I think I've decided...

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After looking and thinking and trying to figure out what to do, I think I've made a decision on nursing school.

I'm currenlty going to the community college taking prereqs. Trouble is, seems that everyone and their brother in this county now has decided to be a nurse. So the community college is pretty much overloaded and very hard to get into. Not to mention when you try to talk to anyone there to find out whats going on, they're usually very quick, rude and you usually have to leave several voice mails and wait days before someone calls you back. Plus from other students I've talked to, they have a habit of waiting until two weeks before the semester starts before they tell you if you're even in the nursing program or not.

So, I looked at a local private college. They cost twice as much, but have a 2 yr. ADN program with no waiting list. Not only that, but everyone I have spoken to there has been polite and took the time to answer all of my questions and I haven't gotten a single voicemail. Not to mention, they're a very well respected and prestigious school in this area. With all the nursing shortages, I doubt thats such a big deal, but it can't hurt either. Anyway, I think thats the way I'm gonna go.

Tim

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My Daddy always taught me that, "Attitude is everything," and that certaintly implies when you're choosing a school as well. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

That is EXACTLY what I am doing now. I've been taking pre-req's for the past 2 years at a community college, and even applied to the nursing program last year, but with over 500 applicants and 50 spots, I didn't get in.

So this year I applied to every college I could find within an hour's drive, and low-and-behold, I got into two of them. A sister community college of the one I'm at now, and a private Catholic college. They are both good programs, but I've 95% decided on the private college. This college was founded 75 years ago by an order of nursing nuns, and they offer everything from an AD to BSN to MSN to ARNP programs. Plus with my high grades they gave me a very substantial scholarship, so that has pretty much sealed it for me. I just need to turn in my paperwork. It is a MUCH pricier program - it will be $20,000+ more a year, but after weighing it all out, I decided it's worth it.

Good luck to you. I know how difficult all of it is!

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That is EXACTLY what I am doing now. I've been taking pre-req's for the past 2 years at a community college, and even applied to the nursing program last year, but with over 500 applicants and 50 spots, I didn't get in.

So this year I applied to every college I could find within an hour's drive, and low-and-behold, I got into two of them. A sister community college of the one I'm at now, and a private Catholic college. They are both good programs, but I've 95% decided on the private college. This college was founded 75 years ago by an order of nursing nuns, and they offer everything from an AD to BSN to MSN to ARNP programs. Plus with my high grades they gave me a very substantial scholarship, so that has pretty much sealed it for me. I just need to turn in my paperwork. It is a MUCH pricier program - it will be $20,000+ more a year, but after weighing it all out, I decided it's worth it.

Good luck to you. I know how difficult all of it is!

Wow! That sounds great! This school I'm looking at is actually a Christian college, and i'm not exactly a church-going person, but its not a strict fundementalist college. You just have to take one bible course in the 2 year ADN program, no big deal there. They require at least a 2.5 GPA for this school, and I'm very close to that if not just under it. The lady in admissions said that shouldn't be a problem. SHe said they put a lot of weight on the placement test and personal interview. I haven't done either of those yet, but the lady didnt' make it sound like it was too hard to get in. They jsut make it hard enough so only serious students get in and not people playing around. I've actually seen plenty of that in the community college, but I have no idea why.

This school is pricey too. I think it costs around $14,000 a year, plus I'm going to have to borrow enough to pay for bills and living expenses, but to me, having a larger student loan will pay for itself when I'm making RN pay instead of CNA pay.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

Good luck!! There are lots of great tips for interviews and the like over on the Student Nursing board. Everyone here was such a help to me when I went on my interviews, and took the NLN exam.

When are you taking the placement test?

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Good luck!! There are lots of great tips for interviews and the like over on the Student Nursing board. Everyone here was such a help to me when I went on my interviews, and took the NLN exam.

When are you taking the placement test?

I take it next wednesday morning. I've already had both anatomy classes and intermediate algebra. I just hope all my credits transer.

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