Advice for a foreigner, someone?

lananp · Mar 26, 2008

Hi Char,

I am also a foreigner going into nursing. I am Greek and took me quite some time to move through ESL classes and the nursing prerequisites(4 full years). But my efforts are paid off- I am accepted in one of the best public schools in USA.

Furthermore, having a friend who is Swedish, I can say affirmatively that English classes will be breeze for you. My friend has much better English than I would ever have because you study English at school from yearly age and it is spoken in Sweden. Also, Swedish and English have much more in common(Latin alphabet) than Greek and English.

Plus, it is great that you do not need to work. I have to work to support myself which makes it hard sometimes.

Do not be discourage because of your age. I am also in my thirties, and it will be my second degree. So go ahead! Beginning is always difficult, but it is doable and you are following your dreams(hopefully). Good luck to you!

Knorremeisje · Mar 26, 2008

Hi Char!

I moved to the US from Belgium about a year and a half ago. I'm finishing my last pre-requisite for the nursing program in April. I know how intimidating it may seem at first... I was in college in Belgium, studying linguistics, but I hated it. So when I got here I decided to go with nursing because it is really such a great job, especially here in the US!

I started by taking a free CNA class in January last year. It gave me a lot more insight into what aides and nurses do. It was a great introduction. I then had to wait for my green card until May. I got a job as soon as I could as a CNA at a local hospital. I also started taking my first pre-requisites in May. What you need to do first is go to the website of your local community college and find out what the pre-requisites are for their nursing program. You could also call them and schedule an appointment with an advisor.

Usually the pre-requisites include English, Math, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, and Microbiology. I'm sure your local community college offers an assessment test during which they determine at what level you should start in English and Math. This is actually really helpful. This test will tell you whether you can go straight for ENG101 or if it would be wise to start maybe with ENG076 (just an example). It might take a little longer, but you'll find that your English skills will greatly improve during those classes.

I got into ENG101 and the higher math classes right away, probably because I did some refresher studying. It had only been one year since high school graduation and I did study Dutch/English linguistics.

Please, don't worry about your English too much. There are many student out there who were born and raised here, that have to start with a lower level ENG class. In the end, it will only benefit you!

I hope this helped a little bit. Please let me know if you have any questions for me!

- Sarah

newbie26 · Mar 26, 2008

I really urge you to see if the college you go to has a student affairs center or something like that. They can hook you up with testing and other things that will work for you. We had a German student in my Lvn class and she failed because of the little odd things in the english language. She could recite things back and knew what was going on but when test time came she had problems. Should would have been a great nurse. Also when i was getting my CNA we had a guy from Africa and he went through student affairs and they read the test to him and he passed.

laloba65 · Mar 26, 2008

Hello,

and thanks alot for the information and advice. I will have to go through English classes and pre-requisites, no doubts. Am i realistic when i say i would have to send 2 yrs for pre-req's and another 2-4 years for the nurisng program? I have not decided if i would go for an associate degree or a bachelor degree. i know i want the bachelor degree in the long run.

Char

Knorremeisje · Mar 26, 2008

The timeframe for pre-req's depends on whether or not you are going for AAS or BSN. Usually 2 years is plenty for the pre-req's for the AAS. However, for the BSN 2 years is the bare minimum in most cases.

LouLouK · Mar 26, 2008

Hey Char,

I too am in your position, and a bit scared and nervous about taking classes that I haven't had in 15 years. I'm starting my pre-req's this spring/summer semester, and the fact that English is not my first language is making me a bit nervous, especially because it seems that it takes me a little longer than most people to complete any assignment.

Good luck and be positive. We've made this far in a strange country and culture... we can also make it in a new profession.

LouLou

laloba65 · Mar 28, 2008

Well the more i read about the nursing program, the more nervous i get. I don't want to fail, and especially not on my english skills!

The pre-req's, could some of them be courses that i have already taken at high school level or are they college level courses only?? I need to have my high school diploma translated as well. I'm going to keep my hopes up and at least i know that i will go for the BSN program.

Char

alex2751 · Mar 29, 2008

Can you tell me guys what is your status in States? I am on my F-1 visa but I am not sure if could get admitted for nursing study? I heard on some college they accept only if you have green card?