Hi everyone, my name is Roxanne, I am 18, and I am really confused to of which school to stick/go to. BLAH.
Last year, I was in a program that allowed me to take college credited class while finishing up my senior year in HS. Therefore, I have taken most of my pre-req for nursing @ CSN.
Really realizing everything, I have just noticed it can really take up to 3 years to get an Associates Degree in Nursing at CSN. Or am I wrong?
I was thinking, even if it is a bit cheaper at CSN at least @ NSC I would get my Bachelors degree within the 4 years. I planned to get my Bachelors anyway after a few years of having my Associates degree.
I am truly confused and would love some advice from anyone and as much people as possible. I feel terrible & like a slacker for not even considering about what I plan to do. Both schools have been on my mind but money had been my concern. Now that I think of it, which route do you all think is smarter.
If one doesn't pass the TEAS for NSC is there a time limit that you would need to wait before you can retake it ? I know i can take it at a local community college and have the results sent to NSC but can it only be taken once in a semester ? Also, what is the usual cut off GPA for the accelerated and the regular programs ? I read somewhere on the site that a 3.3 and above almost guarantees one a spot in the accelerated program, is this true ?
It really depends on how many people apply, but above a 3.3 you should be in good shape with a strong TEAS score. I know last year you needed an even stronger score. You can retake the TEAS but only once a semester, so I recommend buying the study book from ATI testing. The catch about the TEAS test is it isn't really complicated material, its just material you may not have been exposed to in a long time. Think like environmental science.
All in all like I said it has to do with the number of applicants, my year I got in with a 3.0 and an excellent TEAS score but they have recently changed the point system, which credits students who took more classes at NSC with extra points. I hope this helps.
It really depends on how many people apply, but above a 3.3 you should be in good shape with a strong TEAS score. I know last year you needed an even stronger score. You can retake the TEAS but only once a semester, so I recommend buying the study book from ATI testing. The catch about the TEAS test is it isn't really complicated material, its just material you may not have been exposed to in a long time. Think like environmental science.
All in all like I said it has to do with the number of applicants, my year I got in with a 3.0 and an excellent TEAS score but they have recently changed the point system, which credits students who took more classes at NSC with extra points. I hope this helps.
Thanks Brianna,
yes this is helpful information. I guess i will try to take the TEAS before the year ends and early next year if i don't do too well the first time. Do you know if there is a specific place for clinicals for the program or is it which ever sites have openings. I hear vegas traffic is horrible so that scares me. Are there usaully clincals required in the first semester ?
Clinicals will start first semester no matter what school you go to. There is no way to guess where clinicals will be at, so live where you want. Every school in the valley has to sit down and decide how to work it out so everyone gets the required amount of clinicals. Traffic can be horrendous but not usually at 6 am. Almost all of you clinicals will start at 7 so it doesnt matter too much. Live where you want to live, it wouldnt matter too much. If you have a choice living closer to the schools location is probably the best idea, you have clinicals only one day (most of the time) a week first semester and class 4 days.
Clinicals will start first semester no matter what school you go to. There is no way to guess where clinicals will be at, so live where you want. Every school in the valley has to sit down and decide how to work it out so everyone gets the required amount of clinicals. Traffic can be horrendous but not usually at 6 am. Almost all of you clinicals will start at 7 so it doesnt matter too much. Live where you want to live, it wouldnt matter too much. If you have a choice living closer to the schools location is probably the best idea, you have clinicals only one day (most of the time) a week first semester and class 4 days.
Thanks again Brianna,
Do you know the names of any apartments near the school ? I wanted to do some research on them, i live in Reno.
Honestly, your overall earning potential is increased with the more education you have. I would recommend pursuing your BSN vs. associates. A word to the wise, CSN has a Gestapo group that you will encounter your first semester. These ladies are very brutal for the sake of being brutal. I have taken classes at CSN, NSC, UNLV, Texas Tech, and... you get the point. I have had a great experience at NSC and would really only prefer to go to school there. The teachers in my opinion, in general, genuinely care about your education and ensuring your success. Good Luck!
I already have a BA in another field so that is not a problem. I heard that CSN has the better program, I can only go by my experience at NSC and I choose CSN, also I heard that NSC may be closing.
Well... To each their own. And... the BA in "another" field will NOT help you in your career progression in Nursing, not directly anyway. In order to progress beyond a floor nurse you will need to get your BSN. Nonetheless, it sounds like you have already made a decision. Good Luck.
My degree is in child development, and I am not sure I will work in a hospital setting. I think my degree will come in handy, who knows, I may work for the school district, or in some other capacity in nursing that involves children. There are a number of jobs in this field that don't involve hospitals. Thanks Anyway for your advice.
I am in my last semester at CSN, and I can say that there are teachers that you can tell love teaching, and those who seem to be angry that they are stuck teaching. Unfortunately this can make or break your learning experience. I do think this is probably true at any school. On another note, we have had several students from NSC transfer into our program from the NSC nursing program and many of them struggled with our curriculum, I would be sure to choose the place where you plan to stay until you finish.
gabby27
101 Posts
Brianna,
If one doesn't pass the TEAS for NSC is there a time limit that you would need to wait before you can retake it ? I know i can take it at a local community college and have the results sent to NSC but can it only be taken once in a semester ? Also, what is the usual cut off GPA for the accelerated and the regular programs ? I read somewhere on the site that a 3.3 and above almost guarantees one a spot in the accelerated program, is this true ?