New about to be Student with Questions

myonlyboyluke · May 30, 2006

Good afternoon everyone!!

Just wanted to let you all know what's going on for me here.

I just made the appointment for my placement test. I'm going on June 12. I spoke to a woman there and she said that the test was comprised of only Alegbra and English. The English should be no problem for me. She said it just grammar, reading and answering questions and then writing an essay. The Alegbra however will be rough. She said it was only 12 questions and that a lot of people end up having to take a remedial course first. I wanted to know how long the remedial course was and she said it was a "semester". Now...having been out for a long time and having never gone to college...is a semester three months or longer? What actually IS a semester?

I'm trying to figure out how long it will actually be before I can begin my actual nursing schooling. Know what I mean?

Sometimes I just get myself so nervous that I ask really silly questions.

Thanks again so much everyone,

Lee Ann

1pinkrose · May 30, 2006

I just completed my 1st semester of the ADN program and as Tweety previously stated so very well "ITS INTENSE, IT TAKES ALL YOU'VE GOT!"

Thanks Tweety for hitting the nail right on the head! There will be so many times when you feel totally overwhelmed.

It is definately a struggle to try to keep your head above water while juggling school and managing life at home with husbands & children.

Even if you have a strong supportive family, it is still a demanding struggle.

I have done more reading in the last 3 months than I think I ever have, and I've done more papers than I ever imagined possible! It was a lot of hard work. Determination and positive self-talk saw me through these past few months. Once you get into your program you will learn how to breathe deeply and tread water. Relax while you can, enjoy your children / husbands. Soon you will be off on an adventure that will teach you massive amounts of information in such a short amount of time. Although it was tough, it was a rewarding journey. I am looking forward to next semester!! Good Luck to all new nursing students.

1pinkrose · May 30, 2006

Semesters are normally 3 months. Have you been accepted into a nursing program, or are you planning on starting your prerequisite courses?

myonlyboyluke · May 30, 2006

I'm just beginning my prerequisite courses. I have to take a placement test to see where I fall and then take those courses or course and then off to the nursing program. I believe that is how it is going to go.

Tami707 · Jun 1, 2006

My college has a turtorial center where we could go and get individual help with math, english, writing, foreign language, etc. THe math dept had three such centers!! One for basic skills (fractions, division, multiplication, etc), one for algebra and higher, and then one for computerized math (statistics online, etc) WHen I placed, I actually placed into algebra, then went all the way through and completed statistics, but during my waiting time, I took math for medication administration which was taught through the basic skills department, I probably learned more in that class than I did in algebra, although the algebra did come in handy. Bottom line, don't underestimate the basic skills, conversions oftentimes do not need algebra, but multiplication and division. If you can estimate the answer in your head before using the calculator, you will at least know if you are in the ballpark, most people rely too much on the calculator without knowing how to properly put things into it, switching whats to be divided by what and so on...

Even though, its hard to spend the time going through all your pre-reqs (I've spent three years on mine) try to resist the temptation to learn algebra now so that you will test higher, you will only be doing a diservice to yourself. Give yourself a hug,:icon_hug: drink some tea, and remember to tell yourself everyday that you are on the path you need to be on. Keep your eye in the prize! :nurse: You will do great!

myonlyboyluke · Jun 1, 2006

Does everyone spend that much time on prereqs? I didn't think it would be that much.

I really would love to be a labor and delivery nurse or a neonatal care nurse.

The math/alegbra is a really big part of it all, huh?

Lee Ann

Tami707 · Jun 2, 2006

I don't know about everyone else, but my prereq's have taken straight three years. If the college courses I had taken earlier in life had transfered it wouldn't have taken so long, but alas, they didn't and I had to start fresh. I also needed to have everything done that was required for an AS before entering the program, because there is no time afterwards to take additional classes, and I didn't want to take any more classes before I could sit for the NClex. I had to take Biology before I could take anatomy, and chemistry before taking physio, and had to have a higher algebra before I took chem, so it took some time. But, I am entering the program in August, and I don't have any other classes to take, so I am relaxing this summer, and organizing my life before then.

Set up an appointment with a counselor after you take your placement exam, and go through everything that needs to be done - if you plan now, there will be only MINOR surprises later.

Good Luck!

LadyStar42, LPN · Jun 2, 2006

math is a big part of it, but medical math is not hard. I hate math and it hates me...lol

I made it into nursing by 2 points on the math part of the test. I was real worried about it. My instuctor said that so long as I could pass the entry exam, I could pass medical math. You know what???? I DID!

Good luck and try not to worry so much

atrice, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2006

If you do not have any previous college credits it could take a little longer than most students. That was me....i had not taken any college classes so i was starting from scratch. At my college you have to complete ALL the pre-nursing classes in order to even be considered for a spot in the nursing program. It took me 2 years to complete the following:

English, 3 math classes, gen. psych, life span, sociology, A&P I, A&P II, Micro., Art class, kinesology, and speech.

I didn't take any summer classes. Although it took me 2 yrs. to finish all my pre-nursing classes i have been going to college for 3 yrs. because once i finished my pre-nursing classes i had to sit around and wait a whole year b/c acceptance into the nursing program here is only once a year in the fall. Good luck to you. Anything that is worth having....is worth waiting for!!!!!!

SchoolRN,BSN · Jun 2, 2006

Lee Ann,

Each college you look at will vary slightly in their requirements. I would suggest you take a survey of all those that would be feasible for you to attend. Cost may make a difference unless you have a lot of financial aid to use. Amount of pre-reqs may differ as well. Some may offer full-time programs and others part time. Do you want an LPN, ASN or BSN program? The programs for each will vary greatly.

You are doing the right thing by checking into your options & talking to counselors at the schools. They are there to help guide you & are usually very willing to spend time helping you make good decisions.

I am returning to school as a 39 y.o. stay at home mom with four kids. My first degree was so old that many of the pre-reqs had to be repeated. It has taken me two years to complete the pre-reqs & I will start an ASN program this fall. I have thoroughly enjoyed the anatomy, physio, micro, etc...Even the math class (and I seriously do not like math) was fine. I been on the deans list for every semester I have attended and am hoping I can continue doing well in the actual nursing classes. As someone else mentioned, be willing to use all your resources. Tutoring, internet, study groups, etc... You'd be surprised how many students just expect to absorb the material without cracking the books.

You sound like you are ready & motivated with a great support system. Just take one semester at at time & before you know it, you will be completing your degree. I know it is hard to wait, but take time to enjoy the process, not just the end result.

Best Wishes,

Heather

*CJA* · Jun 2, 2006

Lee Ann,

Before I took my math placement test, I used my daughter's math book to prepare. She was in 8th grade at the time. I just walked through pretty much the whole thing, looking up any concepts I didn't understand on the internet. It really helped alot - I think it allowed me to skip at least one level. I still had to take pre-algebra before college algebra, though.

Are you going for a BSN program? Generally these require 60 undergraduate credits (classes like pre-algebra don't count) before you start the actual BSN program, which then generally takes 2 years full time. Community college programs require less before you can apply, but then you may be looking at a waiting list. So before you actually start anything, look at all the options.

Good luck!

myonlyboyluke · Jun 12, 2006

Hi, everyone!! I'm so excited!! I'm so excited!! I'm so excited!!

I took my placement test today and it went GREAT!! I was a wreck about the algebra portion of the test. I have been since I found out algebra was a part of it. I knew I would do great on the English as that has always been my best subject and math has ALWAYS been my worse.

Well......I aced the math and have to take on remedial course in English!! Can you believe that???? I really do not even have to take a that remedial English because the passing score is 79 and I got a 77 so they told me to just take that part of the test again. So, I've called to make that appointment. I used some sort of logic for the algebra equations and I guessed the rest but you needed a 63+ to not have to take any remedial math and I got a 76 in that!!!! I could not believe it at all!! The English that I missed one question on was reading comprehension. That was it!! My essay was given an 8 (whatever that means) and my sentence skills was a 98 so all in all I would say I did GREAT!! (I think anyway)

Now...I don't know what that means from here. Do I just start the nursing program now or are there other classes I have to take still before I can begin the actual nursing program? I am lost there?????? Totally!!

I have freshman orientation on June 27 so I guess I'll find out more info then? I think my one paper says the next class is in the spring of 2007. What would I do until then???

Anyway......any help on still clearing me up is ALWAYS welcome!! Thanks all!!

Take care,

Lee Ann