Rejected to Accelerated BSN program, should I consider an Associates?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi Everyone,

I have a BSN in Communications and have been doing Marketing and PR for 6 years. I recently applied to University of Colorado in Denver for the Accelerated BSN program but unfortunately got rejected. I am still planning on applying to the other 2 schools in the Denver Metro area that offer these programs but I’m now wondering if I should also consider an Associates program.

I would much rather get a BSN as I want to continue my education and perhaps become a Nurse Practitioner but seeing that I may not even get into any of these accelerated programs should I consider an Associates degree? If so, what programs do you all recommend? (Denver-Area please).

Suggestions? :confused:

Enferema2b if going into nursing is what you want to do then good luck to you! I have also decided to go into nursing as a career change because I have wanted to do so for many years. I was always working corporate because of the pay scale and when I had the chance to make the decision (even in this economy) to go to school to try to get into nursing school that was the best decision for me and my family. Please disregard negative postings. It's not all about the money as you know. And there are always going to be ups and downs with the economy. You can't base your life goals on the economy.

Good luck with your future endeavors!!

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It is harder to get into because it is far cheaper, takes less time and pays the same as a BSN. And most people who earn an ASN and get into a hospital for employment get their BSN and MSN paid for by the hospital under tuition reimbursement/continuing education benefits. It is just a faster, smarter way to the same destination, which makes it more competitive to get in.

Whether it is far cheaper, takes less time or is "smarter" depends on what your options are. It's tougher to get into many ASN programs because they are cheaper and they typically have lower admission standards than BSN programs. Community colleges in my area have a minimum pre-requisite GPA of 2.0. I believe similar schools in California admit people based on a lottery system. That's why it takes three to four years to get in -- because they take so many candidates. (Just how many complete these programs is another story.) BSN programs, however, typically do not maintain waiting lists. Accelerated programs admit only the strongest candidates each year, and that's it. The program I attended viewed all GPAs as being of equal value, which was absurd. One of my classmates had to apply twice because her GPA of 3.2 wasn't good enough -- and it was from Yale, for pete's sake!

I went straight into an accelerated BSN program because it was faster for me than an ASN program. I could complete the BSN in 15 months, whereas the ASN programs in my area offered only September starts and operated for only two semesters a year, meaning it would take me nearly two full years to complete.

I also thought the BSN was a "smarter" option for me since I already had a bachelor's degree. There was no point in entering the profession with a lower degree. I am fortunate to work for a hospital that pays more for BSNs, since not all do. They paid off more than half of my tuition to boot, and they offer tuition payment for a master's and a Ph.D. Also, all of the major hospitals in my area have either achieved or are working toward magnet accreditation status; to receive it, they agree not to promote ASNs. So that was another incentive for me.

I hope you won't be discouraged by one rejection. I know a number of people who applied, applied and reapplied. Ultimately, they were accepted. With the economy in bad shape, a lot of people are going back to school and pursuing career changes rather than remain unemployed. No doubt you've got stiff competition. I think the previous poster who suggested trying to transfer into a traditional program offered a great idea. You could also look at three-year direct entry master's programs for non-nurses. Good luck!

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why would you consider nursing school now? there are no new grad positions, and there is not as much job security as people say. you should read some of the discussions by new grad nurses online. If you like what you do now, stick with it until this economy gets better

well, keep in mind..HOPEFULLY the economy will be better by the time granduation comes along.

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why would you consider nursing school now? there are no new grad positions, and there is not as much job security as people say. you should read some of the discussions by new grad nurses online. If you like what you do now, stick with it until this economy gets better

I think you should get started now by the time you finish, the economy should get better. I worked in education for a long time, when I got laid off, the only place I found a job was in health care. I now have a cna position which I love and enjoy. I no longer fear if I'll have a job next year as I did working in education.

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another lil tipp...try gettin a job at a hospital. my friends works for one as a unit secretary and she gets alot of hands on expireince..she is due to gradute this semester and she has already been offered an RN position in the peds dept where she works

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another lil tipp...try gettin a job at a hospital. my friends works for one as a unit secretary and she gets alot of hands on expireince..she is due to gradute this semester and she has already been offered an RN position in the peds dept where she works

This is something I've been thinking for a while but haven't had any luck finding a unit secretary job. Great advice!

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Hi, enfermera 2B (like the moniker). I will offer this advice, and perhaps alternative advice.

It largely depends on what your goals are for nursing. If you wish to be an administrator and pursue a masters, then perhaps you should consider Masters in Health Administration. You mentioned you wanted to be an NP, but unsure what you want to do with that masters degree....clinical or administration? MHA will get you to administration without the hefty wait for nursing school.

IF you wish to really sink your teeth into the clinical aspects and are very sure that is the direction you wish to go, consider a PA program. PA (under normal circumstances) is masters level and will take you straight to the very heart of clinical, without having to get the BS, then MS in nursing. quote]

Thanks for your advice but seeing that I am having trouble getting into a nursing BSN program I highly doubt that I will get into a PA program. Plus, I want to continue my education at a slower pace as I am getting ready to start a family--just not sure a PA program for me.

I do appreciate your advice. It is great to hear all sorts of opinions and suggestions. :lol2:

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ok, then have fun in nursing. I still think its a poor career change, and yes, it is just a job no matter what you tell yourself.

Man! I hope you are NEVER my nurse or I never have to work with you. :eek: Obviously YOU made a poor career choice, so don't be telling other people it's a poor choice for them just because you made one. That attitude will not get you very far in nursing, with good reason.

Nursing for me will NOT be "just a job." My dream is to help people, emotionally and physically. And while it comes with a paycheck, it's not a job. It's a way for me to make a difference in my community.

Please stay far away from Cincinnati, OH.

I thought this forum was to help and encourage people, not for the resident "Debbie Downer"

Sorry about that rant... lol.

The associates program where I am at is not harder to get into, it's easier. It all depends on where you live, so everything you hear from people will differ. So just because one person says its harder, does not mean it all is.

I am guessing your GPA is the reason you were not accepted into the accelerated program. Around me, most people have at least a 3.6, usually a 3.7 and up to be competitive.

It's not illogical to do the associates, then RN-BSN or RN-MSN. Though it takes more time, unless you have the money to spend on the expensive fast track nursing schools.

Sorry if I seem aggravated, but I can't stand negative attitudes. As long as you are doing what makes you happy, even if you only make $7 an hour, then that's all that matters.

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Definitely consider an ASN program! That's what happened to me, actually. I got waitlisted at my local ABSN program and didn't want to wait another year to possibly get accepted. Money has also been tight recently, so this is also the cheaper alternative. I'm just finishing my first semester of an ASN program and in the fall, I can start taking BSN level classes while I'm in the ASN program. There are so many different ways to get to your goal.

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You could also do a generic BSN program.

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First, off, I apologize for being negative, gosh, it wasn't like me.

I think no matter which route you take you will be happy. Associates seems to offer just as much for a new grad as a BSN (these times are an exception). Good luck to you, I am sure you will succeed and end up finding your new career a very rewarding and promising one.

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Has anyone else applied to the University of Colorado-Denver program? I am from Idaho and have my B.S. degree in Microbiology and I am looking preferably for an accelerated program to get my BSN. I'm trying to decide whether I should shell out $65 to apply to this program. I have a 3.53 overall gpa and even higher pre-req of the 4 required for the accelerated program. I would like to know where I stand in trying to get into the program. I have heard you need a 4.0 for the traditional way, but the accelerated takes into account the question and your gpa. So let me know if you have any advise for me? Also, will it be a lot harder since i'm from out of state? I would love to do a sponsorship through one of the hospitals in Colorado, is that available to out-of-staters?

Lara

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