I'm linking up with anna and paige today.
THANKFULLY, Nursing school and I have about 5 more weeks together.
But here is my experience on getting in to nursing school:
I had a few schools I could choose from when considering where I wanted to go to nursing school. My #1 choice: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College!!
I liked the program because it had a competitive entrance process and no waiting list.
First, I had to attend a health sciences meeting that told you all about the different health programs offered through tech, then at the end of the meeting, you picked up a manila envelope/packet of things needed to turn in to apply for nursing school.
A few months after that very first meeting, we were able to turn in our packets and were stressed to get them in early because it was a first come first serve process where if you had a good GPA and met all the requirements, you did not have to go into a pool of other applicants that were just.. OK ... and waiting for more, better applicants to come along.
In that packet, there was paperwork, and more paper work, and instructions.
I had to take the TEAS test that I had to pay for. I cannot remember how much I paid for it, but it was a placement test that tested you on math that you hadn't used since 8th grade. And Geology?? Really?? who cares what a cumulus cloud means?? Or what kind of rock is just below the sediment??
But I passed! and did not take it again.
I had to turn in transcripts from high school - which took them all summer to get because they were in archives (c/o 1999 y'all) and were doing construction on the school and no one knew where they were...
And I needed my transcript from my stint at Midlands Tech where I was working toward my X-ray tech degree.
A $50 background check.
I turned my packet in the very earliest date I could have them in. Drive an hour to Orangeburg, turn in my packet, then drive an hour back to Lexington.
Maybe 2 weeks after I turned in my packet, I got a call asking If I'd like to come in for an interview with the dean of nursing and some other staff... um, YES!!
Went out and got a new outfit to be presentable enough to do an interview in. Went down for the interview, was honest, talked about why I wanted to be a nurse, and answered their questions. At the end of the interview, they both hugged me and told me I'd be getting a letter in the mail soon regarding acceptance into the program, and wished me luck!
I got the letter not even 2 weeks later. I was in! After that, there was other stuff I needed to fill out and get done.
Another packet of paperwork.
I needed a complete physical from my doctor, I had to get my shot records and get up to date on any shots I didn't have. I had to start getting PPD's (yearly) to test for Tuberculosis...
We needed to get certified in CPR and Basic life saving First Aid...
That was probably in November 2010 - and school didn't even start until Aug 2011.
So, I spent that time getting ready.
I should have spent that time saving more money.
I had to go out and buy all my supplies I'd need for clinical.
Then, my 1st semester books cost around $1000.
Had to buy uniforms for clinicals: 2 aprons, 1 shirt, 1 pair of pants, 1 formal nursing dress, nursing cap.
Expensive.
And it's good to get as many prerequisite classes out of the way as you can before you officially start. I had to end up taking Psych 203 and Microbiology while in nursing school. I would not recommend it.
Its Hard To Keep Up with it all.
But as I said earlier, I have 5 more weeks!!!!
And it will be well worth everything you have to do to get into nursing school.
I cannot wait!
next up on my list...
NCLEX-RN licensure exam.