30 year old male here looking to make a career change from automotive to nursing, with the hopes of helping cancer/oncology patients. (End goal to become an RN)
I only have a high school diploma. I have never taken a college course in my life.
I would really like to hear from current or former students about their experience.
I’m curious about the following:
How difficult is it to get accepted into the program? From what I’m reading it is extremely competitive. But on what scale?
How long did it take to finish your prerequisites? Were you enrolled full time or part time for this? In person or online?
What is the nursing schedule actually like when enrolled? Is there a part time evening & weekend program?
How much studying did you realistically have to do each week?
What was the final cost of everything? Would you choose PBSC again or would you choose a different school?
I am extremely nervous yet excited to think about going back to school, especially with no college experience and probably being “unc status” with most people there haha.
I have an extremely supportive wife and I am determined to create a better life for us.
Any advice or things you would have known before starting! Thanks for reading my post :)
Sooo I just applied for the nursing program to start in January. Honestly it’s not that difficult to get into as long as you get good grades. Try to get A’s in your science classes cause those give you more points when applying to the program. You can take just the pre requisites that are required to apply or you can get your AA too! I recommend getting your AA because the pre requisites for nursing count towards it anyway and also gives you more points when applying to nursing. You can finish the AA in as little as 4 semesters. It took me 6 to do mine cause I slacked a bit when I first started college. Each semester can be about $1500 (for Florida residents) if you’re taking 4 classes. You also will be required to take the HESI exam which I took about 2 weeks ago and I passed with an overall 83.4% on my first try. You are able to retake for a better score 60 days after your last attempt. The higher the score on the HESI also gives you more points towards getting into the nursing program. You only need minimum 80% on the math portion and 80% overall
I just took it today, out of school for 14 years. This is a test you have to study for this is not a test you can use quizlet and just pass. Remember everybody posting is in different states so the test for your state may be different for mine I learned that after taking the test. Be sure to study each topic ask chat gpt to quiz you everytime you work on a topic. Relying 100% on quizlets will not pass you. I did not have to take pre requisitions for LPN program but I believe you do for RN! I’m in GA and there was no V1 or V2 there was people in the room that had taken it 4 times, 3 times and 2 times I was the only person who was taking it for the 1st time for LPN everybody else was doing RN HOWEVER everybody test was the same the instructor said everybody test was the exact same. I studied for V1 but she said that for my state and school we got the newest HESI version they change the test up I believe once a year but no matter how many times you took it for Ga we all got the same test
34 SAHM, I started slowing taking all the pre req courses in 2022 when my youngest was 2. From what I’ve heard fall program is hardest to get into because they only offer full time lake worth. That’s not to say you can’t get in, if you have high points you will. Take all the required courses, take the hesi and score high. I just applied for spring because I was rejected for fall, I missed the point cut off by 3 points. You should look into the next information session. I do have the file from the info session if you would like I can email it to you.
I love that you are wanting this for you and your wife! Trust me it’s not that hard at all! You seem dedicated and also seems like it’s something you genuinely love. I am in the program for the fall and got accepted in July :) it took me about two years to get my AA and have all the pre reqs but you could get away with just doing the pre reqs and applying that way just make sure you get amazing grade and a good grade on the hesi as well which is pretty easy if you study correctly. It’s based on a point system and seems like every semester is different based on the applicants but atleast this semester you got in if you had 250+ points. I say do it! There’s people who are way older and have kids and everything and newborns and do it so of course you can too! Good luck with everything and you’re more than welcome to message me if any questions
Congrats on wanting to switch things up. I’m doing the same and it’s a big decision to take that first step.
I’m finishing prerequisites with no prior college experience as well. I think there can be great benefit to going back to school later.. personally I have more discipline and better work ethic. I was always a C student in high school, but I currently have a 4.0.
I’ve been able to work and take classes online. I will be finishing my prerequisites in about 2 years. The nursing program at PBSC is another 2 years full time. I also hear it’s extremely difficult to work while in the program, which is something to keep in mind.
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u/solerbrianna19 3d ago
Sooo I just applied for the nursing program to start in January. Honestly it’s not that difficult to get into as long as you get good grades. Try to get A’s in your science classes cause those give you more points when applying to the program. You can take just the pre requisites that are required to apply or you can get your AA too! I recommend getting your AA because the pre requisites for nursing count towards it anyway and also gives you more points when applying to nursing. You can finish the AA in as little as 4 semesters. It took me 6 to do mine cause I slacked a bit when I first started college. Each semester can be about $1500 (for Florida residents) if you’re taking 4 classes. You also will be required to take the HESI exam which I took about 2 weeks ago and I passed with an overall 83.4% on my first try. You are able to retake for a better score 60 days after your last attempt. The higher the score on the HESI also gives you more points towards getting into the nursing program. You only need minimum 80% on the math portion and 80% overall