I'm a CNA, I work full time & I am planning to finance a new car, but I also want to go back to school. My main goal has always been to become a RN. I Love helping people! I just need peoples thoughts on what to do..... I've asked my parents & friends, but would be Helpful to hear from people who have been thru work, going, to school, & paying a car.
I've been to Community College:
*Taken All PreREq's for Rn, but C's in my sciences which makes me feel im not gonna get in to nursing schools.
I just want to go to schools, so bad and learn. I don't want to stay as a CNA for a long time.
I have 2 future plans but don't know if they are good:
1. Go to a LVN school & graduate which takes 1 1/2yrs, works as LVN,
a. Apply to RN program & obtain my Associates Degree about 2yrs, work as RN
b. Go to school & Obtain my Bachelor
I feel that this plan might take longer because 1st lvn & then go to obtain a AA & then Bachelors of Science in Nursing....
2. Go to a LVN School & graduate & then later just go to West Coast University to take the LVN to BSN Program.
3. Last Just apply and start at West Coast University...
I NEE ADVICE PLEASE!!! I REALLY WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL & BECOME RN, BUT IM NOT SURE WHICH WAY TO GO.
Is it possible to go to school, work, & pay off a new car?
ANY ADVICE I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT, THANK YOU!!!
You really need to contact the nursing schools close to you and go ahead and apply. My school didn't look at GPA so much, but they DID look at ACT scores. Each school is different, with their own standards and admission requirements. There is no point in spending time talking about what you "heard," etc. Go straight to the school and get started! There may be a wait list, so the sooner the better. Also, if you contact the nursing school directly, you can go ahead and get started with any tests, etc, and see what you need to do. Don't get burdened down with paying for a new car, unless the payments and insurance are very reasonable. My car has over 100k miles on it, and I don't plan to spend money on another one until this one dies on the road.
I would think you'd still need to take A&P regardless of which program you get right? I'm at El Centro in Dallas.
I had never taken A&P 1 or 2 but did a&p 1 in Maymester (hell on earth) and a&p 2 in summer 1 (the layer just before hell, still terribly scary and can feel death on your door/brain)
Haha - I STUDIED MY BUTT OFF. That's all I did. Lab and lecture exam every 3 days. THREE DAYS.
If I can do that - anyone can do it!
I'm Confused.
If I apply dirctly to a ADN program I have to knoe the A&P already, right? or do they offer the courses again in the Program? please help
Congrats to you for the hard work you've been doing and not giving up. Inspires me.
Are you able to work full time and go to Nursing School?
If you attend an LVN program at a private trade school, you will still need to earn competitive grades in your prerequisite courses to have a chance at getting admitted into an RN program.
I'm a little confused. So the grades I have right now on my pre-reqs wouldn't help get into an RN Program faster?
You really need to contact the nursing schools close to you and go ahead and apply. My school didn't look at GPA so much, but they DID look at ACT scores. Each school is different, with their own standards and admission requirements. There is no point in spending time talking about what you "heard," etc. Go straight to the school and get started! There may be a wait list, so the sooner the better. Also, if you contact the nursing school directly, you can go ahead and get started with any tests, etc, and see what you need to do. Don't get burdened down with paying for a new car, unless the payments and insurance are very reasonable. My car has over 100k miles on it, and I don't plan to spend money on another one until this one dies on the road.
what school are you referring too?
How long might it take up to get into a RN program at a Community College?
I decided to work and save right now, and later buy a nice used car.
I will contact the schools, but I just want to hear what people have experienced and what they suggest I do.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
There are four points of entry to become an RN in the US:
1. Complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program and pass NCLEX-RN
2. Complete a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) program and pass NCLEX-RN
3. Complete a hospital-based diploma nursing program and pass NCLEX-RN
4. Complete a direct-entry master of science in nursing (DEMSN) program and pass NCLEX-RN
If you wish to become an RN, pick the route you feel works best for you and your circumstances.
You left out at least two:) California's 30 unit option, and NCLEX RN challenge for certain military trained people as allowed in West Virginia and possibly a few other states.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm a little confused. So the grades I have right now on my pre-reqs wouldn't help get into an RN Program faster?
That's correct. You are located in California, which is one of the most competitive states as far as getting admitted into a nursing program is concerned, but the problematic issue is that you have earned a bunch of 'C' grades in your prerequisite courses. When making decisions on which applicants to admit, admissions committees weigh one's science courses heavily into the equation.
Although I am originally from California, I now live in a state with less competitive admissions for nursing programs. Several of my acquaintances' applications to nursing school were rejected even though they had earned 4.0 grade point averages because so many people with 4.0s had applied.
Unfortunately, the competitive nature of nursing school is the burning reason why so many people decide to pay an arm and a leg to attend dubious trade schools with staggering tuition such as West Coast University. These types of schools are less competitive because they cost so darned much, but be cognizant that no BSN degree in the world is worth $132,000 and the resultant $1,500+ monthly tuition payments for many years to come.
Ok I guess financing a new car is not the best option, but I'm also afraid if I purchase a new car it might not end up working good. I want the car for work and to go to clinical's
Financing a new car would be a terrible option...
You're thinking of buying a new car to go to clinicals for a program to which you're not even admitted? How does that make good sense?
You want a new car "for work." How do you presently get to work?
It sounds like you want a new car and are creating justifications for it.
That's correct. You are located in California, which is one of the most competitive states as far as getting admitted into a nursing program is concerned
1) Your grades are simply not competitive... until they are, you're not going to get into any of the public universities in California
2) You may qualify for some of the community college programs which admit either by waiting list (3-4 years) or by lottery... you need to figure out which ones you qualify for and focus on them.
3) How are you planning to pay for all this expensive schooling that you're wanting? Think about it, WCU for $132,000? Do you have a spare hundred K laying around? If so, that's a valid option. If not, where are you going to find that kind of money? And then you want to add another $15-$25,000 on top of that to finance a car? Are you starting this debt-free or do you have credit card debt?
Honestly, it sounds like you don't fully grasp the financial realities of the situation.
Recognize that the path to a good-paying RN job in California is competitive as heck... there are literally hundreds of people going after each of those jobs so don't assume that one of them is just waiting for you to finish nursing school.
If you really want it, you *can* get it... I'm not saying that you can't... I am saying, however, that it's not going to be easy or quick... and that digging an enormous hole of debt is not generally a wise option (unless you're an investment bank and you've got Bush's TARP to bail you out).
1) Your grades are simply not competitive... until they are, you're not going to get into any of the public universities in California
2) You may qualify for some of the community college programs which admit either by waiting list (3-4 years) or by lottery... you need to figure out which ones you qualify for and focus on them.
3) How are you planning to pay for all this expensive schooling that you're wanting? Think about it, WCU for $132,000? Do you have a spare hundred K laying around? If so, that's a valid option. If not, where are you going to find that kind of money? And then you want to add another $15-$25,000 on top of that to finance a car? Are you starting this debt-free or do you have credit card debt?
Honestly, it sounds like you don't fully grasp the financial realities of the situation.
Recognize that the path to a good-paying RN job in California is competitive as heck... there are literally hundreds of people going after each of those jobs so don't assume that one of them is just waiting for you to finish nursing school.
If you really want it, you *can* get it... I'm not saying that you can't... I am saying, however, that it's not going to be easy or quick... and that digging an enormous hole of debt is not generally a wise option (unless you're an investment bank and you've got Bush's TARP to bail you out).
Yes, I thought about buying a new car wouldn't be the best idea.
I'm not making justifications for a new car I just wanted to know what the best decision was. I get to work in the bus, so gotta be waking up extra early. Anyway, the next step is just to look at a used car that works good and would save me money and stress.
I'm aware that getting into Nursing Programs is diffucult, but what would be the best option into getting into a a LVN to rn program?
Obviously, if I had any debt I wouldn't be thinking of financing a new car, or schools. I had WCU in mind just because it would take me around 4 yrs to get the BSN. My friend graduated from there and found a job in less than 6months, but then everyone has their own personal problems going on.
I know nothing in life is easy, but I'm willing to take up the challenges . I appreciate the tips/ advice thanks.
Why do you think people end up going to WCU to get their BSN ?
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Why do you think people end up going to WCU to get their BSN ?
In all likelihood, they end up attending WCU because the more affordable, more reputable nursing schools rejected them and they're "tired of waiting," so they pay a fortune in exchange for convenience.
Your question is similar to, "Why do people spend $132,000 in tuition to attend WCU when the same nursing degree can be earned at a regional California State University for a fraction of that cost?"
which makes me feel im not gonna get in to nursing schools.
applewhitern, BSN, RN
1,871 Posts
You really need to contact the nursing schools close to you and go ahead and apply. My school didn't look at GPA so much, but they DID look at ACT scores. Each school is different, with their own standards and admission requirements. There is no point in spending time talking about what you "heard," etc. Go straight to the school and get started! There may be a wait list, so the sooner the better. Also, if you contact the nursing school directly, you can go ahead and get started with any tests, etc, and see what you need to do. Don't get burdened down with paying for a new car, unless the payments and insurance are very reasonable. My car has over 100k miles on it, and I don't plan to spend money on another one until this one dies on the road.