Nursing Advice ?

Save your money and your time and get your Associate's of Applied Science in Nursing (also known as ADN, or Associate Degree Nurse).

If you want to go for your Master's later anyway, you can do an RN to MSN bridge and skip your BSN altogether (or rather, pick it up in a couple of semesters along the way to your Master's).

If you are willing to go out of state for your degree, the competition to get into nursing school is a lot less. I have a friend from California who is in my nursing class. We attend a private school in Arkansas with pretty much no waiting list. (this year they have a waiting list, but it's the first time in a long time, and they aren't anticipating that to become the norm). Despite the fact that it's a private school, it is still cheaper than attending California State. I know looking out of state isn't really anybody's first choice, but as long as you had the prerequisites done, you would only be gone 2 years or less depending on your school. Just thought I would put that out there. Hang in there! You can do it!

... yup... no wait list at austin community college either. 2 year program.

I'd apply to the Cal State programs that you're interested in. When compared to a $100,000 tuition, the applications to the State colleges are not that expensive. Your gpa looks fine. The programs are impacted, but they are not impossible to get into. I was admitted to my program in my first application cycle, and at the time I was admitted I had a really low gpa, something like a 3.2. Maybe. And while grades make up most of it, they also look at your experience and other things. I picked up extra points for being a local applicant and having taken three years of highschool spanish. I had also worked as a home health aide for the local hospital's home health agency and my boss wrote me a great letter of recommedation. I only applied to one, most of the other students in my class applied to four or five. There's one girl in our class who says she applied to every single cal state program. Also, there are a couple of girls in my class who intended to go to the local community college's program and just applied to the BSN program, and got in without expecting to.

Also, I wouldn't go to a school that isn't accredited.

It's doable. You can do it. Good luck.

I am so thankful for all the feedback that everyone has given me and I really do appreciate it and will take it all into consideration. Missbutton I am really thankful for your advice and encouragement. I just hope that my grades are good enough. If you don't mind me asking which CSU did you apply for and do you like it? Anymore feedback would be great. Once again thanks so much!