Need advice: Get into clinicals early, or wait?

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 11, 2007

That is such a hard choice. It seems like taking your time to help aleviate some stress is a good idea, but don't you have to take (and pay) for the pre-req's at some point anyway? Also, if you apply and for some reason or another don't get in right away you will have time to look into other options. If you wait to apply for fall '08 and don't get in you will have to wait even longer. I think most of us on here are dying to start yesterday so this is a tough crowd to ask!! You are young and have time on your side so maybe taking your time and going for the best grades possible isn't a bad idea either.

Krither · Apr 11, 2007

Yes, I am concerned about the waitlisting thing a lot.

And yeah I would pay for the courses either way but it's a difference between summer school (at community) college or regular semester univerity. I would prefer the cheaper one.

I guess what would help is knowing whether one needs to go into clinicals "rested" or what?

deliverator, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 11, 2007

Yes, I am concerned about the waitlisting thing a lot.
And yeah I would pay for the courses either way but it's a difference between summer school (at community) college or regular semester univerity. I would prefer the cheaper one.
I guess what would help is knowing whether one needs to go into clinicals "rested" or what?

i don't know the original context of your message. As far clinicals go, they're part of your education in a nursing program. I don't think you can get clinical experience outside a nursing program for credit in a future nursing program. Unless you're planning on working as a CNA or LPN/LVN.

if you're currently on a waitlist, I suggest taking all required courses that are part of your degree program as soon as possible so that you can just focus on nursing when you get into a program. Pick up some nursing process, nursing care plan, and nursing diagnosis books to get a head start.

edit: if you don't get into a program on your first app, have a backup plan as well. Getting your CNA cert would be a good idea. 2nd app, go for your LPN/LVN, and when you do finally get in, you'll go into your 3rd semester as an LPN/LVN.

MIKelly · Apr 11, 2007

I've never heard of a program where you could do any clinicals before actually starting nursing skills/fundamentals of nursing classes. How would you know what to do? What college are you going to?

Krither · Apr 12, 2007

i don't know the original context of your message.

Sorry, I here's the original story!

Is it better to start applying to clincals as soon as possible, even if it means rushing a bit or should one take their time?

I am in a BSN program and I started college right out of high school by giving my entire summer to summer school. I've been in school since then with the only breaks being Winter break and Spring Break. I do feel a little tired as I am not used to gong to school year round so I'm worried that I'll be tiredish when I enter nursing school if I go early; as opposed to being rested and ready.

Okay, so I went to summer school in '06 right after I graduated high school and earned enough hours (a semester's worth) to where I could go to clinicals a semester earlier than if I had just started college in the fall of '06.

I could apply for nursing school early in spring '08 if I go to summer school again this summer. It would sort of be a little rushed I think.

Or I could focus the summer on voluteering and perhaps medical terminilogy self study or something of that nature. I would just simply come back for another fall and spring semester and apply for nursing school the fall of '08.

I'm worried that if I tryto go early I will be rushed and feel tired when I enter clincals. I'd rather be more than ready (whatever that means).

My main decision/concern is, since I have the opportunity to "apply earlier", would it be to my advantage to do so?

MB37 · Apr 12, 2007

I would take a little time if you can afford it. Go to some parties, meet some people, etc. Does your school do a waiting list? Many BSN programs don't. As long as they don't, I'd try to have a little fun while you can - once NS starts, your free time will be pretty limited. Also, make sure every non-nursing class is out of the way - foreign language, non-Western civ, whatever your school requires.