NYU's favorite schools for prereqs

Opera2Nursing, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2011

Anyone?

Bueller?... Bueller?

chiasmus100 · Aug 20, 2011

NYU accepts community college credits. I called them and was told they do not differentiate between where you did your prereqs as long as the school is accredited. I personally recommend you take classes at whatever school you feel you will earn the best grade in. I believe the grade is the essential thing as opposed to the name of the school.

However, if you do go to NYU for the prereqs (and make a good impression) that will clearly set you apart from the vast pool of applicants (putting a face to a name).

Opera2Nursing, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

Awesome!! Thank you for the info, chiasmus100. I figured they would take community college credits; I just didn't know if the CUNY schools varied (in NYU's eyes) as far as quality of prereq classes goes. IF I go this route, and change direction entirely, I'm thinking about taking prereqs at Hunter (enrolling as a "general" student, as if I were planning on applying to the A2DP there) and then applying to nursing school both there and at NYU.

I've reserved a spot at one of the College of Nursing's information sessions, so I hope some of my other questions will be answered there.

Once again, thank you!!

O2N

Lexus822 · Aug 27, 2011

Opera,

I'm taking classes at BMCC - and its cheap. You should enroll as a second degree student no matter where you go, that way you won't be registering the day before classes start.

Opera2Nursing, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2011

Thanks for the suggestion, Lexus822! I had planned on doing something like that. The person I spoke with at Hunter said that, in order to take the science prereqs that I would need, I would have to enroll at Hunter as a degree student with a non-specific major, and then apply to the School of Nursing later.

My big issue with Hunter is that I suspect they won't actually accept all of my undergraduate work as transfer credit. Thus, I'd have to take a bunch of GenEd classes... History classes, intensive writing, Humanities stuff, etc. The nice thing about NYU is that (at least it appears this way to me) all the GenEd stuff is covered simply by virtue of the fact that I already have a degree.

Another question, not necessarily related: for those who are interested in accelerated programs, I understand that it's difficult (if not impossible) to get practical experience via intern/externships. I also understand that as a new grad, it's VERY difficult to get hired without said experience. HOW, then, does a new grad from an accelerated degree program actually get a job?? Is it better to go through a traditional (non-accelerated) program that gives you time in the summer for internships?

Thanks again, everyone -

O2N

AlyssaAnn · Sep 5, 2011

I recently graduated nursing school and from what I've seen, there are many opportunities out there for accelerated students to gain extra experience. With the increasing numbers of accelerated programs, more and more hospitals are implementing programs that fit into these schedules.

I know NYU Medical Center has an externship that takes place for the month you have off in the summer. After that month, the program continues for the rest of the next semester every other weekend. Lenox Hill has a winter externship that takes place in a similar fashion. NY Presbyterian also has part-time Nurse Companion positions that are open to students after completing a semester of nursing school. You can also look for jobs such as nursing assistant or unit secretary that will at least give you some experience in the hospital setting, as well as an "in" at that hospital. Even just volunteering at a hospital can give you an edge when it comes to applying for jobs.

You can expect nursing school to be an incredibly busy time, but if you plan accordingly you should definitely be able to get some experience as an accelerated student! Best of luck to you!

Opera2Nursing, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2011

THANK YOU AlyssaAnn!! This is EXACTLY the kind of information I was looking for. It seemed odd to me that hospitals would require externship experience from new grad nurses, yet not allow for the fact that those nurses coming from accelerated programs would have had very little opportunity for an externship. It's great to know that there is actually a small window of time each year for an accelerated student to gain said experience.

I have to confess, it's a little terrifying reading some of the stories here from new grad nurses who have been job searching for six months, a year, or even more. I've also heard from some who believe that those considering nursing as a second career are often only doing it for the perceived job security and good pay. That's not the case with me - I know you don't get rich being a nurse and that's not why I'm interested in it. (The reasons why I am interested in nursing could fill another post!) HOWEVER - I do have a family to support, and job availability post-graduation IS a consideration. That's just the reality.

In addition, as a newbie to this field, it's hard to tell what the truth is regarding finding work after graduation. Does the nursing shortage that we keep hearing about REALLY exist? Or is it really that the field is way oversaturated with new grads right now, and that things will improve as older nurses retire? or can job search woes be mitigated with the right education, qualifications, experience? What can I do to make myself more hirable? As a mom, I have to ask these questions in the interest of due diligence. Not sure if any of this makes sense.

Thanks for listening, all, and thanks for the advice! It is greatly appreciated.

Best,

O2N

ExpatHopeful, LPN, LVN · Sep 8, 2011

I think you really have to look at each geographical area as it's own market. Parts of the country are great for new grads and others are pretty dismal. I can't say whether there is a nursing shortage now or not, but there definitely will be one because the nursing workforce is a very old one and a lot of nurses are just hanging in as long as they can due to the recession.

If you love nursing you will find a way! As to making yourself hireable I think you can guess - get the best grades you can, impress your clinical instructors and get great letters of recommendation, network for your life and use those networks when you graduate, get as much healthcare/nursing experience as you can and be persistent and positive. If things aren't looking good in your area consider relocating if it's possible for you.

There is a way, it may not be easy, but it's there.

Opera2Nursing, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2011

Thanks, Expat, and sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I'm glad to hear that the nursing shortage isn't just a fabrication. As I've said, it's a little scary reading stories from some of the nurses on this board, especially here in NYC, although I shouldn't be surprised... it would make sense that the market here is just oversaturated with nurses. I'm hoping that if I indeed choose to attend nursing school, the job market will be a little better by the time I graduate (at least two years from now).

Thanks again, everyone!

Best,

O2N

Tutz926 · Sep 23, 2011

Personally I am taking pre requisites right now at Daemen college. I chose to go to a smaller spectrum for pre reqs for a number of reasons:

The CUNY schools wait list and tedious run around wastes too much time. I have a degree already, I just need certain pre req classes and be then apply to whichever nursing schools I want. I try to stay away from the CUNY system (esp Hunter) in general because the frustration alone is discouraging. To have to apply as an undergrad (non degree student) take unnecessary classes, pay silly fee's when all I want are a few pre reqs seem tedious and pointless to me.

any nursing school that your interested in going to could care less where you've done your pre reqs as long as the school is accredited and you get amazing grades.

Take the classes you need at a local college, so your not paying and arm and a leg, do well and then apply apply apply. I have my BA so time isn't something I'm in the mood To waste, and I'll be dammed if I'm going to deal with the run around when I just need a few credits.

Good luck fellow future nurse =)

NurseinNY, LPN, LVN · Oct 1, 2011

Hi,

I graduated from NYU's accelerated program. I would agree with chiasmus100 up above, who said to take it at the school where you feel like you will get the best grade. I also think that is most important. It's better to get an A at a community college, or wherever, then to get a B at a big name school, if you know what I mean. Although NYU is expensive, I thought it was a good program. I took a couple of my prereqs there and the others elsewhere. the CUNY schools are totally good places to do them, and also look into Touro College in Manhattan. I think it is definitely more affordable than NYU and their scheduling is convenient I think. Also, I will agree with what was said up above about externships - if you can do it - do it! (it is a time commitment and it can feel crazy to give up that valuable time at the end of the program). The grads I knew who got jobs the fastest where the grads who had externships. Some of them got hired on the floors where they externed. And, you learn a ton!

Good luck!