Getting into Nursing school/Job until then

[sara5jane]

Hi everyone!,

I recently moved to Boulder, Colorado from Minnesota. I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology but I have always wanted to go back to nursing school - it's just so hard because I can't be a full time student right away, I need to complete some Science prerequisites (Anatomy, Microbiology, Physiology) and then I don't even know if I will be accepted into whatever school I apply to. What are your experiences with acceptance into school in the Boulder/Denver area? Is an Associate Degree program just as good as a BSN if I can pass my tests when school is done? Any recommendations for schools?

ALSO

I am taking my prerequisites online at Front Range but in the interim, before a Nursing school accepts me, I need a job. I have NO background in medicine, all of my work experience (I'm 26) after college has been in customer service. Is it easier to get into a nursing program if you have experience at a hospital? I would love to get a job at a hospital doing pretty much anything but they don't seem to want anyone without experience, and unfortunately I don't have any networking out here. My prospects at this point are all in customer service/technology . Does anyone know of a good way to get my foot in the door at a hospital in this area?

Thank you so much for your time in reading/responding to this!

~Sara

[reba95]

Hi everyone!,

I am taking my prerequisites online at Front Range....

Hi Sara, welcome to the board and welcome to CO! Unfortunately, I can't give many answers to your questions, but I wanted to just bring attention to that statement above. Please be sure to ask the schools you are interested in attending if strictly on-line Science pre-req courses are OK for consideration. Many recommend (or require) a lab component to the course, and I'd hate to see you get caught out with the wrong types of courses taken when it comes time to apply.

You might already be aware of this; if so, disregard it.

I've boiled the Associates versus BSN decision down to this: what are your goals after you finish your initial nursing degree? If you know the answer to this, then you will be able to figure out which direction you should go.

Best of luck to you, and again, welcome to the state!

[committedtonursing]

Welcome to Colorado (I just moved here from Minnesota about two years ago). I suggest looking into getting your CNA certification if you don't have any medical experience. Since I got my CNA in MN, I can't say what the programs are like here in CO, but in MN it was a pretty short course. Hospital CNA work (I've heard, as I've only worked Long term care) is much harder for the pay vs. LTC, but its excellant experience, esp. if you plan on going on for your nursing degree (I'm currently attending Concorde for my LPN and plan on going on to University of Phoenix to get my BSN). I think it makes a better nurse if you've worked as a CNA first, but it's not absolutely pertinant I don't think for applying to nursing schools. Hope this bit of info helps, and good luck in your endeavors!