Do you think I have a shot of getting in!?

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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I'm graduating from a BSN program this May. This fall, I will be sending applications into Penn & for Women's Health NP and into Jefferson for FNP. I have a 3.6, vice president of the Student Nurses' Association, along with many other activities/ volunteer experience and I've been recognized for several nursing education awards. Besides clinical, the only working experience that I will have is floating as a nursing assistant between the ER, med-surg & telemetry floor. I have my letters of recommendations ready & I'm starting to prepare my essays. Do you think I have a shot to get into these programs? Any advice or tips?

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

It's tough to say.... most schools really want you to have some nursing experience before applying. My grad school required at least one year of NICU and one year of peds. Have you considered attending school part-time while working as a nurse? Or even waiting until you have a few years experience before starting school again? Some of the best APN's I've known went into school with a good base as an RN first. On the other hand, some of the terrible ones never set foot on a unit as a nurse until they graduated as a NP.

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Thanks for the reply! I have considered going to grad school part-time and working as an RN, it's just a tough situation because the town that I plan on living in after graduating with my BSN is very small & the closest university to get my MSN is about 2 hours away. I'd prefer to go right away so hopefully I can complete it within two years then move back home and get settled. I'm also applying to the online program which I would think would give me more time to work as I go for my masters.. any advice about online programs?

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
any advice about online programs?

No, I don't really know anything about online programs. I did speak with several NNP's while I was researching returning to grad school. Several of them had done online programs with on-site clinicals. They did say that they couldn't have kept up with or comprehended the information online without having several years of previous RN experience. They recommended finding a classroom based program since I only had 2 years experience. So we'll see how it goes! I moved 800 miles closer to my family fro m SC to attend this school. Who knows where I'll end up after graduation? I had always considered myself "settled down" after living in SC for 6 years, but I figure once I finish, I'll be DONE with school, and I'll still have plenty of time to "settle down." Best of luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.

Yes, if you fill out the application. No, if you do not. The only thing you have to loose is a hundred bucks and alot of work. If you dont get in this year there is always next year.

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