Just starting out

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Nov 7, 2006

Are you planning to take a full load? Good luck to you as you begin the pre-nursing process!

Mr. Beef · Nov 8, 2006

My goal has always been to become a nurse. Although a little late I'm just getting started and will be applying to community colleges to start working on my prerequisites before applying to the nursing programs. Realistically, when should I plan on applying to a nursing program? and How long does it usually take to finish your prerequisties? I am hoping to get started on them this January and would like to move quickly into a program. Any advice would be appreciated.

I would say you should start applying as soon as you are available and have completed the pre-req's for the school(s) you want to attend.

Depending on the program you could take all your Pre-Req's at once at the Dallas County Community Colleges [DCCCD] and have them done in one semester if you want to attend an ADN Program in the DCCCD.

That's not vary realistic though because you could burn yourself out way to fast. I would advise taking them 2-4 at a time depending on where you plan to go, and then adjust up or down in hours depending on how you did the previous semester. For me, someone who has not been to college in a really long time, I'm going to take my Pre-Req's 2-4 at a time depending on how many hours I feel I can take a semester. If I need to take something like Anatomy then I might take one other "easy" class [Like speech or english] so I can focus all my study time on two classes instead of four.

Don't take a major science class in a short semester like summer. You may get it done a lot faster, but you will know a lot less. At least that's how it was for me, and it hurt my GPA.

Hope this helps,

Mr. Beef

curlysue82 · Nov 8, 2006

Thank you for your input!!I would love to get all my pre-req's out of the way at once but I think your right. I don't want to get burned out to quick. After all, I am 24 and I have never taken a college class. I think it'll be a good idea to pace myself. I appreciate all the help.

sbyramRN · Nov 8, 2006

Well, I just got my acceptance letter into a program today, and I have to say it took me a long time to get here. I am not sure where you live or where you plan on applying, but it is kinda hard here in Houston. Don't believe the info that tells you you only need to complete certain things to apply. In order to even have a chance, you need to have completed ALL of the pre-reqs (with A's in the Sciences) and scored very high on your entrance exams. It is so competitive, that without all of those things, your chances of getting in are very slim. Good Luck!

Babynurse83 · Nov 9, 2006

nothing new to say just wanted to say i agree with what's already been said. being aware of all the pre-reqs you're required to take and pacing yourself in order to make good grades (and learn) is key.

curlysue82 · Nov 9, 2006

Right now I live in Kerrville so wherever I decide to go I'll have to move or commute. We do have a LVN program at our local university (Schreiner) but I prefer to do the RN program. Also, the clinicals around here I'm sure are awful. We have our hospital who's rep. is not that great and several nursing homes that also fall under that category. If I'm going to do this I'm going to do it right. Any advise on how to keep my grades up?

crnawant2be · Nov 9, 2006

I started working on my pre-reqs in the spring of 06 quarter and took a&p I, eng101, and phy 210, 10 hrs. I apply in june for the aug rn program. and took other pre-reqs in the summer a&p II, Math, speech. I got accepted to the rn program aug 06. I lack migcro and 1 elect. I did do well on my enterence exam (99 out of 99). which help me get accepted. Check with the colleges you are going to apply to for their process of selecting students. and work on them first. All the programs around me started in aug with app deadline around june 1, I was acceptted to 2 rn programs and 1 lpn. looking back I should have taken micro the first quarter, but now I will have to take it with my nursing classes which will be tough. I short if you can take the needed classes for the app first then take you elects. hope I help and not confessed

curlysue82 · Nov 9, 2006

I have one more question. I have not yet taken my SAT test. I actually got into ACC through the entrance exam. I do plan on taking it soon but everytime it gets close I chicken out. Just how important is your SAT score?

Babynurse83 · Nov 10, 2006

i have one more question. i have not yet taken my sat test. i actually got into acc through the entrance exam. i do plan on taking it soon but everytime it gets close i chicken out. just how important is your sat score?

i'm not sure about other colleges. i know to some it matters a lot on whether you get accepted but for me i applied and got in without them even having my act scores. i was advised to take the act back in hs instead since i'm not a math person. somehow we ordered them sent and they never showed up so my records (both community college and university) don't have them on there.

as for studying, if you're a visual learner then flashcards/notecards are good. if you learn better by listening then maybe ask if you can record the lectures and listen to them. there are so many studying tips in the student threads on here that will help.