STLCC Forest Park - Starting Jan '09

U.S.A. Missouri

Published

Woohoo! Got my admission letter and dropped it off today at the office!! I'm very excited and just a little scared of it all. Anyone else out there starting this January? I can't wait!

it' offered to all 3 schools. but only 40 students can attend. I think registration for this is nov. 17. and it's 12 dollars now!

can you refer me to any link online? how did you discover this info? i've searched the stlcc websites w/o luck... the only orientation meeting i've received info on from the school is for 2 hours on the 13th of nov. i would/will email admissions to see what they might know but just wondering first if there's any more info or advice you can give me. thanks in advance for your help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They give u a flyer at the orientation with all the info

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took advantage of the prep to sucess in the summer prior to my first semester at forest park. It was wonderful and so imformative. Take advantage of your retention coaches, they have them at all the three schools. I would take a test with them proir to your first semester to see what type of learner you are it really helped me. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would second your recommendation of the retention coaches. They are a resource that a lot of students don't seek out till they are in trouble. Make an appointment with them within the first few weeks of school. I set up a study plan for the entire semester, and then check in every few weeks. It keeps me on track and sucessful.

I recommend the prep for success seminar too..they didnt have that the semester I started..instead they offered a "Learning to take Nursing Exams" type of session. They saw how much that helped and expanded it into the seminar. If nothing else it certainly can't hurt to be exposed to thinking in a "nursing" way!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there I have been reading through these posts and think it is great the suggestions, guidance and encouragement everyone is offering. I wanted to ask about peoples experiences and thoughts on coming from a completely different career field and getting into nursing. Is there a time where it is just to late to look at a career change, were you happy with the change, was transitioning from a field to far out of the reach of health care just to much or was it just the thing you needed to get into nursing? I have been in a different field for 8 yrs and I am now going through my 3rd lay off in 13 months so I really want to get away from this field and have always found nursing to be an interesting field. My ex spouse is going through nursing school now and I have always looked at her school books going through the prereq's and was just blown away. I posted on this forum because it is looked at by local individuals and while there are plenty of other discussion threads on this site about this type of question i wanted to get the take from people who live and work where I do. Any advice, suggestions or heck any info at would be great!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

sorry i forgot to mention why i posted it here in the FP section. This is because I was hoping to get signed up at FP for my basics as soon as possible after talking to people in the field and gaining some additional insight.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

slhudd:

I say go for it! Nursing is a great field for career changers. Personally I am on my third career and think I have finally found a home in nursing. Granted I am just in my last semester of school at FP, but when I went on job interviews the recruiters and the folks on the floors that I shadowed on were so happy to see a new grad with some life experience behind them. I don't know what kind of a work background you are coming from but my class included: former accountants, engineers, computer specialists, auto workers, human resources experience and ex-military folk. Whatever your background nursing school will teach you to "think like a nurse" and you may find that you already are ahead in critical thinking skills, organizational skills etc. Don't get me wrong, nursing school is hard work but I think you are up for the challenge! Keep us posted on your progress! Good luck!

PS..I think they are already signing folks up for spring semester, to start in January at the community colleges. Those pre-reqs fill up fast so you might want to move on it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much! I think I am going to head the community this week and talk to the admin folks and get some guidance on where to start!! I am extremely excited about this chance at a great new career!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you so much! I think I am going to head the community this week and talk to the admin folks and get some guidance on where to start!! I am extremely excited about this chance at a great new career!!

Hey! You're kinda like me, and I say go for it. The books and the courses are of course a big part of it and will give you insight about what you're getting into. But I strongly recommend you find ways to get exposure to the real world of nursing/healthcare. Following threads at this website is one way to gain insight. You can spend a LOT of time here just checking out the various forums. Find a couple you like and follow them for a while. Another way is to volunteer and perhaps get a job. There are lots of local clinics as well as hospitals, of course, so depending on your time, interests, logistics, etc, take your pick and go there and ask questions. Even volunteering just a couple hours once a week will eventually really help you, even if you're not directly involved with patients, you're still getting some involvement and meeting people and gaining credibility with others who may help you gain more experience. If you have time, getting a pt. care tech job is a great thing too. And "shadowing" people in healthcare is a great eye-opener, and can help you demonstrate to someone already working in healthcare that you are sincere, intelligent, etc. The point is, school/books are one thing, but real world exposure is just as important!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
Is there a time where it is just to late to look at a career change, were you happy with the change, was transitioning from a field to far out of the reach of health care just to much or was it just the thing you needed to get into nursing? I have been in a different field for 8 yrs and I am now going through my 3rd lay off in 13 months so I really want to get away from this field and have always found nursing to be an interesting field.

My, sounds like you might be working for a company I left 2 years ago....I survived 2 layoffs and they recently were bought out (most recently for a second time) and they had a major layoff last fall which would have meant I would be out of a job this March 1st as they cut my entire team!!

I have about 20 years on you age-wise and had several different careers. I have not found any age bias in this career thus far and would highly recommend the switch if the interest is there.

This is a much more physically and mentally demanding career than anything I have done before. I was in the financial services industry before this and thought there was a lot of regulation there -- health care is NO different! I, too, would suggest seeing about shadowing a nurse or two and getting as much exposure as possible to the field before making the switch. Take a prereq or two while doing so will begin moving you that much closer and would not be a total waste if you change your mind along the way!

Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

this is great information by all who have responded I was in the mortgage/real estate business and with the way the industry is going I judt do not want to go through this agian by finding a job in that field only to get laid off again in few months.

I have been looking over the STLCC and UMSL websites for the Nursing Programs and I am about 98% to make the jump the only thing holding me back is trying to figure out how to handle the mortgage and other bills while trying to get the most out of this opportunity to get into a career that I am very excited about. How did you all do it who are single with children? Trying to balance kids work and school and making sure you were able to pay bills at the same time? I am sure there is away but as i sit here now I am just baffled at how it can be done!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

The single moms and others who were responsible for themselves worked in addition to attending classes. Most had a lot of emotional and physical help from family. I know several who worked full-time in addition to classes, either in hospitals, as secretaries in medical settings, or as in-home health care workers.

I don't know the time commitment in UMSL's program, but STLCC's allowed for a lot of time outside of the classroom that enabled folks to work outside of school.

Was it easy? I highly doubt it, but I know of a couple who made it so it is certainly do-able!! Keep in mind much of this won't be a cakewalk, but determination will take you a long way!!!

Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment