RN's please help: I'd like to go to nursing school and have questions?

Hello RN's out there:

I am currently working on an associate's degree in an unrelated field, but am thinking about entering an RN program once I graduate. I realize that admission is extremely competitive, and have a few questions on how to improve my chances:

1. Will it be an advantage to have an associate's degree as well as a high school diploma when applying? (The RN program is in the same community college as I'm currently attending.)

2. I'm thinking about taking the required non-nursing classes before applying to the nursing program (math, anatomy & physiology, microbiology and psychology). Will having good grades in these classes improve my chances of admission?

3. The RN program accepts either an ACT or a NLN-PAX score for admission: which one do you think I should take for improved chances?

4. Will poor grades in unrelated courses taken two years ago prevent me from getting admitted, if I raise my cumulative GPA to 3.0 (preferred at this program)?

Thank you!

1. Having a degree can be an advantage because it shows that you can do college work and stick with a program to complete it. However, be prepared to answer these questions:
----Why did you get a degree in XYZ, but now want to be a nurse?
----What did you learn in XYZ that would help you be a better nurse? For example, say your degree is in English, you've learned good written communication skills which is essential in charting. Child care? (Strong understanding of growth and development) Think about the skills you have learned that would transfer to nursing. Organization? People skills?, etc

2. DON'T WAIT! There is a long waiting list at most schools. I've had several students take everything but the nursing classes thinking they would be ready, only to find out they can't start nursing for 2-3 semesters (or longer). Talk to the school and find out how long the wait list is. Use that to determine when to apply, so that you will be completing the last of the non-nursing classes right before you are ready to start the nursing ones.
Then make sure you have all the PRE-requisites done before you apply. Then start taking all the non-nursing required courses like A&P & Micro, etc. Be sure you do well in these classes and work on bringing up your GPA to 3.0

3. If the school accepts either the ACT or NLN-PAX, then it won't matter. You can ask a counselor at the school if they have a preference, but one is not "easier" than the other.

4. If you raise your GPA up to 3.0, they will consider that when looking at admission. A 2 year old C- in history is less important than a C- in A&P. If your school uses an interview process, be prepared to explain the lower grades. We have many students who have poor grades early, but explain that the 1st couple of years right out of high school "I wasn't that focused on school. I was more interested in partying. Now that I'm older, I've figured out what I want to do with my life and know I'll have to work and stay focused on school. These are the changes I've made to make that happen. I don't hang around with my old party friends because they tempt me away from what I should be doing. I took a seminar that helped me learn how to study more effectively and organize my time and notes......

Hope this helps. Drop me an email if you have further quesitons.

Well congrats on wanting to be a nurse, I have been a nurse for over five years and love it! I believe that an associates degree will be helpful, because it proves that you are able to handle college type work.
Having good grades in the required classes most certainly will help you. Again it will show dedication and good habits all very important in nursing degree.
As far as the testing, I'm on the east coast I we don't use the ACT or the NLN-PAX that I know of.
Try to get your GPA up as high as you can, 3.0 would be good.
Hope this helps! Good luck!