HELP! First time college student, going for ADN, RN

U.S.A. New York

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Hey everybody! I've been coming to this site for a while now and I want to thank everybody who participates in the forums. Reading your threads has really inspired me to go to school and pursue my degree.

At the same time, I need some serious help. I was a HS drop out and received my GED. I never went to college and always worked full time. I'm now 24 and totally ready to work as hard as needed to get where I want to be. So, I've been spending a lot of time doing research on the internet and I feel completely lost. I'm hoping you guys can help me with some of my questions/concerns :loveya:

First, I've been reading a lot on this site about CUNYs having long waiting lists and super competitive programs where you need to keep a very high GPA to get accepted. I'm worried because I've never been to college and I'm not sure how much I'm capable of. I honestly don't know how difficult it's going to be to keep an A in every class. The last thing I want to do is start college and realize after working really hard that none of the CUNYs will accept me. How hard is it really to get into a nursing program?

I was planning on going to CSI - College of Staten Island (CUNY), but have read that it's a waste of time to even try getting in. I've heard numerous horror stories about BMCC and have found little on any other CUNYs.

I'd like to start school for spring, and I'm not sure how to go about getting my AAS. I understand there are pre-reqs that you need to take in order to qualify for the clinical classes. Do most people take these pre-req classes at the same school they plan on completing their AAS?

I've been spending time on the CUNY website and it seems that you have to apply through CUNY and list the schools you're interested in. I suppose then whichever schools want to accept you, will. Being that I dropped out of HS and did poorly while I was there (pretty much because I was NEVER actually there), and got my GED, (Side note: I never took my SAT or ACT). What are the chances of nursing programs accepting me or not accepting me?

Also, I've heard of the Fair and Open testing act they passed which means some colleges will accept students without SAT or ACT scores.

Do any of you know which CUNY would be the least competitive when it comes to space and admissions and is currently accepting students without these test scores?

I am open to anybody's suggestions on where I should start, what I should do, which schools to consider, etc. A step by step guide would be GREAT! :yeah: But seriously, I really need some direction. I was completely amped up and ready to go until I started hearing about all the horror stories about CUNYs and their nursing programs.

Thank you all in advance, I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have this website to come to.

:redbeathe

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Specializes in Just passed the Boards :).

Hey

Since School just started I am not sure if my advice is still applicable ....You can go to most cuny school and do a on the spot admission all you have to do is bring the cuny application a copy of you GED and/or High school transcripts and a money order for the fees ....I originally went to BMCC and I was working full time at the time I had a 3.4 Gpa and people who had 3.7's did not get in so I did not even bother to apply, I decided to stay at the school took all of my prereqs and graduated with a liberal arts degree so I could apply to a private school for my BSN and my plans worked I am in my last semester of school ...I do know several people that also left and went to other cuny schools from BMCC like New york City tech and did not get ...its not easy to come from one cuny to another for nursing programs because some have different requirements some want you to take a class at that school before you are even considered some have entrance exam before you can get accepted into the clinical phase ....

I don't want to discourage you they are a lot of nursing schools but with the cuny system its like a needle in a haystack ...they have very limited seat and since it's so much cheaper their is a lot compatition

I dont know if you are open to private schools but you can start looking into it ...start with a community college get your reqs then transfer

hope that helps if you have any further questions don't hesitate

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I was in the same boat: I dropped out of High School and obtained my GED. I registered at SUNY Orange (Orange County Community College) with my GED and was required to take their Math and English placement tests. I completed my pre-requisites last year and began my first semester of Nursing last week.

You can do it, but it will take some time as most 2 year RN programs require you to complete the pre-requisites first. Also, Suny Orange began administering the TEAS this year, very similiar to your GED exam.

Best wishes!!

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Thanks so much for your help guys!

So would you say my best bet is to apply to CUNY and just get a basic associates? I'm not sure how electives work, but would I be able to look into private schools and their clinical pre-reqs and then take those pre-reqs as electives while getting my associates? Would that make me a better candidate for the private schools?

I will be going to school full time and not working, so I can spend as much time as possible on school work. Do you still think it would be severely difficult to get the A's needed for clinical?

From what I can see it looks like most schools require 4 classes that you basically need to ace in order to get to the clinicals...is it one whole year of these classes?

Chachou....what private school did you end up going to? How was your experience at BMCC for your liberal arts? How long would it take for me to get the degree if I'm going full time? Are there any accelerated liberal arts programs?

I know I will get a better idea of what I need to do once I visit some schools, but I don't want my judgement to be clouded by the admissions people. I'm sure they'd push you to start their school no matter what your plans are and/or how difficult it would be to reach them at their school.

Is it easier to get into LPN programs? Would I benefit from doing my LPN and then going for RN through a private school?

Thanks again for all your help! :bow:

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Specializes in Just passed the Boards :).
Thanks so much for your help guys!

So would you say my best bet is to apply to CUNY and just get a basic associates? I'm not sure how electives work, but would I be able to look into private schools and their clinical pre-reqs and then take those pre-reqs as electives while getting my associates? Would that make me a better candidate for the private schools?

I will be going to school full time and not working, so I can spend as much time as possible on school work. Do you still think it would be severely difficult to get the A's needed for clinical?

From what I can see it looks like most schools require 4 classes that you basically need to ace in order to get to the clinicals...is it one whole year of these classes?

Chachou....what private school did you end up going to? How was your experience at BMCC for your liberal arts? How long would it take for me to get the degree if I'm going full time? Are there any accelerated liberal arts programs?

I know I will get a better idea of what I need to do once I visit some schools, but I don't want my judgement to be clouded by the admissions people. I'm sure they'd push you to start their school no matter what your plans are and/or how difficult it would be to reach them at their school.

Is it easier to get into LPN programs? Would I benefit from doing my LPN and then going for RN through a private school?

Thanks again for all your help! :bow:

By all means please try to accomplish your original plan if you wont be working I would go to the cuny school of your choice and do those prereqs with all that you got and try to ace those bad boys..... you can take those prereqs in one semester or split it in two, but if it doesnt work out in your favor and you are place on a waiting list please dont waist time by doing nothing while waiting continue to take liberal art course which are accepted by every college such as social sciences, history, english, and most of all all of the sciences that you would need for nursing such as ap2, micro, chemistry etc... almost any class fits under a liberal arts degree that is why I chose that degree in order for me to graduate.... It took me exactly two years from the time I started to graduate from bmcc and now I am attending Adelphi University and the experience has been great... I think with anything you get what you put in and i have been waiting patiently and working so hard to be a nurse that I cant wait to see that RN behind my name ...its not an easy journey but its a rewarding one and their is a light at the end of the tunnel

hope that helps :D

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By all means please try to accomplish your original plan if you wont be working I would go to the cuny school of your choice and do those prereqs with all that you got and try to ace those bad boys..... you can take those prereqs in one semester or split it in two, but if it doesnt work out in your favor and you are place on a waiting list please dont waist time by doing nothing while waiting continue to take liberal art course which are accepted by every college such as social sciences, history, english, and most of all all of the sciences that you would need for nursing such as ap2, micro, chemistry etc... almost any class fits under a liberal arts degree that is why I chose that degree in order for me to graduate.... It took me exactly two years from the time I started to graduate from bmcc and now I am attending Adelphi University and the experience has been great... I think with anything you get what you put in and i have been waiting patiently and working so hard to be a nurse that I cant wait to see that RN behind my name ...its not an easy journey but its a rewarding one and their is a light at the end of the tunnel

hope that helps :D

Chachou, you've been a great help. Thanks for your insight. I think I'm going to give CUNY a shot and do the pre-reqs, I know I can do it if I give it my all. Worst that can happen is I have to transfer and finish elsewhere which is still okay with me. As long as I can end up a RN, I'm not really concerned with how long or how hard it will be to get there.

Thanks for the boost in confidence! I wish you the best of luck at Adelphi. You'll have the RN behind your name in no time. :loveya:

Anybody else want to share their CUNY experience?

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical-Ortho-Neuro-Agency.
By all means please try to accomplish your original plan if you wont be working I would go to the cuny school of your choice and do those prereqs with all that you got and try to ace those bad boys..... you can take those prereqs in one semester or split it in two, but if it doesnt work out in your favor and you are place on a waiting list please dont waist time by doing nothing while waiting continue to take liberal art course which are accepted by every college such as social sciences, history, english, and most of all all of the sciences that you would need for nursing such as ap2, micro, chemistry etc... almost any class fits under a liberal arts degree that is why I chose that degree in order for me to graduate.... It took me exactly two years from the time I started to graduate from bmcc and now I am attending Adelphi University and the experience has been great... I think with anything you get what you put in and i have been waiting patiently and working so hard to be a nurse that I cant wait to see that RN behind my name ...its not an easy journey but its a rewarding one and their is a light at the end of the tunnel

hope that helps :D

Hey Chachou22,

That was my original plan, when I attended BMCC. I took my prereqs for the 4 year schools, whether it was Adelphi, LIU(requires lots of classes), CNR, Pace, CMSV. I had good grades in my prereqs and applied to their BMCC's nursing program, and I got in. So that saved me a lot lot lots of money in the end!!!

If I did not get in, I would have had my courses and transfered easily into a private college. I make it seems so simple. Make sure you do very well in your pre-reqs, study hard, and don't mind the rumors. I am a BMCC nursing graduate, I heard so many rumors that I can write a book, angry students say displeasing things!!!

I told many of my friends to do the same, many have graduated/and or will graduated next year from private colleges. Nursing is hard, it's not easy, if you can study during your prereqs, and have a positive attitude about it, then when you get there, study harder, you'll get there. Stay positive, and get those classes started, TashaNYC.:saint:

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Specializes in Just passed the Boards :).

Thanks for the boost in confidence! I wish you the best of luck at Adelphi. You'll have the RN behind your name in no time

thank you

I am now in my last semester of school and just started my preceptorship at the hospital that I wanted in the ICU .... I just started review for my boards and I am so scared of what the future will bring but I will stay positive and I know all good things come to those who wait:jester::nurse:

good luck with everything and stay positive

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Hey Chachou22,

That was my original plan, when I attended BMCC. I took my prereqs for the 4 year schools, whether it was Adelphi, LIU(requires lots of classes), CNR, Pace, CMSV. I had good grades in my prereqs and applied to their BMCC's nursing program, and I got in. So that saved me a lot lot lots of money in the end!!!

If I did not get in, I would have had my courses and transfered easily into a private college. I make it seems so simple. Make sure you do very well in your pre-reqs, study hard, and don't mind the rumors. I am a BMCC nursing graduate, I heard so many rumors that I can write a book, angry students say displeasing things!!!

I told many of my friends to do the same, many have graduated/and or will graduated next year from private colleges. Nursing is hard, it's not easy, if you can study during your prereqs, and have a positive attitude about it, then when you get there, study harder, you'll get there. Stay positive, and get those classes started, TashaNYC.:saint:

Hey Bunny, thanks for your input. What was your gpa when you applied for the clinicals? Were you always good with science before you started at BMCC? I love science, but Chemistry was tough. I never seemed to grasp it. It worries me because I know there is lots of science involved. How easy was it for you to find other students/faculty for study groups or tutoring sessions?

Also, I'm thinking of either purchasing or borrowing some books from the library that will give me a good idea of what I'm getting into. Maybe some text books or is there a book that's specifically for pre-nursing students? I'd just like to get a taste of what kind of topics I'll be studying and how difficult it gets.

Thanks again for your help, and I look forward to hearing anybody elses input on this discussion. :smokin:

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical-Ortho-Neuro-Agency.

When I applied it was 3.73. I love science. In high school I taught myself chemistry because the professor was so...horrible. But thanks to his laziness I excelled at the subject. It was biology that did it for me, you just have to find a way to study.

You are pre-req, focus on excelling on those courses first. You could check the library to see what the med-surg/peds/maternity/psych etc... are like. But you have to get by with your chemistry etc...I like the Made Easy: Chemistry book. Also look for chemistry problems online to practice, Karen Timberlake online is good.

Good Luck

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Tasha,

If I were you, being that you have no college credits or experience, I would start with the basics. I know they are not eh fun and exciting classes, but they are required classes for ANY nursing program. Classes like English 101, Psychology and Sociology. You need to get a feel of what it is like to be a college student, before you can even consider becoming a nursing student. Get your feet wet there, then move on to other courses that you need, like Developmental Psych, Anatomy and Phys, Micro and the like.

You need to do as well as you possible can in these, to compensate for your lack of HS grades. And, as everyone else has mentioned, you need at least a 3.5 to even be considered. Nursing programs are sooo competitive, especially the CUNY's. And now, the private ones are becoming more competitive b/c of all the people being turned away from the CUNY schools.

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Hi Tasha,

I'm currently a nursing student at BMCC and I can certainly give you some insights about the program. It seems like you already know a lot about the pre-reqs and no need for me to go in further. I was accepted two semesters ago with 3.84 for the evening program and the cut off was 3.7. It varies each semester but 3.8 is usually a sure in for both day and evening program. Try your best to ace those 4 pre-reqs but it's not the end of the world to get 3 As and 1 B+.

Now let's talk about BMCC nursing program itself. The first semester which is the Fundamentals is really really hard. It's designed to weed out so-so students but they do this with good intent. The mentality is if you're not cut out for nursing it's better to know soon than later. Imagine you used up all your chances for the last semester and ended up not graduating. Each semester would just get harder and harder. But this shouldn't discourage you from being what you want to be. My advice is if you get in, please choose the day program if you have a choice. It's not easier but you have more time to study and less stress from tight schedules and from work.

People think nursing is easy is wrong. Sometimes I feel like I'm medical school rather. But no pain no gain. BMCC preps student really good for NCLEX and they do have a high passing % comparing to other schools. My colleague is actually following my path and start slow. She's taking the pre-reqs now. You won't know until you try. Good luck and let me know if you have more specific questions.

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