In major need of help for applyingg!!!

slaneme1 · Dec 5, 2010

I don't believe there is a middle man, you need to send to each school. You best bet would be to call each school and ask about thier policy, seems like a lot of work but each every school has different policies and proceedures.

shaas, ASN, RN · Dec 5, 2010

I think what South Bay CNA is referring to is services like AMCAS (med schools), PharmCAS (pharmD schools), NursingCAS (CAS stands for Centralized Application Service).

There are two ways to go about applying to nursing programs:

1. Contact the programs that you want to apply to. Go to their website and seek information. Contact their nursing admin.

2. Fill out NursingCAS - they provide you the list of programs which utilize this service. Keep in mind that you can apply as many or as few programs as you desire. The list of programs include all programs in all states that utilize this application service. I believe that the programs listed are BSNs but you may want to verify that yourself.

The easiest, and the least hassel-inducing program, in my own experience, was a local community college. I applied to one program this fall and got in for their spring session. It is an ADN program that has 92% NCLEX pass rate.

If you're from CA (gathering from your South Bay CNA name), here is the list of accredited programs:

http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml

Here is NCLEX Pass Rate (5-year trend):

http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.shtml

Weigh every factor and do your research to arrive at the most favorable decision.

Good luck.

South Bay CNA! · Dec 5, 2010

Thank you both for your help!! Thank you for your help you hit the nail on the head thats exactly what i was asking since my brother just applied to med school he sent it to a middle man and i didnt know if it was the same for sursing school! thanks for clearing it up and good luck with that program! is it by any chance in CA?

shaas, ASN, RN · Dec 6, 2010

Glad to be of help. I knew NursingCAS was what you were looking for. :)

I also reside in the South Bay area, and the ADN program is at El Camino College. Tuition is very affordable and it has maintained a good NCLEX pass rates. There is no need for a long commute for me, and all of the clinical sites are within 10 min of driving distance.

I am very satisfied with my decision.

South Bay CNA! · Dec 6, 2010

Hahaha what a small world! i am finishing my pre reqs at el co right now its my last semester! and i work at Little company or mary torrance where you guys do your clinicals! i always run into people that are doing el caminos program!

shaas, ASN, RN · Dec 6, 2010

lol...indeed, a small world.

I should work as a CNA during my nursing program, but I have to see if that is beneficial. Some strongly recommed it, some say the scopes differ and that it just aids in making you more comfortable in clinical settings.

I got into the program without any previous medical field experience as a career-changer. So, CNA is something that I have to give more consideration to.

How are you liking the CNA work?

South Bay CNA! · Dec 6, 2010

Yea im only doing it for the experience so that nursing school wont be as hard. i have only been at the hospital for a month now and soo far i love it the nurses teach me all this cool stuffso i enjoy it...i would never choose it as a full on career tho! just a short term thing til im in nursing school then go in as a SNW. If i were you i would just take the class at el co to see if you like it and to just get a brief background.

shaas, ASN, RN · Dec 6, 2010

Thank you for your input. To work as a SNW, do I need CNA certification? If SNW requires the CNA certification, that's one more thing to do on top of the nursing program. Yowza...lol

Good luck on your process!

South Bay CNA! · Dec 6, 2010

Thats a goood question! but i dont think you need the cna certification u just need to be in a program!