I'm from Arizona....and the community colleges (and universities) here all have long waiting lists for the nursing programs. I've been waiting two semesters already and they're telling me I might have to wait one more (I'd be getting in for the Spring 09 semester). And that sucks. Its a first come, first serve basis.
My dad is asking me to look into other options....in other locations....which means by him, and he lives in Frisco.
So, I'm wondering if there are waiting lists for the 2 year degree programs in the area. From what I've read from other posts, it sounds like Texas is more based on merit, and unfortunately that's probably not great for me because I got a little lazy with my school work during pre-reqs. Is it worth it for me to even consider? I don't even know if all my pre-reqs would transfer or if I'd need to take more.
At this point, I'm thinking it's not worth it. But I guess I need to tell my dad something and least show him that I've looked into my options.
I know I am getting hate mail from all the brainless patriots for this but here we are again, the US needs Nurses and is not capable of offering enough seats for students. I disagree with waiting lists. American colleges are just a joke. I have a BA Degree with a 3.9 GPA and an MA with a 3.7 GPA but I am listed as a freshman what an absolute insult because I dumbed down to a Community College where I am new and seeking a different degree. They accepted only classes towards the Nursing degree, makes me feel like I accomplished nothing living in this greatest Nation as the patriots always say where performance and accomplishments don't matter. Good luck to all of you.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
Community College = Dumbed down eh? Wow.
For the record there IS no nursing shortage. You ARE a freshman because apparently your previous degree doesn't offer anything toward your new degree. Not sure why this would insult you. At a two year college, you can be a freshman or a sophomore. That's all they have. You are starting a new degree. Freshman. Not personal. However, saying those of us who are in community college are getting a dumbed down education is pretty erroneous and far more insulting than being listed as a freshman. You are a freshman when it comes to nursing and as new as new can get.
What can I say? Attend a University get a BA Degree and then an MA Degree and you will know what I am talking about. First of all you receive a more thorough education when it comes to writing, you develop critical thinking skills and more weight is given to research skills. I just finished my prerequisites A&P I and II, Microbiology and Psychology. It was strongly recommended for students with no prior medical background to take some prep classes. Well, I finished all my classes on top with perfect scores whereas, REAL freshmen struggled with the courses. That is the difference, you develop better study skills in a more demanding and rigorous environment. Again, as far as I am concerned I am no freshman. I have 187 credit hours in higher education and was three years in a row in the top 10% of the Nation. Other countries accept your degree completely and treat you that way too. I understand that I have to take certain classes in order to get my Nursing degree but I am tired having to wait to sign up for classes because some students have 40 some credit hours at our community college and I have only 29 while my University hours don't count and I am the better student as well. Another difference is, we had for 150 students only one skeleton and one heart to study. So this is the difference I am trying to explain here. It is like going from 1st Division down to 2nd division if the economy was not that bad I would not even bother with that degree and go for my Ph.D. but it is rough to get jobs with a Ph.D. too. Thank you for your post and have a nice day.
RN2BDFW, do some research before you post and you will clearly, I repeat clearly come to the conclusion that there is a severe shortage of Nurses in the United States. Just the number of Nurses coming into the US from other countries speaks for itself. During this severe economic crisis a huge number of Visas are given to foreign Nurses this would not be the case if we had enough Nurses. Another clear indicator is the salary Nurses are earning and here comes Economics into place. Demand and supply. A shortage creates a higher salary, that is why Nurses are making more money than Electricians for example and it takes four years to become an Electrician. Now, you will have the opportunity to learn all about economics in your GenEd. courses and by the way I took some Paralegal courses at a Community College and they were quite tough to crack, no offense.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I already have a degree and don't feel the need to put my pedigree out there. I am a 39 year old second career student, so the Gen Ed classes are already taken care of. I have well over 150 credit hours.
Read the Graduate Nurse forum and you will see that the current economic climate has created a great deal of difficulty for nurses getting work. I realize this does not correspond with your plans and I am sure that is upsetting. Here's a few links to help you with your research:
You may also wish to look at the statistical data released this week that caused the stock market to decline more than 300 points. It showed that health care in total opened only 8000 new jobs across the U.S. Those do not even differentiate between nursing positions and other types of medical jobs. That is exceptionally poor growth for the industry as a whole.
There is no need to read your links since you admitted that 8000 jobs in the medical field have been created. This means there is demand. Not sure where you went to school but you certainly were not studying hard or not smart enough. I just have to look through job sites and I type in Nurses and there are endless job offers.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
The endless offers are for experienced nurses, not new grads. 8000 new jobs in a country this size and an industry the size of our medical system is absolutely minute. Given that they are new jobs TOTAL, not new nursing jobs, it is particularly destitute. I do wish you luck in your future endeavors. You have some ambitious dreams and tough times ahead.
LUFC
19 Posts
I know I am getting hate mail from all the brainless patriots for this but here we are again, the US needs Nurses and is not capable of offering enough seats for students. I disagree with waiting lists. American colleges are just a joke. I have a BA Degree with a 3.9 GPA and an MA with a 3.7 GPA but I am listed as a freshman what an absolute insult because I dumbed down to a Community College where I am new and seeking a different degree. They accepted only classes towards the Nursing degree, makes me feel like I accomplished nothing living in this greatest Nation as the patriots always say where performance and accomplishments don't matter. Good luck to all of you.