I really need your help.

~FutureNurse~ · Mar 8, 2008

Hi. Well, first you need to decide if you want to get an ASN or BSN. Reseach schools, and find one that you like. Go meet with them and find out what their pre-reqs are. Take your pre-reqs, which can take anywhere from a year to 2+ years. Then apply! Hope this helps!!

Asherah, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2008

If you plan on staying within Texas, check out the state Board of Nursing site below which provides a listing of nursing programs (LPN/LVN and RN) and the steps that you will need to take to begin:

http://www.bon.state.tx.us/nursingeducation/faq_students.html

Good luck!

Hotflashn · Mar 11, 2008

If your nearby community college has a nursing program start there. Most have frequently offered information sessions where you can learn what is required for that particular school. You can also check their website as most have some info available online. It is a good place to start. If you don't have any college credits, register for your local CC and get in to see a counselor. Much depends on how long it has been since you got out of high school and how well you did, what classes you took. Even if your local CC doesn't have a nursing program, it can still be a good place to get the GE classes and prereqs out of the way, and then transfer to the nursing school when you are ready. CCs are a great first step because they save $$$. You will need not only the prereqs but your general education classes in addition to nursing curriculum. You will really need to have your general ed done before NS. You will likely have to take some placement tests and work your way through. Often there are prereqs for the prereqs and much will depend on your skill level and past HS credits. There is often a math or English sequence before you can get into the science courses. It can take a long time, I am sorry to say. Of course, it is faster if you can go to school full time and/or have previous credits. Much also depends on how impacted your school is. Going part time can take years just to get the prereqs and general ed done, then another 2-3 in the nursing program. Some programs have waits, so that can add to it. It is a pretty serious time commitment.

BUT, you get done what you spend time doing! So, go for it. It can sound discouraging (and sometimes it is) but you just have to chip away at it. People get there eventually ... or so I am told!

Good luck!