Right now, I am frantically looking around at my state's community colleges for some AAS, or ADN nursing programs.
I am working on my pre-reqs right now, and I was told that once I finish the pre-reqs I will be able to apply for a position in the nursing program at my school. As of today, the waiting list for those who applied in the past spring 09' semester have to wait until Spring of 2011 before they enter. I asked the advisor that if I got good grades all across the board would I be able to enter the program sooner? And he told me no, and that it pretty much comes down to whoever stays or whoever decides to take their name off the list.
This poses a problem for me but I may have some alternatives. I am 21 years old now. I would really like to plan on graduating and start working as a nurse before I am 25 years old. I made some mistakes in school and I regret not putting forth the initial effort to get into this program when I first entered college (but then again, I did not know that my CC offered a nursing degree until about 6 months ago!) but now all of this has changed and I am determined to get in and out as soon as possible.
The biggest problem I have is that, when I do finish all of these classes next spring, this most likely means that I'll have to wait until 2012 to get into the program which means I won't graduate until 2014. I just want to know what is someone supposed to do while they wait for this program? I am afraid of two things. I am afraid that if I wait this long, my brain will become a bit rusty, and I am afraid of just being out of school in general. The only way I can keep myself going is by keeping my brain active.
To combat these two fears, I can, and will attempt to do the following. I can apply to ASU's and NAU's BSN program (both of which, I will attend the information sessions soon) and hopefully get into both of them, if not one of them. OR, I could finish my pre-reqs and get certified as a nursing assistant and just work as that for a year up until they are ready to take me. There are advantages and disadvantages to both routes. The advantage of getting into ASU's or NAU's program is that I'll have my BSN so it'll save me time in the future, and they're both pretty good schools. The disadvantage is, my GPA took a hit and is at 2.6, it's horrible I know, but hopefully the three summer classes I am taking will bump it up to a 2.9 by summer's end, and then I am targeting a GPA of about 3.4 by the end of the year. We'll see how it all goes, it's just all about time management and dedication and since I got slapped on the head and realized how out of shape my GPA was I am determined to the bone to bring that sucker up. And of course the advantage of becoming a CNA is that I'll have something to do, should I decide to wait, and the disadvantage being I'll be making small change.
If I decide to stay with my city's community college it pretty much comes down to me getting a B or better in Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II which I think I will be able to do (but this doesn't mean I will only get B or better in these two classes, I am rooting for A's across the board). I am going to be up in the Phoenix area next week and will be roaming around for the colleges and community colleges and try to gather as much information as I possibly can.
I just thought I'd share my slight frustration at the waiting list ordeal, but I am also not willing to let this stop me from being a nurse.
