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Its also important to note that the GPA is examined is the namely the cumulative from the prerequisite courses needed to transfer in. It is true you need to have at least 5 completed before entering the program, but it's wise to have all 9 completed to be a stronger candidate. I will be applying to the Fall 2017/Spring 2018 program and this is what I researched/was told. I already have a Bachelor's degree from UIUC and while my cumulative GPA from that degree will be looked over, it is not as crucial as that from the prerequisite courses. It's also a good idea to take a medical terminology course even though your Human Anatomy/Physiology course will cover the basics, if you're able to. I've heard transfers into the program are considered last, as current NIU students are considered first in addition to Pre-Nursing students and following with first time Freshmen. Letters are received in the mail and transfers entering the Fall semester will receive their letters in late April. As far as Dekalb goes, my dad lives 10 minutes away from the NIU campus - there's really not a ton to do out there, seeing as the location of the campus itself is in a town made famous by inventing barbed wire Of course I may be biased since I formerly attended a large University, but if you travel a few minutes out to Sycamore there are good restaurants and your basic shopping centers there. There are some fun little dive bars around the area as well, and I will say the majority of people out that way are friendly. Good luck to everyone applying!

I'm glad you've shared your colleague's experience - I have been going back and forth between working a min. wage job before training as a CNA/ditching the CNA class all together in order to save to pay for my pre-req classes and spending money upfront to complete the CNA course and getting a job at an LTC. After reading what you had to say and others' advice, I think my best bet is to spend the money upfront for the CNA course, get nursing experience, and work in LTC until I can pay for my pre-reqs to apply to a BSN program. Thanks for your input!

Thank you everyone for your advice - I currently don't have the cash to do all my science/psych pre-reqs to enter into a second bacc/accl BSN program, but I do have the money to complete a CNA course. Hopefully after completing it, I will be able to quickly find a job as an LTC, work for awhile, transfer to a hospital, and then have enough money to complete my pre-reqs and apply to the BSN programs. Unfortunately Students-At-Large are not offered financial aid, and the community college I would prefer to go to does not consider me as an in-district student. This is definitely a bummer for me because it does put my goals on the back burner for longer than I'd want, but as many of you said, stick it out and you will reap the rewards.

I live in the northern Chicago suburbs in Illinois. I've actually not heard of the WGU program until now, so I'll be sure to check it out and weigh it as another option. I have also seen accelerated BSN programs taking just as long as traditional second bacc degrees, I wonder if doing a second bacc is any cheaper than the accelerated programs? I think I will definitely go ahead and take the CNA course to get my foot in the door and gain some experience, I would certainly much rather be in a hospital setting but I know of a friend who could get me into a LTC facility where she works and loves! I have some trepidation about becoming a CNA only because I have also heard from an RN's perspective that they can work just as hard as RN's but obviously get paid much much less, but if it means gaining worthwhile experience and connections, I don't see how I could pass it up. I didn't know bridge programs could end up costing me MORE than accelerated/second bacc/traditional BSN programs! Definitely seems like something I should avoid if that's the case. Thank you all so much for your responses!

Hello everyone, I just enrolled myself at CLC and was wondering if anyone else has done the same in their path to becoming a nurse. I already have a BS from a University and am now attempting to complete science pre-reqs to either take the CNA course and enter the ADN program and then bridge to BSN, OR apply into an ACCL BSN program. Has anyone taken their pre-reqs here? (reviews/opinions) Has anyone taken the CNA course here? (reviews/opinions) If so, did you already have a degree? Will I be able to cut out some of the CNA pre-reqs from my schedule to make it shorter? Should I just complete my pre-reqs and do the ACCL BSN instead? As anyone completed their ADN program? (reviews opinions) I'm trying to decide the best route for me as I need to start making money, want to begin my nursing path, but also already have a Bachelor's degree. MUCH thanks to anyone who can help!

Hello everyone, I posted this in the Illinois Nursing forum but didn't get any bites, and NEED the advice (also don't know how to link it to here instead of starting this new topic...). I have just enrolled myself into my local community college to take the pre-req science (anatomy & physiology + chemistry courses with lab) to be able to apply into an accelerated BSN program, as I already have a BS from the UofI. However, I am wondering if after my completed courses or during their completion if I should take the right course(s) to become a CNA first (then enter an ADN program, then ADN-BSN), as my current situation is 1. poor, 2. living at home, and 3. in need of a GOOD paying job (my definition of good is essentially something that will pay me a little more than minimum wage and hopefully get me out of my parents house within a year). In addition to this, I feel it is easier to get a daytime/evening part-time job somewhere while becoming a CNA versus trying to work and complete an ACCL BSN program, thoughts? I understand the CNA-BSN route is a longer one than the ACCL BSN, but I need to start making decent money and I figure the sooner I do that, the easier it will be to start paying off my past and upcoming (for continued education) loans. I also realize once you are fresh out of becoming a CNA, you don't make as much as one with a year+ experience. How easy is it to get a job as a CNA? What are your typical options (as far as the environment/position you work in)? ANY advice would be GREATLY appreciated; the more opinions and personal experiences, the better.

Hello everyone, I have just enrolled myself into my local community college to take the pre-req science (anatomy & physiology + chemistry courses with lab) to be able to apply into an accelerated BSN program, as I already have a BS from the UofI. However, I am wondering if after my completed courses or during their completion if I should take the right course(s) to become a CNA first, as my current situation is 1. poor, 2. living at home, and 3. in need of a GOOD paying job (my definition of good is essentially something that will pay me more than minimum wage and hopefully get me out of my parents house within a year). I understand the CNA-BSN route is a longer one than the ACCL BSN, but I need to start making decent money and I figure the sooner I do that, the easier it will be to start paying off my past and upcoming (for continued education) loans. ANY advice would be GREATLY appreciated; the more opinions and personal experiences, the better.

Thanks so much for your advice! I've also done an overwhelming amount of research, but still wanted to get another's POV of someone who has already/recently been through this process. I definitely agree with your points about going for the BSN over an ADN program, and appreciate your advice about online programs - I definitely want a less expensive option, but not if it will cost me my resume for a good nursing career!

Hello everyone, I am a recent graduate with a BS in Community Health from UIUC. I am moving back to Lake County (home) in order to save some money for the next year or so and am looking to complete the prerequisite science courses required of most all nursing programs and later apply for said programs. My end goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in either neonatal or pediatric care, but I am literally starting from scratch at this point. Any answers or advice for the following questions would be greatly appreciated! 1. What is the best way (cheapest, fastest) way to complete the pre-req science courses? 2. What school(s) did you attend? What is your review of them? 3. Is it better to stay in-state, or move? 4. Is it best to complete programs online, or on-site (campus)? 5. University BSN or Community College BSN/ADN? 6. What option is most efficient: becoming an ADN, doing an accl BSN, doing a direct-entry MSN, etc.?? 7. Are there programs available in which I would be able to work a part- or full-time job? Would you even advise a student to work during schooling, or simply focus on education?

Hello everyone, Background: I am a recent graduate with a BS in Community Health hoping to begin my education in Nursing within the next year or so. I have a low cumulative GPA of 2.9 due to my first two years being a Pre-Med student, but have maintained a 3.6-3.7 GPA for my last 60+ hours of coursework. I have completed an internship at a local hospital and have 200 hours of volunteer work at said hospital. I also worked while in school for the majority of the time. I live in Illinois, and would prefer to remain in Illinois in order to save a little money on rent/housing and tuition costs. My end goal is to become a nurse practitioner, potentially in neonatal or pediatric care. I am already aware I will need to retake prerequisite science courses before even beginning to look at/apply to programs, and although I have already done a good deal of research on my own I would appreciate advice/answers the the following questions from your own perspectives! 1. In order to complete pre-reqs, is it best to attend a local community college? Unfortunately, I am very limited in the number of community colleges near me in which I could receive in-district rates, and also save money by living at home while I complete them, so this is a slight cause of concern. Are these classes typically filled up by this period of time? 2. What program is best? My definition of "best" includes: nearby, more affordable, efficient (BSN or ADN to be completed within 2 years or less), less competitive, and most importantly most sought after by employers. I know there are a variety of options including baccalaureate BSNs, accelerated baccalaureate BSNs, direct-entry MSNs, ADN-RN-BSN, etc. I also realize some programs are more expensive than others (DE MSN vs. ADN-RN), and that it may be more difficult to get a career with some programs over others due to a lack of clinical practice/practice as an RN. 3. Online or on-site? In-state or out? Again, I would like to take both the more affordable yet most desirable (by employers) route. I would like to be hands-on and get the most out of my experience, but I have heard from many that online programs are an "easy" way to become an RN, thoughts? Also, while I would prefer to stay in-state to be able to potentially live at home and save some money on housing and tuition costs, if there are programs that would better suit me and my career goals that are out of state, I will most certainly consider them! ESSENTIALLY, I would like to know what the best way in becoming an RN is, to eventually or concurrently receive my MSN and become a Nurse Practitioner. Again, I know I gave a lot of information and have asked some complex questions, but any and all opinions from those who have already been through this process would be deeply appreciated!!!