Any advice on nursing school and getting in appreciated :)

[lindtwa09]

I had a couple of questions on this topic:

-I've heard a lot of discouraging talk on the net about how long it took some people to get in to nursing school, what would you say is average? How long did it take you, or no wait?

-Also, were you able to get in to a location of your choice or did you have to go wherever would take you because there are so many people applying?

-Also, I've seen a lot of 'lottery system' schools, but I'm assuming that people are admitted from a pool of applicants that are ALREADY qualified (at least as far as the application goes) correct?

-I guess I'm asking, is it worth getting the pre-req classes squared away and working hard on the rest of the app or are the chances so slim now that it's just a complete gamble? I don't have time or money to waste and wanted to ask people who have maybe been through all of this.

Respond to any or all of this!!! I'm just starting out researching all of this and any feedback is appreciated

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Your post's tags indicate you are in California. Although I am from CA, I relocated out of state to attend school. Due to budget cuts in the community college and CSU system, completing the prerequisite coursework sometimes takes several years because there are not enough class offerings to accommodate everyone who wants to enroll.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Life is a gamble. Sometimes you have to roll the dice. There are no guarantees of anything. When I went to nursing school in 2006 it was a total gamble. I quit my job and went for it. You get one chance at life..You either let fear run your life or you just go for it. It isn't easy and it shouldn't be easy. Very challenging career with long 12 hour days and nights with life and death decision making. There is a reason they don't take the non hackers.