badgerstudent

Fill out the fafsa. information is at fafsa.ed.gov

Volunteer work in a hospital setting or other healthcare location is a great idea.

I'd take the 4 yr scholarship. You won't get another offer for a full ride to a 4 year university, and it's free, after all!

I finally finished my pre-reqs for this program but it doesn't seem to help. I sent my transcript in more than a month ago and they have not yet processed it. I talked to the person in charge of processing transcripts once and she said it'd be done in a few days (this was a while ago) but so far no luck. It's so frustrating because her voicemail box is full so you can't leave a message and I even sent a paper letter with no response. It seems like after you're done with pre-reqs you'd be all set but this doesn't seem to be the case. The short waiting list at MATC seems to be getting longer for me because they won't process my transcripts!

It's possible. The last 60 credits of coursework you do are the most important, so you can do as best you can in the pre-reqs you need and then apply to BSN programs. Furthermore, you could apply for entry into ADN programs which are less competitive (but have waitlists most of the time) then upgrade to a BSN later.

I think becoming a CNA would be really beneficial...you'll get hands-on healthcare experience and get to see what nurses do. When you're fresh out of CNA classes, it'll probably be easier to get a job at a retirement home or other facility than a hospital.

I applied for fall 2009...even if accepted I'm not sure if I will go because fo the cost (community college ADN is the other option for me). I have 2 more pre-reqs to go; computer science and ethics. I just sent in my transcripts and stuff so I'm not really anxious yet.

I don't think that making as many flashcards as possible is the best way to get a head start for studying, because in my experience, the act of making the flashcards then using them is part of the learning process. If you make them now then don't touch them till fall, then you'll have forgotten the cards already. How about asking your fall anatomy professor for a copy of last year's syllabus? Then you can get a better idea of how the material will be covered and you can go from there. You're doing a good thing by starting studying now!

Bicster--can you help me understand how this is true? I do have pre-existing conditions, so as far as I know, that will make my premiums increase dramatically or make insurance companies decide that I'm a higher risk client and reject my application.

Hm, it's hard to say. A&P is typically considered one of the more difficult nursing pre-reqs. So it's hard to say which one makes more sense--I'm guessing that the summer A&P is more credits than psych and probably also at a more rapid pace since it's a summer class. However, if you're gonna take 2 classes in fall, now might be a good time to do it. Whichever one you choose, I'd recommend doing A&P 1 and then A&P 2 the semester right after.

Since you have childcare and work obligations, I strongly advise you to take one class instead of two. Class might be more difficult than you expected and you don't want to get bad grades because there's too much on your plate. I'd suggest doing 1 class at first.

Is anyone else concerned about health insurance while attending nursing school? The ADN program I'm waiting for is part time because the electives must be completed before attending. As a result, I'm not eligible for health insurance as a dependent because I'm not a fulltime student. According to the information packet, clinicals may be scheduled during the day or the evening so at first I thought I'd find a fulltime job during 3rd shift with insurance (that in itself is not an easy task). But then I realized when the heck am I gonna sleep if clinicals are at any time during day or night? I'm starting to get really worried about this. Buying your own health insurance can be prohibitively expensive or they can reject you at any time for any reason. Help!

It's more common to find physio as a stand-alone course at a 4 year school. If you can't find it in your area, you might have to bite the bullet and take A&P combined

Thank you for your helpful posts! I just applied to Drexel for next year--my other option is a community college, so I'll wait to hear if I was accepted at Drexel then decide between those two choices. I just finished my BA and I don't have any familial obligations, so that makes life a lot easier, although I would have to move cross country to do the Drexel program. I just sent in my transcripts recently, so I guess it's time to wait a little bit and see if I hear from them! As far as I understand, they do admissions on a rolling basis...

Definitely look up in your syllabus for how much of your final grade this exam respresents. If your poor grade was due to too many other commitments, like too many classes, work, home responsibilities, etc, then withdraw. The bad grade isn't worth it. Otherwise, there IS hope! Start going to the instructor's office hours on a regular basis and find out where you went wrong. Make a study group in your class. It is possible to improve! My first microbiology lab test was like that, too...then I got my butt in gear and improved.

Butting in--Drexel students, how much money in Stafford loans were you able to get?

This spring, I completed the last pre-req I need for an ADN program at a tech school. I sent in my transcript a month ago and according to them I haven't received it or processed it because it's not showing up on my online record. I'm pretty sure the same thing happened last time I sent in transcripts, too--one of them was "lost"! I sent emails and called a few people but so far no response. The school is 1.5 hours away and I wonder if driving there and handing in my transcript in person would do any good. Has anyone else dealt with similar frustrations? I feel like I'm so close, but so far away!

I agree--DON"T go to Herzing! It seems like they will never get accreditation and some graduates are suing Herzing for misleading them. It's hard to get hired if you graduate from a non-accreidted school. Get on the MATC Madison waitlist for sure, but it is long. UW-Madison and Edgewood are the only other nursing schools in town.

The big thing that hurt my grades was failing a 5 credit course (physio) and getting a mediocre grade for 3 credits of anatomy. However, I am retaking AP 1 & 2 this summer and I'm getting an A in the course. my other grades in the pre-reqs are mostly B's.

In my opinion, don't do it! Even fitting in all that stuff in your schedule would be tough (I don't think they'd even allow you to register for that many credits!)

I got my 2nd rejection letter and now I don't know what to do. I applied to two local tech schools but they both have waiting lists. I don't know if I should get a job or re-take pre-requisite classes for a better grade. BTW, I am 21 just finished my bachelor's in Spanish and I can take classes next semester at my university if I want to. I just don't know what to do. -----------EDITED----------- Just got news that may change my decision. I got an academic year's worth of grants so that tuition is free if I attend school to take more pre-reqs! also got subsidized loans for living expenses if I choose to use them. so it makes school more tempting... -------------------------------

Have you filled out your FAFSA yet? (fafsa.ed.gov) if not, that is your first step!

What are some websites or books in which I can learn about what you can do with a Master's in different areas? Or what people with a Doctor of Nursing do? I have a vague idea of some of the clinical focuses, but I'd like to learn more.

Hey Drexel ACE participants--is it possible to get A's in this program? Or is it so fast paced that everyone is just trying to pass? I am waiting for admission into this program, but I don't want to do it if it will hurt my opportunities for going to grad school in nursing.

A&P 1 and 2 this summer (provided I can get into the course!)