Help with what program is best for me!

[MallorieEstrada]

I'm 23 years old and a recent graduate from Central Michigan University with a BAA in Early Child Development and Learning. I was pre Physician Assistant but decided I would like nursing more. I have my CNA and have 2 years experience in a nursing home. My current GPA is 2.93

I'm lost and confused on what kind of program I should apply for. Should I go get my RN from community so I will be making more money to pay for my BSN? Should I do an accelerated BSN program? A regular BSN program? I just want to get in a program ASAP and want to utilize the classes and knowledge I already have from completing the prerequisites of Physician Assistant and already having a bachelors.

Any my advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Mallorie

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Are there certain schools or a particular area you're looking to get into? I recall someone mentioning that waiting lists in Michigan can take up to a couple years. Your GPA is on the low end.. is that your overall GPA? Is your GPA for the prereq classes higher? I think a BSN or accelerated BSN program would be more practical if you already have your bachelor but I would also look into ADN programs if you have trouble finding schools. Talk with some advisors and see if you should retake your classes, and also look at the NCLEX pass rates for each school. Good luck :)

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

consider applying to all programs that are reasonable for you to attend.. if you get get multiple admissions then think what is right for you and you life situation such as finances, time commitments, driving distances, etc

If I were in your shoes and got accepted to all 3 types of programs I would then chose ABSN, BSN, and ADN in that order :)

Best of luck.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Mallorie..you really need to first off get that GPA higher. Under 3.0 you are going to have a major issue getting into an ABSN program. Was that your final GPA for your bachelors? Majority of ABSN programs require minimum of 3.0 on first bachelors to even apply. Grades matter because ABSN is almost like applying to grad school where they are looking at what you accomplished and whether they feel you can handle nursing school. No one can tell you what is best for you. You need to look at your options and be realistic. Nothing happens overnight. You don't just either do an ABSN or RN or whatever. You APPLY and you MAY get in and you MAY not. Are you stuck in Michigan? If you can move apply everywhere. Look at areas with low cost of living..North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska. You can live cheaper and get through school. The more places you apply the better chance you have. I was living in midwest, but did my ABSN in Virginia. Apply to everything and then if you get accepted you can make decisions. If you get accepted everywhere then you can decide. Good luck.