What should i do about college and how does it work?

caliotter3 · May 22, 2009

It is possible to start out at the state university, but why you would want to spend the extra money is the question. Almost all people start out at community colleges to save money. You will have to take the prerequisites prior to applying to the nursing school, no matter which school you attend. Your nursing school spot depends on your GPA in the prereqs as well as your overall GPA, and other factors, depending upon the school you try to get in. Most apply to all nursing schools nearby, hoping to be accepted at one. Good luck with your college decisions.

sabglo · May 22, 2009

Caliotter3 makes a valid point. Tuition is costly, books are costly, lab fees etc... Community College saves a great deal of expense and eases you into college level work. You stated "I kind of just want to get on my way to the college life, and community college and living at home doesn't really interest me." Don't let "the college experience" distract you from what you percieve as your educational goal. Pre-req courses can be as demanding as the nursing program and requires as much attention. GPA's are deciding factors as applicants are selected to enter the nursing program. Best wishes as you go forward.

findingmyway · May 22, 2009

thank you and yes your probably right. How long does it take to get your associates degreee in CC? and after that are you a registered nurse? what are your limitations when you apply for a job at that level? and whats the difference of going on to get your bsn?

elkpark · May 22, 2009

Most community college ADN (nursing) programs are two years of full-time study, but most students spend 1-2 years completing the prerequisite courses to get into the actual nursing program, so most people (with no previous college) spend 3-4 years completing a community college nursing degree. So, the time commitment is not very different from doing a BSN (typically four years, but including the prerequisite courses), but the community college program usually costs quite a bit less than a BSN program (even at a state uni, and the private schools can be v. expensive).

Both programs prepare and qualify you to write the NCLEX-RN (the national licensure exam for registered nurses). Both ADN and BSN grads get the same license and start out at the same point as "new grads," but a BSN degree will give you a wider range of professional opportunities and possibilities as you gain experience and "move up the ladder."

However, there are also many "BSN completion" programs out there, both on-line and bricks & mortar schools, for ADN graduates to complete the additional requirements to take a BSN degree -- these programs are typically convenient (designed for people working full-time), not particularly expensive, and, compared to "basic" nursing school, comparatively easy to complete. So, if one chooses to go the ADN route initially, it's not difficult to complete a BSN degree later.

I realize this all seems v. confusing, but I think that one of the best things about nursing as a career is that there are (usually) several different paths to get to where you want to go, so you can find the route that will work best for you. Best wishes for your journey!

CuriousMe · May 25, 2009

Consider going to Community College for your pre-reqs...but at your age, I would definitely just go ahead and get my BSN. You don't don't what you'll want later on, and at your age the "college experience" is part and parcel of your educational experience. So, if funds allow it, consider Cal State. Yes, it will be hard to get in, but I think you'll find it will be worth it.

Probably the best first step would be to find out the pre-requisite classes you'll need to get into the various nursing programs you're looking at (Cal State, Community College programs, all of them). It might be that you can structure your year of pre-reqs to allow you to apply to both programs.

I would also go ahead and try make an appointment (maybe with your folks) with admission councelors from all the programs you're looking at....let them tell you why their program is a better fit for you. Once you get some more information, you'll be able to make a decision that works for you.

Best of luck!

Seyma · May 28, 2009

I just kind of skimmed through everyone's postings so my apologies if my posting is redundant

Community College: $20/unit (12 units is considered full time) + the health fee (avg. $15). A single semester will cost you about $250.

Cal States: $1700 flat tuition including other fees. You can take up to 18 units I believe but it doesn't matter is you take 8 units or 18 it will still cost you the same.

So yah $250 vs $1700

I would suggest that you get your GE done at community college which is what I did. Most, if not all of your classes will be transferable to a cal state or uc (all of mine were). You learn the same thing in an English course at a community college as you would at a cal state or uc. When you transfer and apply to the nursing program, the Cal State system doesn't favor it's students over transfer students. So I just want you to be aware that your not going to have a better chance getting into the program if you are already attending the school in which you are applying for.

Depending on what school you apply to, they do have different admission requirements but they are generally all the same. The difference is mostly in how their point system works which is something you'll have to do a little research on.

Here are some courses you will need to take before entering the nursing program some of which aren't required when you apply but you will need to finish before you complete the program and it's best that you finish all of these classes before hand to lessen the course load you'll have when entering the nursing program.

Composition (Ex: English 100)

Critical Thinking Course

Oral Communication (Ex: Speech)

Math Class (Different schools have different requirements of what level math they want so you might have to look into that)

Psychology

Sociology

Anatomy

Physiology

Microbiology

Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry (Combined Course but only needed for Cal States)

And depending on how much you have going on outside of school, I would suggest that you only take one science course per semester. It's important to do well in these classes because they take these courses into consideration when they are deciding who to accept. Some schools might just want a passing grade but other schools may give you certain amount of points depending on what grade you get)

As far as nursing programs go... At community colleges you can only get an Associates Degree (AD) in Nursing and that will take you two years. If you decide to transfer to a Cal State to get your bachelors it will take you an additional two years. So that will be 4 years on top of however long it takes you to finish up your GE (60 units). However if do a nursing program at a cal state it's a bachelors program (not an AD) straight off and it takes 3 years. So if you get an AD and then get your bachelors you'll save money but it's going to take you an extra year. Or you can spend the extra money and go into a bachelors program and get that in 3 years.

I started off at Cypress College. It took me 2.5 years to finish my general education and I am transferring next semester into the nursing program at Cal State Long Beach. I rather go straight for the Bachelors to save myself a year.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask away

findingmyway · May 29, 2009

thank you so much that was a big help. what if I want to go to a Cal State to do my GE then transfer into an adn program at a junior college? Is that possible? Ive always been set on going to a cal state. Im pretty sure i want to get my adn and then later on down the road get my bsn so this way i get the best of both worlds

CuriousMe · May 29, 2009

thank you so much that was a big help. what if I want to go to a Cal State to do my GE then transfer into an adn program at a junior college? Is that possible? Ive always been set on going to a cal state. Im pretty sure i want to get my adn and then later on down the road get my bsn so this way i get the best of both worlds

You can transfer anywhere you want. Although I don't really see the advantage of doing your GE at Cal State and then transferring to an ADN program. You speak of wanting the best of both worlds, but the advantages of the ADN are that the tuition is often cheaper and you get out a year faster. Doing your GE's at the university....kinda negates the cost savings and since you want your BSN...you might as well enter a BSN program and have it take one extra year.

Honestly, it sounds like you're looking to not only go to nursing school, but to also get a "college experience." That completely makes sense and can be a great experience for someone just out of highschool! If that's the case and you have the cash, I think applying to the university you want (in this case Cal State) makes a lot of sense.

Best of luck as you move forward!

Seyma · May 29, 2009

Yes it's definately up to you on what route you take. You can certainly start off at a Cal State and then transfer to a community college. Transferring is transferring. Usually the deciding factor for most people when choosing a school is money. So if money isn't a factor then I say go for the Cal State. When it comes to school, you want to do it with no regrets so if you have your heart on something, go for it!

doily · Aug 10, 2009

I just kind of skimmed through everyone's postings so my apologies if my posting is redundant
Community College: $20/unit (12 units is considered full time) + the health fee (avg. $15). A single semester will cost you about $250.
Cal States: $1700 flat tuition including other fees. You can take up to 18 units I believe but it doesn't matter is you take 8 units or 18 it will still cost you the same.
So yah $250 vs $1700
I would suggest that you get your GE done at community college which is what I did. Most, if not all of your classes will be transferable to a cal state or uc (all of mine were). You learn the same thing in an English course at a community college as you would at a cal state or uc. When you transfer and apply to the nursing program, the Cal State system doesn't favor it's students over transfer students. So I just want you to be aware that your not going to have a better chance getting into the program if you are already attending the school in which you are applying for.
Depending on what school you apply to, they do have different admission requirements but they are generally all the same. The difference is mostly in how their point system works which is something you'll have to do a little research on.
Here are some courses you will need to take before entering the nursing program some of which aren't required when you apply but you will need to finish before you complete the program and it's best that you finish all of these classes before hand to lessen the course load you'll have when entering the nursing program.
Composition (Ex: English 100)
Critical Thinking Course
Oral Communication (Ex: Speech)
Math Class (Different schools have different requirements of what level math they want so you might have to look into that)
Psychology
Sociology
Anatomy
Physiology
Microbiology
Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry (Combined Course but only needed for Cal States)
And depending on how much you have going on outside of school, I would suggest that you only take one science course per semester. It's important to do well in these classes because they take these courses into consideration when they are deciding who to accept. Some schools might just want a passing grade but other schools may give you certain amount of points depending on what grade you get)
As far as nursing programs go... At community colleges you can only get an Associates Degree (AD) in Nursing and that will take you two years. If you decide to transfer to a Cal State to get your bachelors it will take you an additional two years. So that will be 4 years on top of however long it takes you to finish up your GE (60 units). However if do a nursing program at a cal state it's a bachelors program (not an AD) straight off and it takes 3 years. So if you get an AD and then get your bachelors you'll save money but it's going to take you an extra year. Or you can spend the extra money and go into a bachelors program and get that in 3 years.
I started off at Cypress College. It took me 2.5 years to finish my general education and I am transferring next semester into the nursing program at Cal State Long Beach. I rather go straight for the Bachelors to save myself a year.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask away

Hi Seyma,

You said you started off at Cypress and are on your way to CSULB. I'm trying to figure out if going to a community college(adn then eventually bsn) as a back up plan would be a good idea(that is, if i don't get into CSULB's bsn program). I was hoping that you could please answer a few questions I have for you:

Is 'time' the only con variable for first going to a community college (adn) and then transferring to another college to get your bsn?

Does Cypress College have a 'transfer program' that can bridge you to a 'bsn/msn' program after getting your adn?

Do you happen to know anything about Long Beach City College's nursing program or their 'transfer program'?

Thank you so much!