Very confused, and my advisor is no help...

morte, LPN, LVN · Nov 13, 2008

go back and try a different person , if possible....if not, look her in the eye and tell her to give you the info that you need, NOW....it is not her place to say impossible.....difficult, yes, very difficult maybe....but it is NOT her place to say NO....go back and make her do her job

SFChef · Nov 13, 2008

Hi Yakadoo,

It's a little bit hard to answer your question completely, because all schools are different. I'm sorry your advisor wasn't much of a help, but to be honest, most of the information you need can probably be found on the website(s) of the schools you are interested in attending.

As for working during nursing school, I think there are a fair amount of people who do that - I know there are part time nursing programs, but maybe not in your area. If you need to work and are motivated to get through school, you can find a way. For what it's worth, I don't plan on working once I start nursing school, but I worked all through my pre-reqs (I had 18 units--anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology, nutrition, dev. psych) and I worked 50 hours per week, and still pulled a 4.0. It can be done.

As far as when to apply, that depends on the particular school. At some schools you can apply when you still have a couple of outstanding classes, but you need to finish them before you actually start the nursing program. Other schools (usually community colleges) might require you to have completed all of your pre-reqs before applying. Information about this will be on their website.

The HESI test is an entrance test. If your school requires it, you will need to take it before you apply. Not all schools require it. Some schools require different tests (TEAS, NET, etc). Again, this information will be on the school's website.

Good luck!

Destination1 · Nov 13, 2008

If your a sophomore now it sounds like you may be close to finishing your associates. Nursing school would add another 2 years or so at the associates level but so would an BSN. I know that in the ADN program here the nursing school is 2 years of strictly nursing classes after the prerequisites. It may make more sense to go for the BSN if its an option.

If you work or not is your choice not the schools. I wouldn't even mention it. If you do expect to be told how difficult it is, not to do it, its impossible , etc...

Yakadoo · Nov 13, 2008

Thank you for you responses, they are very much appreciated. I've been looking at my school's website, and still I'm unable to figure out when to take the Hesi test and when to actually apply. The way they have the "block curriculum" done, I'm not sure when you would actually be "in the nursing program". I'm so confused. :bugeyes: lol.

I've e-mailed the actual program at my school since my advisor was little to no help at all, so maybe they can help me out.

I'm still looking at the BSN program at Prairie View A&M, because it seems like it makes more sense to take that, and I don't have to deal with this block program stuff (at least not that I know of....)

Again, thank you for your help.

Just in case you're wondering what it is I am looking at, here's my school's website...

http://www.lonestar.edu/6263/#NursingSpecIntegrated

It's the last curriculum - the "Nursing Specialization (block curriculum)"

SFChef · Nov 13, 2008

Yakadoo, maybe you're not looking at the right spot on their website, because I found this page and it answers most of your questions.

http://northharris.lonestar.edu/25826/

Applications are available in January and must be submitted by March. The HESI test is given during that time frame as well.

The first semester is comprised of pre-reqs (anatomy, pscyh, and comp). The next semester is actually the beginning of the nursing program.

You are required to attend an orientation session before applying to the program. There is a link embedded within the web page that gives dates and locations of the upcoming info sessions. I'm sure that if you attended one of those sessions they would be able to answer all of your questions.

Hope this helps...

Yakadoo · Nov 13, 2008

SFChief, I hadn't found that specific page, but found some of that information elsewhere after posting my last message. Thank you for the link!

I've no idea why my advisor would say to apply after the second year - that didn't make any sense to me, and still doesn't.

SFChef · Nov 14, 2008

I found the page by going to the main page for Lonestar and typing "nursing" into the search bar in the upper right corner...from there, it will give you several options to choose from.

I have no idea what campus you are interested in, but if you search from the main district page you can probably find the right info.

As for that advisor, I have no idea why she would give you incorrect information, but maybe she just didn't know. Oftentimes, nursing schools have their own advisors and admission reps, so you will get the most accurate information if you speak to them directly.

3rdgenRN2B · Nov 15, 2008

OMG, what is it with advisors? I went to see one of the nursing advisors at my cc and she was so encouraging telling me that they were restructuring the program to make it more accessible to working adults since working adults make up the majority of their applicants and she really got my hopes up since, like you, I have to work full time. Then I go to an info session to here more about the restructured program only to have that same advisor stand there on the state and tell us how much it is looked down upon when students have to work and how much it is discouraged. I emailed her the next day asking her what happened to making the program more accessible to people like me and know what she said??? Perhaps I should consider something else!!! That was a year ago and I was so upset that I haven't been back to school since....

Since then I did my research. My current school has completely cancelled their part time evening program and it is only full time day now. But that's ok. I found another cc in the next state (about 20 mins away) that has a part time evening/weeken program with clinicals on Sat or Sun which is perfect! It actually is tailored to people who have to work. The tuition will be about 3x as much but it will be worth it. The people at this school actually realized that people, especially now, have to work, most of the applicants are adults with responsibilities like providing insurance and paying bills, and by making the nursing program more accessible to working adults, perhaps they will be helping to eliminate the nursing crisis. So don't get bummed or give up because of one jerky advisor. Look around at other schools in your area. Maybe your current school's program is only full time day. If so, then I could see how working might be discouraged since you'll need so much time and energy for the classes. But that's no excuse for your advisor ignoring you...

Good luck and keep me posted!!

Yakadoo · Nov 15, 2008

3rdgen,

I've been researching different schools in my area...still haven't found one that offers classes that allow me to work much. The problem I'm running into is that they are so strictly scheduled that I'm only able to work about 16 hours a week, and I'm looking for about 25 minimum. I'm going to keep looking, and hopefully come up with someone who offers classes at times that work better with my current job. It's amazing to me that most people I talk to really don't seem to understand my need to work. I have to admit, I am getting slightly discouraged.

3rdgenRN2B · Nov 15, 2008

3rdgen,
I've been researching different schools in my area...still haven't found one that offers classes that allow me to work much. The problem I'm running into is that they are so strictly scheduled that I'm only able to work about 16 hours a week, and I'm looking for about 25 minimum. I'm going to keep looking, and hopefully come up with someone who offers classes at times that work better with my current job. It's amazing to me that most people I talk to really don't seem to understand my need to work. I have to admit, I am getting slightly discouraged.

Well you won't find that an issue here. Lots of people on this board work their way through NS out of necessity so you are not alone!! Good luck in your search...

Maybe you already said this but are you looking at RN only or also LPN? From what I've seen (at least around here) the LPN programs have a day and an evening program for those who have to work...

And finally, I would definitely see if there's another, more supportive advisor that can help you out. I don't think it's very professional of your advisor to just tune you out because you have to work. That just bologna sandwiches!! Talk to someone else, even if you have to go to the president at your school! I had an issue with an advisor and the head of the registrar. I have an anxiety disorder and I panic when it comes time to register. I worry about so many little things and I usually end up switching classes, a lot. So I ended having a registrars block put on my account and the only way they told me I could register for classes is if I went in person. Now not only did having to face the advisor and the registrar in person heighten my anxiety but my work schedule simpply didn't coincide with their hours. So after getting no-where trying to plead with the registrar and advisor I took my issue to the president of the school...

Now I no longer have that issue.

So don't give up! I know it sounds cliche but, where there's a will there's a way....

Yakadoo · Nov 15, 2008

Well you won't find that an issue here. Lots of people on this board work their way through NS out of necessity so you are not alone!! Good luck in your search...
Maybe you already said this but are you looking at RN only or also LPN? From what I've seen (at least around here) the LPN programs have a day and an evening program for those who have to work...
And finally, I would definitely see if there's another, more supportive advisor that can help you out. I don't think it's very professional of your advisor to just tune you out because you have to work. That just bologna sandwiches!! Talk to someone else, even if you have to go to the president at your school! I had an issue with an advisor and the head of the registrar. I have an anxiety disorder and I panic when it comes time to register. I worry about so many little things and I usually end up switching classes, a lot. So I ended having a registrars block put on my account and the only way they told me I could register for classes is if I went in person. Now not only did having to face the advisor and the registrar in person heighten my anxiety but my work schedule simpply didn't coincide with their hours. So after getting no-where trying to plead with the registrar and advisor I took my issue to the president of the school...
Now I no longer have that issue.
So don't give up! I know it sounds cliche but, where there's a will there's a way....

To be honest, I don't even know what an LPN is (can you tell I'm new to this nursing thing?? :bugeyes: ) lol. I'm off to research that to see if maybe that's a good choice for me.

I'm the same way with my classes...always worried about how many and what to take together because I have to work it all around going to work and trying to make good grades. I'm such a mess every semester, and I can tell it's going to get even worse with all these tests, point systems, and everything else I have to figure out with nursing school.

Thanks for your help and support!!