Planning ahead and thinking outloud for a minute

missninaRN · Aug 25, 2005

I'm having the same internal dialog with myself. My gut tells me that it's better to get them all done as quickly as possible, just in case I do get into nursing school.

If I don't get in? I'll just deal with that if and when it happens.

stressgal, RN · Aug 26, 2005

I am in Nursing School and the advice I give is take all the classes you can prior to entering the program. You will thank yourself.

How does your school admit to the program? Is there a waiting list or is it done by merit? This should give you an idea about your chances for addmitance next fall.

As far as having only one class to take if you do not get accepted, cross that bridge when you get to it. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason, if you are supposed to begin the program next fall you will be accepted.

Good luck!

P.S. If you get to a point you need or want to take extra courses, you can always take classes that will transfer to a BSN degree.

Mudnuri · Aug 26, 2005

The admissions process here is sorta odd. and i only say that because of what the dean of the program told me.

1st- the NLN test score- under 101 they wont look at your application

2nd- # of and GPA of pre/co-reqs completed

3rd- prior health care work history

so they take all of that and "rank you"....then comes the odd part

You then have the interview with the dean of nursing. At this point, you can be way at the bottom of the list and ace the interview and get in, or you can be way at the top of the list and blow the interview and not get in. LOL

I think I'll go for the gold, get all of these outta the way, and apply for fall of 06....I know that a few of my grants will increase in the spring when I go over 9 credits, so thats a good thing!

oh my head hurts LOL

Brandy

Maisie · Aug 26, 2005

You should also consider your grades. I knew many people at my school who took as many courses as possible. Some were successful, but others ended up with grades that were too low. In addition, our school has a policy of not allowing you to repeat a class if you receive a grade of C or better.

I was presented with the same problem when I started. In my case, I knew that I would probably have to wait two years to get in because of the wait list. I elected to give myself the best possibilty for success by not taking more than 2 classes at a time except for the first semester when I took 3. Sometimes I only took one class. I have a 4.0 average now and was accepted into the program. I start this fall. Many of the students that were taking 4 and 5 classes did not make it because their grade point average was to low.

My advise, only do this if you are sure of maintaining an exceptional grade point average. Consider that some schools are only accepting people with a 3.5 grade point average or above even though their brochures may say the opposite.

Mudnuri · Aug 26, 2005

Trust me I thought about that as well. Which is why I'm trying to stack my classes.

my fall classes are by far the hardest I will have, to me anyway

In the spring, the college comp is going to be a my least worry, I took AP english in highschool. As long as my a/p I retention is good, a/p II should be "okay"

In the spring my biggest concern is chemistry, though I took that in highschool as well. The reason for algebra in the spring, is to help with chem in the summer.

If I stretch this out too far, what's going to happen is I will end up having to go back to work in between which I do not want to do. I know what happens then, I end up working and forget about my desire to be a nurse!...thats me LOL

I think stacking the classes the way I have them, is the best way to keep my GPA up....of course, only time will tell

Brandy

arciedee · Sep 2, 2005

I agree with the poster who said if you don't get in this year you could take classes next year that would count towards a BSN. Even if you're not sure at this point whether you'd want a BSN at least you'd have some of those extra courses behind you, would be one less thing to do if you DID decide to go on... I think UNH's bridge program requires human development, nutrition, statistics.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Sep 3, 2005

I would only suggest to take Biology first and Anatomy and Physiology after. Just a thought though. I found that Bio was the foundation for A&P and therefore it went by so smoothly and much easier. My school requires you to take Bio before attempting A&P. Again, just a suggestion but does not have to be this way. Have a wonderful day and good luck in your studies.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2005

I took a bunch of fast-track courses to get them out of the way faster, and with most of them, I was able to take one at a time.

So, that may be an idea to add to the confusion....lol

I didn't want to worry about nursing classes, clinicals & co-reqs all at the same time.