The Timing Of Getting Into Nursing

[spiffae]

Hi all,

I'm new here, so forgive me if I'm asking stupid questions.

I'm 24 years old, planning on getting into nursing soon. I'm currently in a job whose contract expires around April of 2008. After that, I'd like to go straight into a nursing program. At the moment I have to take the GREs and do some pre-requisites (about two semesters worth, if I'm studying part-time along with my job.) I am trying to figure out how I should plan out my schedule for the coming months.

I guess my first question is are there nursing programs (preferrably BS/MS programs) that start any semester, or do they all start in a specific semester (e.g. fall of every year). Do the application deadlines happen all at the same time as well? And how far in advance are application deadlines? I know some schools let you apply while you are still doing your pre-recs, but obviously you need to have the GREs done beforehand.

I guess what I'm asking is - if you were in my position, how would you structure the year to come?

Thanks for reading!

[happybunny1970]

Best advice: Look up online or otherwise contact the school(s) to which you are considering application -- every one is different. Some take applications only in the Fall to fill both their Fall and Spring groups, others require application with each semester. Some schools don't even require GRE test results -- mine didn't. You have to check with the schools for their application deadlines -- I think a lot of the Fall applications are due by April, or even March, depending on the school. And, of course, if the school at which you enter nursing is different than the school where you are earning prerequisites, you have to apply to the college/university separately.

It's a good idea to apply to more than one school, since class sizes are so restricted -- just be sure to review the prereqs for the programs as all coursework does not transfer between all schools.

Kudos on your desire to enter nursing in your mid-twenties -- you're old enough to know what you want and appreciate the program, but young enough to enjoy a long career. Good luck!

[shippoRN]

If you can take some of your pre-reqs online (and since you are a new yorker) I highly recommend the Suny Learning Network. Especially for your non science pre-reqs if you need to take them plus they are much much cheaper than the CUNY classes. City tech is also a good place to try to get your pre-reqs they make registering for classes totally brainless and you get first pick at classes just like everyone else weather you are matriculated or not.

I guess I would suggest Adelphi Manhattan, LIU, Downstate, PACE and umm Hunter and College of Mount Sait Vincent, Columbia and NYU. Those are who I can think of that has B.S. programs. Not sure of their start times though. They all have webpages, look them up, check out their deadlines and definitely attend their open houses to get a feel of things.

Hope this helps a little.