Stuck with nursing... Easy CA schools to get into?

Larry3373 · Mar 12, 2015

I would suggest not opening with "stuck with nursing" if you want some real advice. Most of us worked extremely hard to complete nursing school. It seems a little insulting for someone to insinuate that they can complete nursing school with no real desire to become a nurse in the first place. My advice is to find another career that you can be passionate about.

ScientistSalarian · Mar 12, 2015

Sorry, I'm unclear on why you think you're stuck with nursing. You have a bunch of science and GE pre-reqs knocked out, a great GPA, and haven't even been accepted into an upper-division nursing program yet. You could take that in *so many* directions it's crazy that you feel like you have to trudge on toward an unwanted career in nursing.

Do you even want to work in healthcare? If you do there's a plethora of medical careers out there that don't require a nursing degree, and a variety of majors - kinesiology, biology, chemistry, etc. - that would get you there. And if you don't then please don't force yourself through nursing school just for the sake of expediency, that's a great way to make yourself absolutely miserable.

Look, you've built a solid foundation that can take you in any number of directions. I don't know if it helps to hear it from an internet stranger but if you don't want to go into nursing, you don't have to go into nursing.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 12, 2015

I agree with the pp. nursing is not the field to go into if you just feel "stuck" with it because of the time you've put into prereqs.

Nursing school itself with clinicals, etcetera will involve a lot of hard work and stress.

Working as a nurse is also stressful. I don't think anyone will make it through actual nursing school and all of it's rigors (especially in CA) if not dedicated to working as a nurse..

As for me, I've been taking prereqs for 4 yrs and will finally have the opportunity to apply to RN school. It's been a long journey and I'm grateful to be almost there.

If you actually meant to ask what are easier ways to get into nursing quicker, then let us on AN know. Were here to help!!!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 12, 2015

You're not stuck. You just have to apply everywhere that you might be qualified to attend and that includes the JC's. A TEAS score of 83% is nothing to sneeze at. That's actually pretty darned good! Just know that if you don't have a Bachelors degree while going to a JC, you will have to meet all lower division grad requirements that the JC sets and that could add some time to your study. Given that you're also about 3 years into your studies at a University, you may very well be close to a cut-off point in units for financial aid if you do go to a JC. That could make things tough for you.

Because of "merit-based" application processes now in use, the acceptance goalpost can (and does) move up and down the GPA and TEAS score ladder. Just because you got rejected once from a program doesn't mean you won't get rejected from the same program next time you apply there.

Don't give up and take those blinders off. You're stuck in "tunnel vision" mode. Look around and you might surprise yourself as to what you can do with what you know.

SunriseDay · Mar 13, 2015

Hi, I was looking for answers to ways of getting into California RN programs easier... Which BSN and AA programs are the easiest to get into? I know all ADN programs are lotterys, as far as I know, though it looks like there's also point system for American College in Sacramento.

I heard Fresno State was an easier direct-entry BSN program (like straight from undergrad), but you have to be accepted to CSU first. Which are easier programs to get into- all around?

I probably will need to wait the 3 years or so to get into the lottery system here.. I should have applied 2 years ago, but I "turned up my nose to just an ADN" and wanted to keep trying to get into BSNs directly (stupid, I know). I did get into one O-O-S, but it was just... bad area, bad program and other reasons. Also, too far away from fam and no way to afford that now that I lost a scholarship, too... It's likely go ADN to BSN later, or master's entry.. It's just too hard to get into bsns as direct-entry in CA. They usually want a TEAS above 90%. I also took the HESI exam, but that's for O-O-S.

Any ideas, please? TY.

**Also I don't mean to offend anyone by saying "stuck with nursing" but this is how I feel. Some mentioned there are other areas in healthcare... but where? Also, I live with my parent.. I know what it's like to not be in school and unemployed with no income and having debt (no student loan debt, but Credit Cards) and how hard it is to pay it off. With RN, at least there's a possible job and not stuck w/ 0 income per month. I just feel that my options are limited. Also, I don't have any other sciences than the ones listed, and other options typically expect more than that.

PapaBearRN, BSN · Mar 13, 2015

I don't see how you're stuck with nursing when you're not even in nursing school. Job prospects are difficult to come by as a new grad. I wouldn't get into it just for the money, there are easier ways to make a dollar. You should become a waitress and make a decent penny while you are figuring your life out. BSN programs are competitive and most ADN programs are lottery based but some do pick based on your GPA and TEAS score.

zzbxdo · Mar 14, 2015

Easy this, easy that. Quit looking for the easy way out. While you are looking for shortcuts another applicant is busting their ass studying to retake the teas, volunteering or getting experience as a CNA to buff out their portfolio. You can go look for the easy way out but it isn't cheap. All the csus are tough to get in. A few years more of education to get your bachelors is worth it, and CSUs are dirt cheap compared to many "easier" to get in private schools. Apply to all of them. Or waste your time and don't.

SunriseDay · Mar 14, 2015

hmm... I can get a Bachelors in PoliSci:Legal Studies (I thought about pre-law, but employment outlooks for lawyers is abysmal and high, high debt), with minors in Bio and Chem *so maybe can go to PA school or maybe even med in future, while applying to Butte College lottery (I live 12 miles from it) and other lotterys, like in Sacramento... and I could go to either 1) Master's Entry (which are easier to get into I think) or to BC to AA, then ADN to BSN program.. It takes about 3 years to get into the BC lottery and about the time it would take to get the Bachelors in Legal Studies since I spend 3 years in just GE and RN Pre-reqs...

I could get a Bachelors in the PoliSci w/o debt (using Cal Grant, Pell Grant, and Supplemental Opportunity Grant). I go to California State University, Chico. I know privates are easier to get into... also O-O-S (california is difficult for just about everything bc everyone wants to live here).. bc I got into one before, last summer, but culturally, program ect bad and too far, ect, events which happened. In Cali I can live w/ mom and save on living costs, so just pay tuition.

Do you think those are good ideas?

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 16, 2015

I've heard, not verified, that csu san bernadino is easier to get in than some others.

I've also heard that it's easier to get I to an Lvn to RN bridge program at the community college than it is to get into the straight RN programs.

I also have friends who are choosing to attend private programs to obtain their RN. This means doing an Lvn program, a "bridge" and then the RN portion. It's faster, and a straight forward process. It's also very expensive.

caliotter3 · Mar 16, 2015

I don't know what gave you the impression that there are any nursing programs in CA that are easy to get in. Even the private, for profit programs have entrance standards.

Eru IlÃºvatar · Mar 16, 2015

Hi, I think I'm stuck with nursing, since I spent 3 years doing pre-requisites for it. I have about a 3.8 and currently at a CSU. I've thought of possible alternatives, but none work without years and years upon the 3 I've already done, sketchy employment prospects, and mountains of debt.
Anybody else feel like they're "stuck" in the nursing major bc 1) it's very specialized, and 2) it's hard to do any other career based off the pre-reqs, ect, done and some medical fields (like MD) are clearly out of reach...
I did get accepted to a program once, O-O-S, but things happened which made me come back to CA and wrecked a little. Nothing happened to my GPA, however.. but a year of absence later..
What are some easy CA programs to get into? I tried CSU Chico... was rejected 2 years ago at #77 on waitlist or so. I know the Butte college program here is the easiest, if I wait 3 years. I should have applied 2 years ago, but then I thought I would go straight to bachelors route instead and got into that other program. I might end up waiting 3 years for that lottery, or get into a master's entry program after getting a BA (which will take 2-3 years) from csu chico. I'm in a hard spot where there are no other options, and I also cannot afford private programs (working on grants only - lost a scholarship, also) and bachelors programs are too hard to get into with only a TEAS score of 83%.
I have completed these pre-reqs:
Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Gen Chem I, and Human Genetics (no lab)
Statistics and Trig (pass/fail)
Sociology, Psychology, Cultural Anthropology, Child Development, Basic Nutrition, 2nd psych class, Spanish I, American Lit, 2 English classes, one which is Critical Thinking (no across the lifespan devlop - not offered at BC or CSUC)
What do you suggest I do?? Go for BA while waiting for AA, and possible master's entry? Any help is appreciated! Either way, it appears years down the road bc I didn't apply earlier

Have you considered moving to other places to find a spot in a nursing program? Also you can go for a major in biology with those pre reqs, or simple get an AA and work while you try to get admitted to school.