Help!

From what I understand from other posters on here, CA is very impacted right now. There are long wait lists to get into any program. I would research schools you want to go to and talk to some admissions officers and see what you need to do in order to get in, and what kind of wait list they have. I have heard of people waiting 5 years just to get into the nursing program. I live in an area that is not impacted and no waiting lists. You either get in or you don't. Community colleges are a good place to do prereqs at, just make sure the credits transfer if you want your BSN.

Heather gave good advice. You are smart to take your prereqs at the community college where classes are less expensive. Research which classes you need to apply to the community college and the BSN programs at the universities in your area. Then start taking those general ed classes that you will need, no matter where you go.

Every school will require:

Freshman composition

Algebra or some type of math

History

Non-western studies

Biology (usually for healthcare or science majors)

Anatomy and Physiology

Microbiology

Chemistry

Do those classes first so that you can asses your skills as a student and be ready to apply to apply to any and all programs.

Thank you both Heather & CDE! It's very helpful information & yes California is a very high in impact there's a lot of competition out here! I've decided I want to transfer to a university once there's an available opening and in the mean time get all my preriqs and everything else done so that I'm ready. Thanks a lot for the help!

Definitely do your prereqs at a community college (as much as you possibly can!). Keep your GPA as high as you can, and nail the TEAS when the time comes. From there, apply to as many schools as you could feasibly attend. I applied to 10, and I'm about to graduate from a CSU. There are grants available through the CSUs, especially if your income is limited, and there are, of course, scholarships and the dreaded loans.

Your community college should have what is required to transfer to a CSU, and you can look at each program's website to see which courses are required. Every BSN program in CA requires anatomy, physiology, microbiology (all 5 unit versions with labs), statistics, and critical thinking. Some require CNA certification, some require a language, some look at your psych grade... There is some variation between programs, so it's important to look at each one's requirements.

If you DO go the LVN route, DO NOT attend a private school- many community colleges offer LVN programs (I know for sure Santa Rosa Junior College, but there are others as well).

Small AllNurses tip- change your pic so it's not your real pic- anonymity is important here! :)

Best of luck to you!