Brett Teodoro
Hi, I’m Brett. The last few years have been a little nomadic for me, but somehow I ended up in Denver, CO a few days away from beginning the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program here at Regis University.
After high school in Gig Harbor, WA I went to Azusa Pacific University where I made some awesome friends, began my love affair with kiteboarding, and got a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Why Business Admin you ask? Because I had no clue what to do with my life. I got a great job as a project manager for a real estate development firm and did that for a few years. In 2007 I met a girl. In 2008 I married her! I left my job and the sunny days in CA and moved back to Gig Harbor while Kate finished her Master’s degree in Teaching. Nursing had always been in the back of my mind, so I went to 3 different community colleges to finish the prereq’s required by most aBSN programs.
Both of us finished our classes (except for 2 online classes I had to take), and we got a little tired of the 9-5 grind. So we grabbed our savings and headed to Australia.
Home for 6 months
I had the intention of applying to many nursing programs while we were there, and had no high expectations that I would be admitted the first time around. As the application deadlines rolled around I applied to Regis, it was my “number 1.” We were having a great time working on the Great Barrier Reef and kiteboarding everyday, that I never got around to filling out any more applications! Well, surprising as it was, I got an interview with Regis! Since I was on the other side of the world, they agreed to let me interview via Skype. Yes, technology still baffles my mind. My interview was for 9am MST, which was about 2am Port Douglas time. I woke up an hour early, went for a walk on the beach, slammed a monster energy drink and signed on for the interview.
Skype interview
I got accepted! But that meant cutting our time in Australia way down (I planned to still be there today), but I was, and still am, incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend Regis. I’m also grateful for student loans!
So we left Australia, did a whirlwind trip through New Zealand and parts of Asia, went to Gig Harbor for a month, and made it to Denver a week before class starts.
I feel like the adventure has only begun!
Loved reading your bio, Brett.
I read most of the blog and it is very imformative. I’ll look forward to more.
Hey Brett!
I have my Regis interview tomorrow morning and reading this got me even more pumped! Side note — I also have a brother named Brett Rothermich. He said he might have a friend from Azusa Pacific in the nursing program at Regis right now! I’m guessing this could be you!
Congrats on making it in and good luck on the rest of your school year!
Hi Brett,
I plan to apply to Regis University for accelerated BSN. How long did it take you to complete the pre-requisites? Which causes did you take online and where? What is the total cost of this program? Hope to hear from you.
Thanks,
Lin.
Hi Brett,
I will start the ABSN at Regis in January. I just wanted to let you know that I have followed your blog since the beginning, and I look forward to each and every update. Thank you for such a true and honest account of what nursing school (and life outside of school) will be like once I am there. I was already excited, but reading about your experiences makes me even more excited (if that is possible!) Thanks again!
Best of luck,
Paula
Hey Brett,
Is it weird to say I found a new best friend? Probably…
I’ve been researching ABSN programs here in Los Angeles, Dallas, and in Denver. My wife and I are wanting to get out of LA and we are looking at Denver or Dallas.
Reading your blog has really made me excited about getting into an ABSN program and start a nursing career. I was like you and went to school and got a BS, but in Communication. 10 years later and realizing I’m not going to be an TV/Film actor I’m making my plan B.
Couple of questions:
How long did it take for you to finish your Prereqs?
Did Regis accept all your prereqs from out of state CCs?
Did you get any kind of scholarships for being male?
Thanks
Grant M.
ps. I’m a huge surfer and have yet to try kite boarding…I got to go now!
Hi Brett,
So, what made you choose Regis over any other university for the accelerated nursing program? (besides the fact that you didn’t apply anywhere else!) Is there a particular hospital that Regis is affiliated for your clinicals or do you “work” at lots of different places? And, hey, any tips for the interview? – I’m scheduled for mine in a few weeks!
Thanks!
Christine
Hey guys,
So as much as I humbly pride myself about knowing my way around technology, I was completely unaware until recently (thanks to Carrie) that people are actually leaving comments… I guess this isn’t just a “dear diary” to myself!
Please don’t take it personally that I haven’t responded to anyone’s questions, it’s not you…it’s me. If anyone has any questions, feel free to post comments (now that I know how to read them) or shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to help any way I can. If there are questions that may pertain to others, I’m toying with the idea of a Q&A for upcoming blog entries…. oh yes, get excited.
Hope all is well, good luck to those who have turned in applications and are preparing for interviews!!! Relax, be yourself, have fun.
Brett
teodo350@regis.edu
Hi Brett,
I have been following your blog for a while now. I have just been called up from the alternate list to begin the ABSN in May 2011. I am excited, but also terrified. I have a few questions for you. Like you, I really don’t have any medical experience, I have worked in business my whole career. Can you tell me how many hours a day you are in class and studying outside of class? Your blog indicated that you have a lot of free time to explore Colorado. Also, I have a friend that just finished a traditional nursing program at TCU. She recommended Lippincott publications as study aids, have you used any of these? I am enrolled to begin health care ethics in January, but outside of that I am looking for resources to help me get a jump on some of the material, so any advice you can give me to prepare to start would be helpful!
Thanks so much and your blogs are great! Wendy
TEO!!! I had no idea you had this blog going!?!?!? This is great! I like reading your school updates… Next is masters… right? RIGHT? Hahaha, and you will do it at UCLA while living near your friend Brett!!! This is great buddy, nice to keep up with what is going on in life. YEAH FOR MALE NURSES!!!
Hello Brett,
I’ve been following your blog since its inception and have thoroughly enjoyed your commentary. Word is, you were a recipient of the HRSA scholarship. Congratulations! I am currently a student in the May cohort and recently was awarded the scholarship as well. I’ve got a number of questions. Would you be able to link up and discuss them? Thanks – David
Hi, Brett, I’ve almost finished pre-reqs and wanted to know about the application process. How much health-related experience did you have on your application? What aspect of your application do you think helped you get accepted?
Thanks for the input.
Kate
Brett,
I just ran into your blog while searching for a pin for my daughter who is graduating from Regis accelerated in May 2012. I have been an RN at Children’s hospital Colorado for 29 years now, and enjoyed reading about your experience there. Just wanted to congratulate you and wish you the best of luck in your nursing career. Its rejuvenating to us senior nurses to read about new beginnings.
Maryl
Hello Brett. Could I use your photo (http://regisacceleratednursing.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/btbiopic2.jpg) in the post of facebook community about skype interviews with a link to your blog?