College freshman on the road to becoming an RN. Help needed.

JCruz94 · Jan 30, 2013

(You do realize that lots of people are much older than that when they take the NCLEX and get licensed, right?)

I understand, but I guess this is more of a self-motivation, a "where I see myself 5 years from now" type goal.

the general ed/prerequisites are counted in the 4 years of a BSN curriculum; most are designed so that the first two years of the degree are all general ed and prerequisites, and the second two years are all the nursing courses. So, once you finished all your general ed and prerequisites, you would most likely be looking at anothertwo years, not another four, to finish a BSN (unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying).

Wow. I feel like an idiot right now.. I know this, but I've been so frustrated in the last couple weeks; vigorously researching and such on what the hell to do (been researching for 5 hours straight, just today), because I feel like I am running out of time and falling behind my graduating class that I overlooked this. Sorry. And as for online courses, there aren't many online GE courses I have seen, at least in the community colleges I'm looking at. The only reason I'm hesitant with online, is unless the college is a recognized school, I don't want to waste my time and money on a course that won't even be accredited when I try to transfer. I'm going to have to talk to my counselor about that one.

loriangel14, RN · Jan 30, 2013

Even if it took you a bit longer to get your degree in the US it would still be less hassle than getting it in the Philippines and then trying to get a US license.

JCruz94 · Jan 30, 2013

Even if it took you a bit longer to get your degree in the US it would still be less hassle than getting it in the Philippines and then trying to get a US license.

The more I read about the issues and problems about international students are having, the more I agree with you. Right now I'm just trying to get a general outline of what I can do with a couple details here and there, whether it's going international or staying in the US, and weighing out pros and cons of each.

denmannicki · Jan 30, 2013

Here in Phoenix, we have a concurrent enrollment program (CEP) where you get your RN through the community college and get your BSN at the same time from a local university. Most all of our BSN classes are online. It'll only take you 2 years to get your Bachelor's degree then. When I graduate I'll have my RN & BSN at the same time. It's a relatively new program so the waiting list is SHORT right now, too! I didn't have to wait at all.

Something to consider. Good luck!!

ShyeoftheTiger · Jan 30, 2013

JCruz: You are so young! I vote you stay in the US!

Use this time at community college to get ahead in your transfer or AA requirements (such as General Education, Math, History etc - it's better to finish them before starting a nursing program). Once you have seniority, you can take the core prerequisites. Many nursing programs have recency requirements so you should wait to take them anyway! Plus, they'll stay "fresher" if you've taken them recently...

I admire your "guns-a-blazin" attitude for nursing and I think someone with your tenacity will make a great nurse, but "Patience, Grasshopper" :) Before you know it, you'll be a nurse. Please don't get discouraged over the impacted prerequisites!

If you are having issues with getting into normal GE classes, you can go to a different community college with less problems. I know at Sacramento City College, people can generally get good registration dates if they meet with a counselor...

My point is that you don't have to go aaalllllll the way across the world to get into classes... I'll bet you are done way before you're 30...

steppybay · Jan 30, 2013

Here in Phoenix, we have a concurrent enrollment program (CEP) where you get your RN through the community college and get your BSN at the same time from a local university. Most all of our BSN classes are online. It'll only take you 2 years to get your Bachelor's degree then. When I graduate I'll have my RN & BSN at the same time. It's a relatively new program so the waiting list is SHORT right now, too! I didn't have to wait at all.
Something to consider. Good luck!!

If the OP plans to work in CA, the CA BON do not accept a lot of on-line programs or degrees obtained that way.

steppybay · Jan 31, 2013

Kabayan and the OP: stay in the States! Forget about the concurrency issues, possible clinical hour shortages, missing or incomplete courses from the Phils educational system and the ease of enrolling in a PH school and forget about the much cheaper cost to get a PH degree.

Even if you get a PH degree, then take the LVN-RN in CA route, you're back to trying to compete for the same classes that you spent time in the Phils, being repeated and wait another 2-3 years in CA to enroll, waste of time and money going to Phils.

Even if all the mentioned issues are addressed and you graduated from the #1 PH college, you're the highest ranked student in terms of class and top passer, there's really no demand for PH nurses or students. I mean really, when was the last time a PH poster here in these forums posted.."Hey, I got the hospital job", "I start work next week".....really....there might a couple of lucky ones, but I can tell you there are many that will be working in a job outside of nursing when compared to a US grad.

Yes, there's a high unemployment rate amongst CA grads, but you can bet the farm that it's even higher among foreign students trying to get a call-back.

Here's a link from last year's BBC article of the tough US Labor market for any PH nursing demand...if you're willing to wait till the year 2020. I think that year's number is too conservative.

https://allnurses.com/nurse-registration/us-labor-market-779683.html

If you're looking to be hired into a US hospital after getting a PH degree, it will be even tougher:

-- US hospitals are preferring to hire from their own local students who have done their studies and clinicals there.

-- Top priority of hiring between a international and US local based student nurse will be going to a US grad/nurse in a much higher chance of landing the job.

-- There are more and more US educated student nurses coming on and will truly lessen the chances of being considered for job hires if working in a hospital is your desired position, as I think, resumes showing an out of the country degree and location will be put in the "not interested" pile.

If you and a friend went your separate ways, but say your friend was educated in the States, you guys are now going to present your resumes to a hospital HR manager, guess who will most likely get hired?

I use being hired into a hospital job as a minimum versus a nursing home, SNF, LTC, which are okay work places, if that's your cup of tea and nothing wrong with these facilities, but if one's preference is to be in a hospital setting, which is me and many batchmates.

JCruz94 · Feb 5, 2013

Thank you all for suggestions and input, I've decided that I will stay here in the states and tough it out this first year of community college and transfer to a 4 year university. I'll be researching soon about schools with descent to good nursing programs, but which schools (preferably in CA and not a private school, that meet those standards) would you all recommend ? And also which courses should I take that would best help me in becoming an RN ? Currently, the only courses I could get were: English Freshman Comp, Math, and Psychology. Honestly, it's **** compared to what I was expecting (I only got 2 GEs) but I guess it's a start, and hopefully by Fall of 2013, I can begin actually getting all my GEs so I can get my AA and be ready to transfer by 2015.

JCruz94 · Feb 5, 2013

Since my questions above no longer pertain to 'International Nursing', which area should I move my topic to ?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 6, 2013

Leave this where it is and post a new thread in the forum you wish to discuss things in. AZ currently has a AZ nursing program discussion forum which you can find under the US tab above