Schoolcraft College

NoviceRN10 · Mar 30, 2012

Why not consider another school? Are you saying that you wouldn't even get into the program for 4+ yrs? I'd say go somewhere else or find a different career option.

rystle · Mar 31, 2012

Yes, they will not get you into the program until 4 years or maybe longer depending on how many more people sign up.

Me2006 · Mar 31, 2012

If I were you I would go somewhere else. four years is a long time, you can go somewhere else and in that time have your License and be working.

good luck to you.

rystle · Mar 31, 2012

What school do you recommend around Novi? or is it better to go out of state?

Dharma21 · Apr 2, 2012

I don't really understand why everyone is hung up on the wait list at a community college?

I started at Schoolcraft in May of 2009 and by the end of the semester in December 2009 had completed JUST the requirements necessary to get myself on the wait list (each college is different, but its generally Bio, A&P and Chem and the TEAS or equivalent). Once that was accomplished, WHILE I WAS WAITING, I took the additional general education requirements for the program (Psych, Algebra, Computer Course, Comp, etc) and a few additional classes to put toward my BSN (Micro, Org Chem). I am now starting in the Fall of 2012 (I had been bumped up from the Fall of 2013), so am about to start Pharmacology in May and will begin Fundamentals in the Fall. This means I only have nursing classes to complete in the next 18 months.

There is a "wait" virtually everywhere because even if you apply to a competitive BSN program, you will likely not jump right in. You will have to take 12 to 16 credit hours at that university before you can apply to their nursing program and there is no guarantee you will get into the program. Then you have to wait to start, perhaps up to another year longer (if they only start the nursing classes in the fall).

Additionally, my entire stint at the CC has been covered by grants and scholarships, so no out of pocket costs. I was pondering jumping ship for a University until I realized that I would need $60K to finish the way I wanted. I would have to find the cash and it would take me 8 months longer to get a BSN. Although I want a BSN, I stuck it out at the CC and hopefully when employed as an RN with an ADN, I will carry on with the BSN and possibly MSN perhaps with some sort of tuition reimbursement.

If you keep "thinking about it" and don't stick to a program, you'll still be 31 in 5 years ... right? I will be 44 when I finish my ADN and hope to have my masters by 48. I am not the least bit stressed about the age bit because I am currently running circles around my younger classmates!

I think that when considering a CC for an ADN, instead of worrying about the wait list and how long it "seems", you need to focus on a strategic way of first getting on that list and then finishing up additional requirements so you will be ready when your name gets called to start the program. Sometimes counselors are lax in pointing out that you should wait to take English and Psychology and such until after you actually do what you have to do to get on that list!

Has it been worth the wait? I think so. I am still getting older, but at least I am closer to being an RN. My only options would have been a university (I was easily accepted to several) and hope that after a semester or two of classes that I would get accepted into their nursing program or pay for a private for profit school (but I have a very strong anti-opinion of those no matter what career you are pursuing). BTW, you can do what you have to do to get yourself on the list at a CC, then take a couple general ed classes at a university during the wait and apply to their program. If you get accepted, GREAT, if not, you still have the back up at the CC (that was my plan, but the cost of the university scared me away).

rystle · Apr 10, 2012

What about the TEAS test? How do I pass it if I've been out of school for almost 4 years? Am I the only one in this position?

Dharma21 · Apr 10, 2012

The TEAS is a standardized test. You sign up (the dates fill up quickly), pay and take the test. There is a study guide (several actually) you can buy and Schoolcraft (as well as other schools) offer a TEAS test review class. Honestly, I had been out of school for 20 years and was into my 3rd part time semester when I took the test. I hadn't studied for it at all (not that I am recommending that route because I think you only get two attempts) and passed with flying colors. If you are seriously interested in pursuing nursing, you should make an appointment and speak with an academic adviser. Have your list of questions ready and go from there.

rystle · Apr 13, 2012

I actually already talked to a counselor recently. She said all I needed was Anatomy & Physiology 1 and TEAS test to apply. The wait is 4 years though and they suggest trying to get on a competitive admissions list and use this one as back up.

rystle · Apr 17, 2012

I'm interested in working at Labor & Delivery or something with children, do you have to work a while before you can pick a specialty? What should I do mean while waiting to become a nurse? Phlebotomy maybe I thought of or is it a waste of time?

Dharma21 · Apr 17, 2012

Well, if you really want to be a nurse, and the spring semester starts in a few weeks, I would sign up for A&P1 and then pick a date to take the TEAS and sign up for it. Begin studying for the TEAS. A work hard at A&P1 as all that crammed into 7 weeks is going to be a full time job. Then, by July or August, you should be able to apply to SCCC nursing. I am certain you will still have classes to take (for example A&P II) while you wait. Also, after you secured a spot at SCCC, while you wait you could apply to a competitive program and see how you fare. If you get into the competitive program, you are set. If you don't you can take the remaining prerequisites at SCCC and some extra classes for a BSN (if that's what you are ultimately looking for) and the wait won't honestly be that long.

As for what to do while you wait ... just keep doing whatever you've been doing. I still have my full-time office job and intend to keep it until I absolutely cannot. I am a single parent who also has a disabled dependent parent to care for, so not working is not an option for me. As my current job pays very well for an administrative assistant and provides all of our health insurance, I am not going to just give it up because things get hard. I still have a mortgage and utilities and car payments to make. If you are hung up about working in a medically related field while going to school, then pursue that in the meantime. I am certain that if I can do it, and maintain a 4.0 GPA, virtually anyone could do it. I'm a smart, hard working girl, but there is absolutely nothing special about what I am doing beyond just getting the job done.

The first step really is signing up for the silly class and taking the TEAS. If its what you want to do, then do it. There is no magical answer that's gonna make you an instant RN.

WorkingTowardsBSN · Apr 17, 2012

I took phlebotomy at SC and there were a LOT of nurses & nursing students in my class! Our teacher is a nurse at Beaumont, and one of the students (who is already a nurse) said that she never felt she got enough experience with phlebotomy during nursing classes and it makes her nervous while at work.

Having taken the course, I would absolutely recommend it! You get a lot of practice and if its one more thing you'll go into a nursing program confident about, why not???

As for what else you can do while you wait, I would absolutely apply to other programs. Look at Wayne, Eastern, U of M, etc to see their pre-reqs and work on those. Extra knowledge is never a bad thing! You can also volunteer for a local hospital to just get some extra experience.

Good luck to you!