please help,i dont even know what i need to prepare ?

[kahlan]

hi everyone ,i just became a memeber of allnurse ,and i have some basic questions about the nursing. Let me intorduce my background first. I immigrated into CA,USA two years ago. I finished the high school here in the first year, and i started the community college this year.In college ,i am still in ESL(english as second language). I have talked to my counselor and he made an education plan for me , it starts fall 2009 until spring 2012.I am now volunteering in a hosptial now.

QUESTIONS:

1. Is it hard to handle chem,bio and regular english(native english class) classes in one semester ,i mean the long-term one ?

2. Since i am volunteering in a hosptial now, how many hours i need for transfering ? my friends said about 200hrs,is it enough ? do i have to volunteer in any departments related to nursing ?

3.Besides fuifilling the requirements and volunteer experiences, it there anything else i can do to get more chances to get into the nursing programs?

Thank you very much for your helping !!!

[chrisciwi]

First I have never heard of volunteer hours, it must be a california thing. How hard english is, depends on the professor teaching. I had a very easy time in my english course. Most of the people I talk to at other colleges say that freshman english is easy. Chemistry and Biology on the other hand, arent quite that fun. They aren't easy, BUT you can make it easy on yourself by actually studying every day, setting up a schedule to study, and not craming.

Best advice, would be to look at a lot of schools, not just one or two. Nursing is a tough major to get into, so options are your best friend. Good Luck

[jennylouwho]

How good is your English? I have a friend who is taking core classes now who has struggled in those classes because of the language barrier. She's very smart, but it's difficult sometimes for her. She was able to pass A&P1 with as good of a grade as what the majority in my class seemed to get. It's not impossible, but you may have to work very, very hard to succeed.

[sophie<3]

well in my expereince, chemistry was hard! if you have doubts about your ability to pass all of those with good grades, then split it up! do not sacrifice your grade in one class because you focused your attention so much on another class! also, my college did not require volunteer hours although i am sure they look good when applying! if you are unsure, trying e-mailing your college to find out the exact numbers just to be safe..200 sounds like plenty to me though! and as far as what field, i think volunteering in a "nursing" area would be helpful but just being in a hospital environment can only help you! you may want to try to get some experience volunteering in a nursing field if you are able to and maybe even get your CNA because some colleges require that as well. good luck!

[kahlan]

Some advises me to do that ,too.Thanks a lot!

[kahlan]

My English is not so bad ,and the professor recommended me that i can handle the college level english. But bio and other science classes have so many professional words to remember ,though i have taken the bio in China, i am just worried about them.

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

Your English seems fine to me. English is my second language too but I came here when I was young, so I can remember what you're going through. As for chem/bio in one semester, I wouldn't recommend it. A&P (the bio class) is the standard for nursing school so you MUST get the best grade possible. Focus your energy on that and take other electives. Once you're done with bio, take chemistry. The point is to try to get your schedule to have one tough class each semester to not overload yourself. I've known people who do that and ultimately do not get into nursing school.

[kahlan]

thanks ,so i am planing to take a bio class only in one semester.get a lot help here , i begin to like the website.