Applying to nursing schools

[smokeybear]

Hi everyone, this is my first time writing on this site but I've been reading posts for a while now. I have a few questions about nursing school if anyone is willing to help. I am currently going to my local community college and have been taking general ed as well as the pre-reqs for nursing school. I won't be finished with the second A&P and microbiology until this fall but I was hoping to transfer into a BSN program for spring 2012. My first choice is University of San Francisco. But I have been reading a lot about how they accept people but then do not let them start clinical for a year. I was also hoping to apply to Loyola University in Chicago but you have to have all of your pre-reqs completed before even applying to the program. Are most BSN programs like that?? Please let me know, I'm confused and new haha. Thanks!

[Student4_life]

Every BSN program in my area allows courses to be in progress when you apply.

[SFLady]

You have a better chance if you have all of your prerequisites completed, not to mention saving more money by doing it that way. It's true that for most transfer students, myself included, they need to wait an entire year before starting clinicals at USF. However, there are lower division courses mixed into your junior and senior year, so technically if you complete all of your lower division courses (i.e sociology, psychology, public speaking) then there's only about 8 - 10 units needed to take during your upper division years. If you have more questions, private message me and I can discuss more if you like.

[smokeybear]

Okay great thanks. What was your situation for being admitted to usf nursing? Did you have a 4.0?? And also the tuition is very expensive but I have all of my gen ed completed so will that help with being part time? Would it take me longer if I did go to school part time?

[SFLady]

I had a 3.6 when i transferred. Every program is different depending on which school you go to. USF has a unique program as it's more of a cohort program. It takes three years to finish the program as a transfer student but not all three years will be full time. You should check out their curricular program:

http://www.usfca.edu/nursing/bsn/

You pretty much have to follow how the pattern is set up. For some students, this wouldn't be a great fit especially if pressed for time. But it works for me because I basically work more than 20 hours. If you want to complete a nursing program within two years as a transfer student then USF might not be the best fit.