San Francisco potential nursing student question

[groovycoolbean]

I have relocated to S.F. and I am ready to start a new career. I have been interested in Nursing since I was a child but I was pushed into a different career because I had to work full-time to support my family. Now, everyone is grown up and out of the house and I can focus on doing what I've always wanted...become a nurse. However, I am not familiar with any of the programs available here in S.F. I would welcome any suggestions on how and where to start.

Thank you~:)

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Hi and welcome to the site

i have moved this to the California state forum where I think you will get better answers

[Chloexo]

The two programs I know of are at San Francisco State University (part of the CSU system) and University of San Francisco (private). SFSU is pretty impacted and therefore difficult to get in to. Applications are accepted once a year, in November. USF is a four year program, you're accepted as a Freshman and do your prereq's as a nursing student.

[frankiebaby]

If I were you I would start doing your core pre-requsites (Micro, Anatomy, Physio) at a community college or anywhere that you can get them. Unfortunately SF nursing programs and the pre-req classes are very much in demand so you may have difficulty finding open classes or you may find long waiting lists. I live in SF and I had to take my pre-reqs at 5 different Bay Area schools. It was either that or wait for several years just to finish the pre-reqs.

There are many nursing programs in the Bay Area, previous posters have mentioned SFSU and USF, but there is also SF City College (lottery system), and if you already have a bachelor's degree in another discipline there are other options like Samuel Merritt, which has an accelerated BSN satellite program in SF, or UCSF which has a Masters Entry Program in Nursing. Many local community colleges have ADN programs: Contra Costa College, Chabot, San Mateo, Cañada, and Marin. Other four year programs not already mentioned are Holy Names in Oakland and Cal State East Bay - which has programs in several locations.

There are probably some that I'm forgetting, so here is a link to the CA Board of Registered Nursing where you can find all of the accredited RN programs in the state:

http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml

Keep in mind that different nursing schools may have different pre-requsite classes required. Most schools will list their pre-reqs on their website, so that is a good place to start.

Many people are pursuing nursing in the Bay Area and trying to get into the pre-req classes and the programs can be a very frustating experience. If you are certain that nursing is what you want to do then don't give up and prepare to be very flexible!

Good luck!

[caliotter3]

As you will be able to see when you read other threads on the topic of nursing in the bay area, you need to also be aware that after a difficult time pursuing the degree, you can look forward to a difficult time finding employment as a new grad. You just have to prepare yourself mentally for this or come up with a strategy to relocate or ride it out. Good luck in your new endeavors.

[pyunnyhana]

edit:

There is a chance you will not be able to apply to CSUs if you already have a bachelors degree due to budget cuts. San Jose State has already implemented this rule.

Fall 2009 Post-baccalaureate Applicants

• SJSU will no longer accept applications from post-baccalaureate (second baccalaureate) applicants, regardless of major.
  
• Students who applied earlier in the cycle will have their applications withdrawn and application fee refunded.
  
• Prospective post-baccalaureate applicants are urged to contact CSU, East Bay, as space is available at our sister campus.
  

source: http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/static/admission/impaction.html