Please help!

2bttnurse84 · Jan 18, 2008

I feel like I was reading a post about myself 2 years ago. I graduated from UCLA with a BS in Anthropology also. I was a bio major for the first 3 years of college, then switched to Anthropology. I knew in highschool that I wanted to be in the medical field. I was even in my high school's health academy. I made a few bad choices my first 2 years of college where I focused more on partying than planning my future. Needless to say, my graduating GPA was not as high as I would have liked. (2.99)

I have spent the last 2 years at my local CC taking all the required prereqs AND taking extra classes to boost my gpa. Now, I will be applying to 3 different programs (all accelerated masters programs) that look at the last 60 units and pre-req gpa. I am proud to say my gpa will be 3.91 and prereq gpa 4.0. I do not come from a well-off family either so the high cost of the programs are not very appealing. However, my decision stems from the limits and restrictions of going to just an ADN program. I wanted to be able to move up in my career and not be stuck in one position. If you apply to accelerated graduate programs, you will be considered a graduate student so you may qualify for federal loans, grants, and financial aid. Community colleges are VERY competitive and hard to get into. I believe many cc's in NorCali, the average wait to get accepted is 2-3 years and it isn't even guaranteed because many are based on a lottery system. On a positive note, you can spend those years building up your experience and to make you more appealing as an appplicant.

This is getting a bit long so if you have questions, you can personally email me. I've done A LOT of research on schools and programs in California. I just had to respond to your thread because I was in your exact position two years ago. I hope this helps!

2bttnurse84 · Jan 19, 2008

Also....

Based on your situation, you will have to definitely take the prereqs required for nursing school. The universal classes for most nursing programs are...

Anatomy and Physiology (with lab)

Microbiology

Nutrition

Human Development Psychology

Statistics

Chemistry

Schools in CA will vary in some classes. For example, I needed group speaking (communication) for one school and public speaking (communication) for another school. No matter what, you should start by taking all the pre-reqs. At the same time, you should research which schools will be most convenient for you and then focus on taking the classes that those schools require. While taking your prereqs, you should try to do volunteer and gain experience in the medical field. Being an EMT is perfect!!! Whether you decide on Accelerated bachelors or masters programs is ultimately up to you, but your definite first step is to start on the prereqs and research schools. Are you willing to relocate? Move far from home?

dalsor · Jan 19, 2008

Thanks for the fast reply! I am willing to relocate if I need to but I would like to stay in Southern California if possible. Also, currently I am in the top of my EMT class(gradewise) and the top 3 get recommendations from the Course director at the end of the course. I will definitely send you an e-mail tonight, do you have aim, or any other form of communication? Just send me a pm with info if you do. Thank you again for all of your help! I would also appreciate any other insight from anyone else. Thank you!

Music in My Heart · Jan 19, 2008

I graduated long ago (from Cal Poly, SLO) with a not-so-hot GPA. I went back to school for chemistry/biology and proved myself over 7 semesters to be an outstanding student. When I finally applied to my DEMSN program, I got in. While they didn't explicitly say so, they were much more interested in my postbaccalaureate work than they were in my undergrad work.

My advice to you would be get your degree and start taking classes at the CC (what, $20/unit?). After 3 semesters you should be in pretty good shape if you can get the stellar grades. Take all the sciences you can handle and excel in. Just make sure you earn the A's.

dalsor · Jan 19, 2008

I graduated long ago (from Cal Poly, SLO) with a not-so-hot GPA. I went back to school for chemistry/biology and proved myself over 7 semesters to be an outstanding student. When I finally applied to my DEMSN program, I got in. While they didn't explicitly say so, they were much more interested in my postbaccalaureate work than they were in my undergrad work.
My advice to you would be get your degree and start taking classes at the CC (what, $20/unit?). After 3 semesters you should be in pretty good shape if you can get the stellar grades. Take all the sciences you can handle and excel in. Just make sure you earn the A's.

Thanks for the stellar advice.

I'm planning on working as an EMT straight out of school, while going to community college back home or around southern california. I feel bad for my parents since they took so much money out in order to pay for my schooling, and in the end i'm not doing much with my original degree. May I ask what you did for work after you graduated?

Music in My Heart · Jan 20, 2008

Thanks for the stellar advice.
I'm planning on working as an EMT straight out of school, while going to community college back home or around southern california. I feel bad for my parents since they took so much money out in order to pay for my schooling, and in the end i'm not doing much with my original degree. May I ask what you did for work after you graduated?

I think your idea of working as an EMT and going to school is very sound, particularly if your career goal is to become an ER nurse or Flight Nurse (my first EMT instructor was the former; the second one the latter).

Regarding your parents, I hear you. I've often said of myself, "What business did that stupid 17-year-old have making life-long decisions for me?" I truly believe that no education is a waste and yours will provide you a unique perspective as you provide care to your multicultural patients.

Me? I've spent about 15 years in various engineering positions for a variety of companies.

Hotflashn · Jan 21, 2008

Better check the pay scale for EMTs. Around here it isn't that much for newly entering EMTs it ... it parallels the avg pay of the "Venti or grande?" coffee slinger. I was shocked, because they deserve so much more, IMO. I couldn't figure out how a person could get by in CA on that. Maybe it was just this area. I did the EMT program for different reasons, loved it and think it is a great training. You have a good plan. Good luck.

dalsor · Jan 21, 2008

Better check the pay scale for EMTs. Around here it isn't that much for newly entering EMTs it ... it parallels the avg pay of the "Venti or grande?" coffee slinger. I was shocked, because they deserve so much more, IMO. I couldn't figure out how a person could get by in CA on that. Maybe it was just this area. I did the EMT program for different reasons, loved it and think it is a great training. You have a good plan. Good luck.

Yeah, I noticed the base pay for EMT's isnt that great in CA. However, it seems like it would be my best route in order to gain experience in the medical field(see a lot of things.) Also, if anything I can look for job that would make use of my Anthropology degree, but it would be hard to find a part time job that would make use of my Anthropology degree. If anything I could move back in with my parents, or move in with my former roommates who are going to move to LA later graduation for reduced rent. It's all still up in the air. I just know that I will be trying to enroll in a local CC in order to take my prereqs, and work, and manage to study at the same time. Any other advice would be much appreciated!