Is there away around the nursing school waiting list?

lady_jezebel · Sep 10, 2005

Most universities don't have waiting lists, as opposed to community colleges. At universities, the pool of applicants is reconsidered each year -- it's a brand new competition. Most community colleges just stick anyone on the list who meets the pre-req requirements, and all the applicants have to wait their turn (sometimes for years).

floridanurse2b · Sep 10, 2005

Thanks for your quick reply! Would I most likely have to attend for four years at a university, or could I apply some classes from my previous bachelor's degree? I would actually rather get a bachelor's degree in nursing, I just can't afford not to work for four years, which is why the two year community college program sounded so appealing - until I found out I'd be lucky if I were to start in three years. And it's not getting any better, as far as I can tell.

The idea of getting an LPN degree and then going for an LPN to ADN program seems as if it had potential as well, but I don't know much about it. I'm just trying to avoid years of dead time waiting to start school.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 11, 2005

Unfortunately, most of your classes would no longer be accepted because of their age.

Take a look at some of the private schools around, if tuition would not be a problem................many do not have much of a waiting list.

lady_jezebel · Sep 11, 2005

You could also take just the pre-reqs & then apply to a 4-yr public college as a junior transfer, since you already have a degree. There are also accelerated programs for people with prior degrees, but you do need some recent coursework (the pre-reqs) for a new gpa calculation. Talk to the schools around you, explain your situation, and ask for a plan.

floridanurse2b · Sep 11, 2005

You know, the four year college idea is not a bad one if I could get in as a junior - that's definitely a good alternative and I had not thought of it. Thanks to both of you guys for your advice! I'm still open to any other suggestions as well.

But I will contact some local universities - I'm near University of South Florida - and see what they say. I would much rather pay community college tuition, but you can't have everything. College loans are always an option.

You could also take just the pre-reqs & then apply to a 4-yr public college as a junior transfer, since you already have a degree. There are also accelerated programs for people with prior degrees, but you do need some recent coursework (the pre-reqs) for a new gpa calculation. Talk to the schools around you, explain your situation, and ask for a plan.

utahliz · Sep 12, 2005

.....

SarasotaRN2b · Sep 12, 2005

You know, the four year college idea is not a bad one if I could get in as a junior - that's definitely a good alternative and I had not thought of it. Thanks to both of you guys for your advice! I'm still open to any other suggestions as well.
But I will contact some local universities - I'm near University of South Florida - and see what they say. I would much rather pay community college tuition, but you can't have everything. College loans are always an option.

Where are you in FLA? I'm in Bradenton and pretty much the same predicament. I've been accepted into USF's BSN program for the summer, but I'm looking into MCC which is much closer since I'm going to have to work as well.

Feel free to PM me!

Kris

sunnyjohn · Sep 12, 2005

USF, that is in Tampa. Have you considered Florida Hopsital College in Orlando? it is a good private nursing school. Expensive, but the scholarships and aid are decent.

Are you able to move to another state? In many parts of the country, there are no waiting lists.

Take for example the Dallas County Community College nursing programs. There are no wating list at EL Centro, Northlake or Brookhaven. If you have the prereq's, the right GPA (3.77-4.0), and get all the paperwork in on time, you stand a good chance of getting in. It is a competitive program because of the fact that the lowest GPA accepted is 3.77.

There are about 7 other nursing programs (BSN and ADN) in the DFW area.

I just used Dallas as in example becasue it is an area I am familiar with.

Of coures there are othe areas in the country like it.

If you can't move, the accelerated BSN options and the Private school option is a good idea.

floridanurse2b · Sep 12, 2005

Unfortunately I can't move out of Central Florida - I have two elementary-school aged children and we only moved here about a year and a half ago, I would rather wait longer to get into school then disrupt them again. Otherwise, I would have no problem moving. Fortunately, I really like the job I'm in - it's just that it pays peanuts. So it's not that I'm suffering horribly while I wait for school to start.

But the suggestions to look into four-year colleges are good ones, if I could transfer enough credits and/or test out of repeating a lot of classes and start as a junior. I will start investigating that. I'm still considering the LPN degree as an emergency backup, in case it turns out that there is no option of an RN or ADN program within an hour or so's driving distance that would start any time within the next few years.

sunnyjohn · Sep 12, 2005

I can certainly understand not being able to move.

Look into Florida Hospital College. Orlando is within driving distance. My brother does it three times a week since he lives in Tampa and works and goes to school in Orlando.

The school is a bit expensive, but they own a ton of WONDERFUL hospitals in that area that will pay your tuition for a work commitment. The school had a good reputation.

floridanurse2b · Sep 12, 2005

Will do! I live in Polk County, that isn't too bad a drive at all. Well, okay, I-4 is an evil evil commute, but for that nursing degree, I am willing to endure it. Tampa to Orlando, now THAT's a commute!

I can certainly understand not being able to move.
Look into Florida Hospital College. Orlando is within driving distance. My brother does it three times a week since he lives in Tampa and works and goes to school in Orlando.
The school is a bit expensive, but they own a ton of WONDERFUL hospitals in that area that will pay your tuition for a work commitment. The school had a good reputation.