I'm also working in Sioux Falla to get some experience b/c new grad nurse jobs in Cali are so competitive. Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions!

Thank you Flatline for your input!

Thank you for your response! I have decided to take the Oncology position! I am happy with my decision albeit nervous! I liked that you stated that onc nursing is a bit like med/surg and that I will be exposed to a wide variety of organ systems and patient conditions. I also came to realize that I have to stop putting so much pressure on myself, if I get there and decide that it is not for me I can always transfer to a different specialty...the beauty of nursing, right! Thank you guys again for your input!

Hello! I am a new nursing graduate and I have been offered a position as a new grad in the oncology department as well as the cardiopulmonary department. I am having the hardest time deciding between the two. They are at the same hospital and the pay/schedule is the same so that does not help narrow it down. I first thought that oncology would be a good fit because I am interested in helping onc patients while they are in the hospital, but I feel the same way about cardio patients as well. I think it may come down to personality as well. I am what you would call a more touchy feely and really enjoy connecting with patients on personal level, but I am not sure how I would handle the emotional stresses of either floor. I think cardiopulmonary would be more transferable if I decided to move on to a different specialty. I am just looking for some nurses in either field to chime in their opinion about working on either floor and what they feel like a new grad should possess in order to be successful on that floor. Thank you!!

Hello All!! How does one get access to the Mark Klimek videos? I can only see that he does review classes in OH mostly. Thanks for your help!

Hi Sam2018! I am a current student at SDSU at the Aberdeen campus! I am will be starting term 4 soon (in about a week) out of 5 so I am super excited to finishing up in December! I think the program has been great. It is very fast paced but it is totally doable. I believe they are truly prepping us for what we need to know to pass nclex. As I have mentioned I am at the Aberdeen campus and I think it is a great place to stay focused on your studies, as there is not a ton to do! I highly recommend the program! I hope your interview went well!

Hi Marmar13! I just came across your post and wondered what program you decided to attend, SDSU or USF? I am also from San Diego, so I'm wondering what you transition was like and if you had any other insight!

Thank you guys for all your responses! It seems like most of the consensus is don't do it and find an alternate way to get to my end goal of BSN then FNP. I talked this over a bit as well with some NPs I know and I was shocked that they all advised I take the loan. I'm not sure if it is a Cali thing or what? They kept saying it would be fine and that getting into nursing school is super competitive and that it wouldn't be wise to just turn down a spot. I do feel I'm lucky to get in as my GPA is good but not great and I'd be really broken hearted if I didn't get into any of the other schools I would apply for... But I would also regret not trying to either...sigh.

Asystole RN, I def think that going this route, would be a bigger investment early on. I just hope that it will be worth it, I just don't want to barely eek by monthly based on the loan repayments .

Thanks Annie for your input! I have been thinking of nursing for some time now, and am pretty confident I would like to do nursing. I have been volunteering in a hospital now for 2 years to make sure I know what I am getting myself into. And I love that you had a varied medical career that lead you to your nursing one. I am a second career nurse and feel as if I don't have as much time to for such a long path. I feel a little impatient to get started, being 38 and all! Lol! You are spot on the expenses, so I just hope I can make the right decision!

This is a great route, and I wouldn't mind doing this route, I am just nervous about number one getting into a community college program. These CC nursing programs are super hard to get into, even more so than the 4 year programs!

Yes, so far the loans I have been approved for are federal loans thank goodness!

Hi Ruby Vee, I can't really work during the program, at least not that many hours to be able to pay for rent and other living expenses. Yea I have talked to some nurses and they have made me think twice about the taking out a large loan debt.

Hi EllaBella1, BSN, Wow, 18k that's great! I wish I could find a program that cost that much! I'm glad that I'm not alone in this predicament. The loans I've been approved for are federal so far and with the the 10 year repayment calculator was like 700-800 dollars a month í ½í¹. But I guess depending on my salary it's not too bad. Yours isn't so there's hope!

Hi Asystole RN, BSN, Thank you for your input! I was running some of the numbers for loan repayment and depending on how much I got paid it seemed doable but hard, like my standard of living would not improve much and not be able to save. But you are right it is well worth it, just trying to minimize the expense if I can/should.

So I was accepted into entry level master program here in California. Pre-licensure portion is 18 months and tuition is $45k. Well with living expenses, I'm looking at having to borrow about $65-70k. Now that it's time to sign on the dotted line and accept the loan I'm getting cold feet. The cost is really making me struggle and I'm now wondering if I should've looked for less expensive schools. Maybe they won't be combo BSN/MSN but they may be cheaper. I'm just not sure what to do. I'd probably have to move out of state in order to pay less. For instance I found a ABSN program in Sioux Falls that costs $20k for tuition. But I'm nervous about getting in! For nurses, that are currently working, do you think the loan repayment I would on a 65k-70k is doable as a nurse? Thank you! Any insight you can give would be appreciated!

So I was accepted into entry level master program here in California. Pre-licensure portion is 18 months and tuition is $45k. Well with living expenses, I'm looking at having to borrow about $65-70k. Now that it's time to sign on the dotted line and accept the loan I'm getting cold feet. The cost is really making me struggle and I'm now wondering if I should've looked for less expensive schools for a ABSN. Maybe they won't be combo BSN/MSN but they may be cheaper. I'm just not sure what to do. I'd probably have to move out of state in order to pay less. For instance I found a program in Sioux Falls that costs $20k for tuition. But I'm nervous about getting in! For current nurses out there, do you think the loan repayment I would have on a 65k-70k is doable as a nurse? Thank you! Any insight you can give would be appreciated!

Hi Alexischerney! Congrats on the interview! You will get a video link soon that will give you more info about the program, so make sure you watch and come prepared with questions, I think it shows you're interested. Also be prepared to talk about your grades, classes and your academic career in general! The writing sample is super manageable, I think they just want to make sure you can write well. A paragraph or two should suffice. But over all just be confident and prepared and you will do great!

They should have some at your campus in IE. We can ask Judith on Monday at the conference call. Are you guys doing that?

Thank you for the update!! Really helpful!!

Wow, that is very cool that you got into a new head program!

Hi akkl, Congratulations on completing the pre-licensure portion! Will you go on to the Masters portion, do you think? Are you in the SB campus and what did you most like about the program? I know the job market is pretty stiff down here for new grad nurses, do you feel the same way for where you are, assuming you are not in SD :)

Thank you zzbxdo for your response. Yes, San Diego is super competitive, and I am wondering how the JCs keep graduating so many ADNs if they will ultimately find it hard to get a job in a hospital setting? My ultimate goal at the moment anyway is to be an FNP. So I will need to get a masters degree, ironically most of the direct entry programs charge more for the second bachelors portion of the program than the masters. Not sure what that is all about! Sigh...yes, I may try to see if I can still apply to some JCs in the area to go in spring 17, but it is super competitive so we will see. Seems like there are pros and cons to both options, just need to weigh them out.

Thank you for your feedback! I will have to look into some RN to MSN programs. Just frustrating to be charged so much for a second bachelors degree especially since most of the classes are the same classes as in ADN programs, and not to mention in SD the JCs have better NCLEX passage rates.