Semi-online RN programs?

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by Griffin, Mar 1, 2009.

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  1. Griffin

    Griffin Crazy About Psychology

    LOL! Small, weird world huh? ;) I know I won't be able to keep it a secret, especially once scrub catalogs show up... I think she will be a little surprised that my GF wasn't the one talked into it -- but she's all history, all the time :D

    I also thought long and hard about the Harvard ALM, but then I realized... What would I do with it?? I still want to take a class, just so I have had that experience. But I'm not going to go for a degree.


    I'm going to study well in advance for the Microbiology, and use lots of study resources. I've taken anatomy and physiology before as separate 1cr classes, so I have to re-take them. But I should be okay, looks like everyone (?) requires 3.0 GPA for the pre-req's. I'm considering auditing each course beforehand and then re-taking it for credit. It doubles the cost of the pre-req's, but it would be worth it to ensure a good grade.

    After looking a bit on AllNurses, it looks like direct-entry programs are pretty feasible. After the first year (and NCLEX), some wind up working PT at a hospital to offset tuition costs. I actually think that I will like working as a nurse, so getting that experience before my second year would be awesome. :) I also read a couple of places that some colleges don't advertise their direct-entry MSN's, that it's worth it to contact some schools directly. So, being impulsive and all, I've emailed a couple of colleges with MSN programs asking about direct entry.
     
  2. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    We will have to keep in contact over this journey, it sounds like we are both at about the same stage of the process. I am "taking" the UC Berkley free online anatomy class. It's on Youtube, there are 32 lessons. I made flash cards, got a second hand anatomy book at the Goodwill for 38 cents, and am hand writing out my notes. I hope to be very versed in the subject before I enroll.
    For now, it looks like I need to take Introduction to Chemistry this fall, I thought I could take AP1 without it, but that only applied to high school students :( It's not a degree requirement, it's one of the million pre-reqs to the degree requirements. I toyed with the idea of CLEPping it, but after I stopped laughing, I think I found a good local class that works for my schedule.
     
  3. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    I am thinking about doing the craziest thing and going for my NP as well.

    The last few weeks I have really been thinking serious about it.
     
  4. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    Link to online Respiratory Therapist

    Here is the link to the online Respiratory Therapist program. I was unable to find many distant learning entry level clinician programs to get your foot in the healthcare door.

    In any case, I recommend you go sign up for a local Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course (3 to 4 months) to see if you even enjoy the medical career field. I am just repeating the advice an Army nurse gave me many years ago when I as in the military. He wanted me to make sure this was something I was interested in before I undertook nursing/nurse practitioning. At a minimum, the skills you learn are invaluable.

    http://www.independence.edu/Programs/HSASRespiratoryTherapy.php
     
  5. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    Medical Reserve Corps

    As an EMT you can join the Medical Reserve Corps and help America.

    http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/HomePage

    The Medical Reserve Corps offers you the opportunity to train for disaster situations.
    In addition, there are numerous medical professionals, Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, Physician Assistants, social worker and so forth to meet and network with. You may find you need a letter of recommendation one day to get into a nursing school. Networking is important in career development.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 2, 2009
  6. Griffin

    Griffin Crazy About Psychology

    I went through a Pre-Pharmacy / PharmTech program once and loved it. Medical school has been on my mind for many years, but everything about it just seems wrong to me. I don't like ERs, so a 6-12 week rotation of it would not work.

    I hate instant-recall/humiliation drills (aka "pimping"), so surg rotation is out too. I'm also not particularly fond of physicians, as I've rarely received good care from them. PAs have been 50/50 in giving me good care and NP's almost exclusively gave me excellent care. I'm all-about patient-centered care, and I feel that becoming an NP would add a lot to my practice.

    Overall, I have a pretty good idea of what I'm getting into. But I do appreciate all of the ideas going around! :)

    C'mon, Ski all the cool kids are doing it! ;) Seriously though, it's definitely something to consider if you are interested. :)

    We will! I'll PM you my email. Depending on a couple of things, I will go into TESC this fall as either half-through my junior year or as a Senior. So I've got a little bit I can squeeze in there as part of my degree.

    Rutgers has a very accelerated BSN program that I may apply to (they start every May and go for 14 months). They don't offer direct-entry MSN/NP, but they do offer the BSN for non-RNs so that's helpful.

    I'm considering Rutgers for my Psychology MA&PhD as well, not sure what order I'd go in. Once I passed the BSN, I wouldn't get an MA before my PhD because the cost-factor wouldn't be an issue anymore. So BA>BSN>MSN>PhD would most likely be my route.
     
  7. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Drexel University offers an 11-month accelerated BSN for non-RNs. I believe that this is the shortest accelerated BSN program in the nation.
     
  8. Griffin

    Griffin Crazy About Psychology

    Wow, that is accelerated! :eek: :cool: I'm moving to NJ, so Rutgers would be close-ish to me. Assuming I can get into Rutgers, the cost would be close to $22k for the four-semester program as an in-state resident.
     
  9. SueSquash

    SueSquash New Member

    IMO-With nursing an advanced degree such as NP, NA is the only smart way to go. Many in my field without advanced degrees burn out early due to the unrealistic amount of responsibility and work load. Also I really can't agree that's it's harder to get into a nursing program than it is to complete the degree and get licensed. But the newbie nursing students who want it bad enough and have a clear future plan for career advancement (and possibly advanced education) end up graduating.

    Not being negative but many go into nursing without knowing that the shortage is for RN's with credentials and experience in critical care and for advanced practitioners. The new graduate RN's in my area of FL are having trouble finding jobs in acute care. Personally if I had to do nursing school all over again I'd set my sights on getting an NA license right from the start. Then I'd have job security and the authority to go with all of the responsibility.
     
  10. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    When you say NA are you referring to Nurse Anesthesiologist?
     
  11. SueSquash

    SueSquash New Member

    Yes that's what I meant.
     
  12. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    I seriously need to consider doing a NP degree. I could go the Paramedic-RN within 18 months. Then I enter a RN-MSN program right away.

    This would be a major career change for me. I love LOVE the idea of helping the underprivileged and mission work for a living. WOW, that would be awesome.

    Also, having my wife as an RN and myself as a FNP would be a good living. I do pretty good now and my wife hasn't worked much through our 15 year marriage. I would have to do be a mid-level FNP to equal my income now. With my honeys help as an RN I could manage until I get up to speed as a FNP.

    Hmm...
     
  13. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Also I really can't agree that's it's harder to get into a nursing program than it is to complete the degree and get licensed. >>

    That was tongue-in-cheek. I know it's not always easy to interpret a joke on these boards, but I fully expect a challenge lies ahead. :)
     
  14. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    CRNA versus AA

    The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist versus the Anesthesiology Assistant.

    CRNA requires 2 years ICU in addition to the BSN and of course some higher chemistry courses.

    AA requires BS and pre-reqs such as chemistry, physics, etc. Not many states license the AA whereas many license the CRNA. Although, CRNA may fall under the 2015 mandate to become a doctoral program DNP.

    CAAHEP approved Master level AA courses:

    UMKC:

    http://www.med.umkc.edu/MSA/

    Nova:

    http://www.nova.edu/mhs/anesthesia/

    Case:
    http://www.anesthesiaprogram.com/default.htm

    South:

    http://www.southuniversity.edu/AnesthesiologistAssistant/?id=295&offering=1500

    Emory:

    http://www.emoryaaprogram.org/
     
  15. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    AA's make about the same as CRNA's and you can enter a Masters program with any BA (and the pre reqs).
     
  16. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    I believe you are correct. However, only a handful of states will grant licensure as an AA. So before you jump into a costly program see if you want to live in that state.
     
  17. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Can I dig up this old thread??

    So, where is everyone at? It's been a year since this thread was created.

    I have done all of the RN sciences and finished a Certified Nursing Assistant program as well. I've applied to the labor and delivery floor locally with the hopes of landing a part time job. (my goal is midwifery)

    I still have my sites on a local ADN program, but I have switched to a different school. I did get accepted for fall start (yeah!) but I declined my admission and hope to get into the other school instead. (it's much more schedule-friendly). I am also taking a road trip to Nashville in July to look at Vanderbilt University. They have a dual CNM/FNP MSN program that takes direct entry (non-RN) students. It's only 3 years, but our family would have to move. It's a long shot- but I'm going to look into it just for consideration. If I stay local, it'll be a LOT longer than 3 years for me- closer to 6 1/2 since University of IL changed their CNM track to a doctorate program.

    Just for fun- I'm taking an EMT class this fall. LOL, I needed 9 credits in residence. I hear they have a SIM man that pukes on students :)


    **somewhere over this past year, I wondered if I should consider anesthesia. One must appreciate that the pre-reqs for anesthesia nursing require the entire pre-med science curriculum, and with excellent grades to boot. (IMO, if you have not already taken physics and organic chem- and earned an "A" in both, you can't even THINK about considering this field- because science is the brick wall, and remember only about 10% of straight-A earning applicants will even gain admission!) In addition, the 1-2 year ICU nursing requirement is no small requirement. Landing an RN position in ICU isn't easy, and it isn't generally given to new grads. Plus, if they think you are leaving for anesthesia school in a year or two- they are not likely to bring you on board. Lastly, anesthesia school is full time on campus >60 hours per week for 3 years. That's a huge sacrifice for anyone with family, because in addition to not seeing them, you rely on them to carry the financial burden. It's certainly not just another nursing track.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2010
  18. mknehr

    mknehr New Member

    Nursing for career changers..


    This may also be a useful place to start:
     
  19. Jeremy

    Jeremy Member

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