Is there anyone attending santa monica college

caitlin0102 · Jan 20, 2010

I see...I think taking all the pre reqs is more stressful than actually starting the program! Will I need to take anything else besides: Chemistry 10, Anatomy 1, Physiology 3 and Microbiology 1 (and English) before I can apply to the program? I have not taken college level biology, but not sure if that is a requirement? Thank you!

Sandman2855 · Jan 20, 2010

Hey for those of you with Bachelors degrees, have you looked into accelerated BSN or direct-entry Masters nursing programs? I have a BA in psych, took my pre-reqs at SMC and am now applying to MSN programs in California. These programs are competitive but might be something to look into. Caitlin, Thats pretty much it except for speech. I dont know if its required for SMCs program but most programs require it. Most programs mercifully do not require O-Chem. I only took up to Chem 12 because I was originally going to apply to Physician Assistant schools. Hope that helps and good luck!

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Jan 20, 2010

The best thing to do is to research the schools you are interested in applying to, as each school as their own list of pre-reqs and it's better to know while you're still in school then wait until you are at the application stage. Nothing is worse then thinking you are done and then trying to apply somewhere and you don't have the pre-reqs done and then you need to scramble at the last minute to find one that will be done on time.

I agree that the application and pre-req stage in extremely stressful.

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · Jan 20, 2010

Hey for those of you with Bachelors degrees, have you looked into accelerated BSN or direct-entry Masters nursing programs? I have a BA in psych, took my pre-reqs at SMC and am now applying to MSN programs in California. These programs are competitive but might be something to look into.

I applied to many entry MSN and ABSN programs, however due to the competition, SMC may be my only way to get started. Sometimes bridge programs are easier to get into instead of with the tons of people applying for these accelerated programs. Though this will delay my process by one year not doing anything would be a worse option.

sup1 · May 5, 2010

I was put on SMC waiting list October 2009. Has anyone heard from them about taking the enterance exam? Has anyone taken this test? Is it true that it's harder than the TEAS?

rayele · May 5, 2010

I just took the NLN exam last week. Thank god I passed!. The one thing I can tell you is practice time management especially on the Math part. They are pretty much easy questions but you have to be able to know how to calculate them instantly. If you get stuck on one, move on to the next and then come back to it. The science was basic, but has more physics than Anatomy or Physiology, which I thought was odd. My suggestion is to get the NLN review guide and practice timing yourself. Also SMC has a thing called "Plato", I found that helpful for the physics part of the exam. My friend who just started the program in Spring took both the NLN and TEAS and said that the NLN was harder, but no that much more.

Good luck!!!

sup1 · May 6, 2010

Thanks for your response, Rayele. When were you put on your waiting list for SMC? Was the NLN study book helpful for you with SMC exam? How much time in advance for the notice of their entrance exam? What is "Plato'' program and how do I get involved in it?

I wish you the best in getting in.... :)

rayele · May 6, 2010

Hi

I applied in March last year. so one semester before you did. I did get in this Fall, so I waited the usual 3 semesters that I was told by the counselor when I put in my application. It worked out best for me since I wanted to finish as many G.E. classes before starting the program. You get about a month notice to take the NLN. They send you an e-mail and you register for the date you want to take the exam. So you can either take it right away or wait until the last date(usually 30 days) availbale if you want more time to study. I took mine second to last day. You take the test on the computer so you get your results right away, which is great. They will also e-mail you about Plato roughly 3-4 months before you register for the exam. The NLN book was very helpful for me, mainly to time myself. That's the only study guide that the testing company offers. You may want to talk to one of the Nursing Counselors (they are really nice and helpful) incase they have made any changes to their procedures.

Don't stress about the test, just start preparing in advance an you'll do fine.

sup1 · May 12, 2010

Rayele,

Thank you again for your time and giving me a great detail information.

Congratulations on your acceptance to SMC for this Fall. :yeah: I live so close to SMC Nursing School that I would have loved to go there too. I just got my acceptance to LACC and now I am waiting on LA County for Fall 2010. Have you heard anything about any of these schools and how their program compared to SMC?

Congrats again and wish you the very best at SMC and your future.:)

newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS · May 12, 2010

If anyone is looking for a place to live, I need a roommate for my 3 bdrm. I'm a few blocks away from downtown Culver City, north of National and west of Robertson.

rayele · May 13, 2010

I too applied to LA County for Fall but my first choice was SMC because it a lot closer to me. I heard that LA County was good, but since I am in at SMC for this Fall, I will decline County "IF" I even get accepted that is. I haven't heard anything bad or good about LACC. I only know of a girl that applied their but hasn't even taken the entrance exam yet, so she has no info. I am sure it is good too. I would call and talk to a counselor at SMC to see where you are on the waitlist. You should try to stay in contact with them every few months. Also, if you don't end up liking where you go this Fall, maybe you can switch to SMC in the Spring, so don't take your name of their waitlist.

Good luck!

sup1 · Jun 5, 2010

I too applied to LA County for Fall but my first choice was SMC because it a lot closer to me. I heard that LA County was good, but since I am in at SMC for this Fall, I will decline County "IF" I even get accepted that is. I haven't heard anything bad or good about LACC. I only know of a girl that applied their but hasn't even taken the entrance exam yet, so she has no info. I am sure it is good too. I would call and talk to a counselor at SMC to see where you are on the waitlist. You should try to stay in contact with them every few months. Also, if you don't end up liking where you go this Fall, maybe you can switch to SMC in the Spring, so don't take your name of their waitlist.
Good luck!

Hi, Rayele!

I hope that you are doing well.:)

I've been out of town visiting some relatives that I have'nt seen in 20 years. I figure this would be the last time I'll go anywhere until I get done with my nursing program. You mentioned that if I don't like where I go in Fall, I can switch. Can I actually switch to a different school? Would I have to start the program all over again at the new school? Would they accept anything from previous nursing school?

I heard of a guy who did'nt pass a class or two at SMC nursing and applied to LACC and they rejected him saying that his grades didn't qualify. I would assume that if I will have option to switch to SMC, I will be required to provide them with whatever grades that I will receive at the fall 2010 nursing school. If I needed to switch, it would only be SMC since I only live few blocks from it.

Do you know what reasons schools will accept if I decided to postpone going to a particular school to another semester?

Sorry for getting so longwinded.