Maybe going back, some questions please.

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello all! I have been doing a lot of reading here lately and learned a lot from all the posts.

My situation is this, I have a BA in English and don't love what I do. I have worked in nonprofit admn., government, but mainly in hotel sales. I don't hate my job, I just don't feel like I am "doing" anything.

I have 3 appointments next week with the local schools to ask questions and see if I should pursue a career in nursing. I have an appointment with one person to discuss BSN second degree accelerated program and 2 appointments to discuss local ADN programs. I am leaning toward an ADN program because I can't afford to immediately stop working and go to school full time. Also, I only graduated with a 2.5 gpa with my BA degree, I know, not stellar - it just seems like a lifetime ago, I was such a different person and I know it would be completely different this time. Hopefully with the ADN program, I could go a little at a time for a while and plan ahead to go full time later.

My main question for you all is what kind of questions should I ask these schools besides the obvious about class requirements. Are there any things you wish you had asked before starting your pre-req. classes? Most of my questions I have thought of are about starting part time and then going full time. Also, how much will my low gpa for my BA affect my getting in for an ADN program.

Any help or ideas you may have are very much appreciated. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge on this site, I have really gained a lot of great information.

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Hi Mondavi!

How funny, I graduated from a 4 year college with my BA in English also! I am now going back to school for Nursing. You made a good choice! Good Luck!

I am in an ADN program for the same reason that you stated..I can't quick work and do an accelerated course (although I would have loved to), but atlas I have a mortgage to worry about.

The one thing that I will tell you is make sure you have your transcripts sent to whatever school you decide to go to. Many of the classes that you took for your BA will transfer and fill many of your pre-reqs for the Nurisng Program. You will probably have to just take your scieneces like I am doing now. Try your best to get your GPA as best as you can because getting into the actual Nursing Program is so very competitive!

In any case, best of luck to you! Let us know what you decide.:)

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Thanks so much for the advice. It is good to know I am not the only one who can't afford to go back full time, at least right now anyway. I am hoping to do really well in my pre-req's so my low undergrad GPA won't be as much of a hinderance. Thanks again!

Anyone else have any advice??

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

Yes, I have a few...

Find out if you have to take the NET (Nursing Entrance Exam)~ it is a high school level math & english exam to test basic knowlege

Also, check into the school's accreditation, drop out rate, and NCLEX pass rate!!! This could be a tie-breaker for schools that are equally intriguing.

Diversity may be an issue depending on where you located...luckily, at my college we are a very diverse group, some right out of high school, others with 4yr degrees, parents, singles, men, women, old, and young...its always nice to have a group of peers that you can identify with

Find out where clinicals are done and how many clinical hours are required.

Check into transferrability of your new school into other nursing programs in case you want to go on to BSN or MSN.

Ask grading/attendance policy of the program as it will probably differ from the college's standards.

And finally, find out what else will be required of you besides just theory and clinical...I spent many sleepless nights my first semester doing careplans and other assignments that I did not account for when I pre-registered. I was smarter my second semester, and cut back on hours. You spend many many hours studying so I would suggest not overloading yourself.

Just my silly old advice but hope it helps.

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Thanks for the advice about not overloading. I was thinking I would start out slow. For one, just to make sure I can handle studying, a full time job and a wonderful 2 1/2 year old son and supportive husband. And two, to make sure I want to move forward. Just my initial thoughts were to take A&P in the spring as a "first test." I definately need to check into the grading/attendance policies, while I don't have intentions of missing class, I do have a little boy that gets sick etc.

Those are some great questions, I am adding them now to my list. Thanks so much!

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