Which school for pre-nursing

oldsockventriloquist · Nov 22, 2015

I would call the nursing programs/schools in your area to see if it matters. If it doesn't, I'd see which program is the cheapest, yet reputable (see which one offers the best financial aid).

nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 23, 2015

I based my choice in nursing school based on a few things but mainly the NCLEX pass rates.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2015

Which school should you attend for pre-nursing? Attend your local community college and complete your prerequisite coursework there. Take advantage of the fact that California community colleges have some of the cheapest tuition in the country.

After completing the garden variety prerequisite coursework (e.g. anatomy, physiology, microbiology, English composition, lifespan development, etc.), attempt to transfer to a CSU or UC to complete a BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) degree.

Breh_118 · Nov 23, 2015

Community college? That does sound like a more financially safe route. But I don't think I can do that. Firstly, my parents aren't the type who would allow their "A student" son to attend a community college, despite that being a pretty solid route. Secondly, I sort of have a time limit of how long I can study, so I'm looking for a faster route. Community college would add another year, if I'm not mistaken?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2015

Community college would add another year, if I'm not mistaken?

There's no guarantee you'll be accepted into a nursing program at a UC or CSU on the first attempt, so in addition to costing four times as much, starting at the university might add another year or two to your end game as well.

There's acceptance to the university, which differs from acceptance into the university's nursing program. Just because you're accepted to the university, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll be accepted to the school's nursing program.

The stats are horrible: more than 1,000 people apply to the nursing programs at each CSU and UC every semester, but less than 100 are accepted. Nursing is a heavily impacted major in California public schools.

Breh_118 · Nov 23, 2015

Hm....id have to discuss the cc option with my parents. Thank you for the insight. As for what comes after I finish pre nursing, where do I go from there. I intend on becoming a nurse practitioner. Would I apply for a graduate school, and would it have to be one near the area in which I want to work in the future?

oldsockventriloquist · Nov 23, 2015

Community college? That does sound like a more financially safe route. But I don't think I can do that. Firstly, my parents aren't the type who would allow their "A student" son to attend a community college, despite that being a pretty solid route. Secondly, I sort of have a time limit of how long I can study, so I'm looking for a faster route. Community college would add another year, if I'm not mistaken?

Well, if your parents are paying for the prereqs (the TOTAL cost, no loans on your part), then it doesn't matter where you go, as long as it's reputable, unless otherwise stated by the nursing programs you are interested in. If you will be taking out ANY loans, I would consider doing your prereqs the cheapest (but reputable) way possible. If they will not pay for community college, I would look at how much money you will borrow from supporting yourself through community college vs. getting some to no support at a four university (my guess would be community college being cheaper).

The next thing you need to do is try to get the specifics of nursing programs in your area that you are interested in. Who do they usually accept? Do accepted applicants mainly come from the school (meaning people that took the prereqs at the school) or do accepted applicants come from everywhere? Additionally, does the program accept a very small minority of the students that did their prereqs at the school? Usually programs that have students that come from everywhere do not care if you took community college courses, if you do well. In fact, it might be better to go to a place you know you'll do well rather than going to a prestigious university with a very high grade curve.

Next, usually there is no time difference with those that are current students applying to a nursing school and those that are transfer students, if they apply for the same entry date (for example, Winter 2017 start quarter). The only difference is usually after you get accepted, the transfer students (for example, from a community college) would need to also apply for general admissions (to get their student ID, online registration account...). The one exception would be if you are in an area where classes fill up quickly at the local community college vs. some other institution where class availability is less of an issue. My overall point is, yes prestige might have some value, but nursing salaries do have a limit and you don't want to spend a good chunk of your career paying off more debt than is needed.

Breh_118 · Nov 23, 2015

If I do decide to do nursing at a csu, where do I go from there to further advance my career. Where can I earn my masters and become an np. Sorry, I just don't know much about how this works yet.

susanjanexo · Nov 24, 2015

I graduated high school and got into CSULB as a pre-nursing major. I took my pre-reqs my first two years at CSULB and applied to the program and got rejected. More than 75% of the people that got into the nursing program were transfers from a community college. I regretted not starting out at a cc. It would have taken me the same amount of time to complete my pre-reqs at a cc. Every one at CSULB struggled to get As in all their pre-reqs while those who went to a cc said the pre-reqs were a piece of cake. So when I only had Micro left to take, I took it at a cc. Many people who took Micro at CSULB struggled to get an A. Many got Cs, some got Bs, very very few got As. I took it over the summer at a cc and easily got an A. I took Anatomy at CSULB and got a C. Retook it over last summer at a cc and easily got an A. I only lost one point in that course all summer. It's crazy how easy the prereqs are when you're taking it at a cc. You'll be able to get your 4.0 way easier. You need like a 3.9+ to get in and unless you're a genius, that'll be hard to do at a CSU. I'm applying to other nursing programs now since CSULB takes the first passing grade for my prereqs. My A in Anatomy at the cc doesn't count. I'm applying to ADN programs and plan to transfer back to get my BSN. Save yourself the headache and money and go to a cc first unless you're confident you can get a 4.0. Good luck!

susanjanexo · Nov 24, 2015

I forgot to add that I think CSUF would probably be a better choice if your parents won't let you go to a cc. If you're a pre-nursing student at CSULB, you will have to compete with the pre-nursing students at your school AND cc transfers (most of them will have 4.0s). CSUF only allows their students to apply for the nursing program so that will give you a greater chance of getting in!

Breh_118 · Nov 24, 2015

CSUF only allows their students to apply for the nursing program so that will give you a greater chance of getting in!

Really? I had no idea the schools were that different concerning getting into the program. I was told that csu's are all the same with nursing. Thanks for the insight. And if you don't mind, would you please educate me on how I can further my education from there and become an np? I've been asking around, and I'm still a bit confused.