ATTN: Accelerated program grads & students - Newbie needs UR help!

[msmay]

I'm new to the forum and have been reading posts from curious and soon-to-be nurses who are in similar situations to mine. Boy, does it feel good to know that I'm not the only one jumping into this whole process late in the game.

I currently have a BA degree in Communications and haven't done anything with it that I can really say has satisfied my goal of career happiness. Now, after years of on-and-off deliberation on the nursing profession, I think I'm finally acquiring the courage to do this (and it definitely helps my confidence to know that others of you out there are going through the same thing), but horror postings I've read about rigorous admissions are again starting to make my knees buckle.

I'm in the process of looking into the "accelerated BSN", "second degree BSN", and accelerated or "direct-entry MSN programs" and would REALLY like to hear from any of you who are graduates or are current students. Specifically,

1) From experience, what school's programs have you had success at? I'm willing to relocate wherever as long as I know that the program has a history of success AND satisfaction.

2) How hard was the admission process at your school? What's the stats on the students admitted? (i.e. What was your GPAs, GRE scores, pre-req grades? How many students admitted versus applicants?)

3) What was the preliminary interview like? (panel, one-to-one, rigorous?)

4) What type of background did you have previously? Does having job experience in a health related field increase your chances of acceptance?

5) Any suggestions or advice about things to do, such as volunteering, prior to applying that might help my chances? I graduated with a CUM 3.1 GPA, and although most schools require at least a 3.0, I heard that because of the competition, my GPA is nowhere near good enough.

6) Any suggestions of jobs in healthcare with a COMM degree that would be good prep or exposure?

I know that this is a lot to ask, but from the few posts that I've read so far, everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable, so who better to ask. This is a big step for me and I just want to make sure that I've done all the research before I make my decision. Thanks everyone!!!

[taoist]

I had a horrible GPA from my first degree, but since I didn't have any of the bio or liberal arts prereqs done I had to take those courses prior to enrolling and I got a 3.87 on those. It apparently was enough - I've been accepted into an accelerated program and start later this month. There was no interview, no required essay - although I sent one anyway.

[taoist]

oops...

My background was in engineering with no prior medical experience. I have heard that where over 300 applicants for the 35 spots.

Good luck!

[PJMommy]

I did an accelerated second degree program - took 12 months to finish. Excellent school, 98% NCLEX pass rate. Rolling admissions so I knew I was accepted about 6 weeks after I applied. Essay was short, sweet and simple -- you'd nail it if you can write legible English. No interview.

I found 2nd degree accelerated programs better for getting in quickly....there just isn't as much demand for them as traditional BSN and associates programs.

My undergrad degree was in the physical sciences. My GPA was crap at 2.9 but I went out and got all A's in my prereqs for the nursing program (done at a community college - A&P, micro, etc.) so they gave that more weight than they did my "D" in music theory from 14 years ago! :) You'll likely need to do the same -- go get courses in microbiology, A&P, nutrition, etc. so just hit it hard and pull in A's. It took me 9 months of taking 2 classes a quarter (part-time) to do all the pre-reqs.

I had NO (yes, ZERO) healthcare experience. We had many people in our class from out of state so lots of folks do relocate to access the program.

Private message (PM) me if you want more info on the school.

Also, good luck!! I'll be making less than 1/2 what I did prior to my early-mid-life crisis/job change -- and working 10x harder. But I'm happy and would do it all over again. :)

PJ

[borealdreams]

i'm trying to decipher all the info out there as well re: schools and programs and find myself in a similar position, with a BS from years prior and currently working on prereqs. for a RN program. i'll be watching this tread as well and thanks much for your thoughts.

i'd love to know where the 2nd degree program was that didn't require essays as one recent program i looked at weighted the essay 55 pts out of 85pts total for consideration. reminded me of the bs of getting into college originally. is there any good sources out there that list all the 2nd degree programs?

thanks,

h