Pregnancy and birth

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H! I'm a 20 year old about to start my second year of college. My whole life growing up for some reason I just assumed I would be a nurse. Maybe it was my dad rubbing off of me but I always assumed that's what I would do. So I have done a year of pre reps for my local nursing program but the last 6 months I have become discouraged with my choice. I don't really know that nursing would make me the happiest. I have always been extremely fascinated by the process of pregnancy and birth. I've been researching careers that deal with that, and also that don't require years and years of schooling. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE some input. Are there careers in that field that you would suggest? Thanks so much!

Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

You don't need an associates degree before applying to a 4 year college. Take your pre reqs then apply to nursing programs.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
I think the community college is wanting you to get a prenursing associates degree which they are telling you will take 3 years and then apply to a BSN program which is two. No, no, no!! I don't know why this degree even exists. It's a money maker for the community colleges. Thank goodness mine did not do that.

I think they are telling you three years because you are maybe missing some math and with the order of the prereqs it may take you an additional semester. If you take classes in the summer, you should be able to get it done in a year. The apply to their nursing program and that sound only take 2 years. You could actually be an RN in 3 years. Then you could bridge and go from ASN-BSN and still be am RN with your BSN is about 4 years.

You need to tell those advisors you don't want a prenursing degree. You either want an ASN from their school or you need to take certain prereqs at their school for a particular BSN program and will all their credits transfer? Then find a BSN program you want to attend, figure out their prereqs and take them. This requires some research on your part. It doesn't fall in your lap.

You do not need a prenursing degree. That's ridiculous. And I'm 99% sure that is what this person is trying to get you to do. I was lacking in my math as well. I sucked at it. I did 2 semesters of remedial math, then took college algebra over the summer to be done so I could start the nursing program that fall. One year later. I just graduated in 3 years this past May.

The degree exists for one reason only. $$$$$. And pre-nursing advisors are the worst. Very often giving incorrect or misleading information because the CC can make more money if your get an AA then ADN/BSN. Sad but true.

OP talk directly to the nursing programs you want to apply to - even if it's at the same community college. Ask the nursing school exactly what they require, what transfers (if another school) and create your plan.

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I know that. But the pre reqs to get into a university is like an extra year than the prerequisites to just get my associates at the community college. At least that's what they tell me

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I know that. But the pre reqs to get into a university is like an extra year than the prerequisites to just get my associates at the community college. At least that's what they tell me

I think either we aren't understanding you, or you aren't understanding us.

What prerequisites do they say need before you can attend Community College? All you should need is a GED or high school diploma.

It makes absolutely no sense that you would need a year of prerequisite classes at a community college, before you could apply for the two-year program at a community college. Unless you have to do remediation classes or something?

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I'm currently already taking classes at the community college. I've done 1 year of pre reqs and if I wanted to go straight for my associates I could finish next year then apply for the associates nursing program at the community college. But they say that it's hard to get in because it's a lottery system. So my counselor advised that by taking an extra year of classes while I wait to see if I get into the community college nursing program I would be able to go straight into a university and do 2 years to get my bachelors. (Instead of getting my associates degree at the community college then bridging to a university to get my bachelors) Idk I'm really confused at this point. What would you guys suggest doing??

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They gave me a sheet of all the classes that I would have to take to be able to have my pre reqs done then transfer for the nursing program at a university. They're telling me to only do one core science per semester because they're telling me they are extremely difficult. My first semester they must have thought I wasn't a good student (even though I had a 4.0 in highschool) so they recommended I only take 8 units. Last semester I took 13 units. And I'm currently in a summer class. I still have anatomy, micro, and physio to take and they're telling me to only take one of those per semester. I'm taking anatomy next semester. And so I guess if those were the only classes I had left I would be done in two years. However they told me to take additional classes while I wait to see if I get into their nursing program, the additional classes would make me eligible to go to transfer to a university. Does that info sound right to you guys?

No, that sounds shady as all getout. WHY did they tell you not to attend full-time? Are you getting poor grades? Also, if you can't handle two science classes in 16 weeks you'd probably have a VERY hard time with a full time nursing program. You may have personal or academic challenges that make nursing an iffy possibility, but if so you haven't shared them. My inclination based on what you HAVE said is the the community college is yanking your chain and milking you for as much tuition as possible.

Do you receive financial aid? If so, it's also extremely important to know about maximum time frame allowed for degrees. Fin aid doesn't like it if you putter around part time for years.

As far as taking one science class at a time and padding your credit hours with other courses, only do that if you KNOW every class will directly apply to your goal (e.g. will count toward gen ed for your bachelor's even if it's above and beyond the ASN requirements).

This whole experience is very saddening. I am a community college grad. My program admission was competitive, they had good retention rates, and stellar NCLEX pass rates. For all its flaws it was still an excellent program. It cost thousands upon thousands less than a BSN and it got me earning RN pay a year sooner. The general advisors were kind of crummy, but they never tried to bully me into taking years of courses I didn't need. I'm sorry your cc does not seem to have your interests at heart.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

This is so confusing. OP, the way RN degrees work in all the colleges in my area is as follows: 18 months for an accelerated ASN (this requires that pre-reqs be taken ahead of time), 2 years for a regular ASN (no particular pre-reqs aside from your typical high school science courses required), 4 year BSN (can either be done through university or do a bridge from an ASN to a BSN while working as an RN - again, no pre-reqs other than high school sciences required). None of these require that you get an associate's degree, then get your ASN, then get your BSN. Your situation sounds incredibly weird and it sounds like they are either jerking you around or there's some information about your grades that you aren't giving us.

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When I say associates I mean my ASN. And nope I've always gotten straight A's. The only reason I didn't go straight to a university out of high school is because I come from poverty and I didn't take one last year of high school math. I called the local university and they told me that I should do my 2 years of pre reqs, then enter my community colleges nursing program and do concurrent enrollment at the University so that once I have my rn lisence I would finish my last year at the University to get my bachelors. But I was thinking about just getting my rn lisence (which is an ASN right?) Then take classes online to get my bachelors while I work as an rn.

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To the op, look at the prerequisite list for the nursing programs your applying too, whether it be bsn or adn. When you have selected a program you want, take the perquisite courses towards that program. You can take perquisites for both adn and bsn program. You can finish the courses faster than what your counselor is telling you, just develop a plan for taking the rest of your prerequisites.

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Specializes in ICU.

So, they are telling you to get an ASN? Your posts are confusing.

OP, you need to do some actual research on degrees and what is hired in your area. The difference in degrees, what it takes to become an RN. I don't think you understand.

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Am I OP? Lol. I've done tons of research. But I was just doing strictly by what my counselors advised me but I guess I shouldn't be doing so. And I don't know what ASN stands for

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Am I OP? Lol. I've done tons of research. But I was just doing strictly by what my counselors advised me but I guess I shouldn't be doing so. And I don't know what ASN stands for

ASN is associates of science in nursing. It is a 2 year degree that allows you to sit for the NCLEX when you finish.

An ASN program usually does not require prereqs (definitely not 2 years of prereqs ). There is NO reason to get an associate of science (AS) degree then get an ASN. You would have 2 associates degrees for no purpose (can you even get 2 associates degrees?)

There is also no reason to get a ASN, then transfer to a BSN program, and I don't think you can event do that.. You would already be an RN, so you would need a RN to BSN program.

And OP means original poster, so yes, you are the OP.

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