How start applying to nursing school?

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Hey you guys!! I just love how helpful this page has been for people and i need some of that help. Okay so im 17 years old i turn 18 in 2 months. I dropped out of high school last year of 2016 and went to job corp to receive my GED which i did after that i left J.C . Now for the past months i been sitting on my butt geting fat. An i always wanted to be a Registered Nurse since 9th grade so basically i live in new york city and i need some help on how to start applying for community colleges. I'm tired of not doing nothing and the whole reason i left j.c was to start college which I didn't. So can someone please explain the steps on how to process finding schools and appyling. Also i know you have to take pre-requisite classes do finacial aid cover that?

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Also can anybody recommend a community college in New York City.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

In my opinion, it looks like you're on the right track. :) I dropped out of high school in my senior year and soon got my GED afterwards. I'd do some homework online and research about local community colleges with RN programs to get started towards your ADN. The great thing about community colleges is that everyone is accepted, you just need to go through the application process to give them your information. Later on, you could apply to larger universities to complete your BSN. Find a community college that'll work for you and start on your prerequisites. Since I hadn't taken my SATs or ACT test, I had to take a computerized placement test at my community college to see which math and English classes I could start registering into. Then it's just a matter of chiseling away at it all. I had to start out at the very bottom level of math, but I just finished my last math course needed for nursing. :) Many nursing programs require that you have your CNA, if that's the case at the school you choose, then that would be a great way to gain basic nursing experience and have a source of income.

Since you're 17, your financial aid eligibility may heavily rely on your parents' income. You'll be considered a dependent student (I wasn't considered an independent student until I turned 25, although I had been living on my own for years), but you can still receive aid. If your parents earn too much, you may only be eligible for student loans or work study. That was my own situation, but now I qualify for Pell grants and have been awarded scholarships. Financial aid will cover any class that goes towards earning a degree at your school. My best advice would to visit the FAFSA website (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and if you have a school in mind go in and talk to someone.

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Omg thank you so much this was so helpful. I was looking into this community college and i will be visiting them on Thursday. Also I didn't know i can still get a scholarship with a GED that would be super helpful since my parents have low income and i can't afford college by myself. Also should i apply to FAFSA before or after i found a school. Also congrats on finishing your math course😊

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Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.
Also I didn't know i can still get a scholarship with a GED

Of course! In fact, there are several scholarships out there that are only offered to college students with GEDs. I didn't have very much luck with scholarships until I had a few quarters completed and built my GPA up. There are scholarship websites online and then whichever school you go to should have information on local scholarships. If you have a school in mind already, they can often help you fill out your FAFSA or they can give you some helpful advice. The first time I filled out my FAFSA I was 18 and needed to use my parents' income tax return. Based on this information, it will be determined whether or not you qualify for grants, loans, and/or work study programs. When you fill this information out online, it will ask you which school you would like it sent to and your school should be able to contact you to complete the rest of the financial aid process. Lots of paperwork and waiting.... One of the necessary evils of school.

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Waiting...Oh God i just hate waiting i been waiting for this moment forever lol. But I'm glad i can still receive scholarships once i get a good GPA. I was wondering if i should get some books from the library to study or well refresh my brain. Also i have my parents to help with the FAFSA paperwork. If u don't mind me asking how long did it take for the paperwork to go threw for you to start classes?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

The start of the school year out here is the Fall quarter.... At my school, usually everything will be ready in time for classes in late September if I have everything turned in by mid-August. However, the earlier the better! My school processes my FAFSA and then has me fill out a paper application for student loans, complete the master promissory note, and usually one type of financial education online. Then it's all on them to process everything and calculate how much I'll receive, how much goes directly to my tuition, and how much they need to send me via check. After the first quarter after filling out financial aid, every should be taken care of by my financial office automatically.

These are great questions to ask when you visit your school on Thursday!

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The start of the school year out here is the Fall quarter.... At my school, usually everything will be ready in time for classes in late September if I have everything turned in by mid-August. However, the earlier the better! My school processes my FAFSA and then has me fill out a paper application for student loans, complete the master promissory note, and usually one type of financial education online. Then it's all on them to process everything and calculate how much I'll receive, how much goes directly to my tuition, and how much they need to send me via check. After the first quarter after filling out financial aid, every should be taken care of by my financial office automatically.

These are great questions to ask when you visit your school on Thursday!

Okay thanks a bunch u really helped me out.🤗

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It definitely seems overwhelming when you are just starting out! I'd start by using google to determine what community colleges near you have an ADN program. Then make an appointment to meet with a counselor. Do this by calling the school and making an in person appointment. That counselor will make a plan with you to sign up for what you need to achieve your goal. Start there. Get enrolled in the basic classes. If you decide you want to transfer to a BSN program, then meet with an admission counselor at the BSN school. But regardless, if you don't have your bachelors degree yet you're going to need to put in a few years at community college (at least that's how it works in my state). Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU.
The great thing about community colleges is that everyone is accepted, you just need to go through the application process to give them your information.

The community college will accept you into the college for you to complete your pre-reqs it does not mean that you are accepted into the nursing program. After completing your pre-reqs, you need to apply for admission into the nursing program. Nursing programs are highly competitive, so you need to get As and Bs in your pre-reqs to be competitive. Nursing schools state a "Minimum Prerequisite GPA of XXX" which is the minimum GPA that you need to apply. For example, if a nursing program has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 and they have 50 slots and 100 applicants, the applicants with the highest GPAs (some factor in TEAS or HESI scores) get a slot. Their GPAs will be in the 3.25+ range. So, just because you get a 2.5 GPA, it does not mean that you will get into nursing school.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

Just two things: many schools DO NOT require you to have a CNA. That does not make any sense except to take you to the financial cleaners.

The next most inportant thing for you to be aware of is that Federal loans are expensive.

You are young and must be wary of the sub-par college for-profits that charge hefty tuition and have low graduation and retention rates (collegescorecard.ed.gov).

Go the CC route. Take one course at a time. Build your academic confidence. Have patience. All this will not be done over night.

And by all means stay away from the loan you up academic advisors posing as a dial a minute marketing agents that sell loans first and foremost.

You can be a nurse with hard work and diligence just don't fall prey to the "we'll help you fulfill your dreams" sweet talkers.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

Hey peeps, (collegescorecardmed.gov)

Just in case you haven't heard the dept of ed has published a site to help you evaluate schools.

The information is quite valid as it is supplied to ed by the schools themselves.

Try to go to a community college to do the prerequisite coursework before nsg school because that will save you so much money you'll be able to buy some pretty sporty wheels when you graduate and be almost loan free to boot. Good luck to all.

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