Confused in San Antonio...

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Hi everyone....I recently moved to San Antonio and am currently going to College for the first time to get my prerequ's out of the way. I'm still a little confused as to what route to take with my education. My best friend just finished at St. Phillips and got accepted to UTHCS and my plan was to go that route too to get my BSN right away. I've also been talking to a few people and I've gotten mixed reviews on what is best....to just get my ADN at a local community college with a nursing program and get into a hospital that will pay for me to get my BSN later, go straight into my BSN like my best friend, or get my certificate and skip all the way to get my MSN. One lady that has her MSN told me that all hospitals in San Antonio have up to 100% tuition reimbursement for anyone wanting to get their BSN or MSN, but I'm not sure how true that is.

What's making it a bit tough is that I'm 26 and I have 2 kiddos, with my DH in the Army (and going to Iraq next month for a year and a half)I want to hurry up and get my career going before we have to move again. I'm going to school while my kids are in schoo so that I can be there for them when they get home and on the weekends, so time is of the essence for me and I feel a bit restricted on my school hours. Because of this, I have no idea how long it's going to take for me to finish up school and I want to really get the best education because I'm serious about nursing.

Because of those personal reasons, I keep hearing to just get my RN quickly, and later on go for my BSN. I DO know that I DO want a bachelors in nursing eventually...that's not a question...I just don't know what options are open to me, what schools would be good, and what's going to benifit me most when we do leave to another state. Anyone have any advise?? :)

Specializes in Tele/PCU.

Yes. the uniform is plain white, but it doesn't matter if it is button up or if it ties in the back. Some of the uniforms tops have a lot of frills (lace,etc.) they want them to be as plain as possible, but they are not extremely picky. Did you get accepted? If so good luck, if not, good luck with your application! No rules for the stethoscope, mine is a very bright pink.

I got accepted and start in march. Thank you for the info! Is there anything else I need to purchase that you know of besides books?

Specializes in Tele/PCU.

In March? Are you already an LVN? From what I understand, for the generic track, they only start in August and January. The main thing is to get the required book asap, because there are a lot of readings and it is best to get started early. The other stuff can wait until you actaully start and talk to the instructors. Different instuctors will suggest different things. We were told not get everything too soon because of that.

I am not an LVN and I am in the generic program. They did mention that they started everyone at the same time last year and it was a mess. This year, they have a group staring in Jan and another in March. I have started reading and doing the study guides. :wink2:

Specializes in Tele/PCU.

Wow, you learn something new everyday. Good luck and congratulations!

Specializes in PICU.

Christus Health is the hospital that offer 100% tuition reimbursement up to $1200/year.

Specializes in nicu.

Soapy,

I can completely understand what you are going through. I am also a military spouse (hubby is an E-8) and started school in Hawaii when we were stationed there. I had to transfer when we moved to Louisiana. That put me a year behind. I did finally graduate this past december and we found out a month later that we are moving again to the San Antonio area. I my recommendation for you would be probably to do the 2 year program and get done that way you will have your license before you have to move again and then take advantage of the tuition assistanc. Accpet the help from others if they are genuinely willing to give it. You need to take care of yourself too. Good luck.

I just finished my prequ's at St. Phillips and I really enjoyed attending that school. St. Phillip's doesn't have an RN program, unless you're an LVN, so you'll have to transfer somewhere else unless you want to become an LVN first. San Antonio College has an RN program with no waiting list. The only catch is it's competitive and you probably won't get in unless you have all of your prerequ's completed and a mix of As and Bs (at least) in your classes. You can apply with a C average and A & P I, but I wouldn't bother:) They said they get about 1200 applications a semester and accept about 120.

I am a student at SAC working on prerequisites to get into their RN program....you are soooo speaking the truth about it being ultra competitive :uhoh21:

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