capella44

I can understand your frustration - I had to deal with the same situation. The first CC I went to did not have priority registration and I had no problems getting into the classes I needed. Then I had to transfer to a school that did priority registration based on credit hours, and even though I was in group 3 of 6 I still couldn't get into the section I needed. But just keep checking as most likely someone will drop due to non payment etc.. I used to check obsessively at least 10 times a day, but it paid off and I was able to grab a spot in the class I needed. And not sure about the schools you are looking at, but the one I transferred to counted my previous credits towards determining my registration priority, so I didn't have to start completely from scratch. Good luck!

I was in a similar situation. I enrolled in A&PI and it had been over 10 years since I took Chemistry in high school. I ended up being fine though and got an A in the class. I found in my class between the textbook and lecture, the concepts I needed to know were covered enough that I could pick up on things without too much trouble. I'm not sure if you would need to take an entire semester of Chemistry; maybe get a copy of "Getting Ready for A&P" and review the chemistry section in it. It is a good book to review math and bio concepts you may need as well. Good luck!

Thanks so much! Now that you have mentioned it, studying tissue types does make a lot of sense knowing what we are going to be studying. And while I did get an A in A&P I, sometimes the chemistry would throw me off a little, so I will look over my basics again.

I am starting A&P II in a couple a weeks and am a little nervous since it's been a almost 2 years since I took A&P I (which was also at a different school). I would like to review/refresh my A&P knowledge as much as I can before class starts, and was wondering what would be the best items to focus on that may come up again this semester. Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Good luck KareBare!! Let us know if you get in! :)

I also am interested in info on NIU's program. I am currently taking my prereqs at JJC and was planning on applying to the program there, but also would like to know about what other options are out there.

wow...i feel so much better after reading everyone's posts! i was starting to get discouraged too. i also work full time and have been taking my prereqs for two years as i am only able to take one a semester. financially i can't afford to work part time and apply for nursing school for at least another year (paying off debt), and even though i am slowly moving towards my goal, it seems so far away. it's so frustrating that the only thing stopping me is money, and i have keep trying to think of ways to get into school sooner, but i keep coming to the realization that what i am doing now is probably best. it makes me feel better to know i am not the only one that feels this way, and that there may be light at the end of the tunnel. thanks for your posts everyone! :)

I know that some schools (including the one I will apply to) only look at the GPA from the pre-reqs they require. So maybe find out what classes are required and retake any that you have a very low grade in. Also, if it has been a long time since you have taken some of those classes, you may have to retake them anyway. My school will only accept some of the science classes if it has been less than 5 years since you took them. Also, I know my school puts a big emphasis on your TEAS score, especially the reading score. So if your GPA is not as high but you score well on the test, you might be fine. Don't be discouraged! It sounds like you are on the right track and are very focused on what you need to do. :yelclap:

hello! i know how you feel about the waiting. i am 34 years old and have another degree in a unrelated field. it wasn't until a year or so ago that i realized my true calling was nursing. however, due to my current financial situation i will not be able to apply to nursing school for probably another 2 years. in the meantime, i am taking one prereq a semester as i work full time. since nursing school is a ways off, i am trying like you to study things on the side that may be beneficial. i would recommend reviewing your a&p for sure. also medical terminology, and maybe pick up some books specific to nursing and diseases. i have this one book i got that lists common diseases/illnesses, and discusses symptoms, treatment, and follow up care that is from a nurse’s perspective. if you find anything you think would be good to study, let me know! it's nice to know there is someone in a similar situation to mine. if we keep the "pre" studying up, i think we will be super students in nursing school.

I am an on again-off again volunteer at a local hospital. I started on a med/surg floor and switched to the ED and love it! The problem is I just don't have enough time to go on a regular basis between my full time job and school. But when I have been there I have learned a lot and gotten a good feel for the hospital environment. And you will find there may be some nurses who find out you are entering nursing school and will go out of their way to show you things. Good luck!

I have been using Amazon and love it! I have gotten used copies that are in great condition for half the price, and then I turn around and sell any textbooks I don't want to keep and usually make all my money back.

Blue Cat is correct - you will need to complete Bio 250 before you can apply. I agree that you should meet with a nursing advisor if you haven't yet. I did several months ago even though I will not be applying for a while. She was extremely helpful - told me what classes I needed to complete, TEAS score requirements, etc.. I also was able to ask a lot of questions about the nursing program in general. I feel much more prepared now.

I have A&P II, Microbiology, and Soc 290 (taking online now). I am taking one class a semester while I work full time. Financially I won't be ready to apply to the program until probably Spring or Fall 2013. It seems like such a long way off!

Thanks so much for the info! I will send you a PM...curious about what you think about your instructors. I don't have much of a choice since I have to take evening classes, but it would be nice to know what I am getting into. And congrats on starting in August!

i am finishing taking my prereqs at jjc and was looking for advice/info on the classes there. i am taking nutrition online this summer and microbiology in the fall. i am hoping to take a&p ii in spring 2012 and soc 290 in summer 2012 (probably online). i work full time during the day so i have been taking one class a semester. anyone currently in these classes or going to be taking them? how are the online courses? any instructors you recommend, study tips, etc? any info would be greatly appreciated!

I'm taking Nutrition online....starts on May 31st. I work full time and it was all I could fit in since the summer semester is shortened. I think I would have gone crazy if I took Microbiology 4 nights a week!

I recently transferred from Waubonsee CC to JJC and will be finishing my prereqs there. I actually meet all the requirements to apply to the nursing program now, but due to finacial reasons I will not be able to apply for another year or two. So I am working on finishing my remaining prereqs in the meantime. Since I am just starting out at this school and it's going to be a while until I'm in the nursing program, I was just curious if there is anyone else out there taking their prereqs at JJC too. I would love to be able to find others to compare experiences/give advice, moral support etc.. Anyone else out there? :)

I have been going to Waubonsee CC and taking my prereqs one at a time to prep for their nursing program. To make a long story short, I just found out due to a mix up I am actually not in their district. So I will be transferring to JJC to finish my prereqs and hopefully enter their nursing program. I have already started the process of submitting my transcripts and having them reviewed so I can start class there in the fall. But I seem to be getting mixed information regarding exactly what classes are required to be completed before you can apply for their program. I have a previous associates degree, so the only classes I needed to take at Waubonsee were A&P I&II, Life Span Psych, and Microbiology. I have already completed A&P I, and am currently in Life Span. I know that after they review my transcripts and let me know what tranfers I will have a meeting to let me know what else I need to take, but I was hoping that maybe someone could give me a heads up in the meantime. Any info would be greatly appreciated! :)

Does anyone know what the income requirement is to qualify?

i second the vote for waubonsee cc's online course. i had the instructor for a&p i last semester and she is fantastic! she is always available to assist students...she truly wants you to succeed.

I will be volunteering in a unit with the nursing staff. They have you complete training at the front desks first, and then if you will be assisting on a floor you get additional training (I will be completing that next). At the front desks you greet visitors, assist with patient transport/discharge, etc.. On the unit, you visit with patients and help the nursing staff with non-medical tasks (stocking supplies, preparing charts). I work full time and go to class on the weekends, so I only volunteer one night a week. But it's good experience and I really enjoy it!

It took three months before they called me. In orientation they explained they didn't have openings, but now they do. I would give them a follow up call. I really enjoy volunteering there...the people are wonderful and I have gotten to see a lot of interesting things!

Hi! I also go to Waubonsee, but due to financial reasons will not be applying to the nursing program for another year or two. So I am taking my prereqs one at a time on the weekends (I work full time) until I can apply. I just finished A&P I and will be taking A&P II in the fall. I only had to take four prereqs as I have another Associates degree and some classes transferred over. From what I hear, there is usually about a semester wait and they give preference to in-district students. You mentioned taking the CLEP test for Inro to Psych...I was told you could also test out of Life Span Psych which is also a prereq. You may want to look into that. I've found these boards to be a great resource...don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. Good luck!

hi....not sure if you saw my response in the other forum... i am in a similar position...i have been in a stable full time job that pays a decent salary (around starting pay for an rn), but realized this just isn't where my heart is. i have to face the same decision you do, as i also live in the chicago area and there are not really any adn programs that meet outside of my work hours. right now i am taking one prereq at a time on the weekends at waubonsee, but when they are completed i will probably have to quit my job and find a part time one that pays much less while i am in school. but i think if you are like me, taking that risk will be worth it if it means you can have a career that you find fulfilling. work is such a big part of our lives...you should do something that makes you happy, not something that just gets you by. for me, i need a job that continues to challenge me to grow as a person but also leaves me feeling like i have made a difference. when i have doubts of my decision, i think about what my current job will be like in 10 years, and what my job could be like in 10 years if i was a nurse. then i know i have made the right decision. if nursing is your dream, don't be afraid to go after it! every dream takes some sacrifice to achieve, and you will find a way to make it all work out. stay positive and good luck! :)

Not sure if anyone got back to you on this... I am not in the nursing program yet, but when I met with a counsellor, she said the wait is usually no longer than a semester, sometimes less. And she stressed they really give in-district students top priority. Hope this helps! Good luck! :)