Orientation at CSN

Feel free to ask any of your questions that don't get answered. I'm currently in the first semester of the nursing program so I wish you luck on your journey!!!

Yes I am going to CSN. I assume you have to complete all your pre-requisites still? If so, while it may sound tempting to take on a high work load and get the classes completed as fast as possible...if you are able to pull this off with awesome grades then that's great but if your grades are going to suffer because of it then it's not such a good idea because at CSN your grades are really going to count towards getting into the program. So in my opinion it's better to do well on them the first time instead of maybe having to go back and repeat classes for better grades if you don't get accepted. The program is extremely competitive and doesn't have a waiting list so you need the best grades you can get.

I am in the first semester at CSN and my gpa was 2.8. Having good grades helps, but the way the point system is set up at CSN you will still be able to get in if your grades aren't spectacular. Complete all of your pre-reqs, score high on the TEAS and I am sure you will be accepted. Some people will tell you that they look closely at your GPA, but that is not true. They just fill slots from the highest to lowest points. My low GPA has not hurt me either in the program, as I have solid B's in all of my nursing courses. Good luck to you!

That's great you got in on your grades. I guess I was the opposite and had good grades and a not so good grade on the NLN (now TEAS) because I didn't get much time to prepare. But yes good point in making sure you complete as many pre-requisites as you can before even applying because many are worth a lot of points and can make the difference in being accepted or not.

Congrats on having solid B's in all your courses. I have B's also so I'm pretty happy.

CSN is a great school. I just graduated from CSN in December of 2008. I feel that I got a very good education to prepare me for the real world of nursing, which is not a peice of cake but not impossible either. here is some advice:
1. Study, study, study.
2. Never let the instructor make you think you are ignorant or dumb. You are not dumb and if I can pass nursing school, anyone can do it!
3. You will get stressed, but soon you will learn to work off of that stress.
4. Practice your dosage and calculation in the summertime once a week. You will have a few math exams which you must pass in order to proceed through the program.
5. Make friends...it's always good to have a support system, right?

If you have any questions, just ask.

I think libbyjeanne is talking about the math tests that they give you each semester...you MUST pass these tests to continue on in the program and they consist mostly of calculating medication dosages which in turn consists of a lot of conversion and using ratio proportion to solve the problem BUT...

It sounds like you're really just starting out - so personally, I wouldn't worry too much yet about it until you get into the program. That being said, I also graduated from CSN in December and I'll say the same thing she said 'IF I CAN DO IT, ANYONE CAN!' okay not ANYONE, but anyone who has the drive and is willing to do the work!!

You asked about the bio course you should take my initial answer would be take the one that you feel would most useful in your nursing career. It might seem like neither of them do...but if you had to chose... BUT then again, if you are anything like me and bio scares you...take the one you think you get a better grade on. I say this only for the purpose of getting the highest possible grade that will give you more points

Okay I'm rambling now...but good luck!