Downtrodden

Trauma Columnist · Oct 29, 2007

Believe me, I know what you're saying. Very frustrating to take classes only to find out they don't COUNT! Ugh. However, you are right - when you get done, you will smile back at this time and be glad you did it. Anything worth having is worth doing right. I became an LPN at 34 and RN at 36 and I do look back that it was a hard time for me but the reward was great too.

Hang in there.

UNCgirl · Oct 29, 2007

Hi DTCC,

I am assuming you are at Durham Tech...I actually was planning on applying there for school. I remember thinking that I could not wait 2 years to start my nursing classes. However, if I remember correctly, everyone that meets the criteria gets in eventually. With that said, you could probably knock out those other classes in 3-4 semesters and be in school in a year or two after that at most. Would it be different at another nearby school (ie Wake Tech)? I remember their application process to seem a bit more appealing. Stick it out...it will be worth it.

NC Girl BSN · Oct 30, 2007

Hi, just coming by to leave a bit of encouragement. I got my LPN about 2 months ago and I just turned 35. Amy class that has a 0(zero) in front of it will not transfer but also remember that when you take the placement test, if your scores are not high enough, they will start you at the bottom. Good Luck to you. Start taking classes that will transfer from school to school. Good Luck! Its a long hard road but you can do it!

NC Girl BSN · Oct 30, 2007

Oh and I went to Central Carolina Community college in Pittsboro for the LPN program. All you need from them to get into the LPN is Biology 110, Math 070. Look into there PN program because they don't have a wait list. Once you get your LPN, it will be co much easier to get into the RN program. DTCC has a long waiting list that they are getting rid of. You now have to take the NET test and have all your prerequisites complete by Dec 07 to be considered for Fall 08. And you have to have all prerequisites finished by May 08 in order to be considered for Fall 09. What I'm getting at is don't put all your hopes in one school. Comb all the schools in a 50 mile radius and consider them also.

DTCC PreRN · Oct 30, 2007

Thanks for all your posts. My "name" is misleading. I began my journey at DTCC but am in the process of transferring to ACC. I start there in the Spring. CHM 131, wooohooo!!

My experience at DTCC was quite unfavorable. So far I'm loving ACC. My advisor actually calls me back when I have questions and the process for registering has been fairly smooth.

It's going to be a long row to hoe though. The nursing program is very competitive and it will be a couple of years before I can "apply". But that's okay too. It will give me the opportunity to take my time and earn stellar grades. I'm not in class right now and I think that's why I feel the way I do. I feel like I'm wasting time. I need to slow down and not be in such a big hurry.

CRNA2007 · Oct 30, 2007

Just go ahead and buckle down and get it done. I am sure you will do fine. I think once you get going you will find that extra bit of motivation to get you through the rest of the requirements.

I'm feeling a little blue and need a pick-me-up. At age 32 I've decided it's a good idea to go to college and get a degree in nursing. I shouldn't phrase it that way...I should say, at 32 I felt like I received a calling to go into nursing. I'm starting from the very bottom and am trying to work my way up.
I didn't do very well in high school. Didn't have much direction from the folks and no role models, no self motivation either. Emphasis wasn't placed on education in my family and it wasn't until I got out into the real world that I realized that I really needed one. Don't get me wrong, I'm doing quite well without one, the thing is the line of work I'm in doesn't make me happy, (I'm a technical recruiter for a fortune 500 IT company).
In an attempt to reconcile my past, I enrolled at a local CC. I took Introductory Algebra which I passed with a B+, and Basic Organic Chemistry, which I passed with an A. Here's where I get blue. I transferred to a CC that is closer to my home. Neither of these classes transferred because they're "developmental" courses.
I need to take CHM 131, BIO 111, MAT 80, MAT 161, and BIO 175 just to be considered for their nursing program. Additionally, I have to take PSY 150 again because it's been more than 6 years since I last took that class.
I'll be 100 years old before I finish with my ADN. I'm being a drama queen and feel like it's all gloom and despair right now. I know when I finish in a few years and look back I'll be happy I "stayed the course". But I'm having a really hard time getting over that hump right now. I just want to be a nurse.

momathoner09, BSN, MSN, APRN · Nov 3, 2007

I understand how you feel right now... I was in a similar situation myself 4 years ago. It took me two years to retake my prereqs or get my grades up from courses I had taken that I hadn't made As or Bs in. I visited schools all over the state in hopes of getting in somewhere. I went to all those silly "information sessions" for more community colleges than I can remember. Point is- I finally got into a place that I hadn't even visited! Take some courses online if you can to save travel time. Call around to surrounding schools to see what their entry requirements are and if you can meet with someone face to face to talk about their nursing program. Try to keep positive and know that this will work out if you keep trying and working hard. There was a point that I didn't ever think this nuring thing was gonna happen and now here I am in my second to last semester. Best of luck to you

PRESLA · Nov 3, 2007

] Over the years waiting times for entering nsg school has not changed. I was on the waiting list for 2 yrs before I got into the program at least I was able to get my non nsg courses out of the way. This was 13 yrs ago. Keep you chin up you can do it.

Lisa

WantAccel.BSN, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2007

Thanks for all your posts. My "name" is misleading. I began my journey at DTCC but am in the process of transferring to ACC. I start there in the Spring. CHM 131, wooohooo!!
My experience at DTCC was quite unfavorable. So far I'm loving ACC. My advisor actually calls me back when I have questions and the process for registering has been fairly smooth.
It's going to be a long row to hoe though. The nursing program is very competitive and it will be a couple of years before I can "apply". But that's okay too. It will give me the opportunity to take my time and earn stellar grades. I'm not in class right now and I think that's why I feel the way I do. I feel like I'm wasting time. I need to slow down and not be in such a big hurry.

Downtrodden-I totally understand how you feel!!! I made the decision that I really wanted to pursue nursing back in June, and was unable to start the pre. reqs. in the fall due to some external circumstances (my mom got a hip replacement, and I started a new, really grueling, job). I can only take one class at a time due to the craziness that is my job, and I need 3 classes for one program, and about 6 for another. I could go down to part time at work and take more classes, but I really can't afford to do that at this time (I'm getting married in June, on top of all the other bills I have). BUT, that makes becoming a nurse seem SOOO far away, and I, like you, really don't enjoy my job. Then the realization that I might go through all of this and not get into the program is a little unsettling. Just know that you aren't alone.