SWingate86

Time management and organization. In my opinion, these two elements are the foundation towards success in nursing school. If I don't feel well prepared and have everything in the right place, then everything else is out of sync for me! Also, getting to class / clinical 15 minutes early, printing out power points for lectures and reading ahead have also helped me get my mind in the right place. I definitely feel more focused, confident, and ready to learn if I'm on time, know what to expect, and have the content organized

I will be 27 this August and I'm currently in my first year of nursing school, and in all honesty I wouldn't have been able to hack it if I were a younger student. Based on my own personal experiences academically, I feel that being more mature has proven to be more beneficial for me as a nursing student. I'm more grounded, better able to cope with the workload, and certainly more focused on what I need to do and getting it done (i.e., I certainly don't procrastinate as much as I used to!). At your age, you certainly aren't kidding yourself. In fact, you are probably at the perfect age to get the ball rolling and getting started! If you are seriously considering going into nursing, my advice to you would be this: Start NOW - Don't think about the "what ifs". Just do it. Look at every available nursing program in your area - Seriously, you will be surprised by what is available if you do some research. There are so many different programs out there. See what the requirements are for their program, compile a list of questions and talk to an academic adviser, compare the programs that you are most interested in and let that be your guide to helping you get your prereqs done. And finally, don't feel discouraged about the waiting list deal. Yes, it's competitive to get into a program, that's no lie, but if you plan accordingly ahead of time (i.e., researching programs, their requirements, etc) then you can create a game plan (that will more than likely change, but it's good to have a starting point). Just work hard, stay committed, and start NOW. Good luck :)

I applied twice for my community college program. I was not accepted or wait listed either time, and I had a 3.36 GPA. While that's a decent GPA, it honestly does not cut it when you are applying for a competitive RN program. I decided to go to a private college for their program instead. After taking the TEAS exam (76%), interviewing with the Dean and transferring in my credits, I was accepted :) Took me almost two years, and yes I did feel discouraged and nearly gave up, but I did a lot of self reflection and realized I truly wanted to be an RN. I just completed my first term and currently have a 4.0 GPA :) I'm so glad I never gave up because it's made me even more passionate about the nursing profession and determined to be successful!

@mzwhyte77 -- How did you do with your TEAS? Rasmussen only looks at your overall score, not your individual scores (math, science, etc). I believe you need an overall score of 55% or 65% to be eligible for their RN program, so even if you don't do so well on the math or science portion, if you do really well in the reading and english sections you should be OK. As far as accreditation goes, they aren't accredited by the NLNAC or the SACS, so if you wanted to transfer out to USF or SPC, you more than likely won't be able to since Rasmussen is accredited by a different agency. However, you can transfer in your credits and apply them towards their RN program. This is a little off putting, especially if you want your BSN, however, they do have a BSN program which can be completed online. Will attending any of these schools for RN program affect you in getting a job? No. I had the same concerns, and I personally called the nursing recruiter at Baycare to ask them if they gave preference to one college over the other. I was told, and this is verbatim, that they cannot hire someone based upon the school which they attended since they cannot show any bias from one institution to the other. Will they more than likely hire someone from USF or SPC? Maybe, but that also depends on the applicant's background (i.e do they have any experience in the medical field such as being a CNA, etc), and are they applying from within the organization? I asked if they have hired graduates from Rasmussen, and the nursing recruiter said that they have indeed hired students from Rasmussen, so yes, as long as you have a valid RN license from the state of Florida and a two year degree, you can be hired as an RN. I hope I was able to answer some of your questions, if you want to know anything else, just let me know!

I've yet to receive an email. Is it possible that they are sending out acceptance letters first, and then alternates / rejections? I'm almost certain I'll probably be an alternate this time...I keep refreshing my Outlook email inbox waiting for it to pop up!

@Tampabp, yes, the TEAS test is required for admittance into Rasmussen's RN program. They've recently switched from the HESI exam to the TEAS V exam. You need an overall score of 60% in order to be considered for their program. Also, because I've taken and passed Comp II and College Algebra, I do not need to take their admission exam either (I believe it's called the STEPS test). I'm not sure if there are any additional classes I will have to take before I begin the core nursing classes since I have completed all my nursing prereqs at SPC, but I am meeting with the RN program manager tonight to discuss what steps I will have to take next. They also have a BSN program now too which my friend has enrolled in, and I believe it is online since it is all theory. I've heard good things about Rasmussen, so I'm fairly confident that I will enroll into their RN program :)

Hi I'm going to Rasmussen NPR campus on Wednesday for their RN information session. I have a friend who recently graduated from their RN program and had nothing but positive things to say about her experiences and is currently employed at a hospital as an RN, but I would also like to hear your thoughts and opinions as well if you don't mind :) I'm currently attending SPC and I have been waiting a while now to be accepted into their RN program, but with a 3.36 GPA that's highly unlikely Anyways, I have completed all my prereqs, have taken and passed the TEAS exam, and since I've completed Comp II and College Algebra (and my A.A degree) the RN program manager said I do not have to take their entrance exam, so the only thing I would have to complete is the interview with the Dean. So if you don't mind, could you briefly tell me what it's been like for you so far? Tips, advice, etc? Thanks for your help :)

I haven't heard anything from neither one. I figured EAYL will start contacting applicants after tomorrow, October 10th, since that is their application deadline. As far as SPC goes, if you check here: SPC Health programs admissions , you will see that students should be notified by November 1st regarding their status (accepted, wait listed, or denied). I'm going mental too! I still check my email, phone, and mail box multiple times a day even though I know I won't find anything out until the end of October. Hopefully we will all hear something back soon...I need to be put out of my misery!

I'm looking into retaking my APII class at another college to obtain a higher grade to boost my GPA (as of right now a 3.36, so not the most competitive...ugh ). I originally took the course at SPC and earned a C for the lecture portion and an A for the lab portion. I'm looking into either HCC or PHCC, and will look to take the courses online if possible. My question is, if I decide to take APII again, will I also have to repeat the lab portion as well if I transfer to another school? Obviously I'd like to avoid retaking classes altogether, let alone one that I've already earned an A in. One last question - would it be worth trying to repeat these courses? Or would I be wasting my time and money? I calculated that if I retake these courses I will bring my GPA up from a 3.36 to a 3.86. Any information is appreciated! Thanks :)

I've applied for the EAYL program as well. The application deadline is October 10th for outside applicants, so I believe that they will be contacting applicants once the deadline date has past. I know it's a multi interview process (not sure how many interviews are required though). I applied in the Spring of 2011 and was called in for an interview, however, I wasn't offered a second one. Also, when I went to HEC to speak with an advisor they told me that they have heard that the EAYL program requires that you take the TEAS test now to be considered. Not 100% whether it is needed or not, but I've already taken it so at least I've got that requirement covered. Hopefully we'll be hearing from EAYL and / or SPC soon! Good luck:cat:

I got a C in APII for the lecture and a C in Statistics - those are my two lowest grades. I've already asked if I could retake those courses and was told by an academic advisor that they were not allowing students to retake courses anymore, so no, I can't retake them I'll ask again just to be 100% sure that I can't retake them, because with a 3.3 I have a feeling that I won't get in for the Spring semester...

I'm being considered for the second pool in May. I've been crunching numbers and grades all morning, and even if I do extra credit in Microbiology I'll still have a B in the class (lab too), and my GPA will go from a 3.5 to a 3.3...What are my chances of being accepted for second pool with that GPA? Slim to none? Say a Hail Mary? Outlook not so good?? What about the Spring semester?

Well that does make the odds a little bit better if they are only interviewing about 12 people! If they just finished up interviews last week then I'm assuming that they won't be making any selections until they've done all the background checks and references...Hopefully later this week or next week we will know more!

No not yet...I'm hoping that this will be the week!!

Congrats!!!!! Good luck