Really Odd Question

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Specializes in N/A.

Okay, so I'm currently enrolled (and attending) a community college in pursuit of finishing my pre-reqs for nursing school, however! I've always had this thought in the back of my head that I can't seem to figure out.

Originally, I was aiming for pre-med. My goal was to do two-year's worth of community college to complete two-year's worth of pre-reqs, then transfer to my state's university and study abroad for a year, THEN finish the rest of my pre-reqs before going into medical school.

However, since I made the change from pre-med to pre-nursing, I ran into a problem (I think). Once I finish out my first two years at this community college, I will transfer into a nursing school without going through one of my state's universities, rendering me unable to study abroad.

So my question is, as odd as this might sound, is it possible/a smart idea to simply not apply for nursing school after finishing two years at community college just so I can study abroad for one year, THEN come back and go to nursing school? Or is that not even possible?

Or is there a better idea? I'm honestly stuck here. I should probably go ask my advisor about this, but I want to see what you guys think before I do (just in case this question seems to be stupid or anything).

Thanks in advance, guys!

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I was pre-med, then later went into nursing after graduating with bachelors degree at Rutgers. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I read a lot and I think it would be a good idea to take a year and travel. You can then apply for nursing school while your traveling, to make sure you get in the semester desired. Make sure you plan it out well in advance. Traveling will provide an awesome experience you might never get again.

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Have you thought about doing volunteer work abroad? There are some great programs out there that can even give you health care experience through volunteering. Cross Cultural Solutions and Project Abroad are the ones that I am most familiar with.

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One of my main draws to nursing in actually traveling. I hope to do a lot of volunteer abroad. I will be honest, I spent a lot of time out of the country as a kid, and those experiences are so much of who I am now. I think while doing a semester abroad would be cool, I wouldn't base my (personal) education around it.

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If you like the volunteering idea, like the others have posted, you may check out, International Volunteer Abroad Programs for Students | ISV. You can choose where, why, when, and how long you go, so you may not even have to miss a year. Also, it may help on nursing applications, as you are immersing yourself in another culture to do humanitarian work... :)

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Specializes in N/A.

Thanks guys! I'll definitely look into some volunteer programs I could involve myself in should I study abroad within the next two years. I've really wanted to study for a year in Japan, so any volunteer program that I could involve myself with within that country would be great.

I'm going to message my advisor to see if she also agrees that I could study abroad before actually going to nursing school. I know that her and some other teachers pushed the "fill out your application for nursing school during sophomore year since they're competitive" tactic, but I honestly feel no rush going to nursing school. If I can finish my pre-reqs and study abroad for a year, then come back after that and go into nursing school; that'd be awesome.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Your advisor is absolutely correct. Admission to nursing programs is unbelievably competitive... I really don't understand it - LOL. People who have BTDT have informed me that it is easier to get into Med School than a BSN program in a state university right now. Maybe this will ease up, but it's been that way for nearly a decade now.

Best of luck to you.

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