What do you do.......

SarasotaRN2b · Aug 15, 2005

when you've taken all your pre-reqs., but still not in nursing program. i'm just curious if there are any here that have just applied or still waiting to get in - what do you take when there's nothing else left other than nursing courses.
that will most likely be my situation after next semester. i'll be applying for fall 2006 semester nursing, although i still need to take the n.e.t. is there a way of getting a head start on nursing? would it be worth it to purchase 1st books and start reading?
looking forward to fall '05 semester. :rotfl:
cindy

hey cindy, there are a couple of things that you can do. are you going for the adn? if so, if you want to take classes see what additional classes may be needed for a bsn. for example, nutrition and chemistry, not required for my adn, are required for the bsn. or you can do like i am and get a job as a unit secretary at a hospital. it will give you great exposure, and you'll feel more comfortable on the floor. plus, because there is a need for nurses, you might be eligible for tuition reimbursement or scholarships. another suggestion is for you to take a cna course. by the time you start your clinicals, you'll be way ahead of some of your classmates as you will not have the "unknown" anxieties, that plague many nursing students about clinical.

my working as a health unit coordinator on a med/surg floor has totally psyched me for nursing.

sunnyjohn · Aug 15, 2005

I am with Kris.

Take classes for your BSN and think about becoming a CNA. Tuition reimbursement is a wonderful thing.!

momgrad5/07 · Aug 15, 2005

hey cindy, there are a couple of things that you can do. are you going for the adn? if so, if you want to take classes see what additional classes may be needed for a bsn. for example, nutrition and chemistry, not required for my adn, are required for the bsn. or you can do like i am and get a job as a unit secretary at a hospital. it will give you great exposure, and you'll feel more comfortable on the floor. plus, because there is a need for nurses, you might be eligible for tuition reimbursement or scholarships. another suggestion is for you to take a cna course. by the time you start your clinicals, you'll be way ahead of some of your classmates as you will not have the "unknown" anxieties, that plague many nursing students about clinical.
my working as a health unit coordinator on a med/surg floor has totally psyched me for nursing.

yes, i am in the adn program (it's called asn at my school). that's a good idea about taking bsn courses. i have already taken chemistry, so i can look into other courses. what would be cna courses? are those usually held at some of the tech. schools? i have thought about a hospital job. what hours do you work? i have 3 children with 3 different schedules, and in different sports through out the year. my hours are kind of limited.

good luck to ya. how much more do you have left?

cindy

Sunshine Sweetheart · Aug 15, 2005

Yes, I am in the ADN program (It's called ASN at my school). That's a good idea about taking BSN courses. I have already taken Chemistry, so I can look into other courses. What would be CNA courses? Are those usually held at some of the Tech. Schools? I have thought about a hospital job. What hours do you work? I have 3 children with 3 different schedules, and in different sports through out the year. My hours are kind of limited.
Good luck to ya. How much more do you have left?
Cindy

I took my CNA class at my local CC. I find that health related jobs tend be flexible, especially when you are in school. My job allows me to work weekends and pick up extra hours during the week if I want to. It is a good schedule because I can just concentrate on school during the week.

casi, ASN, RN · Aug 15, 2005

I've gone over this situation in my head several times. It's my biggest fear that I won't get into nursing school right away. I've come up with several ideas.

1. get my acute care CNA certification (if I don't have it yet)

2.ER Tech certification

3. phlebotomy certification

4. Maybe take an EMT coorifice

5. Work on my Women's Studies degree more

6. Retake a class or two where my grades weren't as good as they should have been

7. Maybe take some time to RELAX!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2005

I am taking the Fall semester off. If I don't get in for January, then I'll think of what to do.

I will probably continue to be a SAHM, or just do substitute teaching.

BUT I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE I AM GETTING IN FOR JANUARY '06! (YOU TOO SUNNYJOHN!) lol

(Please, God!! ty) lol

Good luck to you all!

TRINI_RN · Aug 15, 2005

I've heard a lot of nursing students say that it's a good idea to spend some time with friends and family. Also a good time to relax and go over patho and A&P notes. You'll have your hands full once you start nursing, I'd say spend some quality time with yourself.

allthingsbright · Aug 15, 2005

I would advise you to:

1.)take classes towards your BSN-including any general ed classes you need, etc. Remember that all science classes expire after 5 years.

2.) weekly refresh yourself on A&P, Micro, etc. You WILL use that stuff in nursing school. If you don't USE it, you will lose it.

3.) get in some community service-if you ever decide to apply for a BSN spot in a university, they look at this and it really ups your chances.

4.)or, if you have lots of time, think about getting a job in health care as a unit secretary or other support position-it will teach you sooooo much.

5.)and if you havent done so already, take a medical terminology class-it will really help your level of understanding in actual nursing school.

I'm planning on doing all the above! :uhoh3: Take care!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 16, 2005

You can either get your CNA, volunteer in the community or get started on your BSN requirements (if you want to continue your education). Most importantly don't think about the wait time too much. You need to enjoy it because once you start you are going to wish you had time off. Good luck to you. :)

momgrad5/07 · Aug 16, 2005

Wow! Thanks guys for all the great suggestions. I'm going to start planning.

The support that this site gives is amazing. I just sit a read through past posts and threads. It's so nice that us students have a place to vent, to be inspired, and to deal with the ups an downs of striving for our dream of nursing.

I WILL be in a program and start clinicals by Fall 2006, I WILL graduate (with honors) by Dec. 2007, and I WILL be an R.N.

Cindy