suggestions on nursing programs/st louis area

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jun 25, 2006

I wanted to get some suggestions on nursing programs other than UMSL, Barnes-Jewish and Lutheran school nursing in ST louis. I was at UMSL but unfort i had 2 classes i did not pass and this kept me from applying from Barnes-Jewish. Does anyone have any idea on what wait list for St Louis CC and St Charles CC for nursing program? Would it be more advantagous for me to start at LPN program somewhere?
I am one who believes if you want something bad enough you can do it. Thank you

Someone mentioned 2 years for Meramec, but I think more realistically it's about 3 semesters....this could be shorter now with the dosage test being a requirement prior to admittance.

I think Forest Park and Flo Valley might be slightly shorter waits, however Flo Valley only admits once a year.

If you've got the pre-reqs done (I think it's A & P I and Chem), I'd go to all 3 campuses and at least get your name on the lists while you consider other options.

luvs2readlotsRN · Jun 27, 2006

Hi!

Sorry to hear about your experience with UMSL.

I'm currently wait-listed at Forest Park Community College. I was told it would be 3 semesters(it's been 2...hopefully in October I'll get my letter to start in January!) One thing about that "wait", I've been able to get through all my other classes(API & II, Psych, Sociology, Growth & Developement and Microbiology), so when I do start I'll only have my nursing coursework to worry about. This next fall semester I'm taking things I'll eventually need for my BSN: statistics, philosophy etc.

I agree with wdwpixie, having the dosage & calculations test before starting your nursing classes does seem to weed out a few people. I know of a fellow student who was #79, but 2 days before classes started they called her & asked if she would be ready to start the next semester. Seems they had several opening but had to go through the list and find someone who had passed dosage & calculation. So when you sign up take the test as soon as possible.

Good luck!

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jun 27, 2006

Also, when we had our Prep for Success meeting this weekend, one of the instructors mentioned they STILL didn't have a lot of the scheduling and stuff done as they hadn't filled the classes yet! She didn't specifically mention the dosage test being a factor, but they go through a lot of folks looking for those who didn't in the meantime go a different direction, to another school, or, like me with Forest Park, have to defer for various reasons to a later date.

Hang in there! The community college has a great reputation and I certainly liked what I saw this past weekend. They are VERY interested in your success in this program! And their pass rates are VERY good if you go check the Missouri Department of Professional Registration site. Oh, and you can't beat the price!

Best wishes to us all!!

Jackie in MO · Jun 28, 2006

I will be starting at St. Charles Community College in August. They really don't have a waiting list. The way that they do it is first come first serve. What that means is that as soon as you have all of your pre-reqs done (A&P 1 & 2, Chemistry, etc.) you take the dosage test and the first 80 that do this will be admitted to the program.

The key is to make sure that you have all your ducks in a row, and to take the dosage test the first day it is offered for the year that you want in. (Example: Those wanting into the 2007 class will be taking the dosage test on July 1 of this summer.) The dosage test is only good for one year so you want to make sure that you take in in the time that you need to get in. The day I took my dosage test I thought I got there early, but there were already 54 people in line ahead of me waiting to take it! The key is to get there early that day, and pass it the first time! You need to have a minimum of 2.5 GPA, and have at least a "C" in all your Science courses.

The LPN program is easier to get into, but if you know that you want to get your RN, your best bet would be to just try to get into the RN program. They have an LPN bridge program, but to bridge you are dependent upon some of the RN students either dropping out, or flunking out of the program to open up a spot. From what I have heard, the level of RN students that they have had in the last several years, there aren't many spots opening up and there are alot of LPN's waiting to bridge.

IMO, Community Colleges are the way to go! The education is so much more cost effective, and we all have to pass the same State Boards! From what I hear, SCCC has the highest pass rate of the NCLEX of any school in the entire state!

I don't know where you live, but I do know that East Central College out in Union. Missouri also offers an RN program. They just don't take as large of a class, so the wait might be longer!

Good luck!