Nursing Schools in NC

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Hi, I just completed my AA in College Transfer and am really thinking of transferring to a school in NC and go into nursing. I live in Western North Carolina right now (2 hours west of Asheville, small town) and am looking into UNCW, UNCC, UNCG, and anything really. What are some tips and what should I expect? Should I apply to the school, then just take classes until I get at least 3 more pre-reqs out of the way then apply to the nursing program at school? Or should I get my RN at a community college, get hired on at a hospital and they send me to get my BSN? I am 21 years old and having a bachelors degree is at the top of my list right now!! Also, what should I expect during nursing school? Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated as I am in a whirlwind right now!!

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UNC in Charlotte doesn't seem to be getting such great reviews from a little research I've done a short while back. Just keep that in mind if you want to go there.

If getting a BSN is at the top of your list, then you should go for it all at once. I know I would if I was your age.

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Specializes in US Army.

Check out WSSU. They have a great program. I truly enjoyed my time there. Very diverse program.

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If you are near Asheville, Western Carolina University, in Cullowhee, has a nursing program. Not sure if you knew about that one...

Good luck!

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Hi- WantAccel- are you applying to WCU's ABSN program?

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Hi- WantAccel- are you applying to WCU's ABSN program?

Yes, that's the plan. I'm worried about the TEAS and Organic Chemistry though! UNC is definitely easier as far as pre-reqs. are concerned.

What about you?

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I applied to WCU ABSN for Fall 09 and just had the interview. You don't have to have OCHEM, just General Chemistry and respective labs. Good luck! What year are you applying?

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I applied to WCU ABSN for Fall 09 and just had the interview. You don't have to have OCHEM, just General Chemistry and respective labs. Good luck! What year are you applying?

Actually, I think you do need Organic Chem.

From their website:

"4. Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of 'C' or above.* Prerequisites taken at another college or university are not considered completed until the course has been transferred to Western Carolina University and posted on the student's WCU transcript.

  • Chemistry 132 - Introductory Chemistry (4 hours)
  • Chemistry 133 - Survey Organic/Biochemistry (4 hours)
  • Biology 291 - Human Anatomy-Physiology (4 hours)
  • Biology 292 - Human Anatomy-Physiology (4 hours)
  • HSCC 260 - Etiology of Infectious Disease (3 hours)
  • Psychology 150- General Psychology (3 hours)"

http://www.wcu.edu/10421.asp

Did you have other information about that? How did your interview go? I plan to apply for 2010.

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You are right- I took OrgChem I and II my first time around in college- I was more focused on Microbiology. Anyway, organic chemistry is not an easy course, but you can make it through!! I don't know much about the other program you are applying to, but the faculty at WCU has been very helpful. They are generally interested in getting students into the program who will be successful (as any prgram should be:)) and want to help students pick the right place to be. The interview was okay- I was so nervous, but the panel of professors were very nice. If I don't get into the program, I will do the traditional track at WCU. Definitely get in touch with the program director if you haven't already. It will help to be familiar with her and for her to know how much interest you have in the program. Good luck!!!! I will let you know when I hear a response (Mid March)

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Oh, by the way, TEAS was not so bad. There is a great book ATI sells online and I used it to study. I also purchased a practice test online; with the book and practice test, I went from a 74%(practice) to a 90 something % on the actual test. I studied about a month for the test, maybe one hour a day. I hadn't taken any math or english classes in years, so if you are in school right now, you have a major advantage!

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You are right- I took OrgChem I and II my first time around in college- I was more focused on Microbiology. Anyway, organic chemistry is not an easy course, but you can make it through!! I don't know much about the other program you are applying to, but the faculty at WCU has been very helpful. They are generally interested in getting students into the program who will be successful (as any prgram should be:)) and want to help students pick the right place to be. The interview was okay- I was so nervous, but the panel of professors were very nice. If I don't get into the program, I will do the traditional track at WCU. Definitely get in touch with the program director if you haven't already. It will help to be familiar with her and for her to know how much interest you have in the program. Good luck!!!! I will let you know when I hear a response (Mid March)

I think I've already been in touch with the program director in my attempts to clarify some course equivalency issues, but when you say you suggest I should get in touch with her, what exactly do you mean? Just ask some general questions about the program? Also, do you mind sharing what types of things they asked you in your interview? WCU is definitely my top choice...I'm just really freaked out about the VERY small size of the program. My husband and I plan to move back to Asheville this summer, so I'm really banking on getting into that program. If I don't, I guess I'll try to get in AB Tech's program, and then do WCU's RN-BSN. Are you in Asheville now? Would you move to Cullowhee if you did the traditional program, or just commute?

Thanks for all the helpful information! :) :)

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There are some great information sessions that the ABSN program conducts yearly. You should go to one and meet the director, face-to-face. I live in Asheville and my primary back-up plan was to attend AB-Tech, but after meeting some faculty at a nursing school open house for WCU, I would much rather do the commute to Cullowhee for a year. Classes are held M-W on Cullowhee campus for the first year, and if you live in Asheville, they try to get you into Th/F clinicals in the Asheville area. THEN, the second year of classes are on the Asheville campus. I don't think the commute would be so bad, three days a week for only two semesters. It is the same amount of time as the ADN program at AB-Tech, but you will have the BSN instead.

Definitely apply to both programs at WCU- Also, you can work in the traditional program if that is something you need to do. Where are you moving from? Did you know that East Tenn University has an accelerated nursing program? They have a day and evening program, and depending on where you live, it may only be a 45 minute commute. It was not an option for me, as I live way south and I have little kids! I can balance a lot, but I am not a superhero. Take care! Let me know if you have any more questions- I was exactly where you are a year ago, and wow, does the year fly by...

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