[stormee94]

I just applied at OHSU BSN program. I am currently a medical assistant for an orthopedic surgeon group, I have a 3.8 gpa. Does previous health care experience at all better my chances of getting accepted? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[modelmama07]

Originally Posted by stormee94

I just applied at OHSU BSN program. I am currently a medical assistant for an orthopedic surgeon group, I have a 3.8 gpa. Does previous health care experience at all better my chances of getting accepted? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Your best bet is to rely on your GPA. Most programs do not even acknowledge previous health care experience unless you are doing a bridging program and you are already a licsenced nurse (LVN to RN, RN to BSN, and so on and so on). Medical Assisting is a whole other ballpark from registered nursing, which is why MA classes do not even transfer into any pre-reqs for nursing pre-reqs or cirriculum. You have a very good GPA I would stick to that, hope you get in!

[Asherah]

Originally Posted by modelmama07

Your best bet is to rely on your GPA. Most programs do not even acknowledge previous health care experience unless you are doing a bridging program and you are already a licsenced nurse (LVN to RN, RN to BSN, and so on and so on). Medical Assisting is a whole other ballpark from registered nursing, which is why MA classes do not even transfer into any pre-reqs for nursing pre-reqs or cirriculum. You have a very good GPA I would stick to that, hope you get in!

I would disagree, in part, because many schools I've talked to value any direct patient care experience you've had even in an MA capacity. This experience confirms that you are comfortable and seasoned in regards to dealing with patients who are experiencing discomfort and seeking care, and although the MA role is obviously very different than that of a nurse (either RN or LPN), I think that many schools would at least value knowing that you have the experience in your past.

In any case, your application is already in, so you can't change the past now, I definitely think it wouldn't hurt your application anyway, just continue to remain positive until you hear from OHSU! Good luck!

[modelmama07]

Originally Posted by Asherah

I would disagree, in part, because many schools I've talked to value any direct patient care experience you've had even in an MA capacity. This experience confirms that you are comfortable and seasoned in regards to dealing with patients who are experiencing discomfort and seeking care, and although the MA role is obviously very different than that of a nurse (either RN or LPN), I think that many schools would at least value knowing that you have the experience in your past.

In any case, your application is already in, so you can't change the past now, I definitely think it wouldn't hurt your application anyway, just continue to remain positive until you hear from OHSU! Good luck!

Yeah it is nice to know, but it doesn't give you a shoe in into a school. They may take comfort in knowing, but unless your going into a transition program, most schools want to know and see what your grades are, not where you have worked. They want to see if you can make the grades. I think really once you get into school everyone is on the same playing field too.

[Bayley]

I'm applying to nursing school for this fall and I am currently a CNA. I don't know if previous experience will make or break anything but I do think that it definitely adds to your application. I recently had a interview with one of the schools and they seemed to really like that I had actual experience working with patients and that I knew what I was getting myself into. Good luck!

[Hotflashn]

It depends on the program you are applying. Some schools give (usually minimal) bonus points for previous employment or volunteer experience in health care. Other programs could care less, and previous experience is neither a help nor hindrance. In any case, your previous experience will undoubtedly be an asset to you, overall.

[coolpeach]

I have heard many people on this board say that it is a + when applying. The schools around my area not only don't care, but give no place on the application to even put something like that. They simply want to know your GPA, entrance test scores, and how many support courses you have finished. My neighbor went to the same program, and a bunch of the students decided it would give them an in to get certified as CNA's. They went throught the CNA program, and paid for it out of their own pocket only to realize when it was application time that it wouldn't matter at all.

I would check with your schools advisor, check out their website etc.

[Asherah]

Originally Posted by modelmama07

Yeah it is nice to know, but it doesn't give you a shoe in into a school. They may take comfort in knowing, but unless your going into a transition program, most schools want to know and see what your grades are, not where you have worked. They want to see if you can make the grades. I think really once you get into school everyone is on the same playing field too.

Well in this case, the original poster has a strong GPA and experience, thus I think there is a chance that they may be favored over another candidate if the other student had the same GPA and no experience.

I can only speak from my personal experience, but the fact that I have significant volunteer experience in several hospital units did influence my acceptance to my BSN/MSN program, as I was able to communicate my knowledge of the role of the nursing professional and had gained much experience working with patients and knowing that I can be comfortable in a caregiving role.

Some individuals pursuing nursing who do not have any experience dealing with patients who are ill (and cranky) are surprised when they are not naturally comfortable assisting patients.

[modelmama07]

Originally Posted by stormee94

I just applied at OHSU BSN program. I am currently a medical assistant for an orthopedic surgeon group, I have a 3.8 gpa. Does previous health care experience at all better my chances of getting accepted? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I think the best thing for you to do is ask if your experience matters or not. I volunteer myself at a hospital and I truly enjoy it, but just because I do doesn't matter at the school I applied to. I honestly don't think it DETERMINES whether you get in in most school, otherwise that would seem to be somewhat discrimatory. But I do think it could be a plus for some people at some schools. All in all it mainly benefits yourself once you start school because you will have been exposed to somethings already.

[UCLA Nursing_08]

Originally Posted by modelmama07

I think the best thing for you to do is ask if your experience matters or not. I volunteer myself at a hospital and I truly enjoy it, but just because I do doesn't matter at the school I applied to. I honestly don't think it DETERMINES whether you get in in most school, otherwise that would seem to be somewhat discrimatory. But I do think it could be a plus for some people at some schools. All in all it mainly benefits yourself once you start school because you will have been exposed to somethings already.

Hello modelmama,

I do agree with the comment you've made in the previous post. The question is not about "let's do some health care volunteer work, hoping that it will give the admissions committee two thumbs up when reviewing my application," but rather, the question is whether the volunteer experience has any significance to you.

People from all walks of life come to nursing school with various life experiences. You don't have to be complete volunteer junkie to get into nursing school. I volunteered at a particular place for a long time, building a closely-knit relationship with everyone. I did not deal directly with patient care but I had a sense of what I would get myself into. What is important for you is to find a volunteer position that will challenge you to new levels, but at the same time, you need to love the experience.