Opinions - Venting! Nervous!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Ok I'd hate to be this person - but I have to becuase I have a lot on my mind

This past Spring (2009) I graduated from a top SUNY school with a 2.85 GPA in Psychology (BA). I had always wanted to pursue nursing but with pressure from parents and the economy, I was pretty much given the ultimatum to either get a job fast or go back to school. So, I wanted to go back for Nursing but didn't have the time leniency to finish up the pre-req's so I went to a private institution working towards an MSW (Masters in Social Work). After 1 semester, I am NOT happy, although I did well (3.9 GPA). I decided to take a leave of absence, finish up my pre-reqs (A&P 1-2, Microbio) and apply as a Junior transfer at a BSN program and do a traditional 2 year. I have been an EMT for 2 years, and have had really good volunteer experience in hospitals and outpatient rehab centers. I also worked with psychiatric patients doing psychotherapy as my internship with Social Work and was offered a job as a Case Manager which I will be doing until I would hopefully start BSN school in the Fall. My pre-req's are not that solid but I am hoping my resume will outweigh all of it. What do you guys think? Also, I am a male, and from what I hear, it does give me a slight push in a better direction.

I have a 2.85 overall, and a 3.9 in my one semester of masters programs.

I have the following pre-req grades:

1. Composition and Writing Classes: A

2. Intro Psych: B

3. Developmental: A-

4. Intro Bio 1 & 2: C & C+ :(

5. Intro Chem 1 & 2: B & C :doh:

6. Statistics: B- :doh:

I am taking A&P 1 in the Spring and A&P 2 and Microbio over the Summer.

I am hoping my experience, solid letters of recommendation, and stellar essay can push me in a positive direction towards gaining admissions at this SUNY BSN program as a traditional transfer.

I also wanted to make it clear that I did poorly freshman year. My last 3 semesters, I had an average GPA of 3.45 - Not sure if this helps..

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i can't say for sure because i do not know the criteria for your nursing school but where i go, we have a minimum gpa requirement of a 2.5 to APPLY but the cut off to actually get in is arounda 3.0 overall. also in most nursing schools they look at your core prereqs (anatomy, physiology, chemistry, micro, etc)..i am sure they still look at your other prereqs but i think those matter more in comparison to the bio and writing classes. also, some nursing schools look at ACT scores and even give you "points" if you have a bachelor's degree in another field. i say you have a solid shot of getting in but i would really try to do well in micro and A&P because those are SUPER important. if you can pull A's or even B's in there that would look good on your application. do not worry so much about the past..you have a decent gpa for nursing school, i was accepted with a 3.1 and i had a D in Bio and a C in Chemistry (not my strong points, obviously!).. have faith in yourself and do the best you can! good luck!

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Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I would also appreciate any additional voices of opinion.

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Honestly, you are asking the wrong folks! LOL!

Go ask the advisor of the nursing program in the school to which you would like to attend.

here is what you posted:

1. Composition and Writing Classes: A

2. Intro Psych: B

3. Developmental: A-

4. Intro Bio 1 & 2: C & C+ :(

5. Intro Chem 1 & 2: B & C :doh:

6. Statistics: B- :doh:

I am taking A&P 1 in the Spring and A&P 2 and Microbio over the Summer.

In my school (CC -ADN program) it was point based. #1 is good to hook. #2, not bad if you keep the # of B's you get down. #3 - Developmental What? Was it Dev. Psych or Human growth and devl? If the first....it isn't counted in my school if the second, OK...no problem. #4 -> Bio is usually for PA programs. Most nursing programs couldn't care less. #5 Chem is usually required, but it was not counted in our points....that one will vary by school. #6....do you have a math less that Statistics. If so, that may be the grade they use.

You need to go B*lls-to-the-walls on those other pre-reqs and get As.

You will need to take some type of nursing aptitude test and do well on that.

That being said....

I had a *very* low 2.x GPA from my B.E. - EE degree. I had a 3.75 GPA in my pre-reqs and scored well on the NAT. I am in NS now.

Good luck to you.

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I always believe that sometimes you can overcome what's on paper by meeting the decision-maker in person and explaining your case. I would recommend that you meet with the school's advisor and see what guidance they can offer. Your masters level could have a significant impact. Good luck.

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I did e-mail an admissions counselor who I had spoken with once during my undergrad. She suggested that we meet at the beginning of the Spring semester but that my decision COULD be made already by then. If I am rejected, can I request to be re-considered with an interview?

Any new-posters please comment on my questions in the first initial post as well if you want.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

An interview with the dean of nursing (or whoever that handles that) wouldn't hurt. Like other posters, I stress that you do well in A&P, micro, patho, and other important nursing pre-reqs. All the students in our nursing program have 3.5's or higher.

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My only concern is that - according to the admissions department, interviews are only granted once the Spring semester has commenced, yet they may render a decision before that time.

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