Advice/tips

[NancyGua813]

I'm going to start at a community college in california this month, I'm working on my healthcare interpreting certificate and my general ed. Hopefully if all goes well these two years i'll transfer to a uc or state school for a nursing program. I'm doing a CNA program in a year to help me out financially in school and for the experience.. I essentially want to become a nurse RN.. What I'm basicly asking is how do i look into nursing schools, how it all works with pre-nursing classes/when do i take them, whats a undergraduate student. I'm just so confused because i look up UC's and nursing schools buut i'm still confused. If anybody can help that would be lovely thankyou!!

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

Call the nursing schools in your area to find out what they require as prerequisites and whether you can take those classes at a community college (usually you can). There seems to be a common core no matter the school: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (both at the same school) and Microbiology; all three typically within 5 years or less at the time you apply to nursing school. Other courses seem to vary based on the program and can include one to several courses of english composition, one to several psychology classes, and so on. So just get a notepad out and call around.

Thank you.

P.S. I've heard that California is swamped with nurses. I'm not sure if that is state wide or by areas within the state. So you also want to do your homework as to how's the job market for graduate nurses in your area. If you are open to moving out of the area to areas hiring, that's not as much an issue.