Brand new pre-nursing student, have some Q's:

nikkiannette · Dec 5, 2007

Hi Sierra...

My name is Nicole. I am a 4th semester ADN student. I graduate in December. I actually did mostly what you are doing so far when starting out. I got all of my prereq's out of the way before starting the actual program. *mostly due to being on a waiting list for 2 years. It was the best thing I could have done. Nursing school is very hard, and time consuming to say the least. Being able to concentrate on core nursing classes was really really nice.

I have completed the 2 year program in 2 years. I also have a job lined up for after graduation on an Intensive Care Unit. However I do plan on going on for my bachelors degree also. The school that I went to was a technical college. This was great for me, the class sizes were fairly small *72 total nursing students. Also, the classes were a lot cheaper compared to those of a University. You also don't have to take classes that you do not really need if you aren't going to get a bachelors.

I would say that getting through nursing school takes a lot of determination, someone to vent to and ask any questions, you also need to be that for some one else too. You need to limit socialization to a point (parties etc.. hehe) that was a bit hard for me. But it's imperitive. If you don't pass a class, don't quit. Usually there is a 2nd chance. Buy your books online or try and borrow them from someone who's recently been through the same program. You will save ALOT of money. Take advantage of financial aid.

I did not take out loans for school. My parents rock and set money aside since we were born. But, if you need to, take out a loan that is deferred until after graduation. As for working during school... I did all the way up until 4th semester, then it got to be too much.

Hope this helps :)

Let me know if you have more ?s'

-Nikki

grace8808 · Dec 5, 2007

Hi Sierra...
My name is Nicole. I am a 4th semester ADN student. I graduate in December. I actually did mostly what you are doing so far when starting out. I got all of my prereq's out of the way before starting the actual program. *mostly due to being on a waiting list for 2 years. It was the best thing I could have done. Nursing school is very hard, and time consuming to say the least. Being able to concentrate on core nursing classes was really really nice.
I have completed the 2 year program in 2 years. I also have a job lined up for after graduation on an Intensive Care Unit. However I do plan on going on for my bachelors degree also. The school that I went to was a technical college. This was great for me, the class sizes were fairly small *72 total nursing students. Also, the classes were a lot cheaper compared to those of a University. You also don't have to take classes that you do not really need if you aren't going to get a bachelors.
I would say that getting through nursing school takes a lot of determination, someone to vent to and ask any questions, you also need to be that for some one else too. You need to limit socialization to a point (parties etc.. hehe) that was a bit hard for me. But it's imperitive. If you don't pass a class, don't quit. Usually there is a 2nd chance. Buy your books online or try and borrow them from someone who's recently been through the same program. You will save ALOT of money. Take advantage of financial aid.
I did not take out loans for school. My parents rock and set money aside since we were born. But, if you need to, take out a loan that is deferred until after graduation. As for working during school... I did all the way up until 4th semester, then it got to be too much.
Hope this helps :)
Let me know if you have more ?s'
-Nikki

Thank you SO much Nikki! That was very helpful to hear.

Unfortunately, the local nursing program/school doesn't allow people to get on the waiting list until they get all their pre-reqs done!

:angryfire

So I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to wait around for 1-3 years waiting to get in, although it is a great school, and only 50 students allowed in the program at a time. So it's competitive, and hard to get into for sure...it's just all so overwhelming! But hearing from other RNs how they did it and survived and what to know about it all is quite helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I really appreciate it.

And I'll definitely be asking more questions as they come up, so thanks for offering to help answer! Have a good night, and TTYS probably :)

-Sierra

Emery · Dec 5, 2007

Hi! I'm in my first semester of the ADN program (actually, finals are next week!! Woohoo!!), and I had all of my pre req's and bonus classes done before I got in. I had to apply twice (as there is no waiting list, just a point system), and got in the second time.

I have financial aid, some scholarships and I work part time. I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to work, because it was tough this semester, but it can be done! There are usually a lot of scholarships available for nursing students. So don't settle for nothing! Fight for it! :) Good luck!

grace8808 · Dec 5, 2007

Hi! I'm in my first semester of the ADN program (actually, finals are next week!! Woohoo!!), and I had all of my pre req's and bonus classes done before I got in. I had to apply twice (as there is no waiting list, just a point system), and got in the second time.
I have financial aid, some scholarships and I work part time. I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to work, because it was tough this semester, but it can be done! There are usually a lot of scholarships available for nursing students. So don't settle for nothing! Fight for it! :) Good luck!

Thank you Emery for sharing that! I know that the majority of nursing students do have to work, I think it must take a lot of dedication! Kudos to you for doing it! And good luck with finals :)

I sure know how those are...coming up soon here too (actually have an English final tonight, should be studying-haha)!

catzy5 · Dec 5, 2007

Hi, I'm Sierra, I'm 19, from CA, I love long walks on the beach...
Okay, not to sound like a personal ad here :)
I'm currently working on my pre-requisites at a community college and I have probably 45% of them done (I'm technically a college freshman but took classes at this college when I was in high school as a "homeschooler"). I took a kind of overview of A&P this semester, I'm almost done with that, and I'm so glad I took it! It was genuinely interesting to me, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it-and here I am, almost done!
:balloons:
Anyways, sorry to babble. My questions are mainly about how everyone did their nursing school...if you have a second to answer these, I'm just curious how everyone goes about it! Thanks.
Do you have an associate's degree in nursing? If so, how long did it take to complete your pre-reqs and your nursing program?
If you have a BSN, how did you go about it? Did you do your pre-reqs, then get an ADN, and then go back later for your BSN? Or did you just go straight through a BSN program? (Can you do that? I'm clueless right now.)
Did you graduate from a private college, a public college, or a community college?
Any other tips on nursing school in general? (i.e. how to get through it, study tips, financial advice?)
I know this is personal, so don't feel compelled to answer, but for those that don't mind sharing: did you take out loans to get through nursing school? And did you work during nursing school?
As you can see, I'm full of questions. I just want to make sure I'm doing this the right way. It seems like everyone has a different opinion on how you should do it-get your RN liscense and then work and then go back for your BSN?
Anything will help. I would love tons of advice and been there done that tips from everyone! Thank you so much! I really appreciate it :)
-Sierra

Hi Sierra,

Welcome to the board!

Sounds like you are very focused. I wanted to first mention this is a pre-nursing board, so most of us are still either doinig our pre-reqs or going to be starting nursing soon. You might get more answers under the general discussion board.

Secondly I would say, and this is just my personal opinion, is you are so young, that going directly for your BSN would be smartest way to go. It will take a little bit longer but you will have a Bachelors in the end and more options in the long run.

As for your questions.

I am doing an ADN course I am 39 and looking to get back into the work force after being a stay at home mom. For me the ADN was the quickest route and the way I would mostly likely get in right away. I also took a pre AP course and so glad I did that! You should defenitely look at the schools you want to attend and make an appointment to talk to an advisor to see just exactly what you will need.

Good luck, I am sure you will do well, you sound very together.

Catherine

catzy5 · Dec 5, 2007

Thank you SO much Nikki! That was very helpful to hear.
Unfortunately, the local nursing program/school doesn't allow people to get on the waiting list until they get all their pre-reqs done!
:angryfire
This is how most of the ADN programs are. I live in Socal, and all I have looked at required if not all finished then atleast in progress the last semester before even applying. My school you had to have not only the pre reqs complete but they had to be on your transcript which meant sitting out a semester before applying. Some schools have super long wait lists, which is good to just get your name in as a back up, however, in your case going the BSN route would be better you could work on all the general ed requirements while waiting to get into a program.

Gauge · Dec 5, 2007

My name is Kyle and I am a first semester BSN student at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

It is a public college and they have a "plan" setup so you can graduate in 4 years, but you will be working your butt off! I didn't know what I wanted to do my first year so I managed to get all of my non-nursing classes done in my first two years of college and got accepted to the program last year. I'm not a junior in college and considered a sophomore in the nursing program (because of the way they have it setup).

The only tips I have will be to try to analyze questions more. In my program all of the tests are multiple choice or choose all that apply, but that doesn't mean it's easy! There is a book called Test for Success that is about nursing and how to break down test questions and it teaches you a new way to think. It has been helpful.

I've been in the military for 6 years so luckily I get enough from them and from scholarships to pay for my schooling and don't have to take out loans. I do work about 25-30 hours a week on campus at an IT computer helpdesk. I basically answer phones about computer problems and work through how to fix them, etc.

Hope that helps.

nikkiannette · Dec 5, 2007

I guess it's just the area that you live in... it's different at 2 year programs in the midwest. You can be on a list and still do your prereq's. I do agree though. You are young, it would be nice to get a bachelors. However, if you have an associates and go back for your bachelors employers will usually pay for a portion or a good chunk of it :lol2:

nikkiannette · Dec 5, 2007

I guess it's just the area that you live in... it's different at 2 year programs in the midwest. You can be on a list and still do your prereq's. I do agree though. You are young, it would be nice to get a bachelors. However, if you have an associates and go back for your bachelors employers will usually pay for a portion or a good chunk of it :lol2:

modelmama07 · Dec 5, 2007

I'm currently taking my pre-reqs now to apply for an ADN program for Fall 08'. I will apply in the spring, once the semester is over and get hopefully get in, in the fall. I plan on going through a Hospital/College program in which I do distnace learning from the hospital nursing education building, via satellite the local nursing program at one of the colleges in the area. Plus to this, is that my tuition, books, supplies will be getting paid. Plus, I get to work for them after I graduate, but by then, I will be continuing on to get my bachelor's, while they also help pay for that...Your young, yes, I also consider myself young, but you can start making money more quickly, and pretty much close to the same pay by getting your ADN. I would STRONGLY advise you to continue to get your Bachelor's, but at least you can start working sooner and have more money in your pocket quicker. Not to mention tuition will be cheaper at a CC.

modelmama07 · Dec 5, 2007

And another thing, BSN or ADN, everyone starts out as a staff nurse. The year or two you spend trying to get that experience under your belt, you could be already working, in an RN to BSN program (which takes a year full time, and with tuition reimbursement from your employer), and good and decent money, so that by the time you get done with your BSN you can move up into a position probably immediately. Instead of going 4 years to get your BSN, without already making an RN salary, and then having to work a couple of years as a staff nurse to get experience, and then moving up into a mangement position...just something to think about.