Nursing School 101 Series: Part 2

Now for 'Part 2' of our nursing school series. So get last weeks notes out, time for this weeks lessson!

I took the GRE

(Please make sure and read my post about preparing for the GRE and how I studied here!)

On my list of programs were 8 community college or AA degree programs and one MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) program. The requirements for the MSN program meant I had to do more than just the one to three page applications I had been encountering. I had to write a personal statement. I needed 3 letters of recommendations- either academic or professional (start building relationships if you already haven’t; may come in handy with scholarships as well). I also needed to take the GRE. The GRE is general knowledge test used to gauge if you are a graduate school prepared student. There are 3 sections: verbal, quantitative and analytical writing and it cost $185. The test usually takes about 4 hours (I finished in a little less than that). You should begin preparing for the GRE months in advance. I think 3 months of study time is a good amount, especially if you can’t afford a prep class. I did self stuffy. I found it hard to stay disciplined and study when I know I wanted to do other things…like not study and watch TV, but if you want a competitive score, you’ll press through it. The verbal and quantitative sections are out of 170 points. The lowest you can get would be 130. The analytical writing is an average score out of 6. There are two 30 minute timed essays you must write and each of those is out of 6. ETS (the company who administers the test) then takes both of the scores and averages them. The score you receive is the combination of your two individual essay scores. If you take the computerized test, you get your verbal and quantitative scores immediately. You would need to wait a few weeks for the essay scores. ETS does administer the test paper and pencil style, but it’s only 4 times a year. I found that there are more places giving the computer based test, which helps fit into anyone’s schedule. I did pretty well on the GRE. My math score could have been higher (womp womp), but math has never been my strong subject. For an inconsistent self study, I’m proud of myself.

The MSN Route

Since I did apply to a MSN program, I had to hunt down people to write me letters of recommendation. Let me tell you something about myself. I am not my teacher’s favorite. I rarely even speak to my teachers. So this was something of intermediate difficulty. I ended up asking an old boss, my microbiology teacher (after a friend who took the same class with the same teacher suggested I do so) and my 5^th grade teacher. Yes, my 5^th grade teacher. I found trying to practically sell myself to the school in my personal statement a little uncomfortable. I’m not good at the interview question, “So tell me some strengths and weaknesses you have.” I wanted to write, “I just want to be a nurse, isn't that good enough?” You and I both know it’s not, so I came up with 2 pages, single spaced as to why they should select me. My application fee was $100. It hurt me to give them that money, especially since I just spent all that money on the GRE and transcripts, but I pressed on. I submitted my application March 1^st. Acceptance letters are being mailed starting April 1^st. Let’s just say I am already a wreck!

UPDATE!!!

Unfortunately, I have not received my letter yet! Due to a change in policy I am assuming, I must wait until my last in progress prerequisite is complete...then my application will be reviewed. Now, when I went to the information, I was told they would  review applications with in progress items, but hey, I'm not in charge here. SO AGAIN...we wait!

Websites that might be helpful:

www.ets.org

www.allnursingschools.com

www.amazon.com (find your study books here, much cheaper!)

Hope this lesson was helpful. Until next week...

xoxo,

Amanda

Nursing School 101 Series

                                                        

                  "It Costs How Much?!??!!!": The nursing school process exposed!

Hello All! As I move through the next phase of my life/career, I thought it would be a great stress reliever to write about my nursing school application process. Not only will it help me decompress, but I hope that you all will be able to gather valuable information you can use if you want to be a nurse, or you can share with someone who may be lost in their own process. So get your notepads out, class is in session!

                      

About $500. That is how much I spent on transcripts. This does not include the cost of gas driving to all these campuses and the hours poured into making sure every “i” was dotted and “t” crossed. There were 9 schools on my list. Out of the 9, I have applied to 4 programs. It would have been more, but I recently got a job and that hinders my availability to go to campuses and talk to nursing counselors. Applying for nursing school has been one the most stressful processes I have ever voluntarily put myself through. There were many moving parts and I thought I would share the major ones with you. Hopefully it will help someone out as they go through the process.

Part One: Let's get started!

Figuring out where to apply

There are a lot of schools to choose from, especially in California. There are diploma and degree programs to consider. Some are, most are, impacted if you are leaning toward community colleges. You could go the private route, i.e. West Coast University, Loma Linda or American Career College, among others. I went onto the Board of Registered Nursing website for the state of California and pulled up the NCLEX (national licensing exam for nurses) passing rates. From there, I chose how far I was willing to travel or move to go to school and picked the programs with the highest passing rates. I already had all of my core prerequisites done, so I was able to make my list with confidence. My advice: make sure you have your classes done. It takes away some of the anxiety.

I made a spreadsheet

Every school requires a certain number of transcripts to be sent to them. Sometimes you have to send them to two separate offices (like with Los Angeles Pierce College). Every school pretty much has the same requirements, but there is some variation. Schools like El Camino/Compton Educational Center require two extra classes. These courses fill up very, very fast. If you don’t already go to that school, your registration date may be so far out that you will have to attempt crashing to class. Some schools have chemistry as a requirement, or use it to make up for lack of units. I went on each website, printed out information on the schools I wanted to apply to and made a folder for easy access. I made a spreadsheet of how many transcripts each program wanted versus the schools I took the prerequisite at and put the mailing address on there as well.

I suggest you start with this. If you are just beginning the process, I think choosing the schools you want to apply to and preparing this spreadsheet is a great way to start your nursing school journey. Come back next week for the next installation of our series! Have a great weekend!

xoxo, 

Amanda

Websites that may help:

www.rn.ca.gov

www.brn.com

www.allnursingschools.com

www.atitesting.com

My boyfriend named Grad School

So the last 3  and 1/2 years I have been in a relationship with Graduate School. I like to call him Grad School for short. Just like any relationship, he was handsome at first and won me over. He resided on this beautiful campus called Saint Mary's College of California, and as soon as he accepted me, I moved to be with him. The first few months were blissful but a little rocky, as I adjusted to a new environment and the pressures of a new relationship. I didn't have too many friends here in the bay area, and I really missed my family and friends in LA. But I was committed to him. So I thought. As the months went on, things got harder. I had to spend a lot of time reading and researching because he always wanted me to be up on the latest and greatest. I got a job so I could have extra money outside of "financial aid" to support our habits- buying books, gas money to see him, and money for extra meals when  I spent long nights out with him.

Then things started to go sour. Not so much with him, but in my life. I suddenly needed a new place to live. But Grad School couldn't help me. He was sorry and we took a break, about the length of a semester so I could get back on my feet. Next, I was in a car accident; nothing severe, but it made going to see him a complete pain. He was sorry then too, but he sure wasn't as accommodating as I wish he would have been. And of course there were other smaller things that happened to make me feel bitter sweet towards Grad School.

But I realized that I love him, I really do. It's the experience that he brings. I get to learn new things and meet new people. He allowed me experiences so I could learn about myself- and I think I have learned more about myself than about any topic he wanted me to read in a book. And yet he gets on my last nerve. This has been the most taxing almost 4 years ever. So many nights, I wanted to quit him, move home never to see him again, and erase these years from my memory. But for some reason, he was ever present, lingering in the shadows waiting for me to come back. I guess he always knew I would. He knew that beneath my calm, laid back demeanor was a fighter. Last semester Grad School asked me to fight for the chance to be with him. Someone tried to take him away from me. And he knew exactly what I would do; I would own up to not always wanting him, bad talking him, and mistreating him. But he also knew that I would say I still wanted to be with him and that I would see our relationship through.

So today here we are, back together. After all of that, I am so happy to be with him. Not because it is easy, but I missed him. I missed our good times. I missed all the things he could teach me when I left myself open. I missed all of the people he introduced to my life. I only have 3 classes or about a year left before our relationship runs it's course. It will be bittersweet when I finally do have to leave him. And even though many times he has been a pain in my side, he will be the one I can't forget: My boyfriend named Grad School.

If you are thinking about a man named Grad School, I suggest you think long and hard. He really is great, but he makes you work hard to be with him and reap the benefits of the relationship. He is no easy lover, but he rewards you with things you probably cannot think of. I could fill this page with the things Grad School did for me. But you will have to meet with Grad School, and see for yourself. I will tell you, he is one heck of a man.

xoxo,

Lasondra

Here is a picture of where my love Grad School lives, Saint Mary's College of California.

The Monster that is the GRE!

Amanda is studying for the GRE!!!! AHHHHHHHH!! Read about her experience on Things We Like, Stuff We Love...because we love expanding our knowledge and chasing our dreams!



Read more here!