Published Dec 23, 2014
Chip811
4 Posts
Hello - I am new to this board and am considering going back to school for nursing. Its something I always wished I did and have recently spent quite a bit of time in various hospitals as my dad is battling cancer and I've been thinking about going for it. I have a BS in business and have my CPA. Unfort my courses for my business degree include 0 science / pshych / anatomy. I think I took one geology class ha! I checked out SB site and see the prereqs for psych, bio, chem, API and II...wondering do those have prereqs themselves? And for those of you who had to go back and take those classes, where did you go? I work part time and have three little kids so this would be a long journey for me as I can't go to school fulltime. Looking at SBU course catalog it looked like all those prereqs have their own prereqs. Is that the case with most schools? And how competitive are the schools on LI? Any info on how you began your process would be great! Thanks!
DivaliciousMe85
373 Posts
Welcome... I have a business degree also, so I had to do all my prerequisites before I applied to any nursing schools. Usually they want you to have some foundation like HS biology. Some places (if you become non-matriculated) just need to see your HS transcript. Some don't require anything at all. I did A&P I&II, Microbiology, and Pathophysiology online through Brockport and Cayuga (both SUNY schools). If you check the Suny Learning Network (SLN) you'll be able to find online classes at most SUNY schools. Then you can just speak to them about registering as non-matriculated and you should then be able to register for courses. That's how I did it!
As for how competitive schools are on LI: VERY! The private schools are usually less competitive because they're more expensive. But generally it's pretty competitive all around.
Best of luck to you!!!
Oh, my process: I decided in January I wanted to go back to school for nursing. I found schools online through the SLN that had my prerequisites. I emailed admissions and got accepted as non-matriculated (explained my situation, that I just needed these as prereqs). I took 5 courses over the summer. I started applying to schools during that process (Adelphi, Farmindgale and Molloy). I took the TEAS, as it's a requirement at some schools. I got into Adelphi. I began my process at Adelphi in Sept to finish prerequisites (psych, genetics, chem, nutrition) but disliked the program so much that I just withdrew today. Finished my courses with A's and B's. Applied to other programs while still at Adelphi (SBU, Pace, Molloy again, Columbia, Yale and NYU). Still waiting to hear from 4 of them.
PacoUSA, BSN, RN
3,445 Posts
I went to SBU for nursing. Since you already have a bachelors degree, do the accelerated program. You are done in a year and you don't need all the prereqs of the basic 2-year program. You do need the science prereqs tho, do those at a community college. Your bachelors degree makes up for those other prereqs like sociology etc. It's a great program if you get in. Aim for no less than a 4.0 in your science prereqs. That's not a guarantee to get in but it helps. Kick butt recommendations and personal statement are very key. They interview now also for admission ... when I got in they didn't have those so can't speak to that. The accelerated is a full time commitment and working is discouraged but some people were somehow able to part time. But think about sacrificing for a year and working as a nurse a year earlier. Lots of parents with kids do this program too. Good luck to you!
Thanks so much...Paco I was exploring these boards and was reading old posts of yours from 2011 regarding the accelerated program and was wondering if you got in...lol, looks like you did and are all done! Did you do prereqs on Long Island? I think Suffolk would be easiest for me on LI. Would the prereq professors be the ones to write the recs? I work in business so not sure how relevent prof letters would really be. Do you think SBU places value on where the prereqs are done?
Diva what are your top choices of those schools you applied to? Well I guess of the LI ones...I have three little kids so commuting to the city / CT would be too tough for me) Good luck to you!!
Hey ... yes I graduated a year later and now a nurse almost 3 years, yikes lol.
Did not do my prereqs on Long Island, I was out of state at the time and did them there, A&P and micro that is. I did chem at Westchester CC though a few years before that. I do recommended you get at least one or two of your science prereqs profs to write one of your references, as they are in a good position to speak to your potential in a nursing degree program, based on your performance in their class (hopefully you will get an A, that makes them more credible than if you got a B or something). Or does not matter where you go do your prereqs, as long as the school is legit and accredited. Many people go to Suffolk for them for Stony Brook.
My top choice would be Stony Brook, for sure. Didn't get into accelerated so I'm trying for the 2-year. Good luck to you too!