How to finish Nursing Pre-Reqs in Los Angeles in the next year
June 27, 2015 8:36 PM Subscribe
I'm looking to enter a nursing program like a BSN or MSN in the next few years but was wondering about the best way to get all my pre-reqs out of the way this year. I'm 22 years old and I have a BA in Linguistics and Creative Writing. I haven't taken a math or science course since high school. Looking for information in Los Angeles (North Hollywood).
Hi,
I'm 22 years old and living in Los Angeles (North Hollywood). I graduated from a liberal arts college with a BA in Linguistics and Creative Writing and a 3.95 GPA. After applying to MFA programs and realizing that I wasn't going to enjoy going to the schools I was accepted to, I've been thinking a little more practically while I continue to work on my manuscript. I've been thinking more and more over the last four or five months about the possibility of going to nursing school. The only problem is I didn't take a single math or science course in college (though I did very well at them in high school), and now I'm wondering about how to get the pre-reqs for any MSN or BSN program out of the way (the pre-reqs seem pretty similar from program to program).
I'm going to be in LA for the next year. Is there any way I can get the pre-reqs for BSN or MSN out of the way cheaply and efficiently so that I might be able to apply two years down the line? Any and all ideas are extremely welcome. I don't know anything about community colleges or even the CSU system so that's why I'm asking.
Thanks so so much!
Hi,
I'm 22 years old and living in Los Angeles (North Hollywood). I graduated from a liberal arts college with a BA in Linguistics and Creative Writing and a 3.95 GPA. After applying to MFA programs and realizing that I wasn't going to enjoy going to the schools I was accepted to, I've been thinking a little more practically while I continue to work on my manuscript. I've been thinking more and more over the last four or five months about the possibility of going to nursing school. The only problem is I didn't take a single math or science course in college (though I did very well at them in high school), and now I'm wondering about how to get the pre-reqs for any MSN or BSN program out of the way (the pre-reqs seem pretty similar from program to program).
I'm going to be in LA for the next year. Is there any way I can get the pre-reqs for BSN or MSN out of the way cheaply and efficiently so that I might be able to apply two years down the line? Any and all ideas are extremely welcome. I don't know anything about community colleges or even the CSU system so that's why I'm asking.
Thanks so so much!
I am not in California, but I advise nursing students and nursing pre-reqs are pretty similar everywhere. Community colleges are perfectly fine places to do them. Expect it to take closer to 2 years than 1, because many of the courses are likely pre-requisites for others. Also, nursing schools generally want you to have completed science pre-reqs before applying, not just be taking them when applying.
posted by hydropsyche at 4:26 AM on June 28, 2015
posted by hydropsyche at 4:26 AM on June 28, 2015
Best answer: I went to LA City College, and I know they have a comprehensive nursing program that would prepare you for transfer. I'm less familiar with the school, but LA Valley College would be closer to where you live, and they also have a nursing program. You can check out their website, and you can probably get a lot of information from the department counselors even if you're not a student. They should also be able to give you a lot of information on which CSU campuses are best for you, if that's where you'd like to look.
California community colleges are set up to be a direct line to the UC and CSU systems, so many, if not most, community college courses are considered equivalent to courses at UC/CSU schools (some courses are only transferable to one or the other, but generally speaking most courses at any CC in the LA community college district will be transferable to both). I transferred into a UC undergrad program (in the humanities) from LACC, so my personal experience may not be relevant to what you're looking into, but I know people who got into grad school from LACC, and they were well prepared.
Good luck!
posted by teponaztli at 4:34 AM on June 28, 2015
California community colleges are set up to be a direct line to the UC and CSU systems, so many, if not most, community college courses are considered equivalent to courses at UC/CSU schools (some courses are only transferable to one or the other, but generally speaking most courses at any CC in the LA community college district will be transferable to both). I transferred into a UC undergrad program (in the humanities) from LACC, so my personal experience may not be relevant to what you're looking into, but I know people who got into grad school from LACC, and they were well prepared.
Good luck!
posted by teponaztli at 4:34 AM on June 28, 2015
Best answer: Also, there are more than a few campuses in the LA Community College District, beyond just the two I mentioned - those are the just the two I'm familiar with. I think LA City College is the biggest of the schools, but many people I know prefer taking classes at Valley because it's more convenient to them, and has better facilities for some departments.
Santa Monica College and Pasadena City College are not in the LACCD, but both have good reputations.
And as far as cost is concerned: if you've been living in California for a year or more, your tuition will be cheap - about $46 a credit, and that could even be waived depending on your current financial situation. If you're not a California resident, your tuition will be significantly more expensive, but still less than you might expect to pay elsewhere. (Note: I don't know if it costs more/less to go to Santa Monica or Pasadena).
posted by teponaztli at 4:51 AM on June 28, 2015
Santa Monica College and Pasadena City College are not in the LACCD, but both have good reputations.
And as far as cost is concerned: if you've been living in California for a year or more, your tuition will be cheap - about $46 a credit, and that could even be waived depending on your current financial situation. If you're not a California resident, your tuition will be significantly more expensive, but still less than you might expect to pay elsewhere. (Note: I don't know if it costs more/less to go to Santa Monica or Pasadena).
posted by teponaztli at 4:51 AM on June 28, 2015
Best answer: Each community college in Ca has somewhat different rules, but it is likely that you will take a placement test to determine where to start in Math. I encourage you to practice a little before taking the placement test as you may not need a whole semester of the most basic class. Khan Academy is a bite-sized way to brush up on math... you could even do one mini lecture a day while brushing your teeth, or commuting or something.
posted by puddledork at 6:56 AM on June 28, 2015
posted by puddledork at 6:56 AM on June 28, 2015
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posted by bluecore at 10:39 PM on June 27, 2015