Direct Entry MSN Program Questions

[femmeliz]

Hi everyone,

As with most people, I have some admission questions for a Graduate-Entry MSN program. Currently, I am taking my prerequisite courses at the community college in Chicago and I'm scoring As in all of these classes all while still working full time. Additionally, I am studying to take the GRE and so far am on track to score extremely well. I have been working as a veterinary nurse since 2012 and have 5+ years of full-time clinical experience as a nurse in this setting and have spent most of this time as the lead nurse heading a whole floor of nurses at two practices. Currently I'm transitioning to working in a medical office at Rush University in Chicago to see how the settings there work. Additionally I will have letters of recommendation from a world-renowned veterinarian and two Harvard graduates.

Here's the catch--as an undergraduate I majored in Biology at Ohio University and graduated in 2012 with a 2.949 GPA that I was actually really proud of at the time. The reason being that I had cancer while I was an undergrad and was dealing with a crippling mental illness that was worsened by my physical illness for the majority of my time there. Once I had properly addressed my mental health issues and was physically healthy again, there was a notable uptick in my grades (going from a 2.6 GPA one year to a 3.3 the following). I understand that this will likely be a major hurdle for me to get into any MSN, but I'm hoping that this will be taken into consideration while applying. What's everyone's experience in these areas of extreme situations? Being much older now, in control of my mental health, and having worked in a clinical setting for many years, I'm hoping this will help me to get in, especially since my battle with cancer at such a young age gives me a unique background that I already know is important for medical providers to have. However, if it's unlikely that I will make it into any Master's Entry NP programs, I would rather quit while I'm ahead and not put myself into any further debt. I know that I am an excellent nurse as I have proven in my years working in the veterinary field, and this is where I would love for my life to lead as I feel I would be an excellent asset to the medical community. But I'm curious as to what you all think.

Thanks in advance!