4 answers
Tyler
Student
United States
5
Questions
Asked
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Does anyone know of any nursing programs that aren’t impossible to get into? Anyone have any advice?
I got into nursing programs in high school. Couldn’t afford any of them, so I just went to community college.
I decided to work towards an associates degree in film studies, but became an alcoholic and failed out. My grades are completely terrible. I’m now sober, and trying to turn my life around
The problem, is that the community college doesn’t offer ANY film classes, or degrees in film anymore due to declining enrollment. I have absolutely no way of retaking those classes.
I’m currently an EMT student, and I’m doing very well. I’m incredibly happy to be sober and on the right track, I just hope my past mistakes don’t dictate my entire future.
How else can I get a nursing degree, if I have terrible grades, that I can’t retake or fix?
Are nursing schools at hospitals easy to get into?
Anyone have any advice?
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4 answers
Caroline V
Medical
91
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Caroline’s Answer
The Nursing schools require you to take a entrance exam. Which then they will be able to determine where you are at and what you will need to do. If you are not in the level they want you to be at initially. They will have you take other classes where you are lacking. Past grades make a difference however they will determine for themself if you are a good candidate or not. As I indicated if need be they will have you take lower lever classes so you will be where you need to be.
Victoria Tran
Nurse Practitioner
5
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Victoria’s Answer
Hi Tyler,
First off, congrats on your sobriety! No one but you knows how truly challenging that journey was, but we all commend you on this. Keep it up!
So nursing school. You picked a "great" time to enter nursing. And I say that half seriously, half jokingly. There will always be a need for healthcare professionals, regardless as an EMT or a nurse. With the pandemic up and down, you'll always have job security.
With that being said, I would recommend first looking into local nursing programs. As you are currently an EMT student, most of the things you will learn are more applicable for out-in-the-field scenarios or emergent situations. As a nurse, the possibilities are more diverse because you can work in-patient or out-patient. Do you have an idea of the type of nurse you'd like to be/what area you'd like to work in? I may be making a big assumption here, but if you are an EMT student and come to find that you like that sort of environment and pace, I would suggest looking into working in ICU or ER units. With that said, those areas can be very competitive to get into.
Back to your question about nursing schools. With healthcare and nurses in constant need, nursing programs are becoming more competitive. Look firstly into local programs, whether it's an associate's or bachelor's. If possible, go for the bachelor's. Most hospitals will prefer or even force you to get your bachelor's within half a year or so, especially if it's a magnet status hospital. The pro of getting an associate's is that you'll likely get paid starting rate the same as a nurse with a bachelor's. So why get the bachelor's? For advancement and hospitals may prefer to keep the nurse with a bachelor's degree over a nurse with an associate's. This is definitely not always the case and depends on your area, but I've seen it. With an associate's degree, you can still work with a nurse's pay while studying to get your bachelor's, which can take about 6 months or longer, depending on your time and commitment. Some hospitals will even offer tuition reimbursement, where they will pay for you to get your bachelor's but will ask you to commit more time to your contract (like work 2 more years, etc.).
With nursing programs being hard to get into, get in touch with the advisors in each program and ask them what they are looking for. Some programs give priority to those currently working in certain hospitals or outpatient offices. For example, I worked at one of area's biggest hospital for a year before applying to nursing school and was given special priority because I worked at this hospital. As someone previously mentioned, GPA is a factor but you can take basic courses at a community college and get your basics before applying into the program. You will also need to score well on the HESI (nursing school entry test). All those are important factors for admission.
With all that being said, best of luck to you. It's a tough time to be a healthcare professional, but the world always needs more. You got this!
First off, congrats on your sobriety! No one but you knows how truly challenging that journey was, but we all commend you on this. Keep it up!
So nursing school. You picked a "great" time to enter nursing. And I say that half seriously, half jokingly. There will always be a need for healthcare professionals, regardless as an EMT or a nurse. With the pandemic up and down, you'll always have job security.
With that being said, I would recommend first looking into local nursing programs. As you are currently an EMT student, most of the things you will learn are more applicable for out-in-the-field scenarios or emergent situations. As a nurse, the possibilities are more diverse because you can work in-patient or out-patient. Do you have an idea of the type of nurse you'd like to be/what area you'd like to work in? I may be making a big assumption here, but if you are an EMT student and come to find that you like that sort of environment and pace, I would suggest looking into working in ICU or ER units. With that said, those areas can be very competitive to get into.
Back to your question about nursing schools. With healthcare and nurses in constant need, nursing programs are becoming more competitive. Look firstly into local programs, whether it's an associate's or bachelor's. If possible, go for the bachelor's. Most hospitals will prefer or even force you to get your bachelor's within half a year or so, especially if it's a magnet status hospital. The pro of getting an associate's is that you'll likely get paid starting rate the same as a nurse with a bachelor's. So why get the bachelor's? For advancement and hospitals may prefer to keep the nurse with a bachelor's degree over a nurse with an associate's. This is definitely not always the case and depends on your area, but I've seen it. With an associate's degree, you can still work with a nurse's pay while studying to get your bachelor's, which can take about 6 months or longer, depending on your time and commitment. Some hospitals will even offer tuition reimbursement, where they will pay for you to get your bachelor's but will ask you to commit more time to your contract (like work 2 more years, etc.).
With nursing programs being hard to get into, get in touch with the advisors in each program and ask them what they are looking for. Some programs give priority to those currently working in certain hospitals or outpatient offices. For example, I worked at one of area's biggest hospital for a year before applying to nursing school and was given special priority because I worked at this hospital. As someone previously mentioned, GPA is a factor but you can take basic courses at a community college and get your basics before applying into the program. You will also need to score well on the HESI (nursing school entry test). All those are important factors for admission.
With all that being said, best of luck to you. It's a tough time to be a healthcare professional, but the world always needs more. You got this!
Maqsuda Kabir
Developer/Registered Nurse
4
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Maqsuda’s Answer
Hats off to you for being persistence to reach your end goal. Here’s an interesting article link below that goes into details about the easiest colleges to get into nursing program and all the requirements.
https://www.mydegreeguide.com/easiest-nursing-programs-to-get-into/
Good luck!
https://www.mydegreeguide.com/easiest-nursing-programs-to-get-into/
Good luck!
Linda L
RN
6
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Linda’s Answer
First off, congratulations on turning you life around. That's a very hard feat to do. Kudos to you! Now I don't want you to think that your past mistakes are going to dictate your future, because they won't. Everybody has hiccups here and there and honestly, the path you plan for yourself does not always play out beautifully, and that's ok. It happens to everybody.
As for your grades to get into nursing school, they like to focus on your math and sciences. I wouldn't be concerned about retaking your film classes because they won't be of any use in nursing school. Nursing school admissions want to look at the core subjects and see how well you perform in those. You can also make an appointment with admissions and discuss with them in depth over the phone your situation and let them advise you as to how to make your application more competitive.
I believe all nursing schools are pretty competitive to get in. I do know some folks who have applied to nursing schools in rural areas because the applicant pool is less competitive. They finish school and then return to their home state to apply for jobs. You have lots of options! I promise.
As for your grades to get into nursing school, they like to focus on your math and sciences. I wouldn't be concerned about retaking your film classes because they won't be of any use in nursing school. Nursing school admissions want to look at the core subjects and see how well you perform in those. You can also make an appointment with admissions and discuss with them in depth over the phone your situation and let them advise you as to how to make your application more competitive.
I believe all nursing schools are pretty competitive to get in. I do know some folks who have applied to nursing schools in rural areas because the applicant pool is less competitive. They finish school and then return to their home state to apply for jobs. You have lots of options! I promise.