Fall 2011 Hopefuls

[Kyla.ann]

I know that 2011 seems so far away but it seems like there are a few of us that are working toward this goal so I thought I would start a thread we can all commiserate in. :) I think it will be neat once we get into the program to look back at how far we came :)

I was really hoping to be able to apply for the Spring of 2011 but I think the Fall is more realistic. It seems so far away!! I just started my re-reqs and since I work, I can only take one to two classes at a time.

So tell me more about you!

[keithjones]

you guys got it tough. I decided 3 months ago to go to nursing school. i took my entrance exam today am signed up for A&P, Algebra, general psych, and CNA class for fall (thats all the prereqs for my ADN program) and will be starting either spring 2010 or fall 2010 depending on how tough the competition is for spring (since my gpa of 2.6 is 10 years old it goes away once i take 12 hours and i start fresh! so with my 4.0 in prereqs im definitely in for fall!) good luck to you all!

[hmpark]

Hi all!

Wow, I am actually REALLY happy someone posted such a thread! I feel so behind, but it's so encouraging to know that there are (many) others who are going along in the journey also :loveya:

I just finished taking psyc, nutrition, sociology, and the second half of chem/lab.

This summer I am signed up for anatomy and cultural anthropology.

This is my (very, very) tentative schedule, up until I start applying for programs:

Fall '09:

Physiology

Microbiology

Ochem

Cell/Molecular bio

Spring '10

Biochem + OchemII

Public speaking

Am I crazy? Haha, I will probably try to spread things about a little bit, but it's going to be difficult because I need to take ochemI and cell/molecular bio before i can take biochem and ochem II. But I wanted to take physiology as soon as possible after anatomy.

I am also scheduled for an interview for an internship at a hospital around my area! I hope the experience will help me learn more about nursing firsthand.

Good luck all! Post often!!! I know I will

ps. Does anyone know where they are planning to apply yet???

[hmpark]

you can do it! I have read many stories of SAHM who were able to achieve their goals and so can you! Good luck!!

[dreamon]

I'm aiming for sometime in 2011 myself- hopefully earlier than fall, but I'll take what I can get. I haven't decided with classes I'm going to take this coming fall, but I'm going to do the easier ones first (ENG, MAT) as a warm-up to the biggies like A&P and such. I may apply to a school that wants sociology, biololgy, chemistry, microbiology, A&P's, psychology....ugh! Thankfully it is one of 4 schools I hope to get admitted to. I don't think the others have that many but I'm not sure.

[bluechick112, BSN, MSN, RN]

HELLO to everyone waiting around taking their prerequisites! I know those courses are hard, but stick in there and you'll get there sooner than you know it! :) I was just itching to share my two cents...

First of all, I know it sounds OBVIOUS, but for me it really wasn't---try your absolute best to get A's in all prerequisite classes. Especially if you're here in CA where our schools are turning away applicants with 4.0 GPAs, a second language, volunteer work, AND paid hospital experience! I had different GPAs based on different school's prerequisites (ranging from as low as a 3.4 to around a 3.69). This was from getting TWO C's (statistics and chemistry) which I took when I wasn't sure what I wanted to study..stupid. Don't let it happen to you. It is possible to get around C's on your record, but it makes things a lot more difficult.

Seond, do whatever you can to get a second language under your belt (if you don't have one already). Especially taking classes like "Medical Spanish"--those REALLY look good not only when applying to schools, but also when applying for jobs later on down the line (my Mom's a nurse manager for the V.A. and highly recommends this if you have time).

Third, make sure you get involved in anything nursing related! For example, if your school has a Pre-Nursing Club....JOIN IT! If you have the time, even run for office! It looks great on all transcripts AND you can use it when applying for jobs later on. I served as our Pre-Nursing Club's Treasurer for a semester, and I really think it helped make my application shine. Also pick up some volunteer hours in a hospital. If you can get a direct patient contact position, that's a great experience to have. A lot of schools reward extra points for volunteers (most award more points for more hours of work, so shoot high if you have the time!).

Fifth, look into a C.N.A. class. The title, I think, is different throughout the states...but here it's called a Certified Nursing Assistant and there are courses offered in various locations including community colleges, LVN schools, and even convalescent homes. In fact, some SNF's offer it for free if you are willing to work for them after you get your certification. Nursing Assistant courses help in a few ways. First of all, they give you a real dip into the nursing career. In fact, what they teach you (your "skills") is basically what you learn in the first parts of nursing school. This means you'll be able to make absolutely sure that nursing is the career for you AND get a sneak peak as to what you'll be learning once you get accepted into a nursing program---it'll almost be like a review. Plus, C.N.A.'s out here make a good hunk of money (depending on where you work..), and you'll most likely need that money to pay off student loans once you're in a program!

Also very important is to figure out what the TEAS and/or NET tests are all about (if your intended school requires them). I know I went into the TEAS the first time and had NO IDEA what to expect. I didn't do ANY studying. Not in the least. I had no idea what types of questions would be on the test or anything. Just walked in completely unprepared. I scored an 83.5% which is beyond substandard here in CA unless you have an extremely high GPA (like, 4.0). I took it a second time and chose not to study because I didn't really know HOW to study and got an 87.7%---still below what I wanted/needed. However, the NET is MUCH, MUCH easier. Walked into that sucker and got in the 98th percentile the first try. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is to learn about your tests. Also figure out whether your schools allow you to take the test multiple times and how they calculate your score if you do.

I wish EVERYONE the BEST of luck. Really. Stick with it. You won't be sorry! :)

[bluechick112, BSN, MSN, RN]

GOOD for you, keithjones, signing up for a CNA class. A+! Really! I honestly feel like it's the best move I made when I was finishing up my prerequisites.

[HumorHeals22]

Yay 2011 hopefuls! I have six classes left, then hopefully I'll be applying in a year from now. I'm taking Anatomy this summer, then Physiology and English 102 (Literature) in the fall. In spring I'll be taking Microbiology, Speech, and Math. What a fun year!

My goal is to get into Cypress College's Nursing program. I'll be applying to all surrounding schools. However, Cypress is my ultimate choice. They seem to have a stellar program. Anyone else a Cypress hopeful?