1 year before starting nursing school - What to do?

[nursekitty97, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting, I was looking for a similar topic but couldn't find anything exactly the same.

I am currently a pre-nursing student, I live in Northern California and am going to be applying to quite a few BSN programs in the surrounding area.

I am currently finishing my prerequisite classes, I have gotten an A in anatomy, B in chemistry, and will probably get an A in microbiology and physiology.

I work as a customer service rep at a swim school and am starting to volunteer at Kaiser in the next month or so.

I will be finished will all of my general education courses when I finish the semester in May, and basically my question is how could I best spend my time while I am waiting to hear about where I get accepted?

I feel like the best thing to do would be to change jobs and work somewhere more related to the health care industry, but since I don't have many qualifications it might be hard for me to find something. I used to work in home care, but it isn't my first job choice. I was thinking about trying to do a phlebotomy program but I am not sure if the amount of time I would have to actually do the job would be worth it for the cost of the program.

Anyhow, please let know if anyone has any tips for how to best spend my time while waiting to get into a Fall 2019 (or spring 2019, but not many programs accept for spring) BSN program as a transfer student!

thanks so much!!

Katarina

[Wiggly Litchi]

If you've gotten all your non-nursing classes out of the way (English, math, the whole 9 yards), then you could always moonlight as a barista or something and save some cash! Maybe your current college hires tutors? Tutoring can be a great way to help you stay current with your knowledge, while helping someone's grades pick up, and it can pay decently

If you go the Phlebotomy program route, you could always find a part time/PRN position while you're in nursing school, but if you want to save that cash, you could find any seasonal work that will allow you to save a nice bit of change while you wait for acceptance letters

[nursekitty97, ADN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for replying! Yes, I've got all my other non-nursing classes finished.

Yes, that's a good idea! My school actually offered me a tutoring job since I did relatively well in my science classes but I was busy at the time so I will definitely look into it.

I want to for sure save some cash but was hoping to do something health care related, I just wasn't sure what it should be. I'll look around and see what I can find!

Thanks!

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

I highly recommend you find a CNA school that only takes a month (or less) to complete and work as a CNA. If your potential nursing program uses the point system, being a CNA could boost your application. Being a CNA teaches you how to take care of patients and how to talk to them. You'll probably be very comfortable at clinical with your skills. Also when you graduate, you could apply where you work as a CNA and if they like you where you work, they will likely offer you a job.

I also recommend keeping your options open as far as community colleges are concerned. Getting into a BSN program is great but what if you don't get in? Keep your options open. The sooner you get into a program, the closer you are in meeting your goals.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I definitely agree with Neo Soldier. Being a CNA is beneficial in so many ways--it will put you ahead of the learning curve in your clinicals (especially related to unit workflow and basic patient care tasks), it will help you build your resume, you can continue doing it part-time during nursing school to make some extra money, and it will give you a huge advantage when applying for new grad jobs within your current hospital system since you'd be an 'internal hire' (meaning your application would be considered before any 'external hires'). Win-win-win-win.

[Paj14vr]

Hi! Like others have suggested you can go through a CNA or Med Assistant program. You can also volunteer at hospitals and network while you're there.

You can also take Drug Dosage Calculation and Pharmacology from CCC or even Pharmacology and Pathophysiology online from Sta. Barbara Community College (it's in state:).

[Marichap87]

I would recommend taking a CNA course as well if you want to get your feet wet and find potential facilities that you might be interested in working for as a nurse that will also provide benefits such as tuition reimbursement/scholarships to help cut the cost of school. I am currently working on my pre-reqs and I work for an agency. I get staffed in nursing homes, hospitals, patients homes, etc. working for an agency will give you flexibility because you make your own schedule and you decide where you work and you will get a wide range of experience in order to become comfortable with your skills.

In between time I would take some time for myself if I were you. If you have some money saved up...why not volunteer. You could volunteer with organizations such as Red Cross and some volunteer work requires you to travel. Or you could just to a little vacation before you start school. You will be doing plenty of working and studying when school starts. Take some time for you if you feel that you need it.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

I took a vacation. It was lovely.

[nursekitty97, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hey there, I know my reply is late but thank you for this! My local CC doesn't have pathophysiology or pharmacology online but I'll look into Santa Barbara city college. Thanks so much!