Opinions???

[minnierocker]

Ok here is the situation.... I really want to be a RN but am having a lot of trouble getting in program. I have tried already for 1 1/2 yrs and no success at local colleges. I decided to try private university ( I know it's alot ) but I just want to get done with school and on with my life. Well make a long story short they are not giving me credit for my math class, and can't find a math class that will finish by May that they will accept. So here is my dilemma... I can take this math class in Jan 2010, but that means this private school I wanted to go to won't have another RN program until March 2011. ( OMG that is so long). My only other option I can think of is to do a RT program. It starts in Jan and go from there. The problem is I'm not too sure of exactly what they do. I asked this school if I could job shadow someone to see what it was like before I attended the program. I was told no because all the clearance that is required in the hospital. I know that the first year is all book work and then the second year is actual clinical. So I just don't want to get all the way into the second year of the program and realize I wont be happy. I have told myself that if I become an RT for 5 yrs or so that it would be worth the price I will pay for the program, if at that point I want to go back to school and do the RN program. I dont know, I need opinions on what you would do in this situation.

Thanks

[bellefemme]

hi,

if i may ask a few questions,

how many schools did you apply to and did you meet their requirements?

can you start the rt program without the math class?

have you taken all the major prerequisites for the program?

have you looked into other schools with different requirements?

have you also tried volunteering at a clinic/hospital?

volunteering can give you an insight about the duties performed by nurses and rts.

good luck!

[minnierocker]

Lets see I applied to 3 different schools about 2 times each. One school I needed pysch the first time I applied so I took that and reapplied. The second school I needed communications, took that and applied a second time and didn't get in. The third school says my GPA is too low to compete for the program space. In order for me to bring my GPA up to the level of what they think will give me a good chance of getting in , is to retake 12 classes. So that is why I decided on the private school. For the RT program I have all prereqs done, they don't require that math to be taken. But at the same time I have all prereqs done for the RN program too, just that math class. Can I volunteer without having any medical background experience?? The only type of medical experience I have is worked in a pharmacy for like 5 yrs, but just helping like a clerk not a tech.

[cingle]

Have you checked into the math class you need at accredited online colleges? That might be an option for getting done sooner.

[bellefemme]

Hi,

You did not mention your current GPA but if your GPA is low, then I'll suggest taking some of the classes again. Healthcare programs are competitive so you have to aim higher (GPA). As for volunteering, you do not need any experience.

[rickelli]

Are you going for the ADN program or your BSN? Do the schools your applying to have a wait list? Community colleges usually do. I did my pre-reqs at a community college and signed up for their ADN program and was put on a wait list which is about 3-4 semesters long and it is not competitive. I then applied to another program that is through my school and the hospital which is competitive and got in right away but I made sure to get on the wait list first. If your going for your BSN you can always do the ADN to BSN later if that is your ultimate goal and maybe you can get in sooner??? It is frustrating when your ready but can't get in I think we all know how you feel but sometimes you just have to wait. Good Luck

[Chapis]

can you relocate? but even if you can relocate, some classes won't be accepted in the new college, but you can always try and find out. i don't know what else to say, pretty much the previous posters have asked or said what i would've said. i hope it gets better

[minnierocker]

I checked online math classes, the school did not approve them. I was trying for ADN program and there is no wait list, it is all lottery. Which isn't good for someone like me with a low GPA. I can not relocate. I tried colleges that were close enough to commute. The private college is actually 2 hours a way from where I am. Thanks for all the advice I do appreciate it, I still don't know what I should do though.

[newbebop, ADN, BSN, MSN]

You may look into a CLEP test. And weather or not the school you are looking at accepts that. You should be able to do it right there at the college. It is a test you pay for to "test out" of a class and then get the credits for it. I was able to do this for my math as my math credits were too old.