Im a csulb student majoring in biochem. now want to get in school of nursing.

DarkBluePhoenix · Jan 29, 2012

Before you decided to do nursing, do you have any experience in the field. Before you fully commit to this major, I recommend to either volunteer at a hospital or shadow a nurse. There is already a lot of people going for this. So its really competive. As for CSULB, since you attend I recommend getting together with a consoler at the school of nursing or talking with the current pre nursing and nursing students. When I had the same idea myself, last spring. To apply as a chem major and then apply to the school of nursing being a CSULB student. For all the research I found, you just apply to the nursing program and upon acceptance, admissions automatically changes your major to nursing. As you know, the program is impacted and if you really want to be a nurse, like truly do, be prepared to apply to as many programs as possible. That's my best advice Good luck

hdcsulb · Jan 29, 2012

Hello DarkBluePhoenix, thanks for the reply. I will go meet a counselor this monday. So last spring you also applied to the school of nursing as a chem major? did you get accepted? I didnt worry about this until I figured if I need to be a pre-nursing major to apply to the school of nursing. And I decided to work in health care field so I think nursing is suitable for me. oh btw what do you mean by applying to as many programs as possible? you mean I should apply to other nursing programs at other schools right? I know it's impacted and very competitive, but I feel quite confident as well. My grades are very good uptil now and Im trying my best to get all A's for the rest of required courses.

DarkBluePhoenix · Jan 29, 2012

No I ended up withdrawing my application because CSULB change their rules on me.

My big worry is when people randomly decide they want to be a nurse and jump on the popular nursing wagon. I work as a CNA at a hospital right now and I see the stress nurses go through. Some of them are so burnt out that they hate the field. I wouldn't want some of the burnt out nurses I work with to be my nurse. Some new grads even, regret going into nursing. What does that say?

As I said, its very competitive and it really ticks me off when someone who doesn't have any experience, gets into nursing school, find out it isn't for them, because just months ago they decided they "want to be a nurse" and take a spot who should have went to someone who wanted to be a nurse for a long time. That is why, just because you have the grades to get in doesnt mean its for you, since you just happened to decided that NOW you want to do it. That is why, as I said, try volunteering or shadowing a nurse, see if it is what you want to do.

As for your confidence with your grades, you dont know that the BSN program is taking in not only undergrads but second bachelors people as well? That doubled the competition. But if you feel that you have the best grades to get in, by all means do, but if you get denied, then you will have to wait to apply again. IF they let you.

That is why, again, my suggestion is to apply to other programs. If you do not get into the coveted CSULB BSN program, their are plenty of up to par BSN programs all over the state as well as ADN programs. Or you can finish your biochem major, work in the field, see if you like it and if you don't then do your pre reqs and apply to EL-MSN programs

hdcsulb · Jan 29, 2012

well Im 22 so I dont have much time to decide my career now. My first goal is to go to pharm school, but it requires too much work and effort for me (and I dont have good grades in physics) so I dont follow that path any more. I cant finish my biochem major any soon (need at least 2 more years for a lot of chem courses, and at the moment Im taking pre reqs for nursing school. lucky that pharm school and nursing school have common pre regs). And I will apply to other schools' programs in or even outside CA. Need to do further research on this but can you recommend any good nursing school in /outside CA?

Columnist · Jan 29, 2012

Moved to CA Nursing Programs forum for more discussion.

DarkBluePhoenix · Jan 29, 2012

22 is young. Plus there isn't a lot of nursing jobs anyway. Don't pick nursing because pharmacy is too long and too hard to do. Pick nursing because that's what you truly want to do.

hdcsulb · Jan 29, 2012

hmm for what Ive researched, nursing is always in the list of top high-demand jobs in california. and it is growing. idk how it is when I graduate tho. But life is unpredictable right?

DarkBluePhoenix · Jan 30, 2012

Actually there is no jobs in CA, the central CA hot spot for jobs is now a dried up well. People advertise that nurses are still in demand. But since the economy tanked, those nurses whose spouses lost their jobs now have to go back to work. Nurses were at one time in demand but not now and it doesn't look like its getting any better. This website, for example, just search 'nursing jobs' you wont find any. You will see hundreds of thousands of new grads that can't find jobs. Employers do not want to pay extra $$ to hire on someone and train them. It sucks but that is the way it is now. You have much better job security with pharmacy or even medical school.

Please do not choose nursing as a 'fallback' which is what is sounds like you are doing. Do not jump on the nursing wagon like everyone else does when their major sucks or their major wont pay the bills. You will waste your time and be miserable. Nursing isn't like it was back then. They are stressed out constantly! If you think nursing pays good, it doesnt for the amount of blood, sweat and tears that go into it. I know, I see it every time I work. Again, get some experience in the field, see if ITS What YOU WANT TO DO before you make any decisions.

Good luck!

hdcsulb · Jan 30, 2012

thanks for your advices. But if that is what happens to nursing for now, then I guess other jobs are not any better. I havent searched for "real" nursing jobs because that is useless for now since I wont graduate as a nurse in 3 years. But again, nurse is always in the list ( if not the top) of in-demand healthcare jobs till 2018. I understand you advice, and I truly appreciate it. it can be called a "fallback" as you said. But doesnt everyone do this? life changes so we have to change, too. This is an "allnurses" forum and I actually expected some encouragement. I will talk to a counselor this week and think more about this (sorry for the rant).

DarkBluePhoenix · Jan 30, 2012

Thanks for the honesty. I don't have any tact, and its hard to show what you want to say w/o it coming out wrong. I just don't want to see someone go into nursing, because of a fallback and hate it like a lot of people do now. It's not good for them, their families, their co workers and especially the patients. About people who change their majors and succeed in nursing are people who have a passion for it and finally went for it. If you just want to do it because its on some list for most demanding jobs, then that's the wrong reason to go into the field. Talk to your consoler. They are the educated one, not me. Hopefully they tell you something you want to hear. Good luck

DarkBluePhoenix · Jan 30, 2012

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/if-i-hear-537733.htmlThis is one of many threads of people assuming you will have a good paying job in hand after you graduate. Hopefully there will be some jobs when I graduate! Lol