Nursing Student in Saint Louis needs help

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I would like any suggestions or information regarding a ASN program that doesn't have a waiting list. I am currently a nursing student at Florissant Valley. I have completed all of my prereqs. I was so excited, especially after conquering Chemistry with a B. But, to my disappointment, all of the community colleges have a waiting list of 1,2,or more years. Does anyone know of any nursing schools w/out a waiting list. I am so depressed because I have up my house, job of 10 years, and moved back home with my parents to pursue my nursing career full-time. I have two children and although I am blessed to have supporting parents, I didn't plan on living with my parents for more than 2 years. I've been calling around to every nursing school in STL, even Lewis & Clark Community College. Everyone either has a waiting list, very limited space. I am ineligible for Lewis & Clark because I live in Missouri. Deaconess doesn't have a waiting list, but they have changed their ASN program to strictly online. I am not interested in that. I tried that with Deaconess before and not only was it highly expensive, but I didn't learn a thing and I had to find my own clinical site, without no instructor, and it was very difficult to find a clinical site. What would you do if you were me? I almost feel like I've given up everything for nothing, but I'm trying to remain positive. My mom suggested that I obtain my LPN while I'm waiting on Flo to send me an acceptance letter. Thanks.

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Keep your head up and I would suggest apply to the larger universities, I have heard their wait lists are shorter than the CC. I would also suggest out of state maybe if that is an option for you.~Best of Luck

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Thanks for the suggestion. Right now, I am interested in the ASN program and then I will go for the BA. I want to start working as a nurse and get back on my own as soon as possible. There's nothing like having your own. (laugh)

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I had the same problem as you. What I have found is that with the long wait list for ASN it is quicker to get my BSN. I heard your comment about Deaconess but they do have a 3 year BSN program now. I did all my pre-req's at Meremec and it will only take anouther 2 1/2 years for BSN. It is not cheap but by getting your BSN from the start you will be that much ahead.

Also most of the BSN programs in town have wait list

Good Luck with what ever you chose to do

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Call the colleges around your areas to see how long you have to wait.

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THank you for your responses and suggestions

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What about Barnes Jewish college of Nursing and Allied Health?

It is a bit expensive, but they have a great program with Barnes Jewish hospital were you may be able to get substantial tuition reimbursement, loans or a scholarship. They will also pay back a good protion of you loans if you work for them after graduation. You can even go nights and weekends.

I've talked to MANY studnets from this school and they all have great things to say about the school.

BJC offers the ASN, BSN and MSN.

http://www.barnesjewishcollege.edu/bjconahcontent.asp?id=412

~~

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I was also going to suggest Barnes Jewish...I took micro w/several employees from various areas of Barnes and they were all planning on attending their program.....I hear it's very good and if I didn't already have too much invested in student loans from my previous Bachelor's, I'd have seriously considered it...

Good luck!

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Specializes in Float.

I used to live in Saint Charles, MO and noticed that SCCC had a 2 year wait for the nursing program, so I moved to Arkansas in 2002. I started the RN program at North Arkansas College in Harrison, AR. It has the best reputation as a nursing program in the state. It is has limited spaces, they will accept 40 students, but if you have your prereq's you have a higher chance to get in. It has a 99% pass rate on NCLEX. I successfully graduated in May with an excellent clinical experience. The cost is considerablly cheaper than universities. I believe $68.00 per credit hour. Our grading scale is higher than universities as well. We have to have a 79 and above on each test in order to pass.Universities only require a 70 and above. That is why we have a higher pass rate, we have to work hard but it is worth it, you become a better nurse in the long run. I am moving back to St. Louis area next month. I was offered a CCU fellowship. My BSN can be done online. I am glad I paid $68 per credit hour than to pay $400.00 per credit hour at Maryville Univ.

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Thanks for the suggestion of Barnes, but they require Int. Algebra and since SLCC only requires Elementary Algebra, I don't have that requirement. But, I was told by them that they have very limited space and it's very competitive. So, I guess in other words, they are telling me to not waste my time. I would have tried, anyway, if I had the Int. Algebra. I thought about taking it for the summer, but I will be very upset if I still could not get into Barnes. I am horrible at Algebra. I had to take Elementary Algebra twice. I am very pleased with SLCC, it's just my luck that they have a waiting list. I am on the waiting list at all three SLCC's. Just to get an idea of the waiting list, I am number 216 at Forest Park. WOW!!

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what about an LPN prgoram and then immediately bridge to RN? This way you can circumvent the wait list because you will be entering midway into the RN program and usually there is a seat because of drop outs or students failing. You also will have an LPN license to help earn money during summer if classes break for the summer. good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

If you decide not to pursue the LPN bridge idea, you'll find the lists go pretty quickly through SLCC, particularly it seemed Forest Park....I only waited 2 semesters (I know, I know -- still a long wait, but you'll get there)...it took 3, I think, to get in to Meramec....I didn't apply to FV.

One suggestion I'm going to highly recommend if math is not your thing and you choose not to take Inter. Algebra in the meantime is to enroll in the Nursing Dosage Math class in the Continuing Ed section (NRSG 704).

You must pass this test within 1 year of being accepted in to a program and it's a lot of manipulations and metrics conversions. If this is not your strong suit, it'd be worth taking the class a couple of times to get the knowledge burned in (it's only $23). The actual test itself is not so difficult if you can grasp the concepts in the class, but I understand this is where they are losing a lot of the students who are "up next" on the list.

I had taken the class in the fall of 2004, then took and passed the test. Unfortunately, I had to defer one semester and that threw my test over the 1-year mark. I retook the dosage class as a refresher, retook the test this month, and passed with no problems. But the concepts can be hard to grasp if math is not your thing.

Check out the sample test online by using the link for "Take the practice dosage calculation test" at http://www.stlcc.edu/nursing/about.html

Best wishes!!

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