JtrayLPN

It is pretty intense. We tested almost everyday until clinicals began at the end of the first trimester. I'm TTC Clarksville. This is my 2nd go at it, I had to drop due to pregnancy/health issues in 2007. Back then we took the NET, it was composed of math & reading only, I scored 98. Now it's the Compass which I've taken for Hopkinsville Community College. I've taken college algebra & statistics, so when I retested for the Compass I tested out of pre-algebra(the requirement here)and into college algebra at 60 & 97 in reading, so I was able to use those scores for acceptance back into TTC. As for the biology...If you just want to review A & P, look on craigslist & find a nursing anatomy book. If you do want to take anatomy, take a course at a college level so that it will transfer into a university if you choose to continue on for ur BSN. Keep in mind if you do take ur sciences, most colleges will not accept them after 3-5yrs from the time you've taken them. Last thing you want to do is have to repeat them, so try to map out your plans if you decide you're going for your RN afterwards. You can be dually enrolled into 2 different colleges, but that would be taking away from where you will need your pell the most in nursing school so pay out of pocket if at all possible. Here we have Workforce Essentials, they can assist in tuition/materials if you meet their requirements, check to see if they're available in your area. They're covering my expenses for the entire program where I didn't have enough in pell, including the NCLEX, uniforms, & other supplies. Since you've qualified for pell, you will also get state funding from TN for being a resident, it's referred to as The Wilder-Naifeh Fund or Lottery Fund, they're both the exact same thing. It's an automatic $2500, that's half your cost right there. Ask your financial aid officer, they will tell you exactly how much pell you have. It doesn't matter what time of yr it is, but they will divide whatever you have equally throughout the course so that you won't use all of it in the beginning. The math is not too difficult, but it's not just adding/subtracting either. There are a lot of dosage calculations & drip rates. If you can find a nursing med math book, get it & get familiar with it. You can youtube a few things on it as well. You will need to pay for you background check, get your physical, & make sure you're utd on immunizations. Again, every college is different, but those are the bare bones of it. If you work or have a family, start preparing yourself to devote a full-time schedule to school. "Most" employers will respect & work around your educational demands, but it's very difficult to work full-time & go to nursing school full-time. But hey, I have a family & work as well. I've been a CNA for 8yrs. Most of us don't have a choice but to work. I'm just very blessed to have a flexible schedule. Prepare yourself, the average studytime can be anywhere between 2-5hrs daily. Everyone learns differently, but I have yet to hear a nurse or student tell me they flew by w/o studying. There will be days you'll ask yourself if you've just sold your soul to the devil, but I promise if you stick with it, the payoff is priceless. The majority of us do move on to get our RN, simply because the demand is increasing & some facilities even strongly encourage you to further your education, but don't let anyone discourage you & make you feel inferior. I promise, you'll encounter a few RNs who forgot what nursing school was like & will treat you as if you're a second hand fiddle...a GOOD nurse will support & give praise to future nurses. And as a former instructor used to tell us, "YOU KNOW WHATCHA KNOW WHATCHA KNOW." Learn it to know it, not just to get by. Goodluck to you & God bless. And God help me as well, here I go again LOL....

a lil late in response, but hey, I'm positive someone else will have the very same question...hope it helps someone else LOL.

Hopkinsville Community College...both main campus & Fort Campbell campus. Main campus offers it every semester for the full semester(16wks), all Fort Campbell classes are 8wks long. It's same price either way($375), books, scrubs, shoes, stethoscope, bp cuff, NOT included but not expensive. You'll take the state board @ Madisonville Community College in Madisonville, KY unless they've changed it. Yes, they accept MGIB & Post 9-11. But u still need to fill out your FAFSA if you haven't done so yet. I have an Associate's in Science as well as my CNA certification(2005) from there

As a former CNA, I as well as the rest of the CNA world thank you for thanking and appreciating us too...LOL...But on to bigger tasks, current nursing student now

and congrats!

If it helps ease the tension any...a lil about my story...For many yrs I was a single mother and as most of us are these days, a non traditional college student. I started on the ASN track, but being so competitive to get accepted, I simply majored in Science at a local community college to get all my general education out of the way. Needless to say, ten yrs have gone by, a grandson, & two stepsons later, I finished that degree . I have also been a Certified Nurse Assistant for eight years, the course was a prerequisite for the RN program, so I figured why not get certified and work in the field to gain some experience, right? In the meantime, I applied to a different school and was accepted, but due to health issues and small children at the time, I was unable to finish. I reapplied to the same program this summer & was reaccepted. I must admit, being that this is my second go at this program, it will not be as difficult for me opposed to the newbies lol since I'm already familiar with all the skills, clinicals, and lecture, but needless to say NO nursing program is "easy." Brace yourself, it is hard work, takes a LOT of self-discipline, and you'll have to find creative ways to stay motivated or you'll get bored, burned out, and ready to quit. But keep in mind, it's all worth it in the end and it's very rewarding! Stick with it & make this next yr your priority!!!! If you have children, have backup for your backup for childcare. have reliable transportation and a backup plan for that too...(if you've never heard of Murphy's Law, I promise you'll soon learn what that's all about because whatever can happen, WILL happen during you nursing school adventure). Find positive ppl who support your decision and I'm sorry to say but eliminate any negative ppl from your life(at least until you've graduated lol). I made tons of flashcards and took notes even when it seemed I was the only one writing in class. Coffee became my best friend and frozen pizza and ramen noodles were a staple in my home! I studied with my children, they drilled me and helped make study time fun lol. O!..almost forgot, make "youtube" your friend, look up things you have trouble with, bt make sure you double check to make sure the info is accurate...get yourself an updated version of "Taber's Medical Encyclopedia"...I call it the bible for nurses. If you can get your hands on a med-surg book, GET IT, IT'S GOOD AS GOLD IN THE NURSING WORLD! And if you have any, bug your nurse friends for any helpful tips and go over some skills with them in your sparetime. I start(again) on September 4th as well....Sorry my post is so long, but Honey goodluck and God bless!!!!