Your insight wanted

[waiting4ivpush]

Hello everyone.

I am currently a freshman at a Cuny Community College (Laguardia). I am taking Eng 101, Psych 101, Sociology 101, and College Algebra. I attended Queensborough before Laguardia, but I was academically dismissed. I did not take school seriously at the time, but times have changed and I am much more focused now. I know the dismissal will hurt me, but I won't let it get in the way. Now I'm a little stuck on what I should be focusing on in school in terms of pre reqs. My goal is to eventually receive a BSN from a four year college, schools that I am considering are Farmingdale, Adelphi, Pace, Downstate... mainly any four year college in the NY area. I was considering going for an associate degree in business, graduate, and then apply to a 4 year. This way I would have an Associate's in business, and a BSN. I eventually want to open up a business on the side, with a few partners. My main goal is to pursue Nursing. I already work in a hospital (3 years experience) in the Nursing Department on Med/surg, ICU floors. I've shadowed / work along side nurses, and I know what it is like to be one. I have a lot of ambition and goals, Nursing is one of them. I'm going to speak to my school's advisor about this sometime this week. So far I'm doing well in most of my classes. I'm just concerned with how I should layout the next few years / semesters. What classes pair well with nursing pre reqs? For example, next semester I'm taking Anatomy & Phys 1, so what classes would go well with it? I messed up my very first year of college at queensborough by taking 3 hard classes when I wasn't academically prepared and focused. I don't want to repeat that, and I don't want to take pre reqs at the same time, and end up hurting one of them for the other. Any advice on college in general, or pursuing a nursing program is much appreciated.

[waiting4ivpush]

To clarify, I want to get into a University instead of doing Laguardia's RN program because their program I hear requires a 3.9 GPA.

[phuretrotr]

If nursing is your main goal, I would advise to focus on your nursing pre-reqs as opposed to trying to minor in business. I am not quite sure what you intend to do with a business degree if you want to become a nurse. Possibly having a business after your nursing career?

As for your main question, if you were to scratch the business minor out, I would take a non-science course with A&P 1, such as an English or History course. It is doable to take two science courses at the same time such as A&P 1 and Chemistry but if you are concerned about doing both at the same time, see how A&P 1 goes with just the English/History courses and go from there. If time is of the essence and if you feel you can handle it, take two sciences in one semester. If not, take your time with one per semester.

However, if you are really itching to get an associates business degree completed with your nursing pre-req it will take longer than 2 years. Three, maybe four years depending on how rigorous you want your schedule, which by what you have said, you do not want that. If you still would want that, I would front load your business courses in the beginning so applicable nursing knowledge is still fresh in your mind when you actually go to nursing school. Your school probably has a schedule of courses for you to take to get your AB which is what I would do first. Additionally, you are going to have some GE's in there so that will account for some nursing pre-reqs. After you have your AB, you can then start transitioning to science courses, which will probably be all you have left over.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Ok, so, I get that you are interested in lots of things. Good for you! That is exactly what needs to happen when you are starting a secondary education. But get a piece of paper, and start writing down smaller, achievable goals. Then present this to your academic advisor.

I would sail right past the associates. I am not sure what that will get you, other than a piece of paper. If you get an associates, and take the NCLEX, you do have lots of other options to get a BSN (online, for instance). However, make sure you are clear on academic requirements for clinical placement, as there is sometimes a waiting list based on this.

I understand you are focused, but do not become overwhelmed. Get a BSN, then start looking at Master's programs that could help you to be (at that point) where you would like to be. Leadership, business, legal nurse consulting, whatever you are wanting to go from there.

To open a business is a great goal--however, if it is related to nursing, some of the best things you could do is to be a practicing nurse first--gives you a front row seat as to if your business plan would be feasible.

Best wishes and really use your academic advisor. They are a wealth of information, and invested in your success.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

You "hear"??? Why not go to the source? The university will have advisors who are paid to guide you so that you actually spend money on tuition with them. Call or visit one and get the REAL answers. Might end up saving you time and money both.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I also think you should just do the BSN right away. There are programs that offer degrees like master's in healthcare administration, but you need a bachelor's to get in. Why not go ahead and work as a nurse, save money, and then go the business route? Most of the people I know with nursing degrees are working as nurses. Most of the people I know with business degrees are waiting tables or stocking shelves in grocery stores. One of these degrees is more conducive to saving money to go back to school than the other...

There is not much of a point in getting as associate's in you situation, IMO.

[firstinfamily, RN]

I also think it would be best to get your BSN and then specialize. That way you have focused on the nursing aspect and can still try for your dreams of owning a business. You should be mixing science courses with in your prereqs. Microbiology is a great course, usually has a lab attached. Some fluff courses might be in Sociology or Psychology(take more than just the 101 levels) You will need your English courses and take a Intro to Statistics course which would usually be a requirement for Nursing. A Public Speaking class would be helpful as you will be giving oral reports to many people. Careful combining science and math courses as they both take a lot of work!! I don't know if it is offered but an Advanced Physiology course would be beneficial for your knowledge base. Good Luck in your endeavors!!