[Rookie]

Hello,

My name is Renee and I really need some help trying to figure out how to go about getting into a nursing program. I'm a hs senoir and want to go to college for nursing but I don't know where to start. After you apply for a college, how do you get yourself on a waiting list for nursing? How long is the wait and is it worth it? I want to be able to become an RN but I need advice on how to get there... Maybe this is a silly question but if anyone could give me some pointers on how exactly to get into the programs I would so grateful to them.

My other concern is my ACT scores... I know that nursing school is Very competitive due to the increasing demand for nurses and my composite score was only a 20. My GPA is a low 3.6 and I am really worried about not being able to be "smart enough". I plan on retaking the ACT this fall or winter... but I am a bad test taker. Any advice? Is my score too low?

Thanks so much!

-Renee

[thesnowqueen]

Hey Renee! I'm a highschool senior too, and you asked al lot of the questions in your first paragraph I was just logging on to ask, lol. I was also wondering about whether anyone could give me some advice as to whether to get an ADN or to go straight to the BSN. I've heard both sides of the story...Thanks!
~Liz*

[cougarnurse]

Originally Posted by Rookie

Hello,

My name is Renee and I really need some help trying to figure out how to go about getting into a nursing program. I'm a hs senoir and want to go to college for nursing but I don't know where to start. After you apply for a college, how do you get yourself on a waiting list for nursing? How long is the wait and is it worth it? I want to be able to become an RN but I need advice on how to get there... Maybe this is a silly question but if anyone could give me some pointers on how exactly to get into the programs I would so grateful to them.

My other concern is my ACT scores... I know that nursing school is Very competitive due to the increasing demand for nurses and my composite score was only a 20. My GPA is a low 3.6 and I am really worried about not being able to be "smart enough". I plan on retaking the ACT this fall or winter... but I am a bad test taker. Any advice? Is my score too low?

Thanks so much!

-Renee

Renee, 3.6 is a decent GPA. And to get into classes, why not start on your prerequisites? It would be best to have them out of the way when you DO get into the nursing core classes.

'Cat'

[Rookie]

I wasn't sure if it was or not. Does it matter where I take the prereq classes?

thanks for your help!

[pipingmad]

Waiting lists often depend on the size or type of school you apply to. Many large universities and community colleges would have a waiting list. They also may have specific requirements before you can even apply. You should research the programs in your area to find out their specific process and requirements.

I went to a small private college. I transferred into the nursing major. They only offered a BSN, LPN to BSN bridge, and RN to BSN bridge (not sure abotu this last one). Incoming freshman and some transfers still had to take "prequisites" during the whole program because it was built into the whole framework of study. I have found with some ADNs, it takes 2 years for the prereqs, and then 2 years for the ADN. During that same time, if you get into the right school, you could have your BSN in the same amount of time.

It's really about your goals and the programs you can find. Do you have to stay local or can you go away to a school? Had I stayed local, I would've likely been on a waiting list too even with there being at least 5 nursing programs within the city of Seattle itself, and some more in nearby areas.

Since you're both in the midwest, I might point you towards the school I went to: MacMurray College It's in central Illinois.

Good luck!

[cougarnurse]

I had looked into there at one time. I did the LPN thing, then did the LPN to RN bridge.

[Boochie1]

Hi Renee!

I was in your same position 3 years ago and I think a great route for you to consider is a private university. They are a little more expensive than a public college (my private school was $31,000 a yr) but becasue they are more competitive they rarely have waiting lists. The school that I attended has actually never had a waiting list. I attended a private school in Ohio that is considered to be one of the best in the Midwest and the requirement for nursing is a 3.4 GPA or a 23 ACT score. My best friend goes to a private university in Chicago and they have 3.3 GPA or 23 ACT. I considered many schools down south who GPA req. was lower around a 3.0.

As far as the GPA goes with a 3.6 you would be a shoe in but apply early. I think you should definately consider looking into private schools because they are often passed over for the more fun/less expensive public schools. Nursing students often can get good scholarship $ at many private schools...You also have great individual attention because the schools are so small! I cannot speak for everyone but I know of employers in Ohio that are actually more impressed with private university graduates because the cirriculum is 'said to be' a little more intense... GOOD LUCK!!!