What to expect?

HI

Just wanted to wish you luck persuing your nursing studies.

I'm an Aussie student so don't know the process - by the looks of it, we are very lucky with an easy process to get into uni.

I just wanted to say, I have a few friends at uni, in their mid to late 30's having a total change, and they are loving it.

Good luck

Zoe:-)

Most schools have certain pre'reqs that you have to pass with a certain grade, or gpa, once this is completed you have to apply. Even though you passed your previous classes does not mean you are competitive. I suggest you go to the nursing admissions office and ask them what competitive is, they will usually tell you what previous average admitees were. At my program we had to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and a grade of B or better in the sciences and math. Although the min to be admitted was a 3.0 in my class the Average admitted GPA was a 3.6.

If you are not admitted once you are done with pre reqs be sure to look at more than one program, and also dont be discouraged if you have to apply more than once.

Im making a career change at 31. I start classes this fall, but I wont officially be in "nursing school" until Im accepted into the program. How does this process work exactly? Do you just take your core classes until your accepted into the program? What if you get all your core classes done and your still not accepted??? Do you just quit going to school???? What do you do in the meantime? I guess I just dont understand the whole process. It would be great to go straight through the program, which is an associate of science in nursing. I really dont have the luxury of getting put on a waiting list. Ill have quite a bit of core classes to do in the meantime. Core classes are 33 credit hours.....thats 3 semesters if I take a full load each semester. What is the average wait time for nursing school programs. Im just a little confused never been to college and changing careers! Anyone wanna calm me down??

First go talk to the health careers (or nursing or whatever your school calls it) advisor. They can tell you not only what the requirements are to get into the School of Nursing, but also what people did to get in. In my case our school had not just requirements but points assigned to some of the prereqs, volunteering or having a job in the medical field, scores on admission tests etc. I knew what grades I had to get, what I had to complete and all of the levels I wanted to hit for each of the classes and tests. I came in with a very "high point" application. In our schools case wait list is determined by those who do not make the level on points (in other words if people who got 20-30 points got in now, people from 15-20 got waitlisted). Your school WILL be different, some areas have 2 year waitlists once you complete all of your prereqs. I maximized all of my points and got in the first try. If you get waitlisted don't skip going to school, one it keeps you on your toes, two you can increase your GPA and possibly improve your chances for admission. If you get waitlisted find ways to volunteer your time in the healthcare field, it can improve your chances on application, but also will give you a better idea of this change.

I too am a career changer, and I started working in the medical field so that I could make the transition more easily. I wholeheartedly say GO FOR IT! I love what I do. School is hard, but it lets you know what you are capable of. Ask the questions of the advisor, get the info, and put one foot in front of the other. I started this process a long time ago and worked full time thru all my prereqs, now I'm less than a year away from graduation! Enjoy the ride!

1a. Breathe.

1b. Go to your state's website for the Board of Registered Nursing.

2. Look at the list of approved schools

3. Google those schools that interest you. Visit school's dept. of nursing website to answer your questions regarding waitlist, pre-reqs, GPA etc.

3a. If the school's dept of nursing is vague about the application process and recommends you attend an information meeting, attend said meeting to have all your questions answered.

3b. If you can't go to the informational sessions or there aren't any scheduled for a while, call the nursing dept contact person to have some questions answered.

4. Expect to wait if you plan to go to state schools.

5. Do not plan on being able to repeat any core pre-reqs for a higher grade. if you can't make your grades, don't take too many classes at once in an attempt to save time.

Hope this calmed you down :)