nursing in california/ advice

Nurses General Nursing

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When I decided to become a nurse I didn't know anything about nursing!! I was completely naive, didn't even know what a CNA or an LVN was. Not only that, I had no idea there were waiting lists for people who wanted to become nurses. Honestly I didn't make the decision just for $, or just because "I wanted to help people". It was a combination of different things. Now two years later, I'm still trying to get into the same classes. The schools keep raising their standards and their prerequisites. I feel like I'm being punished for not doing well in my classes before I decided to go into nursing. I'm looking to go into a private school, but I'm really scared about finding a job after I graduate. I live in Southern California, and I heard Northern California is even worse. Do you guys think things will be better in 3 or 4 years?

Missed your previous message. Use this link to find on line classes you need w/in the state-theres a few science/bio ones but make sure they transfer.

California Virtual Campus CVC Course Catalog

This link has a listing of all schools in the state and you can register for classes here too.

CCCApply - Colleges

You can do this w/ a little persistence. I had to repeat all my preq's because they were over 15 yrs. old. I was very upset about it esp. b/c my science classes were originally at UCLA and CSULA. But I got over it, went JC and then took them over at 2 schools concurrently- one in the am and the other at nite. I also ended up having to take an extra english and anthropology and 3 intro Rn classes to meet the requirements of all the NS I applied to. I had to drive almost 3 hours daily to make this happen as well. But I finished right under a year.

Be sure to apply to all nursing schools w/in a 1 hour radius and apply before youre done w/ preque's. Good luck and really, consider going direct entry np if you qualify.

Jen

are you in NS now?

I am applying to ALL NS in a 60 mile radius cuz i rather drive 60 miles everyday then get into NS a year or two late!

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I'm a little confused on this message. Is she saying that a Phd will be required to be a nurse in 2015? If so, I really don't think that is true. That would only add to our nursing shortage. A PhD is incredibly expensive. Perhaps she is saying that a PhD will be required for an MSN program by 2015? If so, that does not make sense either. Hmmmmmm :nuke:

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idk. lol. something like that.

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There are people in our program that live both 1 and 2 hours away. They each carpool and make it work. It's tough, but can be done. They always schedule classes together and the other students switch clinical days with them if needed so that they can carpool. Instructors and other students are pretty flexible to accomadate those that commute from other counties. Try and find people who live near you to work something out. You might have to stay in a hotel or with another student once in awhile, especially during 3rd and 4th semester when things get really tough. Sometimes you have to study for a major exam and have a 10 page clinical paper due the same week. Those are the times you want to just stay near school because your commute time will eat up your entire evenings. There is always a solution if you really want to make something work... Just keep your eye on the prize =)

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There are people in our program that live both 1 and 2 hours away. They each carpool and make it work. It's tough, but can be done. They always schedule classes together and the other students switch clinical days with them if needed so that they can carpool. Instructors and other students are pretty flexible to accomadate those that commute from other counties. Try and find people who live near you to work something out. You might have to stay in a hotel or with another student once in awhile, especially during 3rd and 4th semester when things get really tough. Sometimes you have to study for a major exam and have a 10 page clinical paper due the same week. Those are the times you want to just stay near school because your commute time will eat up your entire evenings. There is always a solution if you really want to make something work... Just keep your eye on the prize =)

oh totally will!:up:

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Specializes in home health & nonprofit management.

Hi Alyssa

i was replying to Anafs question about getting preq's for NS done, see my post #9. i am suggesting that she concentrate on getting into a master program that doesn't require a one to be a nurse first. Thats what direct entry means. These programs are tough to get into but fewer folks seem to be applying compared to adn programs. So it might be an option for her....and if so, she could concentrate her efforts on mtg their preq's.

To BlueH2O- same applies: see post #9...yes, I am referring to the Nurse Practitioner program becoming PhD level in 2015. This is not the generic RN degree but rather the advanced practice Rn program. Nurse Practitioners are ofter called Np's, not Rn's

Glad to hear about the carpooling, thats terrific! Wish my classmates had been that kind of supportive when I was in school!. And for who ever asked, I'm not in NS anymore- graduated in 08, looking forward to NP school in '11.

And yes, 60 miles vs a 2 year wait is nothing. You're not in class everyday anyway. Just be careful as far as clinic days- they start early am usually. Some of mine were 0600, expected to be onsite at 0530. The hotel suggestion is right on- I know one lady who'd get a hotel room for clinic days since she was driving an hour in.

Jen

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It's not a PhD it is a DNP....two different degrees and this is for advanced practice not RN.

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