im still doing my research on the paths or options i could make for me to be a NURSE. here are my plans.
Plan A:
get all pre-requisite at a community college *3 years to complete since i dont have any units under my belt* save money as much as i can over this 3 years so i could at least afford my RN program, apply for an RN program at any CSU and would take about 3 1/2 years to finish. so this would take me about 7-8 years to finish would cost much cheaper than any private nursing school. and hopefully if i could save enough money i wont be in a huge debt.
Plan B:
get all pre-requisite at a community college, then apply for the ADN program at the community college would take about 2.5 years waitlist then 2.5 years taking the ADN program then apply for a bridge to RN. would take another 1 year or so. this would cost much cheaper than plan but would take tooo loonng!!
or
Plan C
take a certification for CNA, quit my job and find a job as a CNA, take an LVN program which could cost me about $35k *i think well im getting a loan cause i wouldnt afford this money* then bridge to RN which could cost me another thousands of dollars.
i would really appreciate any insights or if i miss something that i should do. i really dont know what to do now but im planning on taking PLAN A, cause it will be cheaper and i have at least 3-4 years to save money to pay for my nursing school so iwouldnt be in huge debt and hopefully if GOD will allow i could continue to medical school.
The best piece of advice I could offer is to call the school's academic adviser and double check to see if there is an actual "wait list". There is a huge misconception at the school I am going to now. That misconception exists because there is actually NO WAIT LIST (at my school). I hear my fellow students use this phrase all the time and it just is not true. Now, there IS competition to get in at my school. We are scored on a point system. Points are scored by completing prereq classes, scoring high on the TEAS test and that's IT. Nothing more. This may or may not be the case at your school. But my recommendation is to double check with your academic adviser.
Hi! Welcome to the forum and also to the field of Nursing. As I was reading your options, I think the first important thing to do is to sit down and make a list of classes you need to take for the RN route. To be frank, most of the schools have a point system or lottery system. So basically make sure you get A's and B's in all your classes. Also, check with all the community colleges requirements. Once you have made the list of community colleges you wish to go for the RN program it will be easy to make that move. Don't just apply to 1 or 2 community college..instead apply to 6 - 8 colleges, even if they far away. You will have more options.
Hope this helps. IF you already have a Bachelors degree in another field as the universities they have an option to apply for BSN. Most universities would have an option of a student having a Bachelors already and you could get in sooner.
Good luck! Don't worry about the money part because once you are a Nurse..everything pays off. Most of the nurses earn $25.00 per hour..which would be a new nurse. Get your CNA license, and see if you can keep your current job. Most places for CNA position need to fill up for night shifts. If you can take that, it would be great!
When you say CSU, you mean California Stare University?If so, your in Ca correct? There are plenty of ADN programs that don't have waitlists! I'm applying to 3 ADN programs and 3 BSN programs. Apply to as many types of programs as possible. Also the LVN program at my CC doesn't cost that much for LVN. Tuition is $26/credit. Much cheaper to fo your LVN ( if you choose to) at a CC. Good luck
When you say CSU, you mean California Stare University?If so, your in Ca correct? There are plenty of ADN programs that don't have waitlists! I'm applying to 3 ADN programs and 3 BSN programs. Apply to as many types of programs as possible. Also the LVN program at my CC doesn't cost that much for LVN. Tuition is $26/credit. Much cheaper to fo your LVN ( if you choose to) at a CC. Good luck
WOW $26/credit! I just read somebodys post saying that there lvn program in California was going to cost them 30K!
Well the any nursing program just isn't always just units and books. Like supplies, kits etc...I am pretty sure they add lab fees so it may be more than $26/unit. But $30k for a LVN program! Must be private or trade school. RN program total at my CC is like $5k-$7k. I think that includes everything. BSN programs at CSUs are a little more. When I went to a CSU school, for a different major, total tuition full-time was $1600/quarter. It's going up but CA is broke. Still cheaper than private BSN programs. $100k+
I would recommend Option A, but I think that your timing is off.
Many BSN programs operate under offer what is known as a 2+2 program. Two years of general studies and the pre-nursing classes (anatomy & physiology, lifespan development, nutrition, microbiology, etc) and then 2 years of only nursing classes. Look to see if there is a BSN program that would accept you directly from community college assuming that you had completed the pre-req classes.
Here in my state, there are hundreds of students who are pursuing 3 years of community college (and completing prereq nursing classes) then 2 years of BSN.
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Griffin123
83 Posts
The best piece of advice I could offer is to call the school's academic adviser and double check to see if there is an actual "wait list". There is a huge misconception at the school I am going to now. That misconception exists because there is actually NO WAIT LIST (at my school). I hear my fellow students use this phrase all the time and it just is not true. Now, there IS competition to get in at my school. We are scored on a point system. Points are scored by completing prereq classes, scoring high on the TEAS test and that's IT. Nothing more. This may or may not be the case at your school. But my recommendation is to double check with your academic adviser.