In need of advice

RunBabyRN · May 16, 2014

Getting a bachelor's, as you mentioned, will cut you off from financial aid. Unless you plan to use your liberal arts degree, I wouldn't continue with it.

How long it will take will really depend on what you have still to complete and the program you choose. Should you decide to finish your liberal arts degree, you can do an accelerated BSN (aBSN) program), which will generally have the same prereqs as a traditional BSN. It may be about the same amount of time (and less expensive) to just go the traditional BSN route at this point and do VERY well in your prereqs. The BSN will be required should you choose to pursue CRNA. I don't know a lot about the PA track, except to say that it's about as tough to get into a PA program as it is to get into a nursing program.

Any courses you can repeat for grade improvement, I would consider doing this. Just be sure to research repeat policies for any schools to which you're applying. Also, you can take other transferable courses (do you have a community college?) to boost your GPA. Have you figured out why your overall GPA is what it is, and how you can rectify this? Have your study habits and time management improved?

Time management will be especially important once you're in the nursing (or PA) program, particularly if you are working. Some people do manage to work, but be aware that every semester, your schedule will likely be different, and you'll need to have time to study and write papers and such.

CurlyLife · May 16, 2014

Thank you, RunBabyRun! Very useful advice!

ThatBigGuy · May 16, 2014

First off, take all that crap life has given you and turn it into a killer admission essay. Don't whine about it, but prove how it's made you stronger or a better person.

Secondly, becoming a nurse anesthetist requires an advanced degree (doctorate level), and requires insanely great grades. Take that off the table for now, because you need a BSN first anyway.

Thirdly, the following information is BSN specific, since that's what I'm doing.

So to answer your questions:

1. Absolutely finish your BA. It shows that in spite of your history, you can still finish what you start. It also allows you to hop in to 2nd degree BSN programs, which are shorter in duration because you already have all the history and geography classes. I have two previous BS's and still qualify for student loans at my state school, so you'll likely be fine as far as finaid is concerned.

2. Considering you're single with no children, you'll be able to work. I always say that a nursing student has 3 priorities: school, family, and school - but you can only pick two. Working three days a week is a fantastic schedule for nursing school.

3. This is the biggest problem. All schools have completely different ideas of pre-reqs and degree plans. It's going to take a full year to knock out your pre-reqs, pretty much no matter where you go. Pre-reqs matter more than the other classes, so ace those if you can. In order to bump your profile further, consider retaking classes in which you had the worst grades in order to boost your GPA. Add in the two years for a standard BSN program, and you're looking at a minimum of 3 years. You can find accelerated programs, but many are so intense that they require you to sign a waiver stating you won't work while in the program.

The most cost-effective way is to get your pre-reqs and retakes at a community college. A lot of state universities have great transfer relationships with local community colleges, but some don't. Make sure to check this before you enroll anywhere.

Consider a BSN to be a 5-year plan from today. Finish your BA, get your pre-reqs and retakes, bump your GPA, and write a killer essay. Think of a BSN as a career rather than a degree, and you'll be fine.

CurlyLife · May 17, 2014

Fantastic post, ThatBigGuy. Thank you!

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 17, 2014

Two of the three options you mentioned will require a bachelor's degree for you to even begin the program (Physician Assistant and Nurse Anesthesiologist).

With trying to pursue a PA (which is a masters degree program) you will need to a specific amount of DIRECT patient care (actually touching a patient) before even being able to apply. Many schools have different requirements, but I think most were in the 1000-2000 hour range before applying. You also need a bachelors degree with specific pre-requisites in order to be considered. It is VERY VERY tough to get into a PA program, and the competitiveness is comparable to getting into a nursing program. Possibly even harder.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · May 17, 2014

2. Considering you're single with no children, you'll be able to work. I always say that a nursing student has 3 priorities: school, family, and school - but you can only pick two. Working three days a week is a fantastic schedule for nursing school.

I think you meant to say school, family, and work. I've seen you post that before, so I'm just correcting for other readers. :)

Richard2578 · May 29, 2014

Nurse Anesthetist is way better than the other options you mentioned.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 29, 2014

I would try for a PA. I know it can be hard to get into that also. All of the fields you are looking at are hard to get into. You will need to retake some classes and try to get A's in them. See what the school's retake policy is. I would also sit down with an advisor and see what you need to do to get into these programs.

RubySlippers06 · May 29, 2014

If I were you, I would step back and think of what you actually want to do. Two of the things you listed will require a BSN. If you absolutely need that financial aid, don't finish your current Bachelor's program bc you will be cut off. Also, it seems kind of like a waste of time and $$ since you don't plan to use it. Since your GPA is low, you will need to get A's in all your prereqs in order to be accepted. Most PA programs like you to have an undergrad in biology and they are VERY competitive. Have you thought about becoming a Nurse Practitioner? In a lot of hospitals, a PA and NP will fill the same position and you can use your BSN towards it. CRNA schools are incredibly competitive and rigorous.

If you truly want to do something in the healthcare field, I would take a look at all of your local schools. Look at ABSN, BSN, and ADN programs. Check out the admission requirements and prereq requirements. See which will work best for your situation. I switched my major and degree from an arts degree to science. Since I was halfway finished with my degree, I had all of the gen ed requirements for a BSN already. I only needed the sciences. That will most likely be your case as well. Just remember, most schools will require a 3.0 to even apply.

Just focus on getting your GPA up. I think you can definitely do it! You will just need to really plan. Like I said earlier, I would go after your BSN first. That way, you can get a job and make $$ while you are going to graduate school. You could still look into PA school. However, I believe there are more NP schools and, therefore, a little easier to get accepted. Hang in there, you can do it!! Just start putting a plan together so you can execute :)

**Edit: I didn't see you were only three classes away from finishing. If you don't need the financial aid, definitely finish. Or, you could take those three classes in the summers and graduate with two degrees :)

Richard2578 · May 30, 2014

If I were you, I would step back and think of what you actually want to do. Two of the things you listed will require a BSN. If you absolutely need that financial aid, don't finish your current Bachelor's program bc you will be cut off. Also, it seems kind of like a waste of time and $$ since you don't plan to use it. Since your GPA is low, you will need to get A's in all your prereqs in order to be accepted. Most PA programs like you to have an undergrad in biology and they are VERY competitive. Have you thought about becoming a Nurse Practitioner? In a lot of hospitals, a PA and NP will fill the same position and you can use your BSN towards it. CRNA schools are incredibly competitive and rigorous.
If you truly want to do something in the healthcare field, I would take a look at all of your local schools. Look at ABSN, BSN, and ADN programs. Check out the admission requirements and prereq requirements. See which will work best for your situation. I switched my major and degree from an arts degree to science. Since I was halfway finished with my degree, I had all of the gen ed requirements for a BSN already. I only needed the sciences. That will most likely be your case as well. Just remember, most schools will require a 3.0 to even apply.
Just focus on getting your GPA up. I think you can definitely do it! You will just need to really plan. Like I said earlier, I would go after your BSN first. That way, you can get a job and make $$ while you are going to graduate school. You could still look into PA school. However, I believe there are more NP schools and, therefore, a little easier to get accepted. Hang in there, you can do it!! Just start putting a plan together so you can execute :)
**Edit: I didn't see you were only three classes away from finishing. If you don't need the financial aid, definitely finish. Or, you could take those three classes in the summers and graduate with two degrees :)

Very good advice mate, that worked for me aswell, thanks a lot :)

CurlyLife · Jul 5, 2014

Applied to 3 schools, accepted to all 3 ).

Thank you for taking the time to reply!