[clhRN2b2010]

Yes, U of Md is very competitive. I'm not surprised that all the accepted applicants had 4.0's in their pre req's. The good news is that they are looking at pre req's only for those of us with previous degrees who may not have done so well GPA wise the first time. Still, when it came down to it for me I would have had to take ALL my pre req's over again-all 60 credits-because I had no A's in them the first time around. I was told the CNL program is AS competitive and since I didn't quite have a cumulative 3.0 in my first undergrad 15 yrs ago I could not even apply because CNL is part of the graduate school and 3.0 in undergrad work is a minimum requirement.

My bottom line was that I didn't have the previous grades to get into ANY accelerated/traditional BSN. I MIGHT have been able gain admission to JHU based on my pre req work and life experiance, but could not justify the $$ in my situation. I have applied to our local CC program (one of the top NCLEX pass rates in the State) and will tack on the RN to BSN/MSN at a later date. If I'm lucky someone else will be paying for it. In the end, on my way to my end goal/degree, the only thing I am out is one year of my time. Plus, I end up with significantly less debt.

Do your homework and talk to lots of people. Student, Faculty, Administrative, and also potential employers. They will all give you valuable insights.

[MedicVeronica]

I live in MD, but just graduated from Georgetown 2nd Degree and was accepted to Catholic U's program too. They both have great reputations - G-town has had 100% pass rate for NCLEX for several years. I looked at JHU, Towson, U of MD - but all wanted me to retake all my pre-reqs since I finished my first BS in 1982. G-town and Catholic took all my old stuff - and my grades were terrible (like a 2.5 GPA). Spending 2 years to take all the pre-reqs wasn't going to work for me. The MD Schools didn't seem to think that being a paramedic for 7 years was of value towards nursing either.
However, the State of MD Nursing Scholarship/Grant wasn't available to me since I attended a DC school, and G-town doesn't give scholarships based on grades. Catholic did offer me $5,000 per semester but after I had accepted at G-town. Also - since G-town's program includes summer school, you get out 6 months earlier and it ends up costing less overall.
Yes - the commute from Baltimore would be horrible - but at least they are options.
BTW - if you have any EMT-P experience - nursing school is going to be very easy!

[clhRN2b2010]

That's good news admission wise at GTown. They sound similar to JHU in that they are interested in more of the whole person and what they bring to the table, as opposed to just grades.

Does that mean that they fudge a bit from what their web site states? GTown's web site said that for Second degree BSN the minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0 and for the Direct Entry it is 3.2. Also, isn't the cost of attendance something like 50k a year? I'm sorry, I don't mean that to be personal information but without sigificant scholarships (which require a high GPA, typically.) that kind of education is out of reach for most. I have heard people say that you will get more aid from private institutions but how much is more, relative to the cost of attendance? My concern is ultimately, what do I have to pay off in a couple years when I am only bringing home 50-70k max? Becoming a nurse is a secure job prospect but not one I think you choose when making a lot of money is your goal.

Please don't think I am attacking you or your choices. I hope that this doesn't sound that way. I still wish that reality wasn't reality sometimes.

[MedicVeronica]

I agree with you completely! If there had been a more frugal way to get though nursing school quickly I would have done it! I took several classes at community colleges and found that I got a just as good, if not better, education there then at the big-name, private schools.

G-town ends up being $60K for the 16-month 2nd degree program - but at least it's quick. Many scholarships are not available for 2nd Degree folks - since we already have a degree the schools and scholarship programs treat us differently and say that we are not eligible.

It's just nice to know that there are plenty of options and we should explore all of them before committing so much time and resources.

[Asherah]

Originally Posted by Agrippa

Also, does anyone think that taking my prereqs at a community college will be disadvantageous for admissions to good nursing programs? My first bachelors degree was from a good research university (that cost me a lot of money). Im trying to keep costs down by just doing my pre-reqs at a CC, but am concerned about whether this will be looked down upon. Thoughts?

I will be starting the BSN/MSN program at JHU in the fall and as I had already graduated in 2004 with my BA and had been out of school, I took all of my pre-reqs at a community college (in California). CC courses are not a disadvantage during the application process, just be sure to do well in them, wherever you happen to take them!

[dolcebellaluna]

Let me just say that I'm in the traditional BSN program at Towson and can try to answer any questions you've got. I love the program I'm in!

[MD4n6nurse]

hi!
i graduated from UMB's accelerated BSN program. it's a great program but tough. i chose it over jhu b/c of $$.
i think the new CNL program sounds great for 2nd degree students! I think it will give you the same foundation as the standard BSN program that's needed for a new nurse but will also make you stand out when you apply for jobs b/c of the leadership skills you are supposed to have learned
good luck!
any program you choose will be good - umb, jhu, towson - i think it is what you make it!! and any cc classes you take will more than help!
my best advice is not necessarily where you go but once you're there - do an externship somewhere. it will give you some experience (which will also get your foot in the door - esp places that dont always accept newbies, like, icu, ed, etc) and often times they will pay for school.

Again good luck. it sounds like you're already off to a good start!!

[clhRN2b2010]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it yet, but the second degree CNL program does have one significant advantage...grants. You would not be eligible for grants for a second bachelors but you will for the direct entry masters.

[Rook]

I went Salisbury's 2nd degree program. Its not hard to get into (I had a 3.1 B.S. Med Tech) and its a decent program and inexpensive ($3200 in state/semester--3 semesters to graduate) to be honest with you its suprisingly tough too (the SU med tech grads are idiots so I didn't think the nursing program would be hard at all). If you grad from SU you can get automatically get into the masters RN practioner program if you have a 2.75 or better at graduation.

The only bad thing I have to say about SU is that while the campus is nice the town is an absoulte dump. It has all the crime and drugs of Baltimore w/o any of the good things that comes with living in the city.

Unless you want to further your ed (Perfusion tech, CRNA etc) don't go to Hopkins unless you are independently wealthy. Trust me there wont be much difference between Towson and UMDs program than Hopkins except for the fact Hopkins is 3X the money.

[Agrippa]

Originally Posted by MD4n6nurse

hi!
i graduated from UMB's accelerated BSN program. it's a great program but tough. i chose it over jhu b/c of $$.
i think the new CNL program sounds great for 2nd degree students! I think it will give you the same foundation as the standard BSN program that's needed for a new nurse but will also make you stand out when you apply for jobs b/c of the leadership skills you are supposed to have learned
good luck!
any program you choose will be good - umb, jhu, towson - i think it is what you make it!! and any cc classes you take will more than help!
my best advice is not necessarily where you go but once you're there - do an externship somewhere. it will give you some experience (which will also get your foot in the door - esp places that dont always accept newbies, like, icu, ed, etc) and often times they will pay for school.

Again good luck. it sounds like you're already off to a good start!!

One thing i just realized is that now that UM's second bachelor's degree program has now been more or less transformed into the CNL program...the school might now be charging more since its a master's level degree! The trouble is, the pay with the degree isn't at the masters level. So they'd be charging $450/credit for in state with all the other charges. It might make JHU's accelerated program more attractive since although it costs more, it is shorter and it seems as if the CNL is still not really recognized much outside of the MD area.