I'm a current college student, and I would really love some advice from a nurse

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Okay, I guess I'm a very good student. I just graduated high school. With a 4.4 GPA. School has always been my number one priority and it continues to be that way. I took many Advanced Placement classes which in turn gave me college credit. I graduated with 21 credit hours. Which means that I was forced to skip lower level advising at my college and was put into upper level advising. I am currently declared as a Criminal Justice major. However, I know that this really isn't what I want to do with my college degree. Part of me still wants to be a police officer. But I've talked to a few of them and they've told me it doesn't matter what degree I have. And again, I don't want to waste my time with what I know will be a useless degree if I don't want to be a police officer. I know for sure I'd be happy doing nursing. And that's why I want to get a nursing degree.

This semester I'm taking:

Contemporary World Religions

Intro to World Literature and Culture II

Understanding Visual and Performing Arts

Statistical Methods

General Biology with Lab

I know it seems like I'm not taking a lot of courses that will help me towards a nursing degree but after 2 more classes next semester. I'll be done with my school's general education requirements and I'll be able to actually take nursing classes.

My problem is this. I know that to be accepted into the nursing program at my school I must take a test, and I must have a few prerequisite science classes. At my school, nursing is a limited access program. So how soon should I actually contact the nursing adviser? I'm thinking I should probably wait until around September. A little before I have to sign up for spring classes. To see how I can switch over to the program.

Anyway, thank you so much to whoever actually took the time to read this. Yes I'm sure I want to be a nurse. At the end of the day, I have a disire to help others.

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Specializes in adult ICU.

What you have lined up this semester is actually good. You need stats for a BSN (not sure if you are in a 2 or 4 year school) and gen bio is usually needed for microbiology, which is typically required curriculum. Your other classes will likely apply toward the general ed. credits for your degree. I went to a Catholic nursing school and a religion class was required (not sure if it is for you, or not.)

Get in touch with a nursing advisor as soon as the semester starts and see where you need to go. You are on the right track though.

Best of luck!!!!

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Thank you so much! And you're right! The other classes are to fill up requirements. LOL Trust me I don't want to take any of them. As for contacting the adviser, I'm just scared because I would have to tell them I've changed my mind again!!! Ugh. Oh well...And I'm in a 4 year school. It's to become a RN

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I would contact the advisor asap. Why wait? You should also need A&P I&II, along with the microbiology. Chemistry as well. Are any of the above classes electives that you can substitute a science class for? You should also need psychology, sociology, human growth and development (or something similar). The advisor will be able to tell you what classes you should take for entrance into thier program, and thats why you should contact them now. Every program is different. Good luck!

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

Generally speaking most schools require:

Anatomy and Physiology I & II

Microbiology

Psychology 101

Sociology 101

Statistics

English 101

Intro to Inorganic Chemistry

Intro to Organic and Biological Chemistry

Some programs require an IT course (ie Microsoft Office 101)

Some programs require a Human Nutrition course

Some programs require some form of Lifespan Developmental Psychology course

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I already have my Psychology credit thanks to my AP class! And Yeah, I will definitely contact them ASAP. The classes I'm taking are needed. Trust me if I didn't have to, I wouldn't. And I'd just take science classes. But the school makes us do this.

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before settling on nursing why not explore some of the other healthcare or science related fields? Pharmacy, physical therapy or even a major in chemistry could lead to other exciting fields.

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OH and my school outlines all the classes we need to acquire a major. So I know what I need to actually graduate.

And I already thought about physical therapy. But I will be realistic. I'm not willing to go through 4 more years of college. I don't want that at all.

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Specializes in Long Term Care, Pediatrics.

Kudos to you for deciding to be a nurse! Helping people everyday is a wonderful privilage.

I have a story similar to your's; I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I went to college anyway (at that time I was a single mom and McDonald's wasn't gonna pay the bills). I took a wide range of courses and got an Associates in Arts Degree. When I decided to become a nurse, many of my classes didn't fit into the "nursing" courses. I have found that every class I took, even if they didn't apply to nursing, was valuable. (except pottery, which was really stupid and I dropped it)

Even my American Lit class taught me valuable lessons, there was a story about a guy who got what he wanted by just walking into the office, declaring what he wanted and then sitting quietly day after day until he got what he wanted. I tried it and it worked.

I would encourage you to enjoy every class as much as you can. College is fun and I'm pretty sure that you will walk away with many skills and knowledge from each class.

If the college you are at is too selective and nursing is hard to get into there, maybe, when you are ready, you could apply to several schools so you don't have to wait. I should have done that and didn't and ended up with my RN later, just in time for Nursing Jobs to be scarce. BTW...there is NOT a nursing shortage anymore, but if it's what you really have a passion for, there will be a job. Don't expect to get the job you want right away, I'm still waiting for the elusive ER job, but for now, I'm loving long term care.

Good luck.

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before settling on nursing why not explore some of the other healthcare or science related fields? Pharmacy, physical therapy or even a major in chemistry could lead to other exciting fields.

How do you know they haven't already explored those other options. Not to mention programs like Pharmacy and Physical Therapy are not in abundance and require 6 year programs for work and are more competitive than nursing.

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Specializes in Peds, PACU, ICU, ER, OB, MED-Surg,.

Talk to the adviser as soon as possible. If nursing is what you want then it makes sense to start talking to the school of nursing adviser. Your first year no matter what degree will be general ed, so you are headed in the right direction.

I will give you the same advice I gave my daughter when she told me she wanted to be a nurse: Make the most of your clinical time. This is the time when you should get as much experience as possible when you have helping hands. These are the kind of students I love to teach. Keep your eyes and mind open to all possiblilities in nursing. You may go in thinking you want to work in one area then completely change your mind. Give the nurses the benefit of doubt, we may seem hardened and grouchy, but most of the time it is frustration and stress. Use some of the empathy you seem to have, for your instructors, fellow students and nurses on the floor.

Any area you decide on will be lucky to have you!

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lol I have looked into Physical Therapy. Athletic Training. Optometry.

But at the end of the day, I just don't want to go further than 4 years in college. School has been a priority. But that takes a lot of the actual fun away. I just want to hurry up and finish.

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