some advice please

glamourgirl44 · Apr 9, 2011

HI, I go to Salem State and I am in a BSN program. I currently have one year left. I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. If I can do it, anyone can. Don't waste your time going for an associates degree..hospitals wont hire you anymore without a BSN unless you have years of experience. My schedule for my current maternity/pedi rotation is : Thu: 8-12(class) Sat: 7-7(clinical) My schedule last semester for Medsurg was the same. Next semester my schedule for critcal care/mental health is Tues/Thu 8-11 (class) and Sun 7-7 (clinical). Now that are just my nursing classes. Of course in a BSN program you need things like history, literature, statistics, etc. I had already taken those classes when I graduated with a BS degree prior. So, you might want to spend a year or so getting those classes out of the way so when you do nursing classes you can focus just on those. However, there are lots of ways to get classes out of the way quickly. One summer I did these classes called institute classes. This allows you to take certain classes in one week from 9-5. So I did psychology in one week, medical ethics, etc...I also took some online like statistics. I was able to get rid of 4 classes in one summer and 3 in another so I can just focus on nursing the rest of the year. It is competitive to get in to nursing school but not to the degree you might think..Look into it. Plus, if you go to an affordable school like salem, it's much cheaper. I pay cash for my school so I won't have any student loans. If you have any more questions, feel free ask!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 9, 2011

Moved to the MA Nursing Programs Discussion forum

caliotter3 · Apr 9, 2011

It depends on you and your situation. Many people are able to successfully handle working at the same time as attending nursing school, while others have a catastrophe. You do what you have to do. There are those who have no choice but to work. But if you can make it financially, of course it is better to devote your time and energy to school. One bit of advice I can offer based upon my experience as well as that of others I have spoken to: do not let your school know about your work activities, or other activities for that matter. It is not unusual to become a target for failure if they find out you are working. Do not be late for class because of your job. Do not leave early because of your job. Or, just be careful not to talk about your job, either to instructors or other students who might mention it. It is really not any of the school personnel's business that you are working as long as you are keeping up in school.

ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

glamourgirl, how do you like the program at salem state? i am thinking of transfering there for the rn-bsn program. i am currently at school at mcc in lowell. did you have to take an entrance exam such as the teas to be admitted? if you could pm me some info i would appreciate it..... thanks..

OP, i think its great you have your cna already, it gives you a glimpse as to what a nurses job can be like. i would probably cut down hours at work to atleast part time. i have one child and go to school part time and i just got a new per diem pca position. like you, i was a medical assistant a few years ago. working as an MA is quite different than a cna. im not too fond of the office atmosphere and i prefer the nursing model over the medical aspect. i feel i wasted my time going to MA school back in 2006 when i should of gone the lpn route.... i could of had my RN by now. well whatever you choose, i hope it works out for you. if being a nurse is what you want, then you will attain that goal by working hard towards it. goodluck

glamourgirl44 · Apr 9, 2011

erindel--tried to pm you but it wouldn't let me anyway, i really like the program at salem state. getting into the program was relatively easy. there are no exams to be admitted. i know that it is a little competitive to get in the program but in my situation, i had graduated from salem state in '07 with a different degree and my gpa was 3.99 so they let me in because i had really good grades. however, there are lots of student nurses that got in right out of high school, some transfers, some in mid-life career change. whatever details you want, let me know!

ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

Thanks glamourgirl for your response. that is a great gpa you have. i wonder if there is a waitlist now due to everyone wanting to get their bsn. do u know if alot of people prefer to take the gen ed classes along with the nursing courses, or do they get those classes out of the way first? what would the first semester courses be, do they incorporate just one nursing class in the beginning?

thanks for answering my questions, i appreciate it.

SailorVee93, ASN, RN · Apr 11, 2011

]

do u know if alot of people prefer to take the gen ed classes along with the nursing courses, or do they get those classes out of the way first? what would the first semester courses be, do they incorporate just one nursing class in the beginning?

]Hi Erindel!

]From what I've heard and read, most nursing school candidates prefer to take the pre-reqs before or during the application process. It gives them time to look into schools and also to get as many A's as they possibly can (in my opinion and from my own experience). A lot of schools seem to like that and some won't even look at your application if you're not even finished with them. It also makes it a lot easier for accepted students to focus on their core nursing courses without having to worry about gen ed classes. All I know the more A's you have, the better you look in their eyes. I hope this helps a little with your questions :)

ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2011

Thanks lizbee... Im complete in my adn prereqs, I still have others to take for my bsn. There are so much more prereqs i think for the bsn, like history and two chem courses, ethics, speech, etc. I feel like i will be in school forever to complete everything!

Well thanks for your response though!!!!

SailorVee93, ASN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

I feel the same way Erin, married to school until I want a divorce xD

Passion2cure · Dec 23, 2016

Can you please share the steps of getting into Salem States?

I am currently trying to get into their program, soon will be taking the teas .

Thanks .