Nursing School Explanation

[rduterte]

I'm not sure if this is the correct section for this - apologies in advance.

I'm having trouble understanding what I'm supposed to do as far as my nursing track is concerned. I've enrolled in a community college (Middlesex County College in Edison, NJ) as a Biology Pre-Professional major. From what I understand, when I register for classes, I'm supposed to look at the nursing school requirements and take the courses that overlap.

I have a BA in English from Rutgers University. I think this is supposed to help with placements test exemption, but I'm not sure (supposedly this helps my application, too).

My questions are:

1) It says to apply to the nursing program, I have to apply between August 1 of this year and December 1 of this year for Fall 2009. I can't understand if I'm supposed apply now or if I'm supposed to do all my prereqs first. If I apply now and don't have my prereqs done, doesn't that hurt my chances of getting in? I keep hearing, "Oh, she's complaining about being waitlisted but she doesn't even have her prereqs done." Won't I be this person?

2) If I get waitlisted, work on prereqs and get other stuff done, can I reapply and hopefully not get waitlisted again?

3) Is acceptance "meet the requirements, first come first served" or is it "based on your application"? In other words, do I have a better chance of getting in if I do really well this fall?

My school has not been very helpful over the phone, and I have problems getting over to the school because it's open only during business hours, and I work 9-5. Time off is tricky because I get four sick days a year (that includes personal days). So for me to take a day off of work to have someone answer questions is really risky. I'm working part-time during school, so I'll have flexible hours in the fall, but if I'm supposed to apply to nursing school now I'm worried about submitting too late and getting waitlisted. Catch 22 being I don't want to apply if it'll hurt me long term but don't know for certain if it will because at this rate I can't get answers until my hours are flexible enough to attend a nursing information session during business hours.

Something I'm not getting a straight answer on is what the timeline is supposed to be. As far as I can tell:

1) I apply to community college (done)

2) Take prereqs (will start this fall)

3) Possibly Apply to Nursing Program

- or -

Finish prereqs, then apply to Nursing Program

4) Possibly get waitlisted, in which case, if I've finished all my prereqs, do I just wait for three years for them to call me?

5) If I do get called, do I still have two years to finish Nursing?

Sorry, I'm really confused and worried and all my net searching finds me ads for other nursing programs and more questions. My biggest question is, "If I take lots of credits every semester and don't get waitlisted, can I finish nursing in two years? If I do get waitlisted, is this going to take me like, 5 years?"

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Freaking out a little bit,

Ramon

PS - Some info here: http://www.middlesexcc.edu/admit/control.cfm/ID/2524/

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I would say that you need to go down to the school and talk to someone in the nursing department who can answer your questions. The advice office may not know all the answer to your questions/

That said every schools nursing program is different, however once you finish your pre-reqs is generally when you start applying to nursing schools. To apply before your pre-reqs are done will hurt your chances of getting into a program and will cost more in application fees.

I didn't go to your schools website, so I don't know how waitlisting would work for that school, the experience that I have is people apply to the school, and you are given points based on your GPA, those with the highest points generally are invited to attend the program, other are waitlisted and then must reapply the next year.

To increase your chances of getting into a nursing program don't just apply to one school, apply to as many schools as you can, You also should try for A's in your A&P classes because it has been my experience that those grades are what most colleges look at.

Good Luck

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Questions? Come to one of our Health Technology information sessions and find out all you need to know. Sessions are held on Wednesdays at 3:00pm in the Admissions Office in Chambers Hall. Reservations are necessary. To make your reservation, call [phone].

I would really recomend that you try to go to one of those, the application says you have until December 1, so if you work part time come fall then I would go sometime before October.

[Cherry2000]

I glanced at the website really quickly and from what I saw there are only 2 classes you have to complete before you can apply. Not all schools have waitlists. Mine doesn't. If you don't get in this year you have to apply again next year. The page you have linked to doesn't say either way for your school. If you don't have time to talk to someone during the day try emailing. Send an email to someone in the nursing dept and they should be able to help you out. HTH

[Ruthiegal]

Why don't you just contact the school?????? They would be the people who have the answers you are seeking. :)

[nightmare, RN]

Moved to pre nursing for more input.

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

The way I read that page, your prerequisites can be "in progress" while your application is being considered. However, you'll have to pass them all at the required level, else your application will be binned.

I count three prereqs (chem, bio, and math) plus whatever developmental courses (unspecified) you have left. One of the things you need to do is to get some answers from the nursing department on what courses you're getting credit for from your previous degree. If Rutgers' gen-ed setup wasn't complete crap when you were there, you should have at least one or two of your prereqs knocked off already.

Just because they start taking applications on Aug 1 doesn't mean your application has to be in then. However, I'd make sure I got in to see a real person to explain stuff to me as soon as I started classes.

Also, don't just call the admissions department. Call the nursing department itself - they're the ones who make the rules and decide who gets into their program.