Fall 2016 Nursing School Applicant Support Group

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Thought it might be nice to have a general thread where everyone can share their journey without needing to create a specific thread for their school! I would love to hear from others going through this same process.... and if anyone has any other questions to add, let me know and I'll add them to the OP. That said.... share away!

Tell us about the school you're applying to.

I'm currently applying to a college of nursing through a hospital in my area. It's got a great NCLEX pass rate and a good retention rate as well.

What pre-reqs are you completing?

Working to complete A&P 1 and 2 prior to submitting my application.

What's the application deadline? When will you hear if you've been accepted or not?

Mine is January 1st. I'll know my status with the program by March.

Where are you in life right now - high school, college, going back to school? Working? Kids?

I'm 5 years post-A.D. and am working full time. I have a child in grade school.

How are you feeling about it all?

I'm feeling pretty confident. The school I'm looking at says a competitive candidate will have at least a B (3.0) average and I have a 3.8. Hoping to bring it up as I'm working to get A's on A&P. It's a wee bit overwhelming, though - it's hard to work 9-5, come home, study for 2 hours, stop for an hour to see my kid and put her to bed, and then head right back to it till 11 at night. Rinse and repeat. I know that's what school will be like, though, so I'm trying to get used to it!

Are you doing anything to get ready aside from taking courses (such as volunteering or shadowing a nurse)? How do you like it?

I'm going to be volunteering at a rehabilitation facility - my first day should be this Saturday. I'm nervous but looking forward to it and I'll probably pop in here afterwards to share my thoughts!

Tell us about the school you're applying to.

I am currently enrolled at Modesto Junior College (MJC) and am planning to apply to their ADN program Spring 2016. They use a scoring system not a lottery and I am unsure if I will be applying to the other 2 local schools (CSUS and Delta).

What pre-reqs are you completing?

I am finished with almost all of my pre-req's, I have 4 remaining and am getting ready to take my big 3 classes. This fall I will be taking Chemistry and Anatomy and then Spring I will take Micro and Physio. I plan to take my TEAS in Spring as well. I have also decided to take the CNA class offered which will give me more experience and more points J

What's the application deadline? When will you hear if you've been accepted or not?

The application period is every May. So May 31st is the deadline. I believe documentation gets requested and submitted in June and decision by July.

Where are you in life right now - high school, college, going back to school? Working? Kids?

I am going back to school after about 13 years. I hit it hard coming back because once I set my goal I am very determined and have accomplished quite a bit in under a year. I am working full time right now, going to school full time (12+ units each semester) and I have 3 children, 18,8,&3. Our 18y/o just graduated high school and will be starting college in the fall, my 8 year old will be in 3rd grade and our 3 y/o is in preschool. Very buys time right now!

How are you feeling about it all?

I definitely have my overwhelming moments with all that is going on, but for the most part I feel good about it. This fall will be a true test with Anatomy, Chemistry & my CNA class. The steps I am taking will make me very competitive and if I continue with my 4.0 I should get the highest points available to ensure me in the upper 70-lower 80's range for application. So wish me lots of luck and focus!

Are you doing anything to get ready aside from taking courses (such as volunteering or shadowing a nurse)?

Nothing right now, but I think the CNA class will help prep me.

.....

I'm having a moment where I'm worrying that nursing school might be too hard. I started out last month doing a review of chemistry and algebra, along with starting A&P 1 online on top of working 8 hours per day. Honestly, I've stopped doing my chem/algebra review so I can focus exclusively on getting through A&P quickly while getting the best possible grades. I'm going to start it up again once I finish my A&P 1 and 2 but I'm just concerned that I won't be able to juggle the demands of 4 courses per semester plus clinical and class time if I can't even handle three courses all at once plus my job.

I'm also slightly panicking because I have had zero time to hit the gym and I'm afraid once school starts for real I'm going to lose my fitness :(

I have those moments too. My husband and I have already talked and know that once I get accepted, I will have to quite because I know that there is no way I can do nursing school, mom, and work full time. I dont know how we are going to swing a one income household, but have a year to really figure it out. Maybe longer.

Specializes in Critical Care.
I have those moments too. My husband and I have already talked and know that once I get accepted, I will have to quite because I know that there is no way I can do nursing school, mom, and work full time. I dont know how we are going to swing a one income household, but have a year to really figure it out. Maybe longer.

all the best to you in the single income thing. I am somewhat acquainted with how sticky that can be, just budget, budget, budget and save all you possibly can and you'll come through alright :D

Hello Courtney,

I would love to hear any helpful tips on the application process. What program are you at? Are you happy with it?

Hello,

I am in San Diego and started college for the first time at 46 years of age. I have completed all my pre-requisites/co-requisites and GE's for the BSN. I am now in the process of getting two minors in Chemistry and Molecular/Cellular Biology. My end goal is to be a Nurse Anaesthetist and the reason for my minors.

I am a full-time student, and I do not work. I am a mother to one child left at home, and he is in High School. I have it much easier than several of you and I have to really commend you - I do not know how you do it.

I have a 4.0 GPA and I got a 94 on my TEAS, BUT I WORKED MY BUTT OFF FOR IT. I feel like I need to study more than most people. Luckily I retain what I learn and that is why I test so well.

I want to go to a two-year BSN program, and because so many of the CSU's school have gone to a 3 year I am really bummed. I am applying to CSU Sacramento, San Francisco State University, Oregon Health Sciences Universityh, UCLA, San Diego State, San Diego City College ADN and Grossmont College ADN.

I am going to get my volunteer hours in by the application deadline, which is 100 hours - I will be working in a private anti-ageing clinic.

Are any of you applying to Sacramento State of San Francisco State? I decided not to apply to Sonoma because they give their own students and the community colleges in their area an extra 12 points - they will not tell me how many transfer students get it. Does anyone know?

I would still love to apply there, but do not want to waste my time !

Good luck to everyone, please keep posting updates and I will too because all of this information really helps everyone !

Specializes in Critical Care.

My first volunteering shift at the nursing home was wonderful! I'm really glad I decided to follow through with all the pain in the butt physicals/testing/etc. for it. It was all so interesting and I loved being around the residents, especially the residents on the dementia floor. I got to visit one on one with some bed-bound residents as well and I enjoyed it SO much.

Pleasantly surprised by the fact that the sights and smells didn't bother me at all. I expected them to, but I got used to the smells really quickly and while it wasn't fun to see people in various states of incapacitation (drooling, in diapers, with sores and stuff) it just was what it was. It didn't make me feel squeamish or like getting away from them.

Hi,

I just got a BS degree in biochem from Canada and I am gonna apply for a nursing program in the US. So now, I am doing some volunteer in a hospital and taking some pre-req that I still missing plus finding a job. I want to get in to accelerated nursing program at st. louis university. However, I am not confident in my gpa. I only have around 3.3 which is just above the minimum gpa, 3.2. :( Do I still have a chance of getting in? I am so scare right now cause I don't have much choice of school to go to. My university does not offer physio and anatomy with lab, it's a separated course and they not allow other major to take the lab section.

Hi,

I just got a BS degree in biochem from Canada and I am gonna apply for a nursing program in the US. So now, I am doing some volunteer in a hospital and taking some pre-req that I still missing plus finding a job. I want to get in to accelerated nursing program at st. louis university. However, I am not confident in my gpa. I only have around 3.3 which is just above the minimum gpa, 3.2. :( Do I still have a chance of getting in? I am so scare right now cause I don't have much choice of school to go to. My university does not offer physio and anatomy with lab, it's a separated course and they not allow other major to take the lab section.

That GPA is with the prerequisites included?

My first volunteering shift at the nursing home was wonderful! I'm really glad I decided to follow through with all the pain in the butt physicals/testing/etc. for it. It was all so interesting and I loved being around the residents, especially the residents on the dementia floor. I got to visit one on one with some bed-bound residents as well and I enjoyed it SO much.

Pleasantly surprised by the fact that the sights and smells didn't bother me at all. I expected them to, but I got used to the smells really quickly and while it wasn't fun to see people in various states of incapacitation (drooling, in diapers, with sores and stuff) it just was what it was. It didn't make me feel squeamish or like getting away from them.

I work with the elderly in a clinical setting, and they are by far my favorite population. They are funny, they warm up quickly, and even the ones with dementia can teach you something.

Specializes in Mental Health, Maternity & Well-Woman Care.

Tell us about the school you're applying to.

I applied to a school of nursing through a hospital near by. It has an amazing NCLEX pass rate and I can obtain my BSN 1 semester after graduating due to an awesome agreement they have with a state school. I am also applying to my local community college ADN program because the cost is significantly cheaper, and I can complete the program sooner than the diploma program.

What pre-reqs are you completing?

Mostly classes for when I have to complete the BSN.

What's the application deadline? When will you hear if you've been accepted or not?

Deadline for the hospital program is sometime next month, but I was already accepted :D. For the ADN, it's in late Sept. and I would hear back sometime before the end of the fall semester.

Where are you in life right now - high school, college, going back to school? Working? Kids?

First degree program. I am a wife, mum and student. I work part-time, and toggle between full and part time in college.

How are you feeling about it all?

Excited, nervous and slightly overwhelmed. I am about to start a CNA course which I think will help with my biggest concern of being awkward around patients.

Are you doing anything to get ready aside from taking courses (such as volunteering or shadowing a nurse)? How do you like it?

As I mentioned above, the CNA course. Not sure yet as I will not begin for another week. Wish me luck? :)

*** Eeek, I thought this thread was for Spring 2016! I definitely need to have a nap!!!***

Yes it is. except 2 pre-req that I haven't take it yet

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