Feeling Overwhelmed

Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hi all,

I am beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed with applying to schools. I am located in Jacksonville and I have applied to Keiser, Kaplan, and Chamberlain. I have taken the TEAS V test 2 times and still need to pass the science portion because I keep missing it by one stinking point!! The thing with KEiser is that I was told that I would be able to start in January if I took the test and passed by a certain time in October so that was my goal. But talking to other potential students, they were told to take the TEAS V test by August/September in order to start in January. So now I am being told that JAnuary session is filled and I can start in Sept 2014. Well I dont want to wait that long to start!! So I went to Kaplan. It was much smaller and a little bit more expensive than Keiser but I felt comfortable there too. Chamberlain is a BSN program and I like the idea of finishing with a BSN but I really dont have the 2-3 years right now. Im a single mother and Im ready to start school and start my career!! So now I am looking into Sanford Brown, Virginia College, Fortis, everywhere in Jax because I want to start in January. According to the point system at FSCJ I wont even waste my time because just in pre-reqs i only have a 93 and I need to retake the NAT because its been more than 2 years since I took it previously. I dont have the money to keep paying for all of these tests and transcripts. Anybody have any advice to even help my calm my mind!

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Most of the schools you listed are commercial (investor owned) and therefore much more expensive than traditional (not for profit) programs. Is there a reason you are choosing the commercial schools? Please analyze their graduation and NCLEX pass rates as well as clinical rotation sites. If possible, find out how hospital recruiters feel about graduates from those programs.

Good luck on your quest.

Unfortunately getting into a nursing program is difficult everywhere you go. You will have to consider going for a BSN regardless, because the Nursing field is become a lot more competitive and due to the unemployment being so high, employers are demanding more from applicants, like having a BSN.

Aside from that, I understand your position. I have to take an A&P class in the spring 14' as my last pre-requisite and my TEAS over the summer. I can start applying as early as October 14' to be considered for spring 15'. That is a whole year I have to wait and I am not even guaranteed a seat in the program. I know it's frustrating, but you have to be patient, in the end the wait will be worth it. Have you tried looking at Community Colleges in your area? They are a good place to complete your degree. Also if you are having a hard time with science in the TEAS, I would recommend you to get the ATI TEAS V Manual Guide, it will help you prepare for all parts of the TEAS. I know from different students who have reviewed it that the questions in the guide are much harder than the actual exam, which is why people have a slight edge over others who don't review it. The book can be purchased on amazon for like $40 if new, but can be cheaper for used ones. I wish you the best of luck, and hope everything works out.

nekozuki, LPN

356 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Instant gratification is how these 50k-80k private schools who offer a sub-par education stay in business. Go public/cc for your ASN, and save the massive students loans for BSN or grad school. Is it more competitive? Yep. Is it harder? Yep. But there is no reason to shoot yourself in the foot financially for the next few decades.

If anything, do all your pre-reqs at the community college level, then transfer to a private school. That way they're only bleeding you moderately dry, rather than the full soul-sucking deal.

sha20sha00

5 Posts

Hi thanks for your response. Yes I chose those because FSCJ the cc in my area is very hard to get into because it is the only cc in the area and is a very limited program with prefence given to emt, paramedics, corpsman 1st then regular applicants and is completely based on a point system and NAT test. While I did great on the NAT (making a 99/120) the pre-req points brought me down because i made 2 c's. the last time i applied there i was #85 out of 750 applicants just to give you an idea of how many people apply there. Only one of their numerous campuses have the nursing program which i think is crazy because they have 5 campuses but only one campus does the nursing program!! So therefore I was trying other places as well. I currently work in the hospital emergency room and many of my nurses have graduated from these schools and pursued or pursuing their BSN presently.

sha20sha00

5 Posts

hi i have completed all of my pre-reqs already so now i am just trying to find any school to start my RN program with.

sha20sha00

5 Posts

thankfully since i have completed all of my pre-reqs that many of these programs i will be able to advance straight to the core classes of the programs!!

+ Add a Comment