Taking a year off; will it help or hurt?

[JeanLedesma]

For starters, I'm new here so hopefully I'm doing this right.

As for my question, here's some background. I'm a Pre-Nursing student and I've just finished my third semester of university; I've finished the four science pre-requisites and all of my GE's, so seeing as I had no classes to take, my advisor suggested taking an educational leave for Spring semester. It was originally my plan to attend nursing school in Fall 2016, but as the deadlines to apply come closer, I'm not sure if this is the right choice. First off, I have no volunteer experience, and I've only ever had one summer job, nor do I have anyone I'd feel comfortable asking for letters of recommendation. My grades are fairly solid, but not good enough that I could get into a school on them alone. Therefore, I've been thinking instead to take an entire year off so that I can volunteer at hospitals and work (I will begin working in January as a clinical assistant) and hopefully make some connections so that I can apply for Spring 2017. I feel that taking time off to gain some work and volunteer experience would be beneficial for me, but I don't know if it really is a smart choice.

Are there repercussions to taking a year off, especially as a Pre-Nursing student? Will my grades and TEAS scores still be valid after the year is over or will I have to retake anything? What else can or should I be doing during my leave? As I'm on ed leave, I can't speak to an advisor and I don't know who else I can ask these questions to. Any help or feedback is appreciated, thank you!

[UCFAshley]

Your grades should be valid after a year. I'm still toying with taking a break for a year to work and save money to pay for some of these nursing classes on my own.

I assume taking a year off to work as a clinical assistant can give you some experience and may help you in a clinical setting (to some degree) but I don't see how that will help you get into the program. Then again, I don't know what your program requirements are.

If it were me, I would apply. If you don't get in, then at least you have a plan. Perhaps in that year off you can retake the TEAS for a higher score?

[BBboy]

Why not just retake courses so that you have a better shot of getting into nursing school this quarter instead of hoping that the volunteer experiences will strengthen your application? It is honestly more common than not to work while being a pre-nursing student as you not only complete your classes but you are also able to gain experience at the same time (a solid 2 for 1). Of course the days will be long with studying and work but it definitely beats trying to search for experience later on. If your grades aren't that great i would definitely suggest retaking some courses and working as a CNA if you have that license. Sometimes advisers are honestly oblivious, mine actually told me that i should look into other majors at one point because he worried that my grades might not've been good enough. Guess who ended up working their *** off to prove them wrong and get in and landed a fantastic hospital job as well?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I would give it all you got and apply for the nursing program. I am not sure how old you are, but are there any high school teachers that could write a reference for you assuming you are a fairly recent graduate?

Annie

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I would apply now and plan to work until Fall 2016, assuming you get in.

I don't see any benefit to working the extra 4 months and starting in the spring.

If you don't get in, you can reapply, right?

[Honey Clover]

Well, if you feel unsure about the nursing field itself, then taking a year off to get work experience and more perspective would be good. But if you feel that your application won't be strong enough without the work experience, why not just apply now to see if you can be accepted and if you aren't accepted, then take the year off. But if you are, go straight to nursing school! As for letters of rec, you don't necessarily need to be best buddies with someone. You just need a nice person who is willing to vouch for you. Make sure to give them some info about you and it should be okay. Some professors are more than willing!

However, if you do decide to take a year off, it is only beneficial if you are productive during that year off. Start looking for volunteer or work positions now. It may take while to find a good place to get experience in.