Really need help

RN to BSN programs are for people who earned an associate’s degree in nursing and passed the boards, but want to earn their BSN as well.

I would suggest looking for a “traditional BSN” program. Generally, you take your prereqs in the first two years, apply to the upper division classes, and complete two years of nursing classes. This is the page with the requirements for WSU Spokane.

https://nursing.wsu.edu/academics/bsn/steps-to-apply

If you are talking to just general academic advisors, then you need to be speaking to the nursing program advisor specifically. Often the run of the mill academic advisor does not know nursing specific pre-reqs or process, so unless you have already, make an appointment with the actual nursing advisor. Hang in there, entrance into nursing school is not always so clear cut since it is often competitive and has several extra steps than most other degree programs have.

Fastest path to an RN license is an associates degree (think community college; also cheap) or diploma program (around 20 months), although I would only recommend one of those if it is offered at a hospital. Beware of any "tech" school, or at least look at their google reviews!

You can skip the associate's degree (typically two year) and go straight for a bachelor's and get your RN license that way. Any of these programs will prepare you to take the N-CLEX.

Search for programs near you, take a look at their pre-requisites as they might not be the same as your current school, and find out if you need to take any entrance tests (such as the TEAS). All of the school's will have different due dates as well, but do your research as some schools will take in students several times a year and you may be able to start sooner.

I am a first generation college student as well (my parents didn't even graduate high school!) and I wish I had reached out for help earlier on. I am still attempting to navigate my way through!!

Here is a link to the approved WA state RN programs:

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/6000/669080.pdf

They're grouped by Associate Degree and BSN. Make sure you are looking at public universities (either community college to get the ASN or state universities to get BSN), especially because you say you don't have money to burn. Private colleges can be outrageously expensive.

When you talk to any school, specifically ask for the counselor/advisor for the nursing program.

Do hospitals (or whatever setting you want to work in) hire RNs with associate degrees where you live? Because if you want to save money, that is the way to go. Here in Wisconsin BSN has no advantage over ADN, except once you find a job you have to start your BSN within 1 or 2 years and complete it within 5 years of that, but they reimburse you for it. That is in the hospital setting - many settings you are perfectly fine with just the ADN indefinitely.

Maybe someone here can give you some input on that. If not, I'd call a hospital or two and ask what their policy is regarding ADN vs BSN.

Well im a WSU student and here is my advice based on my experience: This advice is not meant to discourage you, but to inform you of your options. The stats i give are from my personal experience. Remember that each nursing application cycle is different. Therefore if you door do not meet the stats i give you, it does not mean you

will or will not get in.

Since the deadline for WSU Fall 2019 nursing application has passed, you intend to apply for spring 2020. I will give my advice for spring.

Go to WSU nursing page for more information Information about Voucher:

• I have attached the deadlines for WSU nursing school application

https://nursing.wsu.edu/academics/bsn/application-admission-timeline .

• From this page you can do more research about the program like requirement like 50 hours of experience, TEAS score information, pre-requisites.

Contact wsu pre-nursing advisor

• to see if you have the required credits to apply and do this ASAP because you need to know if your credits will transfer. Also i talk about the fact that you were a WSU student for two semesters. Possibly be considered a WSU returning student instead of transfer, because applying as transfer to Spokane is harder.

Information about Voucher if you plan to apply for spring

• The application for spring 2020 just opened and closes July 10. Since the deadline is coming up. Also If you are a first gen, and your parents are low income. You can apply for a voucher on for Application, instead of paying the $50 fee. BUT you have to apply for it a month in advance. So if you plan to apply for Spring 2020 you have to to sign up for the voucher ASAP.

Applying in the Spring:

1. Spring is MUCH easier to apply from a WSU student stand point. You can apply to Spokane but again still going to be competitive. Im not sure if they have certain amount of seats for transfers as do in fall. So apply as a transfer student to other WSU campus, have a higher chance of getting in. I mean no matter what campus you go, you will still be a nurse.

2. One of my fellow WSU students as accepted into Spokane for Spring with 3.6 GPA, 73 TEAS, and worked as a CNA. However from my experience if you have good stats, just make sure you have a great interview. On the other hand one of my friends applied to WSU Spokane for Spring. She got an interview but did not get in, she was a CNA too.

Moral of the story: Interview can make it or break it from my experience. Once you get an interview, everyone is on the same level. The thing that will make you stand out the most is having a great interview, this means having good experiencing. Some WSU students get in without having a CNA, but remember it is easier for WSU students to get in than transfers.

(didn't feel like organizing this section, sorry)

OTHER ADVICE

1. Dont put all your eggs in one bucket: Look at ADN programs, there is plenty but some only accept in fall. So do your research and contact advisors.

2. EXPERIENCE:

Also this summer look for programs to get your CNA. CNA programs can be 4 weeks to school quarter. So find a program that is about 4 weeks long this summer for when interviews come along you have more than enough experience to talk about. You can either pay for a program or find a company that has a program for free.

If you dont have ANY experience, then start volunteering at nursing home. This is the most easiest way to get hours/experience (but CNA is more hands on experience). Remember that WSU nursing Application for Spring 2020 closes July 10. So if you dont have any experience and want to apply for spring, do your 50 hours ASAP because they are due when you turn in the application.

If you have more questions, dont be afraid to contact me. Best of luck.