Help with becoming a nurse!

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Hello! I really want to be a nurse, but I don't know where to start.

I applied to Rutgers SAS at New Brunswick for Spring (with the intent of transferring into the College of Nursing), but I was denied. I'm still waiting to hear back from Rutgers Newark SAS with the same intent, but I also need a plan B. Currently, I live with my parents in an overseas US military base, and I'll soon start some courses with a community college - UMUC, University of Maryland University College, that is located on the base. The courses I was going to take are Writing 101, Intro to Sociology, World History, and a Humanities course. I really want to go back to the US because this school doesn't offer much, and they don't have a nursing program. My family is in New Jersey, so I thought I would go to a school either in NJ or lower NY (like NYC.) I'd prefer to go a traditional BSN program, but I wouldn't mind taking the "longer" route going through the ASN program; I wouldn't mind any route actually. So my question is, what should I do? I have no idea what to do, and I feel like I won't ever become a nurse. I don't want to give up, but this is all so confusing. Do you recommend any ASN or BSN programs in NJ or lower NY?

I don't know if this matters but here are my HS stats since I haven't started taking college courses yet:

GPA: 3.68 cumulative / SAT: 1530 (490 CR, 520 W, 520 M)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Are you aware at what the job market is like for new graduate nurses? Very competitive - especially on the east coast.

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Yes, I know, but what does it have to do with my question? I'm not even there yet, and it could quite possibly change within the next four to five years.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Pick a program (or programs) find out what the prereqs are and start on them. That is about all you can do. They are usually competitive - have a "plan b" in case you don't get in.

In choosing a program, I would try to find out how established they are, if they have good clinical placements, how high the attrition rate is from the program. What percentage of their students pass the NCLEX. If they are accredited. As a general rule stay away from the "for profit" schools and go with a traditional program.

Do your research on the nurse job market to make sure you know what you are getting into. Will things change in 5 years? Don't count on it.

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And good luck to you. Best advise. Get good grades in all you college classes. As ns won't look t your hs stuff excot to verify you graduated.

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I would suggest you just apply to a community college that will be close to family and take your pre-req courses. Most colleges are pretty close in what they require. I would start with taking your college algebra, english I & II, Psych., sociology, a&p I and II, Chemistry for nursing, Micro with labs for all your science classes. Keep the highest grades you can get...you will still have time to start researching colleges while you are completing your basics. Then you can add in a few different classes if you need to. When you are in your last semester you may need to start taking some entrance exams and then you apply to a college for nursing. Either a BSN or an RN. There is no reason to go to a full university if you have a CC close by. It will save you lots of money but either one works. They are the same classes. If you plan on taking a BSN then most likely you have 60 lower level credits required. Those also include your humanities, ect. Here is the page from NYC for a basic HS student path... Curriculum | NYU College of Nursing

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Hope3456 - Thank you! I understand that finding a job in nursing is become extremely competitive, but this is something that I've wanted to do. I thought about other jobs in the healthcare field such as being a dietitian or going to med school however I think I would feel more happy doing nursing.

Runsalot - Thanks! The only reason why I gave my HS stats was just in case if someone wanted to recommend me a BSN or ASN program. I haven't started some of my online courses yet, so I don't have a college GPA!

Mchel210 - I thought this would probably be the most realistic, and best route for me. I'm really serious about nursing, and I wished I tried harder in HS, but it's the past and I just have to stay focused. This upcoming term, I'll be taking English I, Psychology, Sociology, and World History (for the sake of pre-reqs) because most of the courses at UMUC are basic. They don't seem to have any courses pertaining to nursing such as science courses. I can start taking classes like A&P and Micro when I go back to the States, and hopefully I'll be able to get into a nursing program as well. Do you recommend I take the ASN > RN > BSN program route?

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Hello! I really want to be a nurse but I don't know where to start. I applied to Rutgers SAS at New Brunswick for Spring (with the intent of transferring into the College of Nursing), but I was denied. I'm still waiting to hear back from Rutgers Newark SAS with the same intent, but I also need a plan B. Currently, I live with my parents in an overseas US military base, and I'll soon start some courses with a community college - UMUC, University of Maryland University College, that is located on the base. The courses I was going to take are Writing 101, Intro to Sociology, World History, and a Humanities course. I really want to go back to the US because this school doesn't offer much, and they don't have a nursing program. My family is in New Jersey, so I thought I would go to a school either in NJ or lower NY (like NYC.) I'd prefer to go a traditional BSN program, but I wouldn't mind taking the "longer" route going through the ASN program; I wouldn't mind any route actually. So my question is, what should I do? I have no idea what to do, and I feel like I won't ever become a nurse. I don't want to give up, but this is all so confusing. Do you recommend any ASN or BSN programs in NJ or lower NY? I don't know if this matters but here are my HS stats since I haven't started taking college courses yet: GPA: 3.68 cumulative / SAT: 1530 (490 CR, 520 W, 520 M)[/quote']

I'm from Ohio so I can't help you on specific schools in that location, however I can tell you that you have an excellent GPA! Is there any science courses you can take? Like micro, bio, nutrition or anatomy? Sounds like you're on the right track with everything, you just need to choose a school. I'm never against anyone going the ADN route instead of BSN, but the reason I chose BSN, Is because you're slightly more marketable with a BSN and I'd only be going to school one semester longer for my BSN. Good luck in what you decide!!!

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