Advice for an AD

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Hi! I'm really hoping someone can help me as I've been waffling back and forth between a few things here and there and I'm absolutely horrified that I might make a bad discussion here or there, so I figure I'd ask all of you for some advice!

I'm currently a junior at a college in MN (that does not offer nursing, sadly) and as I've gotten a really good scholarship, I've decided to continue on and graduate, and then start my nursing career. I've looked around at several options here and there, and whereas I'm not exactly sure what program I'm going to peruse (I'm really looking at St. Kate's but it's pretty pricey), I do have a question or two about prereqs.

Does anyone have a good suggestion as to where I should take them? I know that a lot of programs require anatomy and chemistry, and those are honestly my two main worries, but I'm not sure what community college I can go to to get those done quickly. I'm really looking to complete these during the summer (preferably this next one) so I can get right back into college after I graduate Spring 2010.

Any information would be lovely, and if you've got a good suggestion for a AD nursing program somewhere, I'd love to hear that too!

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Most AD programs will require you to have A&P and Chemistry completed before you can even apply to a program. I am not sure what the waiting list situation is in the Twin Cities, but I know that LSC's program in Duluth is going back to a waiting list and it is usually a year or more. Most of the community colleges offer A&P and Chemistry, but not many offer A&P I & II during the summer. You may look at taking them at a community college while finishing your BSN. Good Luck!

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, IMCU/Tele, HH/CM.

Because of the MNSCU system you should be able to take A&P 1 and 2 and Chem anywhere and have it transfer. Other classes that nursing programs like to have are Microbiology and College Algebra. The A&P that you need will probably not be offered during the summer.

I went to the new ASN program at NTC in Bemidji. The waiting list was 40 people, I was number 20-something and I was accepted right away. They also have an online option that requires travel to Bemidji one weekend a month. You have to have your LPN license first, however they also have a PN program.

My next task is to complete an RN-BSN program. I know it seems like a bit of a runaround however I worked as an LPN while gaining my RN, and am now working as an RN while continuing onward for my BSN.

Good luck.

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nimaroo,

if you'll already have a bachelor’s degree before you begin pursuing nursing, you might want to check out the post-baccalaureate program at st. kate’s. it’s designed for people that already have their ba or bs, and it’s also designed for people that do not have any prerequisites completed. you spend the first year and a half taking prereqs and then two years on nursing courses. unfortunately, i’m unable to bring up their website to post a link, but check it out when you get a chance.

the adn program at st. kate’s is currently the only program in the metro area that has a waiting list, and they did not accept applications this year (presumably because their list is so long). most community college programs now require you to re-apply the following year if you do not get accepted, and they have instituted “ranking” systems, whereby you get more “points” if you already have your generals and your science classes completed.

i did my science prereqs at mctc, most online actually with lab on campus, and had a fine experience.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, Community/ Public Health.

Here's the website for St Kate's post-bacc program that bikelola mentioned:

http://minerva.stkate.edu/offices/academic/nursing.nsf/pages/bdpplanpostbacc

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Thanks everyone for the advice! I was actually looking to go the associate's degree route since it seemed a bit cheaper and easier (my current GPA leaves a little something to be desired... ) but that program at St. Kate's looks very interesting and I'll have to look into that - thanks! I think no matter what I'm looking at three years so there's no reason for me to overlook the post-bac programs in the area.

Also, thanks for the advice about MCTC. That's pretty close so that should be no problem!

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

if you are going to switch, keep in mind funding, it is best to hold off on graduating due to finacial aid and student loans.. we had a lot of students with Bactchlors that had difficulty sucuring funding.

Also NCTC in TRF and East Grand Forks have open enrollment for the Nursing program. check it out

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Would anyone suggest perhaps reccoment not getting my bachelors from my current school and just switching over to nursing? Honestly, my major is English and the only reason I wanted to finish is because I thought that it could perhaps help me financially while I went through nursing, but I'm pretty sure a final year where I'm at will be more than two or three years at a community college, so...

I'm sorry, I'm just very lost at what to do and am afraid of messing up to the point where I can't do anything bout it, since I'm already kicking myself for not choosing a school with a nursing program. I very much appreciate all of your help, really!

Happy holidays!

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Specializes in PMHNP.

I think Metro State University has a post-bac program that maybe would be worth looking into. Most college nursing websites will post pre-reqs, which you could take at a community college for a cheaper price, but check to make sure everything transfers okay since every program is different. As far as waiting lists go I hear rumors (not sure if they are right!) that NHCC has 1 year, Winona State has 1-2 years and St. Cloud State has 1-2years. The best bet is to research what you can online at the college websites and talk to someone from the school directly. Good luck with your search and don't get discouraged.....I am pretty sure there are many nurses who went the post-bac route and never looked back :)

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Nimaroo, how much time do you have left until you'd finish your current degree? Looks like about a year and half, from your original post? I'd also factor in what might happen to your scholarship money if you were to transfer; would you have to pay any of it back?

So much depends on your individual circumstances...what science prereqs you've already taken, would you have the time and financial resources to do a full-time, undergraduate BSN-level nursing program...

You know, it might not hurt to talk with some admissions counselors at some schools with RN programs that you're interested in transferring to. You might not be able to make a decision right away, to affect this semester, but you might get a good idea for what to do next fall.

You could also use your current situation to work hard to pull up your GPA and maybe throw in some science classes that you'll have to take anyway (assuming that you haven't taken them already). The post-bac and entry-level Master's programs are only going to get more popular what with all of us career-changers, so I don't think you'd be hurting anything by finishing your current degree.

Just my two cents. If it makes you feel any better, I first got the nursing bug in 2003, took my first prerequisite in 2006, and will begin an actual nursing program in 2009. It's been a long road and I've doubted myself and gotten frustrated with myself many times, but if you want to do it, you'll find a way, no matter how long it takes. :)

Feel free to PM me if you ever need to vent!

:) lola

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Just an FYI......NHCC does not have a wait list. You have to apply every year. The decision is based on how many of the prereqs you have completed and the grades you achieved.

You could look at some of the colleges and see what there prereqs are. Take those at your current school with the scholarship. Then transfer to one of the nursing schools. The prereqs for NHCC are:

Chemistry (high school chem counts if you have a transcript)

Biology

A&P 1

A&P 2

Microbiology

English

General Psych

Intro to Soc

Interpersonal Communication

MNTC Goal Area 6

Good luck with your search and decision. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Matt

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