Q about Nursing School credit hours

Cynthiann · May 5, 2003

Our school's ADN program doesn't require all pre-reqs to be done before applying but you'll need most of them done just to be competitive enough to even apply. Some people go to school 1-2 yrs before applying so that 2 yr degree is still 3-4 yrs.

The local BSN program has so many pre-reqs that it would take 3 years to complete. So the 4 yr degree takes 5 yrs to complete.

Vsummer1 · May 6, 2003

Originally posted by xantha31669
I agree with you Vsummer, the thing is not everyone goes to school on financial aid. You would be penalizing the people who pay out of pocket doing it that way. Why should they have to pay more for so others could get bigger financial aid refunds.

I have full time nursing school, plus have had to take an extra class each semester, I have three kids (4,5 & 9), I am a class officer, I work part-time, and my GPA is still a 3.5. It is very hard and requires sacrifice, but it can be done. That is the great thing about healthcare, they are open 24/7, so you can work at night or on the weekends if you have to. I don't know what your skill level or certifications are but can you get a per diem position at a hospital or nursing home in your area? Alot of places do it because they hope you will work there when you are done. You can also cram in hours during your breaks and live off that money. I got rid of my car so I didn't have a payment and got a clunker. My kids couldn't do any activities that cost money. It is only for such ashort time in the scheme of things.Most of the people in my class are older and in the same boat as me, or are on 2nd degrees and can't get aid either.

On top of that, if you tripled your tuition there is cap on how much aid you can get (grants and loans) per year. Even if you get outside scholarships they deduct that from what they will give you. So you end up with less left over and/or more in student loans when you graduate.

Maybe you could sit down with a counselor in financial aid and find a co-op type job, or talk to the nursing dept. they might know of a place that will let you work around your class schedule. Good luck with working things out, you can do it. Some times you just have to take a leap of faith and take it one day/month at a time.

Lori

1) adding ONE unit to these 4 unit classes to accurately reflect the class time would NOT triple your tuition. One unit would add only one unit of cost. The CATALOG states a 4 unit class is 16 hours per week in class for 8 weeks. We are in class 19 hours per week, not including the mandatory lab time! We have two of these 8 week classes our 2nd semester, totalling 8 units. Next semester is three 5 week classes, 3.5 units each. The final semester is 14 units.

2) yes, you can get PCT jobs at $10 p/hr at the local hospital (working nights gets the $2 shift diff). These are unlicensed tech positions.

IN OUR PROGRAM, past failures show that you WILL NOT PASS IF YOU WORK MORE THAN 1/2 TIME, OR IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY AND WORK. They have exit interviews, and have crunched the numbers. It is a fact here. Most student's will be quitting their jobs next semester (the 11.5 unit semester -- note .5 units under full time), it is just the way it is here. It may be a top notch program, and we have top notch hospitals hiring us, but to get there is hard. Every single graduate who took the NCLEX last semester passed the first time. The program is demanding. We are talking the cream of the crop students too, none of these students are average -- all earned their spaces in these classes and all are expected to work above and beyond. Our attrition rate is pretty high too, and those who are failing are those who work or take other classes. Sad, but true. In fact, many of the people who failed here transfer to another college and graduate.

So, if you are going to be FORCED to attend school more hours than even the catalog states, the credit hours should reflect the time IN CLASS. This is NOT penalizing anyone, it is merely reflecting reality.