Questions: Taking classes at a JC vs. a University; and Volunteer work/Experience

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 1, 2008

Hmmm..it depends on what your career goals are in the end. Are you planning on working at the bedside as a RN?

Also, have you considered just switching majors into a BSN program?

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Nov 1, 2008

Doesn't make a difference as a far as I know...in my area the JCs pre-reqs are actually better and turn out better students than the UC....and its cheaper...if you have your BSN and are applying to a masters no one is going to care where you took your pre-reqs....you have your RN and your degree which means those pre-reqs were proficient enough to take the boards and give you a degree...

Limbic System · Nov 1, 2008

Thanks for the response. I looked into transferring to a BSN program and found that:

1) Berkeley doesn't offer a Bachelor's in Nursing degree.

2) I'm already a 2nd year student and transferring to another institution that does off the BSN is almost impossible.

According the University career center, most Berkeley grads interested in nursing either get a second bachelor's degree (a BSN) or go straight for a direct MSN.. and their first bachelor's is regarded as an element that will make them more well-rounded (which I understand).

I was planning on either getting an RN at a JC after I graduate and then apply for a MSN. Or get an accelerated BSN and then go for an MSN. Either way, after I get my RN at a JC or BSN, I plan on working for a year or two to gain work experience. I also hope to volunteer at a hospital (starting next year) before I am licensed to work as a nurse.

I'm interested in becoming an advanced practice nurse (not quite sure what specialty yet.. though after some reasearch, I am interested in neonatal NP, CRNA, and psychiatric and mental health NP).

I was originally pre-law before I finally realized that law wouldn't make me happy. My mom was a nurse for years in China before she immigrated here and I've been hearing stories about her experiences at her town's hospital since I was a toddler. I'm so inspired to be a nurse and I'm trying to learn as much about the field as I can while I finish up my poli sci degree.

I hope to go to a nursing school in the SF Bay Area (USF, SF State, and maybe UCSF). I'm just worried that because I currently go to a school that is notorious for cut-throat academics.. my GPA is (only) a 3.4 (and trust me, I study nearly non-stop). I feel that I would have done better academically if I had gone to a state school (CSU). Thus, I figure if I take some (but not all) of my nursing pre-reqs at a community college, it'll bring my GPA back up. What do you think? Would it really matter if I take my pre-reqs at a JC?

The only nursing program website that addresses this is UCSF's. They said "Many excellent and rigorous Statistics, Anatomy, and Physiology courses are taught at community colleges and junior colleges. There is no preference on the part of the faculty about where these courses are taken.."

Limbic System · Nov 1, 2008

HeartsOpenWide, thanks for the reply.

"in my area the JCs pre-reqs are actually better and turn out better students than the UC"

I feel this way too. From what I've observed.. science classes at Berkeley are "weeders"-- as in they weed those out who are not competitive enough. I'm so worried about doing better than everyone else (since the grade is based on a messed up curve where only a certain number of students are allowed to get A's).. it kind of makes me lose my passion for the subject. Just my two cents.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Nov 1, 2008

Look into UCSF I know the CNM program offers a masters for those with a BA/BS in another field; they may ofter this for other fields of nursing too. If you are going for your CRNA you may consider looking into a DNP program since all APN will be required to have one by 2015.

UVA Grad Nursing · Nov 1, 2008

I am the Asst Dean for a Masters Entry program. Over 80% of our applicants take the prerequisite courses at community colleges --- and that is perfectly OK with us. Getting these classes at 4-year schools if you are not a currently enrolled undergraduate can be tough.

We have found that these community college courses can be strong classes. Here in Charlottesville, many of these classes are taught by PhD prepared instructors or by PhD students seeking additional teaching experience.

geocachingRN · Nov 1, 2008

As to volunteering, I volunteered in a local ER for nearly a year before I decided to go to nursing school. That was what really convinced me that I could be a good nurse and that I could handle the blood and gore. I, too, have a BA, but chose the ADN route to get my degree and this fall, I'm applying to a MSN program. Another thought is the wait, in CA a lot of Community Colleges have looooong waits, like 2 to 4 YEARS!. One way to deal with that is to take your anatomy, physio, micro, as part of your undergrad at Berkeley, then apply to get on the wait lists at San Francisco City, or another 2 year close to you. If cost isn't an issue for you, last I heard Samual Merritt doesn't have a wait and you can go from a BA to an MSN in 2 1/2 years, or something like that.

Good Luck!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 1, 2008

I should have read your original question more thoroughly. :chuckle

Good luck in your decision. You seem to have thoroughly researched your options. That's a great attribute to have for a future nurse.

Bree124, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2008

I took two pre-reqs from community colleges before I started my direct entry master's program. It didn't hurt my application at all, and I know many of the students in my cohort took at least one class at a community college after they graduated from a university.

Good luck deciding what to do!