Questions about Nursing Schools.

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Hello, My wife just got hired at St. Joseph's in St. Paul and will be starting at the beginning of Feb. We will be moving up there in late Jan. I have 2 semesters of nursing school finished and would like to finish the journey. I am currently an EMT/Firefighter and was wondering how long the wait lists are up there and what schools that you would recommend for an older male student. Have not decided yet where we will be living yet that will be in the next few weeks. I have started to do some research however would like some insight and thoughts from some students or past students.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Specializes in orthopedics, ED observation.

Congratulations to your wife on landing her job! I know you had some frustrations there for a while.

As for schools for yourself - are you seeking a ADN or BSN? Are you looking for a private or public college? There are so many options available in the metro area. And, obviously everyone will start by telling you that the one they attended was the best...:D I would definately spend the time to read through some of the other college threads here on the MN board: St. Kates, NHCC, Metrostate, etc.

I personally chose to seek an ADN, with the intention of finishing a BSN in the (near) future (when my employer will foot the bill...). This decision was in part based on the fact that two-year colleges tend to be less expensive and the one I ended up going to (North Hennepin CC) had an excellent reputation. (And more convenient to my home than say the U of M.) Most colleges around here have waiting lists, but the fact that you're are part way through a program will have an influence on the admission process for you. Some schools admit based on pre-reqs completed and GPA, others on more of a lottery basis. (I chose one based on scholastic achievement) Some are also starting to require prereqs done w/in a certain time frame (An issue for those of us w/ a previous degree more than 15 yrs. old) and some are requiring certification as a CNA. The colleges that I am aware of have fall starts only, but I realize there must be some that also have spring starts - I just don't know of them (or didn't realize they had that option.)

Good luck w/ your relocation, home finding and choosing a college that will work well for you. You are moving to an area that has many opportunites both for education and employment whan you are finished! Welcome to the (general) area.

PS - "older, male students" that I am aware of tend to be attending the community colleges, but again this is also the population that I am more aware of right now. A majority of my acquaintances/co-workers are from the ADN programs.

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MNmom, thanks for the reply

things are finally working out. I will be looking for an ADN program as that is what I was in and would like to get that first and start working than work on getting the other degrees.

We have been up there 3 times now and everytime it was harder to come back here. Can't wait unitll the move and have left this place in the dust.

Thanks again for the info.

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MNmom, thanks for the reply

things are finally working out. I will be looking for an ADN program as that is what I was in and would like to get that first and start working than work on getting the other degrees.

We have been up there 3 times now and everytime it was harder to come back here. Can't wait unitll the move and have left this place in the dust.

Thanks again for the info.

Normandale CC has a good program.

There is at least one night weekend ADN program in the community college system. at http://www.nhcc.edu/nursing/display.cfm?article=1000422.

Some websites for the metro CC's. These are all STATE run schools.

http://www.century.edu/ in White Bear lake

http://www.inverhills.edu/ inver hills grove

http://www.normandale.edu/ Bloomington MN. SON website at: http://www.normandale.edu/academics/?dept=44 (Frankly this is the school I would apply to first. It is in effect the health care magnet school for the CC's. They also run their nursing classes as a sequence of 4 8 credit classes. Since you have completed 2 semesters you might be able to petition to jump into the last 2 semesters of classes to replace a student failure slot.)

FIRST YEAR

Fall (15 credits)

  • NURS 1110 (8 credits)
  • BIOL 1141 (4 credits)
  • CHEM 1050 (3 credits)

Spring (15 credits)

  • NURS 1120 (8 credits)
  • BIOL 1142 (4 credits)
  • COMM 1111 (3 credits)

SECOND YEAR

Fall (16 credits)

  • NURS 2210 (8 credits)
  • PSYC 1110 (4 credits)
  • ENGC 1101 (4 credits)

Spring (17 credits)

  • NURS 2220 (8 credits)
  • SOC 1104 or ANTH 1127 (3 credits)
  • Elective #1 (3 credits)
  • Elective #2 (3 credits)

Source: http://www.normandale.edu/academics/factsheet/index.cfm?choice=dept&dept=44&fs=47&year=10

http://www.anokaramsey.edu/ in Anoka.

3 schools that may be feasible commutes. They are outside of the twin cities but have good commuting roads.

http://www.southcentral.edu/ in Mankato/Faribault (HWY 169/I35)

http://www.ridgewater.edu/ in Hutchinson (HWY 7)

http://www.rctc.edu/ in Rochester. (HWY 52)

(You may find the commute to these schools takes the same relative ammount of time as driving through the cities to NHCC or Anoka Ramsey.)

Best of luck! And WELCOME TO MINNESOTA!

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Specializes in LTC.

Check out Century College. It's fairly close to St. Joe's. Their applications are due Feb 1st, and you can get them offline. I got in with them first shot, there were about 500applicants for 110 seats.

St. Cates is also a fairly popular choice because their waiting list is fairly short due to the expensive private school prices.

I believe that most MN community colleges require their applicants to be CNAs, but it's worth the shot applying.

What area are you moving too? It might be easier to find something close to you MN is filled with nursing schools.

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