SPC-say it ain't so! Question on apply for Nursing program

[CVICUismydream]

i am so lost and looking for a little guidance. i wanted to enroll at spc jan 2010 and begin taking pre-entry and general education classes. i figure, maybe i am a little crazy, that i can do this in the spring and summer term. i thought i could apply for the nursing program for fall term but i just realized that you must apply by july 1.

so basically, i would be done with all required classes by fall semester 2010 but would need to wait until march 1 of 2011 to apply for fall term 2011? that sounds a bit absurd but with nursing it could be highly true. it would be basically a year break in between finishing supporting classes until i could go to nursing school. is this right?

[CVICUismydream]

Well I went to school for accounting so the only thing I get out of is corresponding math and english classes. I was not required in NC to take anatomy or any of that so basically...everything! :-) When I go to advise at SPC I have to find out if I even get to skip math and english. I am learning that NC and FL are completely different!

[HippyGreenPeaceChick]

Oh I am for sure taking the classes ASAP. I work at HCA so...I need to get a degree in something! The wait time is disappointing but I still plan to continue on. Thank you all for your advice. :)

HCA can be very supportive for you, good luck

[scrapworking]

Something to consider - you may not want to try and do full-time pre-reqs in 2 (3 if you count the summer) semesters if you are working full-time. If they're looking at GPA, then you'll want to make sure you can maintain the grades. Earlier in the week my Advisor at SPC told me that you move higher on the list if you had ALL your pre-reqs done (or would have them done) prior to beginning your nursing classes. I'll have Micro in the Spring, but it's the last of my last pre-reqs. I'm eligible to apply for the Fall 2010 session in March since I'll have finished the pre-entry requirements at the end of the Fall 2009 session.

Even if you do the LPN at PTEC, then come back to do the LPN bridge to RN at SPC, you still need to do all the pre-reqs just as you would now to go for the SPC RN program. And if I were doing the LPN program at PTEC, I'm not sure how much energy I'd have at the end of the day to take more classes for SPC. And work?

Also you will only save yourself about 1 semester's time in the bridge program vs. the RN program. PTEC only has a daytime LPN program, does that work for you and your job? SPC has both a day and evening program. The evening program continues in the summer, so you are actually done one semester early.

An idea to "fill the time" if you actually end up having any, is look at other area schools...for example, I looked at PHCC as a back up. I'll have everything they need for pre-reqs except Nutrition. Hmm, that sounds like a pretty interesting course actually and if I take it, then I can apply simultaneously at SPC and PHCC. I can also study for the TEAS test or whatever test they require.

I decided to go for the RN program because it's a more direct route to achieve my goals, costs less money in the long run,and it takes less time as well. I think if I went through LPN school with the clinicals, tests, stress, etc. I really doubt I'd be too inclined to want to go through it all again!

But that's me. My opinion, for what it's worth. You really need to decide what your goals are and the best/shortest/whatever criteria you have...way to meet those goals.

Sharon