Accepted into NS, BUT....

Published

OK, I will try and make this as short as I can because I really need some advice!

Fall of 2009 I started attending my Community College and taking my prereqs for Nursing. The goal was to apply for the fall of 2011. This CC takes about 80 students every fall for their program. Where I live, most ADN programs are done away with, so basically I have to put all my eggs in one basket and pray to get in. Prereqs that I needed for this CC are the following: Soc, Psych, Algebra, College Writing 1 & 2, Intro to Chemistry, Organic Chemistry (both those Chem classes has no lab), Function and Structure. Now this Function and Structure class is equal to most CC's A&P 1&2, however, it's only a 5 hour credit class and it wasn't too bad. The only classes that I need to complete are College writing 2 and Organic Chem. As you can see, the prereqs for this ADN program are not too bad.

So last Spring I found out that a local hospital based ADN program accepts students twice a year. So I thought I would try to apply that way I would have at least two schools to apply with and some of my credits would transfer. I knew that if I did get it, the classes that I took at the CC would not be wasted because in the end I will transfer back to this CC and get my BSN.

I ended up applying at the hospital after hearing how hard it was to get in and I got in. When I got the call last week I felt nervous and sick! However, when they emailed me the list of classes that I should be taking and the schedule, I just got plain depressed. I honestly do not think that I am capable of doing this. The CC that I was going to apply to seemed easier because you got your sciences and math out of the way before starting NS, but this hospital throws everything at you. On the other hand the CC only takes 80 students a year out of 300 applicants. OK, what are my chances being that my GPA isn't really high? I could be sitting for a few years, but here I have the chance to go for it.

Here is the program sequence. If taken when I am supposed to, I will start Jan. 10, 2011 and graduate middle of Dec. 2012. That's IF I stay on track. http://tinyurl.com/386f2tq

Is this doable?? Soc. and Psych, I will not have to take. I am pretty sure I will just need A&P 2, but NOT 1. I am not sure about the College Writing because by the end of this semester, I will have College Writing 1 out of the way but not 2. I am waiting on them to call me back so I can ask about the A&P, and writing class transferring.

Sorry so long, but I guess I am wondering if this is doable? Is this what a normal NS semester looks like? It seems so stressful considering I am not even good at math. I had all of my math taken at the CC, but this hospital program told me that the math that I took at the CC was considered remedial to them, so I need another math class. Then they emailed me the list of schedules for these classes and I am afraid I am going to forget where I am supposed to be! This semester starts on Jan. 10 and ends on April 20th. If I could just make it to then! :eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think this is very doable. I don't know if you have to work part-time or if you have a family (husband with kids). I think this will be doable but probably will take up all your free time. I do know what you mean about getting all the pre-reqs out of the way so you would just have nursing classes because I'm doing the same thing. But I'm married with 3 kids (10,6,1) and plan to work some part-time - so this would be hard for me to do unless I didn't work at all. I think that anyone can do anything they want when they put their mind to it :) Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think this is very doable. I don't know if you have to work part-time or if you have a family (husband with kids). I think this will be doable but probably will take up all your free time. I do know what you mean about getting all the pre-reqs out of the way so you would just have nursing classes because I'm doing the same thing. But I'm married with 3 kids (10,6,1) and plan to work some part-time - so this would be hard for me to do unless I didn't work at all. I think that anyone can do anything they want when they put their mind to it :) Good Luck!

I am married with 4 kids 11, 8, 5, and 3. I do not work and my whole family is supportive. We also live next to my parents which help out big time when I need to study. Guess I should have listed what I had going for me. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can do This !!! :) You have a great support system and your parents live next door - that's awesome. Like I said I think it would be almost impossible to do working with kids but since you don't work - you can do it. And just think about the stress of having to wait to see if you get in the other program (yuck) if you turn this one down. Maybe it was meant for you to take this route.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

It'll be hard, but doable. I say go for it! You got into a program, take it and run with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It really doesn't seem that bad to me - it will definitely require a lot of commitment and hard work, but I think it would definitely be doable. I'm at a CC, and we too got all of our science and math out of the way before applying to the nursing program. I'm in my first semester of the program right now and it is TOUGH - first we had six weeks of Fundamentals lecture and lab, and now we have a Med/Surg lecture, lab, and clinical - plus we have a Pharm class. Nursing school is tough everywhere, and it should be. But you can do it! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would not hesitate to go ahead with this hospital program, especially if it is a place you may want to work when you get out because you would already have your foot in the door. You have a great support system and that is going to be a huge asset. You will definitely be able to do this, believe in yourself and I promise you can't go wrong!!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all the support! I found out today that the only classes that are transferable are Soc. and Psych. Now I feel like all the classes that I took at the CC are wasted, not to mention the money part. Oh well, live and learn I guess! :) The only other con with this hospital program is that it's double the tuition opposed to my CC that I was attending. On the positive side, I will get to do all my clinical's on site and it's less than 10 min. away. With the CC, I would have to drive over an hour away just to get to some of my clinical sites.

I guess my only fear is that I am really not good at math. I am currently taking Intro to Chem., but I am going to have to withdrawal because the instructor is not good. Some one in my class went to the board of the Chem. depart. and he basically said nothing could be done this late in the semester. I will need some tutoring with the Algebra and Chem classes next semester and with the busy schedule, I am having a hard time fitting a tutor in. I hope it all works out! It would be great to graduate in Dec. 2012. :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

Your community college grants bachelors degrees? And the hospital grants an associate's rather than a diploma?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Your community college grants bachelors degrees? And the hospital grants an associate's rather than a diploma?

Most colleges in my area only offer the bachelor degrees and I am only wanting my ADN for now. This hospital based program used to be diploma, but around 2006 or so they switched to an ADN program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion