Pre Nursing Student Needs Advice and Encouragement!

breezy7, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2011

Why will 31 units take you so long? Wouldn't that only be 2 semesters, or 1 year? It sounds like you could take those courses over the fall, spring, and summer semesters and be ready to apply Fall 2012.

I'm sorry to hear you're stressing about this, but you've come to the right place! Everyone here is incredibly helpful. I'm starting my pre-reqs too, so I know it sounds overwhelming at first, but the classes we're taking now will be the basis of what we learn in nursing school, so they really are crucial! :)

devyn renee · Jun 23, 2011

I actually just realized it is 42 units! Lol. Whoops. The problem for me really is that I really want to get into LBCC's Nursing program because the campus is literally 5 minutes from my house. They only accept applicants for the nursing program in the spring time and all your prereqs need to be competed before you apply and the application period is at the end of the Spring semester every year. Since I haven't completed all of my pre reqs (not even close to it!) I can't get into the Spring 2012 program so I would have to apply next year to the 2013 program. It is just all really frusterating to me and i feel like if i would have sucked it up and taken science courses my first two semesters i could have applied for the program next year. i just feel like my family is going to think i've just been slacking off at city college for four and a half years when i have actually been working my butt off! :crying2:

kdelavega87 · Jun 25, 2011

Devyn,

I was in the same situation as you. I started college with the plan of completing my general ed classes and then transferring to a CSU. Then after getting my AA in transfer studies, decided I wanted to major in nursing. Well, I ended up moving to Southern California (Long Beach, coincidentally!) and after getting established here, have spent the last year completing my science prerequisites. I'm 23 years old now, and just finished physiology and I'm finally ready to apply. I have to admit, it's been frustrating to still be in a community college, and I have friends my age who are already working in hospitals as RNs with their BSN degree! But although I wish I had completed these prereqs sooner, I can't change the past. I'm just happy that I'm at the next step towards to my goal. Don't feel rushed, it more important to focus on getting the grades you'll need than worrying about how fast you get it done. Nursing is a very challenging pathway and it takes time to get there...but you will! Your parents should know that nursing takes a little more time than other majors...especially because of the impacted classes and the extra science prerequisites. Oh, and don't dwell on the C in pre-cal...if you keep getting As in the rest of your classes, I doubt the C will hurt your chances...you can still end up with a very competitve GPA. Good luck with your classes. I know it seems far away but it's so worth the time and effort once you've finally completed them all!

devyn renee · Jun 25, 2011

thanks so much! I will try and focus more on my classes rather than dwelling on how long it will take to complete my degree since I really REALLY want to be a nurse. I guess what I find the most frustrating is that friends of mine that have actually been slacking off for the past year are closer to getting their degree than I am. I think I just need to keep in mind my short term goals like microbiology (yikes!) and not stress over things that will be happening years from now

CA_BSN_Student · Jun 25, 2011

devyn renee - If you indeed have to wait until 2013 & will be taking those co-requisite classes anyways, perhaps you should think about applying to BSN programs. I'm not sure about CSUF but it appears you might meet the requirements for CSULB (not sure if requirements have changed since I started a while ago). CSULB does look at your overall gpa but science pre-req gpa does "weight" more, which might be towards your advantage. And if you do get in, perhaps 4.5 years of college for a 4 year degree might be a more reasonable time frame to your family?

devyn renee · Jun 25, 2011

I will definitely take that into consideration, I mean if I meet their criteria I might as well right? I was wondering if you knew, since you are already attending, if I may have a better chance getting in to CSU Long Beach if I graduated from a Long Beach High School and are transferring from LBCC? I hear a lot of people saying they give Long Beach residents priority over other students but does this apply to transfers? Thanks!

devyn renee

KatieJ91 · Jun 26, 2011

If you REALLY want to be a nurse than do what you gotta do! :) My mom had to go back to nursing school in her 30's with 7 kids at home because she decided it would take to long when she was young! She always emphasized to me how important it was to just get it done. It will go by sooo fast and in the long run when you have been a nurse for 20 years, the 4 years that it took to get there will seem like nothing. I was lucky enough to be able to go to school full time to get my pre-reqs done, but I had many friends who had to slowly take one class at a time or apply multiple times (my school only accepts once a year also) and it has taken them years to get into the program, but they were determined to do it! I admire how much you want!

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Jun 26, 2011

hey just wanted to say that an ADN is never really only 2 years....nursing school itself is two years and there is really no way you can get all your prereqs done in time to apply AND start a program in exactly two years unless you have AP credits and can get into EVERY class when you need to. even then you would have to take a full load three semesters a year and apply in time for the programs deadline.

Don't worry everybody is doing the same thing you are...

Hey I am gonna be a CNM/DNP also!

lrlat · Jun 26, 2011

I had to take Sociology, Life Span, Nutrition, Pharmacology, A&P 1/2, Microbiology, English 1/2, Art, Med Terminology 1/2, Intro to Health Professions, General Pyscology, College Algebra. I understand the family reference as I too will be the first in my family.....but ANYONE will tell you that in reality ADN is a four year degree, not 2. Because of all the pre-reqs. Give yourself a break...and focus on school.

CNA1488 · Jul 1, 2011

It took me a few years to do pre-reqs too. Still have two semesters left. As for your pre-calc grade, I know my college here lets you re take any class you want and then your new grade replaces the old grade (the old one still stays on your transcript but does not apply to your GPA. Only the new grade applies to your GPA).

CA_BSN_Student · Jul 1, 2011

I will definitely take that into consideration, I mean if I meet their criteria I might as well right? I was wondering if you knew, since you are already attending, if I may have a better chance getting in to CSU Long Beach if I graduated from a Long Beach High School and are transferring from LBCC? I hear a lot of people saying they give Long Beach residents priority over other students but does this apply to transfers? Thanks!

I don't think graduating from a high school in Long Beach & transferring from LBCC gives you a better chance with CSULB school of nursing. That was not a factor when I applied and I haven't heard anything otherwise.