I'm 20F and have been in college since Fall 2024 working toward nursing school. I've completed almost all my prerequisites besides Biology II with lab, but because of my TEAS score, I couldn't move forward with nursing applications and now have to wait until Fall 2027.

I spoke with my advisor today and was told my options are basically to change my major or lose my scholarship because I'm running out of classes covered by financial aid. I have to maintain at least 12 credit hours to keep it.

I was also told I'm no longer eligible for BSN program because I've retaken a class, so I guess I'm only considering ASN programs now. There are only three programs around me, all an hour or more away. There's a closer program, but it requires a CNA license, which would cost around $1,500. Another program requires the Kaplan instead of the TEAS, meaning I'd have to prepare for and pay for two different entrance exams.

On top of everything, I currently have a C in A&P II and genuinely don't know how to study effectively. I have almost no motivation and do pretty much every quiz, homework assignment, and test at the last minute. I know these habits won't work in nursing school, but I struggle to change them while balancing school, work, and a long commute.

My advisor also mentioned that the nursing program itself wouldn't provide enough credit hours to maintain my scholarship, so I'd either have to take additional classes alongside nursing courses or lose it.

I'm honestly feeling discouraged. I've spent over two years working toward becoming an RN, and it feels like my options keep getting smaller.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? How did you improve your motivation and study habits? Would you recommend changing majors, finding a way to get CNA certified, or looking into other nursing programs? I'd appreciate any advice.

currently working in med sales and have decided to move into the provider/patient care side of healthcare. I am very interested in PA, NP, and CRNA. I’m 26 and have a bachelors in an unrelated field. i have just started pre reqs that overlap with both ABSN programs and PA programs. my biggest concern with going the PA route is my undergrad gpa. I finished with a cGPA of 3.1 and a sGPA of around 3.5. Hoping to use my pre reqs to build up both a bit. Tons of HCE but need PCE. Some volunteering and shadowing hours, both of which I would plan to build on. I like the nursing route because I can preserve the anesthesia option, which I am very interested in. However, I would also be interested in working as a PA or NP in a surgical speciality and have read that PAs are more common in these areas. I believe in my state PAs and NPs are used interchangeably for the most part (IL). Even if I went all in on pre reqs and PCE, I don’t know that I would be competitive for PA school. nursing seems like the safer route that can get me back into the work force quickly. I would really value any insight any current PAs, NPs, and CRNAs could share. TIA!

hey yall so i took my anatomy lecture exam less than two hours ago and when i saw my score my heart dropped. i was ready to get an A because of the amount of time studying and i got a 86% I have the horrible feeling that im never getting into california nursing schools because i got a b in chem (89% imma cry ) and now this! i just don’t know what to do i just feel kinda hopeless like i now i will either have to take out a bunch of student loans to go to school or go out of state! i just am so sad because my total grade as of now is also an 86% and im not sure if ill be able to perform how i need in my final to even be able to get it up to where i need.

like when its not direct entry like are extracurriculars as important as they are for like applying to undergrad and stuff yk

Best/ most convenient/ middle of the road price range laptop for nursing school? Any specifics you think might have made life a lot easier?
Need to order new laptop asap but I can't decide!

Hi everyone! I am a 23 year old and i work as a CMA right now full time. After years of feeling like i lost my opportunity to go to school, i just started trying to finish my pre requisites, im taking A&P 2 and Psych, to get accepting into the LPN program at my local community college. i started an accelerated ADN program 5 years ago when i graduated high school but i dropped out barely into the first semester due to many reasons but one of them being the idea i wouldn’t be able to make it through. due to the strict conditions and feeling like i didn’t have the capacity to learn so much. Has anyone felt this way in nursing school and overcome it? i like to think im pretty smart and can get through most challenges that come my way, but i just have this doubt im not good enough to become a nurse. Also A&P is kicking my ass, i have general anatomy knowledge but the details of the human body are so complex, any help or advice would be so appreciated.
Thanks!!

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to be at campus as least as possible but will sacrifice if it’s better for studying.

For people who took this class, do you recommend having the lecture + lab on the same day or on separate days?

If on the same day, do you recommend having the lab before or after lecture?

Im stressing,SFSU when do we hear back guys?, you guys think I have a good chance?, 96.7 Teas, +3.7 GPA, Bilingual, +1500 CNA hours, local, and first gen!

I am a senior in highschool and want to go to community college then transfer to a 4 year university for Nursing.

I have am confused on weather I am able to transfer to a university nursing program by taking health and nursing related classes in community college and then transfer.

Or do i need to get into my community college nursing program and then transfer?

I am in New Jersey.

hey yall so i took my anatomy lecture exam less than two hours ago and when i saw my score my heart dropped. i was ready to get an A because of the amount of time studying and i got a 86% I have the horrible feeling that im never getting into california nursing schools because i got a b in chem (89% imma cry ) and now this! i just don’t know what to do i just feel kinda hopeless like i now i will either have to take out a bunch of student loans to go to school or go out of state! i just am so sad because my total grade as of now is also an 86% and im not sure if ill be able to perform how i need in my final to even be able to get it up to where i need.

Hi I am possibly looking to apply to Joyce University if I don't get accepted to my local community college. I am wondering if anyone has transferred prior credits over to Joyce and if it decreased tuition cost or even if anyone was able to skip semester 1 due to having credits finished prior?

Had my school physical today and did my titers. So far all is good! BUT I had to get the flu and Covid vaccine… I usually get the flu every year but COVID I avoid til today. I always have gotten horrible fever chills and pain starting 12 hours post shot and so here I am, shivering and sick under my covers and dreading the morning I have to get up and be mom to my kids while feeling like crap. Small sacrifice big reward! Hopefully not alone in this little rant. I’m just mad I’m sick 😭

Hi everyone!

I’m a Psychology major, and I recently applied to Columbia University School of Nursing’s MDE/DNP program. Alongside my application, I also applied to the prerequisite coursework program, and I’m happy to share that I’ve been accepted into the prerequisites program! I plan to accept my offer, but I have some concerns that I’m hoping someone here might be able to help me with.

My biggest fear is investing so much money into completing the prerequisites at Columbia and then not being accepted into the MDE/DNP program itself. I know that completing the prerequisites doesn’t guarantee admission, but I’m trying to understand how likely it is to be accepted into the prerequisites program and then ultimately be denied admission to the nursing program.

For those who have gone through this process, or anyone familiar with Columbia’s School of Nursing admissions, does being accepted into the prerequisites program give me any indication of my chances of getting into the MDE/DNP program? Or are the two admissions decisions completely separate?

I would also be incredibly happy to get accepted into the MDE program, even if I don’t get into the DNP pathway. Columbia is genuinely my dream school, and I’m excited about the possibility of starting my nursing journey there. At the same time, I want to be realistic and make a financially responsible decision before committing to the cost of the prerequisites.

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation, completed Columbia’s prerequisites, or received admission to the MDE/DNP program. I’d love to hear about your experience, whether you were accepted, and anything you learned along the way.

Thank you in advance! ❤️

I’ve been working as a CNA/PCT in a hospital for six years, basically since graduating high school and throughout college. I earned my bachelor’s in psychology two years ago and am currently pursuing my MSW online.

When I first started as a CNA, I honestly hated it. I was placed on a brain injury unit, which was extremely intense, especially for someone with no healthcare experience. Over time, I gained experience working on different units and eventually transferred to a surgical unit, which was much more tolerable. I didn’t necessarily hate the work anymore, but my hospital was constantly short-staffed, leaving us with heavier patient assignments and more responsibilities.
Despite my experiences, I know I’m a good CNA/PCT. Many nurses I’ve worked with and nurse educators encouraged me to pursue nursing because they believed I had the skills to become a great nurse. However, I was so burned out from my experiences that I became completely against nursing, especially because of the responsibilities and stress that come with being an RN.

Instead, I decided to pursue my MSW, thinking social work would be a better fit. I’m currently in my first year and genuinely enjoy my program. However, after working in case management, I’ve started questioning my decision. I didn’t realize how much of social work involves documentation, phone calls, service coordination, and administrative responsibilities. I also have ADHD and struggle with executive dysfunction, so constantly sitting behind a computer doing administrative work has been extremely draining.
I understand that case management doesn’t represent every social work position, but this experience has made me realize that I prefer hands-on work rather than spending most of my day behind a computer. I’m now considering leaving my MSW program and pursuing nursing or radiologic technology instead.

With nursing, I’m wondering whether I actually disliked the profession or just the units and working conditions I experienced. I could potentially see myself enjoying mother-baby, L&D, NICU, or psychiatric nursing. Radiologic technology also interests me because it’s hands-on and involves patient care without all the bedside nursing responsibilities, but the programs are extremely competitive.

At this point, I’m exhausted from constantly reconsidering my career. I already have a bachelor’s degree, I’m pursuing a master’s, and the thought of starting another program is overwhelming. I honestly just want to be done with school, make good money, have job stability, and find a career I don’t dread going into every day.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Would you recommend giving nursing another chance in a specialty I might enjoy, pursuing radiologic technology, or sticking with social work?

Hey guys, I am looking for some honest reviews on the School. I am switching from an absolutely terrible school and hoping that this experience will be better. The campus is Cmvc Fort Lauderdale. I know that each location may be ran a bit differently, but this location is brand new just opened up last year. They don’t even have a first graduating class yet. the class that’s in session now is the first class of this location so if anyone knows or if anyone is currently going to this location in Fort Lauderdale, can you please tell me how it is also, they say that they can transfer in a fundamentals and pharmacology core class. As long as you pass it from a different school. I thought that schools couldn’t do that, but apparently they can? Anyways, any honest reviews about this particular location in Fort Lauderdale would be very much appreciated before I jump into another program. I don’t wanna do it blindly.

I’m still waiting on another school, but I don’t think I’ll get in either since they favor current students over non-students. I’m upset and I most likely will have to wait until Fall 2027, unless I go to Rasmussen. Ive been told to stay far away as their class pass rate is 28% (78% nclex rate), but not being able to start pushes me back a year and as a 34 year old with a family, time is not on my side.

I got into CSUSM and SDSU for their spring 2027 programs! Im so excited but nervous to choose. My pros and cons for both and if anyone has advice as a current nurse/student.

SDSU:
Pros: closer to home, more of an online format (could potentially work more), the school i really want to go to personally because of the name

Cons: ~$75k cost.., first cohort starting in spring 2027 so i am a little nervous how the program will go since i have no reference to ask on this

CSUSM:
Pros: ~$50k cost, would be a part of their 55th cohort so i feel good knowing this is an established program

Cons: commute- my commute in the morning would be 1.5 hours and about an hour going home, more in-person for classes so i would go per diem at my current hospital job

I know the cost is a big difference but it is still doable to pay it off. I think it would be a better financial decision to go to San Marcos. I just personally want to go to SDSU for convenience and that was my dream school. Thanks for any advice!

I need some opinion. I am an LVN but not working as one. I have been an LVN for 4 years but only worked 2 years the beginning of when I was licensed. I feel like I lost all my skills. I currently work at a hospital and at the last prerequisite before applying to the RN program. In my case should I apply for the LVN to Rn or since I haven't worked very long as an LVN should I apply for the 2 years program?

got my decisions, i only applied to 2 schools for an ABSN for the class of 2027.

- accepted (and matriculating) to TTHSC (texas tech) Austin campus, had like a 3.47 GPA but a ton of clinical work and jobs (been in healthcare since 2022) D: no CNA tho so I'm working on that

- A&M waitlisted (sad days), I really wanted to attend their ABSN program because it's closer to me and they don't require a CNA so it would've been so much easier for me. But the chance of me getting in through the waitlist is extremely rare so I probably won't get accepted. Scored like a 96 on the HESI across all sections with the minimum GPA

i can answer questions about the admission process if anyone is wondering

I’m here for the ABSN and I regret it. You will deal with the most unresponsive, incompetent administration that will impede your experience and make it as difficult as possible. Facilities are ancient and it seems like at least half of the student body doesn’t care about their studies. Look elsewhere if you can.

Would you rather work part-time as a CNA or as a picker/packer in a warehouse while attending school full-time? I’m leaving my full-time job, and my husband is able to manage our household expenses. I’m looking to gain some extra income for the holidays and personal expenses.

I’ve seen people say be a CNA, don’t be a CNA, CNAs make the best nurses, being a CNA will burn you out, etc.

Here are the pros and cons of each role:
Warehouse Role:
Monday-Friday only
1 shift required per week (8 hours)
Can work up to 29 hours per week
$21 an hour

CNA Role:
3 weeks unpaid training
$16 an hour
Work rotating weekends, holidays in LTC facility
Seems like an understaffed facility but provides free CNA licensure option
Potentially looks good for nursing core application? See below

My nursing program doesn’t require you to have worked in healthcare. Admission is based on your GPA, completion of prereqs, and an interview. They do ask to see a resume, though.

If I don’t work as a CNA while completing prereqs, I’d try to get an externship in a hospital after the 1st semester of my nursing core.