Orientation at CSN

Feel free to ask any of your questions that don't get answered. I'm currently in the first semester of the nursing program so I wish you luck on your journey!!!

Are you going to CSN too? What do you find the most challenging? If you have any advice on what will make my "journey" better, let me know. Any advice is good advice.

Yes I am going to CSN. I assume you have to complete all your pre-requisites still? If so, while it may sound tempting to take on a high work load and get the classes completed as fast as possible...if you are able to pull this off with awesome grades then that's great but if your grades are going to suffer because of it then it's not such a good idea because at CSN your grades are really going to count towards getting into the program. So in my opinion it's better to do well on them the first time instead of maybe having to go back and repeat classes for better grades if you don't get accepted. The program is extremely competitive and doesn't have a waiting list so you need the best grades you can get.

I am in the first semester at CSN and my gpa was 2.8. Having good grades helps, but the way the point system is set up at CSN you will still be able to get in if your grades aren't spectacular. Complete all of your pre-reqs, score high on the TEAS and I am sure you will be accepted. Some people will tell you that they look closely at your GPA, but that is not true. They just fill slots from the highest to lowest points. My low GPA has not hurt me either in the program, as I have solid B's in all of my nursing courses. Good luck to you!

That's great you got in on your grades. I guess I was the opposite and had good grades and a not so good grade on the NLN (now TEAS) because I didn't get much time to prepare. But yes good point in making sure you complete as many pre-requisites as you can before even applying because many are worth a lot of points and can make the difference in being accepted or not.

Congrats on having solid B's in all your courses. I have B's also so I'm pretty happy.

]Thank you for replying. I have some prerequisites completed already as I was going to school for something else, Business, prior. I have taken all my English courses, my Math courses, Sociology and U.S. and NV Constitutions.

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]But with that being said, I do have the Sciences to take. The only one I've taken is Environmental. Do you recommend me taking the Biology 95 first or diving into 189?

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]I have to take Communications, Psychology and then my Biology courses.

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]I HOPE they offer the Communcations and Psychology in the Summer 09 so I can get those "out of the way" and then move forward with Biology/Science classes.

CSN is a great school. I just graduated from CSN in December of 2008. I feel that I got a very good education to prepare me for the real world of nursing, which is not a peice of cake but not impossible either. here is some advice:

1. Study, study, study.

2. Never let the instructor make you think you are ignorant or dumb. You are not dumb and if I can pass nursing school, anyone can do it!

3. You will get stressed, but soon you will learn to work off of that stress.

4. Practice your dosage and calculation in the summertime once a week. You will have a few math exams which you must pass in order to proceed through the program.

5. Make friends...it's always good to have a support system, right?

If you have any questions, just ask.

Aw, thank you so much for the encouragement. I have 4 pre-requisites and the TEAS I have to do prior to applying to the Limited Entry Program. I am excited and scared. I really am happy to have this board to read. Even though, at times, it makes me nervous reading some of the stuff.

Anyway, what kind of Math tests?

I am planning on doing 2 pre-requistes, for sure, over the Summer, God willing there will availability. I was hoping to take Biology 189 too but I am not sure I can find the right days/times to accomodate my work schedule. I plan to stop working once I enter the program but continue while I'm finishing the pre-reqs and waiting to get into the RN Program.

What did you find your hardest classes to be?

I think libbyjeanne is talking about the math tests that they give you each semester...you MUST pass these tests to continue on in the program and they consist mostly of calculating medication dosages which in turn consists of a lot of conversion and using ratio proportion to solve the problem BUT...

It sounds like you're really just starting out - so personally, I wouldn't worry too much yet about it until you get into the program. That being said, I also graduated from CSN in December and I'll say the same thing she said 'IF I CAN DO IT, ANYONE CAN!' okay not ANYONE, but anyone who has the drive and is willing to do the work!!

You asked about the bio course you should take my initial answer would be take the one that you feel would most useful in your nursing career. It might seem like neither of them do...but if you had to chose... BUT then again, if you are anything like me and bio scares you...take the one you think you get a better grade on. I say this only for the purpose of getting the highest possible grade that will give you more points :wink2:

Okay I'm rambling now...but good luck!

Oh OK, thanks!!! It so nice to hear advice and opinions to get me ready. This is something I WANT to do but of course am nervous about it all. Mostly pure excitement.

I am trying to not doubt myself and remain extremely positive.

Take Bio189. I am sure you will do fine and why waste time taking another course that cannot be used for nursing points.

That is what I am thinking!