First year in college! Need advice please!

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I'm attending community college and starting my second semester this month. I've already registered for my classes which are general Ed. Courses. My plan is to get into the nursing program. I haven't taken any science classes yet! When should I start taking my prerequisite classes? Is it best to get an associate degree or best to transfer to get a bachelor?I am a full time student I just need advice on what classes are best to take first! I did talk to a college councilor and she just talked very negative about how it will be too hard getting into the nursing program that it's best for me to have another career plan! No way am I letting someone talk me out of becoming a nurse! Anyways, any good advice would be great! Thanks.

Below are classes I've taken and classes I'm going to start this month,

1st semester - math & English

2nd semester- math, english, communication,& physiology

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First of all, I've seen and heard of nursing counselors talking about how hard the program is. I believe they are assuming that our GPA is around a 2.0 or lower. Or as if we ALL are below nursing. So don't take it personally because they tell that to everyone as a warning, like those tv shows before something explicit comes on. I say you get your sciences out the way first. They are harder and worth more. Math isn't really essential yet unless you're trying to get into the RN ASAP. But if you're going for LVN/LPN, focus on your A&P's and psychology first. The sooner you get those of the way, the better and more chance of applying to the program if admission is based on your GPA. Everyone is different but my very first semester of college I took A&P, psychology 101, sociology, ENG 101, and SDV (required for all freshmen). And I got A's in everything except for sociology.

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You should be working on getting your prerequisites out of the way. What classes have to be done before applying to the program? If you haven't picked a program yet, start scouting them: it's the only way you'll know which classes you need.

Make another counselling appt. Come prepared with information about the programs you want; don't expect them to do all your work for you. See if the program(s) you're interested in have someone specific you can talk to.

There are many opinions regarding whether it is better to do an ADN first or to go directly to a four year program. I think it depends largely on job market where you live, but most agree that any RN is more employable than an LPN. In my area (Ohio), ADN is sufficient to break into the job market. Many then use their employers' tuition reimbursement benefits to complete an online BSN bridge program.

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First of all, I've seen and heard of nursing counselors talking about how hard the program is. I believe they are assuming that our GPA is around a 2.0 or lower. Or as if we ALL are below nursing. So don't take it personally because they tell that to everyone as a warning, like those tv shows before something explicit comes on. I say you get your sciences out the way first. They are harder and worth more. Math isn't really essential yet unless you're trying to get into the RN ASAP. But if you're going for LVN/LPN, focus on your A&P's and psychology first. The sooner you get those of the way, the better and more chance of applying to the program if admission is based on your GPA. Everyone is different but my very first semester of college I took A&P, psychology 101, sociology, ENG 101, and SDV (required for all freshmen). And I got A's in everything except for sociology.

Thank you so much for replying! Im leaning more towards continuing on to a four year college and getting my Bachelors degree nurse! After this semester I will start my science classes. I heard its best to take one science corse at a time because it's so hard and it's best to get an A, Our nursing program goes by point system, so the more points I get the better chance I get into the program, I've already looked into what classes I need to take, I just needed advice what classes is best to take first! So thank you again for the advice!

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You should be working on getting your prerequisites out of the way. What classes have to be done before applying to the program? If you haven't picked a program yet, start scouting them: it's the only way you'll know which classes you need.

Make another counselling appt. Come prepared with information about the programs you want; don't expect them to do all your work for you. See if the program(s) you're interested in have someone specific you can talk to.

There are many opinions regarding whether it is better to do an ADN first or to go directly to a four year program. I think it depends largely on job market where you live, but most agree that any RN is more employable than an LPN. In my area (Ohio), ADN is sufficient to break into the job market. Many then use their employers' tuition reimbursement benefits to complete an online BSN bridge program.

Thank you so much for replying! I know what classes I need to take Inorder to get accepted in a program, I just wasn't too sure if it mattered what classes I should take in the first year. Next semester I will start my science class. I do want to get a BSN instead because I was searching for what jobs preferred which is having a bachelor. I guess I will figure out what's best as I get further in school. Next week I'll set an appointment with another councilor. My first visit with the councilor I had all my paper work organized as far as the classes I know I needed to take in order to get into the program and she just refuse to look at what I had put together! She just told me to get my math and English out the way and then start on my foreign language classes and other Gerald Ed before I can start my science classes! So I'll just talk to another councilor and hear what is best to do to get in the program!

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Thank you so much for replying! I know what classes I need to take Inorder to get accepted in a program, I just wasn't too sure if it mattered what classes I should take in the first year. Next semester I will start my science class. I do want to get a BSN instead because I was searching for what jobs preferred which is having a bachelor. I guess I will figure out what's best as I get further in school. Next week I'll set an appointment with another councilor. My first visit with the councilor I had all my paper work organized as far as the classes I know I needed to take in order to get into the program and she just refuse to look at what I had put together! She just told me to get my math and English out the way and then start on my foreign language classes and other Gerald Ed before I can start my science classes! So I'll just talk to another councilor and hear what is best to do to get in the program!

If I were you I would mix and match, meaning take a science and a easier general education class like psychology. It's not like you have to take ALL your general classes back to back and then ALL your sciences back to back. There's nothing wrong with starting your sciences now if you're able to. As far as worrying about foreign language classes that's definitely is not high on the class priority list, and you may not even necessarily need a foreign language specifically, just a fine arts course which could be a range of different options other than languages.(music for one example) Take classes you feel comfortable with, but personally I feel people put too much emphasis on "take a few classes to get the highest grades possible." Personally I have always taken 5 classes a semester, and I have a 3.9 GPA, so that idea doesn't always hold true for everyone. Take the amounts of classes you feel comfortable with. Whether it's more or less.

Also, plan out your schedule completely. See what classes you need to take before being able to get into the program, know when they accept applications, and then plan accordingly.You don't want to take too few classes now, and then have to wait an extra year or try to squeeze in a bunch of classes at the last minute in order to get in at a certain time. I've seen it happen a lot.

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If I were you I would mix and match, meaning take a science and a easier general education class like psychology. It's not like you have to take ALL your general classes back to back and then ALL your sciences back to back. There's nothing wrong with starting your sciences now if you're able to. As far as worrying about foreign language classes that's definitely is not high on the class priority list, and you may not even necessarily need a foreign language specifically, just a fine arts course which could be a range of different options other than languages.(music for one example) Take classes you feel comfortable with, but personally I feel people put too much emphasis on "take a few classes to get the highest grades possible." Personally I have always taken 5 classes a semester, and I have a 3.9 GPA, so that idea doesn't always hold true for everyone. Take the amounts of classes you feel comfortable with. Whether it's more or less.

Also, plan out your schedule completely. See what classes you need to take before being able to get into the program, know when they accept applications, and then plan accordingly.You don't want to take too few classes now, and then have to wait an extra year or try to squeeze in a bunch of classes at the last minute in order to get in at a certain time. I've seen it happen a lot.

Thank you soo much for the advice! I can totally relate to your suggestions! I will definitely consider mixing up my classes,taking easy general Ed with science! I will also look into when they accept applications and will plan accordingly. What did you do, did you get an associate or continued for a bachelor degree?

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Thank you soo much for the advice! I can totally relate to your suggestions! I will definitely consider mixing up my classes,taking easy general Ed with science! I will also look into when they accept applications and will plan accordingly. What did you do, did you get an associate or continued for a bachelor degree?

I actually am in the middle of continuing for my Bachelor's

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I actually am in the middle of continuing for my Bachelor's

Wow good for you! Are you working or just going to school? I have my license in phlebotomy but it's so hard to find a job with no experience, that's why I'm just continuing my education. How Long did it take you to get to where you are now?

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Wow good for you! Are you working or just going to school? I have my license in phlebotomy but it's so hard to find a job with no experience, that's why I'm just continuing my education. How Long did it take you to get to where you are now?
I am not working, but I was working full-time up until two months ago. I knew I didn't want to work while in nursing school, and figured I should enjoy my last bit of summer/freedom while I can. I just found out that I have been awarded the HRSA scholarship, so this will help me pay my bills while I'm in school. For the next two years, going to school and keeping good grades will be my job. It took me two years to do all my pre-reqs and everything. I also went during one summer session.

I understand the need experience, but no one wants to hire you when you have none dillemma, just hang in there.

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I definitely would not do all the sciences up front. I would look ahead and mix and match to even out how heavy your coursework as was suggested but I would try to keep A&P and Micro for the end. Those classes you will want fresh when you 1) take nursing school admittance exams, 2) start your nursing coursework.

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I definitely would not do all the sciences up front. I would look ahead and mix and match to even out how heavy your coursework as was suggested but I would try to keep A&P and Micro for the end. Those classes you will want fresh when you 1) take nursing school admittance exams, 2) start your nursing coursework.

Thank you for the advice, A&P and Micro would it be best if I don't take 2 science classes together since I hear it is super hard?

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