I'm a pre-nursing student, and I've got about half of my pre reqs done already.
With me being eligible to transfer after this spring semester.
I'm debating whether to stay at my community college or transfer to a state university (Cal state for me) to get into the nursing program there.
Considering the influx of people going into nursing now at the community college level, and how the circumstances have changed.
My question is:
What would my chances be of getting into the nursing program at a community college vs a university.
Which one would I have a better chance of getting into?
I hear all these stories about community colleges with 2 year waiting lists, schools having raffles every semester for their program.
Schools that mainly go by gpa (4.0) and all these other rumors about 400 applying and only 35-45 getting in.
Cause I really don't wanna wait two years, and I'm a 3.5 gpa, and hearing all these stories is kinda discouraging me about staying at my community college, and feeling like I won't be able to measure up. So I feel if i were to transfer, it wouldn't be necessarily easier, but i'd have a good advantage seeing that so many people are trying to get into nursing at the cc level.
But IDK! Speak to me let me know what would be the best decision.
Yep, Im an undergrad - I'll be transferring with 70 units. I got in to CSU Stanislaus :) I think that Chico state would have been another option for me, but i didnt apply this semester (bc my waiver ran out) - they take your 2 highest science grades and 2 highest English grades, so if you at least have an A in those, you have a shot. However, they are switching their program to a 5 semester and won't be taking applicants for spring '10, only Fall '10. I know, i really had it in my head that the only way to get into a program is with a 4.0. Yes, i did have to take the TEAS exam. Twice actually. The first time I didnt study and got a 79%, and the 2nd time i purchased the study manual from ATI and got an 89.5%. From what i understand, if you have a higher TEAS score it helps balance out a lower GPA. I also had a little bit of health care experience at an assisted living facility - but i noticed some schools dont count it. If you dont have any experience, Id look into volunteering at a local hospital - every little bit helps. I now truly believe that if you want this bad enough, you WILL get it! Yes, there are tons of prenursing students out there, but a lot of them arent serious, so just tell yourself you want this more!
Awesoome! Sweet, yeah well i'm gonna try applying at csulb, csun, or csuf and other csu's as well but those are my top three hopefully. How do you know which exam to take? Will the school you choose let you know?
Yeah I already do volunteer work at a hospital, and I'm gonna start doing abroad volunteering in other countries.
Specializes in anesthesia, nursing labor research, philosophy.
My understanding is that some of the CSU schools are much more impacted than the others. I think that here in Southern CA, where I am, they are all quite difficult to get into. Apply to as many places as you can, and, my advice, apply to a LPN program too. Many LPN programs allow you to move into their RN program after people drop out (and they always do, I've heard). If you don't mind relocating, look at schools in other parts of the state (less populated areas). Also, if you're serious (and you sound serious) you should visit the departments and talk to the directors of the programs. They usually have info sessions as well, and you can get a feel for the different programs and what goes along with them.
I am a professor at a university. We had 400+ qualified applicants this semester and accepted 130. We would love to accept more but can't because there is a shortage of nursing faculty. I would say to decide what your long term goals are. If you want to continue your education to the MSN or doctoral level, go to the university. If you want to stay a staff nurse, a community college would be fine. Most of the students who got in to our school had a GPA of 3.5 or more. We look at other factors as well such as interview, entrance exam scores, etc.Good luck whichever route you take. Nursing is a wonderful profession.
JMMagana18
33 Posts
Awesoome! Sweet, yeah well i'm gonna try applying at csulb, csun, or csuf and other csu's as well but those are my top three hopefully. How do you know which exam to take? Will the school you choose let you know?
Yeah I already do volunteer work at a hospital, and I'm gonna start doing abroad volunteering in other countries.
Hahah thank you though, this helped a lot.