How do my chances look

futurecnm · Aug 22, 2008

Hello all, i have been out of college for over 2 years, bachelors in finance as an analyst right now.
After working in the corporate world, i have come to the conclusion that i can no longer see myself having a future in it
.
Healthcare has been an interest to me; not necesarily nursing (but that is an option im looking at); perhaps radiation tech/therapy, or other technical health services. The prerequisites to get intothe different healthcare schools dont really differ by much right? i believe they generally revolve around A&P 1 and 2, CHE 1 and 2, inorg che 1 and 2, physics 1 and 2, dev psych, stats, english, maybe calc.
How should i start towards the direction of healthcare? volunteer at a hospital? start taking classes?
I had a 2.9 gpa, took the same chemistry twice and received no better than a C. General biology a C. calculus i took twice received a D then a B. and that pretty much sums up all the science and math courses i took in college.
Has anyone gone through what i am going through right now and can offer some advice?

You would not need calculus for nursing. The basics that most colleges want are A&P I and II, general biology, microbiology, psychology, sociology, communications, and some other liberal arts (these were what I needed for a community college AA program). You do not need inorganic chem or physics for nursing. I'd at least shadow someone in health care or volunteer at a hospital to see if you would like it. You could also get a part time job as a nurses assistant if you really wanted to jump right in and start working, then go to school.

*LadyJane* · Aug 22, 2008

Some colleges will excuse parts of a college transcript if there is a gap of time between then and now. This is great if you have some bad grades that might drag your future gpa down. The only downside is that you cannot get credit on your application (for points) on that time frame that you want to get excused. This would work greatly in your favor, as you could start afresh, work hard on your sciences and earn A's.

Check out the health related classes at colleges around you. Talk to some advisors and ask about the requirements of the various programs.

Generally, the radiology courses require lots more math and physics than say, the nursing or the dental hygiene. Nursing doesn't require calculus, the highest math required is college algebra, but stats is also required. So check with the advisors they'd be able to fill you in the most quickly.

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 22, 2008

To get in to a nursing program, you'll probably have to improve your GPA. I'd suggest taking one or two classes per semester while working. I find I focus better on studying when I have to budget my time. So, for the major pre-requisites, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, and Microbiology, take one per semester (fall, spring, summer), and if you have other prereq's to finish (nutrition, ethics, etc), take them along with the other courses. Don't fall behind in the classes, though. Since those science courses are pretty important for understanding the body and infections, I'd try to focus on learning the information rather than passing the class (of course, pass, but rather than memorize, try to understand it). If you do well in the courses, your GPA should improve. Schools will often pay more attention to your recent classes rather than the older ones.

I don't know what the requirements are for other programs.

For me, I have a biology degree. My GPA from my Bachleor's was 2.67. My GPA at the community college I attended earlier, and have recently finished the prerequisites is a 3.32. Overall, I think I just squeezed a 3.01, but 5 of my last 6 classes were A's. I also spent some time volunteering in a hospital to make sure I could deal with the environment.

Absolutely13 · Aug 22, 2008

Eek!

Out of a sense of obligation, the CC route may be the most difficult. Cut-throat city. As odd as it sounds, that biology degree may be a noose.

You will get points for the bachelors, but get eviscerated for the GPA.

NurseKatie08, MSN · Aug 22, 2008

Eek!
Out of a sense of obligation, the CC route may be the most difficult. Cut-throat city. As odd as it sounds, that biology degree may be a noose.
You will get points for the bachelors, but get eviscerated for the GPA.

I think the OP said they had a finance degree..

nessajune21 · Aug 22, 2008

Radiation therapy is more competitive to get into than nursing school- and getting into nursing school isn't easy! (I know about both!)

Choose the program that you want into, and go speak with an advisor about what you need to do to get into that specific program.

Good luck!