So discouraged...

Don't know anything about AZ, but I had the same experience when I first went back to school to start on my pre-reqs. No one would talk to me...not even the counselor or advisor who was assigned to me when I started school. And when I did talk to her, she was no help at all as far as telling me EXACTLY what to do to make sure I met nursing application, and NET deadlines. Have you talked directly to the people that are IN the nursing department? I finally skipped everything and started calling them directly, and they were more than happy to advise me on what I needed to do, and sent me different packets that outlined the admission process, dates and deadlines. If the nursing dept. is giving you the run around...hmm, I have no idea what to tell ya. Good luck, hope you get the answers you need:)

Don't know anything about AZ, but I had the same experience when I first went back to school to start on my pre-reqs. No one would talk to me...not even the counselor or advisor who was assigned to me when I started school. And when I did talk to her, she was no help at all as far as telling me EXACTLY what to do to make sure I met nursing application, and NET deadlines. Have you talked directly to the people that are IN the nursing department? I finally skipped everything and started calling them directly, and they were more than happy to advise me on what I needed to do, and sent me different packets that outlined the admission process, dates and deadlines. If the nursing dept. is giving you the run around...hmm, I have no idea what to tell ya. Good luck, hope you get the answers you need:)

Same experience here too in NY! What I did was just research and educate myself to the best of my ability about the whole process. Then I went directly to a Nursing advisor and asked to schedule an appointment. I met with her about a week later and she was SO helpful. Thereafter I emailed her a short word of thanks and since then she has totally taken me under her wing. Just be polite and understand that these people are WAY overworked around registration time and the start of the semester. I feel for them!

Shel

We just had a thread somewhere along these same lines. Its the same everywhere. Either you get sent a generic letter when you complain or you get the prearranged answer. I got my offer of admission today in the mail. Phew. It does work out sometimes. :)

hi,

Don't let yourself get flustered. Its quite the norm to get the runaround from nursing schools when you're trying to get in. Its not a bad idea to self-advise. Go in person to the nursing department and get the latest brochures with the entry requirements and application forms, and then just apply. Its useless speaking to advisors and clerks who work in the admissions office anyway because they are not the ones who make the decision about who is or isn't admitted to the program.

Thanks for all your advice. I have met with a nursing advisor, but since have new questions and now have to take time off of my paying job to find out cuz no one can talk to me over the phone. Oh well, maybe it is part of the whole process, they want to see how tough you are!

I am just glad that I am holding on to my full time job through all the prereqs. I will apply in the Spring 05 for the actual program, this fall CNA classes, and my work is letting me have those days off. Kinda neat for a desk job. So, I will just wait.

Thanks again,

Janice

Do not deal with the counselors outside the nursing department. Ask for an information packet to be sent to you. If time is a problem, go pick it up directly. Our school sent us information packets with everything we needed to know and all of the pertinent applications together with an invitation to a general informational orientation session. We had an opportunity for Q&A and were directed to the people who could advise us. The counselors outside of the nursing program are clueless.

And I am not even in the nursing program yet!!:)

I am actually sorta new here, my name is Janice and I am looking to enter the ADN program at a community college in Arizona in the Spring of '05. Finishing up some pre-reqs. I work full time and am getting really frustrated just researching and trying to get a hold of people that can help me with the process. Advisors are so busy, they can't even return my calls, but there are deadlines to the process, and I really want to meet them to atleast make sure I am entered into the "database" effective Spring 05.

Anybody familiar with the Arizona school nursing process and how long of a wait I can expect after submitting my application. Frustrating because I have to take so much time off work, just to find out what I need to do. They won't even talk to me over the phone!

Any advice is appreciated!

Janice

I can only give you what I know about Phoenix area cc programs. You apply the semester before you want to enter. You need to finish your prereqs the semester you apply or before. You make one application and rank your cc in order of preference. There is no database you need to be entered into. They will list the dates for application week. You make your application then. You need to have taken your net exam also. You need to score 50% in order to get in and a C in your prereqs. It is non-competitive and if there are more applications than spaces it is a lottery system. Those who have already completed there prereqs are entered into the system and those still finishing them are given time/date stamps on their apps and I believe it is first come, first serve in that instance. By the way, in this current semester there were more spaces than applicants. This info was courtesy of the college-wide nursing advisor I spoke with. This is from gateways website. Click under AAS degree and then on application packet and you will get some good info.

http://www.gwc.maricopa.edu/curriculum/nursing_degree/

Hope that helps.

Andrea....

Your post was extremely helpful (and hopeful!), thank you! Most of that I knew...but did not know that their were more spaces than applicants! They have the new schools at John C and Banner so maybe that is why. I FINALLY got an appointment with an advisor. I will talk to her Monday about the NET and when to apply. I will be done with my prereqs in Dec, applying January 05.

Thanks again everyone! I am so glad I found this site!

Janice

Andrea....

Your post was extremely helpful (and hopeful!), thank you! Most of that I knew...but did not know that their were more spaces than applicants! They have the new schools at John C and Banner so maybe that is why. I FINALLY got an appointment with an advisor. I will talk to her Monday about the NET and when to apply. I will be done with my prereqs in Dec, applying January 05.

Thanks again everyone! I am so glad I found this site!

Janice

Janice,

I think because the nursing program is at 8 colleges/sites they have more room. Hopefully, it will be that way when I am done with my pre-reqs in Spring 2005. Do you know which college you are going to apply to? I would like to do Rio's online program. That is where I am doing the pre-reqs. Let me know anything you find out. I just spoke with them over the phone.

Andrea..

You must be RN-BSN? I thought that was all RIO offered? I am applying to all of them (since you have to rank them), but will rank John C Lincoln as #1, GCC #2, and I don't know after that... no real reason for those choices other than geographic location. I am taking Anatomy at Rio right now, and HCC. Going OK, but I should have done a "real" class. It is hard this way, teaching yourself. Did you already do the CNA classes? I take them in the fall and am hoping they will give me the definitive answer on whether this is something I really want to do or not (I am one of those unsure people):)

What prereqs are you taking/still have to take?

Janice

Andrea..

You must be RN-BSN? I thought that was all RIO offered? I am applying to all of them (since you have to rank them), but will rank John C Lincoln as #1, GCC #2, and I don't know after that... no real reason for those choices other than geographic location. I am taking Anatomy at Rio right now, and HCC. Going OK, but I should have done a "real" class. It is hard this way, teaching yourself. Did you already do the CNA classes? I take them in the fall and am hoping they will give me the definitive answer on whether this is something I really want to do or not (I am one of those unsure people):)

What prereqs are you taking/still have to take?

Janice

Actually, Rio is going to be doing the ADN soon. I am doing the CNA in the fall too. I still have to take A&P, the CNA class, Micro and will be doing Chem, HCC class, and Med Term. during the summer. I will be doing A&P I in the later part of the summer and A&PII during the fall, hopefully. I do pretty well with Rio's classes but then I went to a small private school where you were basically self-teaching with a teacher there to answer questions.