Pre-nursing student thinking of changing major

Ker-Bear · Oct 8, 2011

If there is no waiting list for the RT or DMS programs, maybe you could wait to change your major until you know for sure if you are accepted into the nursing program.

Is the wait list the only reason you are thinking of changing or are there other reasons?

Eagle2110, ASN, BSN, APRN · Oct 9, 2011

How long is the other program? Apply to both, at worse, you could be completing DMS while waiting to reapply to nursing school. One thing I've learned since starting college is to always have at least a "Plan B"....good luck

24ktcelebrity · Oct 9, 2011

There is no waiting list. If I do not get in when I apply then I just have to reapply. And who is to say the next applying class won't have a higher gpa than I. The DMS and RT both are two year programs. I just want to have a comfortable life and not have to worry about having a job; this is why I am going to school now from being laid off from a company.

Dre2416, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2011

I'm in the same boat... I took a chem class and the teacher went around the room and asked what our major was... no joke.. every person except for 2 people in the class were for nursing... and there were around 30-35 students... so frustrating!!! If I don't get in this go round I'll have to wait 9 months to start IF i get accepted for next term. I really want to be a CRNA and I know nursing is the only route to get there... I have also thought about PA school but my GPA is a 2.8 and I'd have to take another year of extra classes... chem, physics, etc.. I'm also weighing my options as well with other jobs that pay a decent salary. My roomie just finished rad tech school in may and is still jobless!!:uhoh21: seems like the media is playing up this whole "medical jobs are always abundant" thing and misleading the public...

shhr · Oct 10, 2011

24kt: Your concerns are not unusual. I get anxious sometimes considering the path of nursing and my ability to get into the programs and find work afterwards. Please allow me to share what conclusion I've come to. I think the best thing you can do is go for what makes you happy. The job will come even if it takes awhile to find. You can always make money somewhere, but it is much harder and takes more commitment and understanding of yourself to do something that gives you satisfaction as well.

There's also something important to remember about your prereq classes. It might feel like there are a lot of people going into nursing and that you will be overwhelmed by the competition. Unfortunately, not all those people are going to pass or follow through. Those prereqs are a part of the weeding process. When I was in organic chemistry, 95/100 of the people there were for premed. Do you think all of those people went on to be doctors? Of course not. Many didn't make the grades necessary or they changed their mind about their career path. That's the beauty of school. It gives you options and time to change your mind.

About the job market in general: it sucks. Everywhere is feeling the burn of the current economic turmoil, including the medical field. It will change, and there will be openings for healthcare no doubt. There are many people that don't have any training or education to fall back on. If you follow through with your education, at least you will have that.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 10, 2011

I have also thought about PA school but my GPA is a 2.8 and I'd have to take another year of extra classes... chem, physics, etc.. I'm also weighing my options as well with other jobs that pay a decent salary. My roomie just finished rad tech school in may and is still jobless!!:uhoh21: seems like the media is playing up this whole "medical jobs are always abundant" thing and misleading the public...

Too true - the media hype is ongoing despite the evidence that there is a lack of jobs & increasing incidence of healthcare layoffs with more looming due to decreased reimbursements that haven't even hit yet. Law school grads are already suing their schools for misleading or outright false claims of employment. Do you think that nursing students would ever be organized enought to do the same thing?

However, with a 2.8 GPA, there is little likelihood of acceptance into a nursing program at this point... they are much more competitive than ancillary health programs in most areas.

NYCRN169 · Oct 12, 2011

As a recent grad of an Associates program and a new RN, I STRONGLY recommend you do some job searches for nurses and look at the qualifications they want. It's simple to do, just google the hospitals near you and visit their career page.

If you don't have 1 - 2 years of experience and a BSN, they won't even talk to you. Often they say Master's preferred. That's the reality, folks.