A future nurse...in need of advice....!!!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2011

You can try but the field is pretty tight right now....everyone wants to be a nurse. There is a plethora of nurses out there right now and many have been looking for work for quite sometime. I doubt anyone will be offering up full boat scholarships for a 3.0 and not for an accelerated program that is usually outrageously expensive. There is just not a demand driving the market right now.

championnicole · Dec 30, 2011

There are a few ways to do this....i'll run through them first and then give u my 2cents

Either way you will need to take a few classes before applying to any program if you do not have them....mostly science classes. Any local community college will have them and you can take a few in the spring and then do the two biggies over summer terms....

competitive wise....you need to do well in these classes. Your prior coursework GPA isn't as important as these big hitters...getting a 4.0 in these areas or close will get you in many programs.... (many only look at these and a few others)

1. Microbiology--not general bio. Most schools have u take Bio 100 or what not first...but no worries if u don't have that.... I showed my community college an "unofficial transcript" and put bio 101 on it so they waived it.....no problems anywhere I applied for nursing because they only cared about the microbiology....

2. Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2....they're hard, lots of work...lots. But the harder the better in the long run....learn it, dont take short cuts

3. Englishes i'm sure you have with your bachelors, as are the Gen eds...

4. Sociology 101, Psych 101 (intro to psych), and Human Growth and Development (of lifespan development at some places)---- if u dont have any of these look into CLEP tests over taking them in school. I did awesome on them, maybe 20 hours study each, $100 (test and test book), and 3 credits....done!

5. some places like Statistics for your math, but the above esp. 1 & 2 are required for every every every place....(some will let u take concurrently once ur in nursing school, but u can't with accelerated programs and u'll be lost IMO)

6. Some also require General Chem....of Intro Chem, which i think is a good idea, but look at a few programs when exploring possible schools

__________

There are 3 ypes of programs you can enter...

1. Accelerated Associates Program.... done in 12-15 months.... in many cases (in my state) you have more clinical hours and better pass rates then the bachelors programs and in most cases it doesn't matter which you have when applying (as a new grad...difference in pay is usually btw $1-2/hr or 2,000-4,000 a year.....but many places prob pay u bachelors cuz u have one....)

2. Masters of Nursing.... Many schools have programs meant for bachelors of other degrees...don't know much about these but the one I do around here is very competitive and probably 908490238490238 as much money... think it's 3 years... basically the associates courses....(nursing core science) or maybe some leadership focus? don't know about them.... like i said except being competetive and $$$$$

3. Accelerated Bachelors in Nursing for second degreee....basically an associates core of classes again, 2- 2.5 year, more competive, more money, but i guess u get 2 bachelors.....?

(if u chose to go graduate nursing live nurse practictioner, management, etc....u can do any of the above and with ur bachelors in what u have now u'd be fine...)

if you can't tell option 1 is my choice.....much cheaper, much faster, much more focused and i think covers the important stuff after the BS gen ed you do in a bachelors in anything hehe, and i my experience, a better education.....

many community colleges have partnerships with the sister hospitals and (slowed down some economy...) that will sponsor your entire tuition if you give back the years you were in school or 2x years... (i.e. 18mo prog--work there 3 yrs....) while doing interning there during nursing school (usually 20hrs/montth)....what's sweet if you get one of these deals is you have a JOB already...get extra experience, and free ed!

it all depends where you live and what your options are.....

to start, find out when registration for AP 1/2 for summer sessions at local community college is cuz they fill up in a day!!!!!!! sign up (drop for full refund if u change mind!)

you'll be waiting around for a year likely otherwise (fall/spring)

then look up all the local schools-- community colllege, bachelors, etc. (i'd say public thinking of money)...call nursing schools and find out when they info sessions....and goooooo....u'll kno what they each offer and require and benefits/cons

in my state i can go to any CC and pay in county tuition because of the "shortage"....i ended up out of county for an accelerated program because my county didn't rank on merit but lottery....i loved it!

i know this is a lot to take in, but soooooo many options are available for CC and you'll be done in 1.5-2yrs likely. half my class was students with prior bachelors! 3/4 students in my class were in a scholarship program through a community hospital as i discussed, so they're def out there!!!!

SIGN UP FOR A/P, sign up for info sessions at colleges, browse local hospital sites (nursing sites....sometimes they'll talk about scholarship stuff)...., volunteer at a hospital?

sorry for being so wordy, i hope this helps.....

do not be discouraged by others please! do what your heart tells you!!! if you dont do it now you'll kick yourself later. half my class was in late 30s, early 40s wit kids....finally making the move.....take it by the reins and jump in! if you are dedicated, ready to get a butt kicking school wise, and enter the most rewarding profession that exists, then jump in....

good luck! private message me if u need more advice!

Merlyn · Dec 31, 2011

Work out in a hospital or nursing home see what it is really like. Then if you like it go for it. It's a lot of hard work for very little

money compared to a banker. And more sacrifice then anything else. Think before you jump. Why do the rest of us do this?

I can't speak for everybody but I was dropped on my head when I was a baby.

championnicole · Dec 31, 2011

not sure why everyone is discouraging this girl....

she asked a question, not for opinions or two cents.

while I agree with your suggestions to see what it's like and all that, but it's not what she asked.

bmelissa · Dec 31, 2011

I used to be a bank manager, they do not make a lot of money. Nurses can make more. If you make sacrfices, you choose to make them, no one forces you. In the end, some sacrifices are worth it. And not everyone can do it, make sure you have no regrets. There is nothing like getting up every morning and hating your job. I did not HATE my banking job but I felt that feeling creeping up on me so I took a risk and got out....no regrets.