What does everyone think of my chances?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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  1. What should I do?

    • 5
      Get my BSN first
    • 8
      Get a Direct entry degree
    • 0
      Do something else (please respond below)

13 members have participated

Hey everyone,

Yes this is a typical "do you think I can get into nursing school" forums, but please just take a look at what I am doing to see if this is at all realistic on my part.

I went to undergrad at a Big 10 university and did not do well. I was more focused on partying and social interactions than school. I left after 4 years with no degree and a GPA of 2.22.

I transferred to U of M Flint and did very well there for 2 years and finished my degree in Biology with a GPA of 3.35 and managed to get on the Dean's list the last year that I attended. The 2 years I was there and 61 credit hours, I retook a lot of core science classes and did well, nothing under a B.

I took the GRE and got about a 1050, or a 298 on the new scale.

I started my masters degree in Health Administration at Western Kentucky and have done remarkably well with a good GPA so far with 1/4 of the grades left to go and I am sitting pretty at a 3.6. But this semester's grades will likely raise that to about a 3.7.

I have over 300 hours of experience volunteering in hospital settings over the last 4 years.

Given everything that I have gone through, what are my chances? I am wanting to do Family NP with a direct entry program if possible and am applying to such programs for next fall. Any ideas of where would be a good place to apply?

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I think you should apply to all kinds of ABSN and direct entry MSNs are see what happens.

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Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Hello,

In order to study for and become a Family Nurse Practitioner, you need to be licensed as a registered nurse. To the best of my knowledge, a master's degree in Health Administration (by itself) is not a path to Family NP degree.

To become an RN, you would need to at least have an associate's degree in nursing (ASN). Some students opt to go into nursing school for the bachelor's degree (BSN) to then test for the licensure exam. Either way, once you graduate from either program, your school will approve you for taking the licensure exam. If you choose the ASN program to then test for your State's RN examination, you would still need to complete the BSN before you can pursue Nurse Practition education.

Please beaware of the fact that starting in 2015, nursing schools are getting rid of the master's degree for Nurse Practitioners and offer only a doctoral degree to become NPs (known as DNP). In 2010 they started offering both (designating a 5 year transition period for nursing schools to move from master's to doctorate degrees). My advice... meet with a educational advisor, go through your transcripts, and have them lay out a plan to reach your goal.

Do not get discouraged if nursing is your calling. I am 43 and finishing my ASN this semester. I have the BSN and DNP degrees ahead of me yet. I'm not giving up. Time will pass by regardless of what you do in life, might as well use it to pursue your dream. Perseverance and patience will get you there.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

I forgot to add this link... Nurse Practitioner School Requirements and Prerequisites

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Sound advice, but you didn't read the last half of my post. I stated that I am applying to direct entry FNP programs currently. Direct entry is where you have a BS or BA in another concentration and you are in a nursing program that will be on the fast track to getting a MS in nursing in a specific concentration. So my question is what is more feasible in this setting: getting a BSN first and then going to FNP specialization, OR, is it smarter to do the Direct Entry now? If so, which programs might you recommend?

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Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Oh, I see... sorry, I'm not familiar with the direct FNP programs. I would have to research it. Sorry, I'm not being of much help now.

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If you are dead set on being an FNP, then go the direct route. No need to go the BSN route. Whether you choose a Masters or Doctorate school is up to you. You have decide if the cost and curriculum is worth it. There is no requirement to have a DNP to practice as an FNP (or any other NP). Not all schools are switching over to the doctorate route, so you still have your options - Masters or Doctorate.

Your GPA and GRE scores are good. Make sure you have good letters of recommendations and write a stellar essay.

Good luck!

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So far I have applied to East Carolina, Yale, Columbia, Regis College, and (almost done with) MGH Institute of Health. I will submit one to UI Chicago if I don't hear back before the application comes out in January.

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So far I have applied to East Carolina, Yale, Columbia, Regis College, and (almost done with) MGH Institute of Health. I will submit one to UI Chicago if I don't hear back before the application comes out in January.

Sounds like mighty fine schools. Best of luck to you!

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