Pre req's- grossmont vs national university-san diego

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok so I have been off and on in community college...taking breaks...having babies, getting married, new jobs, living life. All general ed for my ASN is complete EXCEPT for the pre req's which I have been putting off because...to be honest? They intimidate me! Im going to take chemestry for summer and am so nervous. How hard are the anatomy, physiology, and micrbiology? The only other thing that worries me is that I wont be able to take more than 1 class per semester. I work full time, and have 2 children. It was even hard for me to take algebra & english together...let alone two bio classes. I feel so discouraged but I know that this is what I want... and it's always what I wanted. Another thing is the wait list!!! I know there's not enough staff but it makes it that much harder. I was thinking of going to apply to National University but im scared...I hear it's too fast paced?? But they did tell me there is no "wait list" to start nursing courses...not sure how true that is?? The only other reason why I thought of Grossmont is because they have night & weekends. Im the bread winner in my family so I cant quit my job and I have great benefits for myself, hubby, and children. Im so worried Im not capable of going to nursing school and working full time. Please some encouragement? :bowingpur Has anyone sucessfully finished nursing school & worked full-time???

Specializes in NICU.
I received the notification that My app had been received on 3/25. I have not yet called to check, but I did hear from a friend that rejection letters come quicker but I dont know what truth there is to that. I also have a friend, a male LVN who applied for the post bachelors BSN instead of the LVN-BSN and despite all of his qualifications, was denied after 4 months so I don't know why they waited that long to reject him. I don't know what his gpa was though, as he completed his bachelors in the Philipines, but he did his LVN here at Maric. He did say his accuplacer scores were low.

I tested into college english and 12B math. Would you mind sharing with me what your accuplacer level was? I am just trying to guage my chances.

Thanks!! Congrats again on NU.

I tested into college English and Math.

My scores were as follows:

Reading Comp 118

Sentence skills 117

Element. Algebra 109

College Math 63

My overall GPA: 3.29

I'm not sure what the scale is, how I did, or what the scores actually mean in the grand scheme of things. These types of tests are always graded funny anyway. I was told that applications are reviewed by committee, and that's why the process takes so long. Theoretically, in the same amount of time I could finish NU's program- I would still be waiting to get into Grossmont's nursing program (3-4 year wait).

As for your friend, the fact that he went to Maric could be a major problem. They are not a regionally accredited school, and therefore any class units taken there do not transfer. You are allowed to retake the accuplacer though. I think it's two or three times, but you have a waiting period in between. I also think that you may have an advantage, as you have taken your prereq's at NU.

Keep plugging away, and don't put all your eggs in one basket!

Harparia

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

congratulations harparia and superdooper on getting into national. :yeah: what an accomplishment!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

My scores were just about around yours for the Accuplacer. However, I think you did better on the college math (I got around 40-50 maybe?). I had a 3.95 GPA when I applied.

After talking to around 20 people about their denials and acceptances. Heres what I have concluded for applying for generic entry.

1) You MUST have completed at least ONE science class before applying. Two definitely helps.

2) GPA doesnt have to be that high overall but your sciences must be at least a B for a fair chance

3) A good essay.

The number 1 reason is the biggest factor I have found, most people denied had not even completed a science class yet, even when they had 4.0 GPAs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.
Just FYI - the LVN-RN program at Grossmont is lecture one day and then lab/clinicals one day. At least it is in general. I hear the schedule gets more hectic later on down the line. I have to say, I like being in a class with all LVNs. Everyone has so much experience! The learning environment is way more advanced than LVN school. It's good to hear everyone's stories and people help you as you learn skills. I like getting the scoop about the different places people are working, too.

Good luck. :)

GoldenFire what days are clinical and school? Is class held on Friday like I thought? Does it differ or are they always on the same day? Does everyone in the LVN-RN program work also?

Thanks for all the info! :)

FW

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
congratulations harparia and superdooper on getting into national. :yeah: what an accomplishment!

thanks! i start in january '09!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I tested into college English and Math.

My scores were as follows:

Reading Comp 118

Sentence skills 117

Element. Algebra 109

College Math 63

Harparia

Thank you for that info. Your scores are a little higher than mine, as well as your gpa.

My gpa: 3.18

Reading comp: 111

Sentence skills 109

Elementary Algebra: 107

College Math: 47

Oh I do hope I get in!!! I am on 4 other waitlists so we'll see.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
congratulations harparia and superdooper on getting into national. :yeah: what an accomplishment!

that's to be congratulated for sure. i meet so many people who don't get in these days. it's nice to see a couple acceptances!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
GoldenFire what days are clinical and school? Is class held on Friday like I thought? Does it differ or are they always on the same day? Does everyone in the LVN-RN program work also?

FW

For the transition class that I'm in now, we have two classes on Weds (nursing and pharm) so the day is from 11 am to about 4 pm.

On Fridays we have lab day that starts with a lecture and then we do skills and check offs. Fridays are 8 am to technically 5:30 pm, but we're often done earlier than that.

For Fall semester it's lecture one day and 12 hour clinicals on a second day. There's a 5 week period where we will also have psych - this adds on a second lecture day and two more clinical days (6 hours each). So that's 5 days a week. We understand that on the day before your clinical day, you go in to review your patient's chart and do a mini care plan - this takes about 2 hours and they want you to go in in the afternoon.

As LVNs, we do not qualify for student externships, but we will have preceptorships in the spring.

Soooo... that's all I know for now, and of course with nursing school, everything could change.

Yes, almost everyone works. Lots of people are doing agency or per diem, and that's nice because your schedule is more flexible. It seems like a lot of employers are willing to work with your schedule when you're in school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you for that info. Your scores are a little higher than mine, as well as your gpa.

My gpa: 3.18

Reading comp: 111

Sentence skills 109

Elementary Algebra: 107

College Math: 47

Oh I do hope I get in!!! I am on 4 other waitlists so we'll see.

:( :( I got my rejection letter today from National. They did not say why and my letter said if I'd like to reapply, I will be eligible in May of 2009.

Oh well, count me in on the Looong wait list at Grossmont, City, Palomar, Southwestern. Congrats to all that got accepted. They have certainly set the bar much higher than 2 years ago. I know nurses who were accepted with a 2.9, but they are great nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.
:( :( I got my rejection letter today from National. They did not say why and my letter said if I'd like to reapply, I will be eligible in May of 2009.

Oh well, count me in on the Looong wait list at Grossmont, City, Palomar, Southwestern. Congrats to all that got accepted. They have certainly set the bar much higher than 2 years ago. I know nurses who were accepted with a 2.9, but they are great nurses.

I am so sorry to hear that SDMamma. :icon_hug: I just can't believe it. :heartbeat

And what is so frustrating is that they don't let you know why or even what would help the candidate to get accepted!

Are you already on the wait list for all the colleges? Get on as quick as you can if not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
:( :( I got my rejection letter today from National. They did not say why and my letter said if I'd like to reapply, I will be eligible in May of 2009.

Oh well, count me in on the Looong wait list at Grossmont, City, Palomar, Southwestern. Congrats to all that got accepted. They have certainly set the bar much higher than 2 years ago. I know nurses who were accepted with a 2.9, but they are great nurses.

I'm sorry SDMamma, :cry:

I'm not sure where you live in SD, but if you are on the east side, you may want to look at Imperial Valley College in El Centro. You need to establish yourself there with 12 units, and it's a loooong drive, but it may be worth it for you.

Keep trying!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you both Fairewand and Harparia for you sympathies. LOL. Its not the end of the world. I am on the waiting lists for all the community colleges, except imperial valley. I am also working so at least I will have a foot in the door at my current hospital when I do finally make the leap to RN. Good luck to everyone trying to get in to NU. I probably won't be posting on here for awhile. Take care and don't give up hope! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment