BSN to DNP application advice

[BSNstudent96]

Hi! Im currently a BSN student in the Orlando area graduating in May. I have my heart set on applying to a BSN to DNP program that begins in the fall. I also work as a student nurse intern at a local hospital on a critical care unit.. I have a few questions for someone who can answer them. I am looking into applying to UCF, FAU, USF, FSU, and UF.. so any advice on these options would be greatly appreciated.

1. Is it crucial to job shadow a NP before applying? If so, How do you find one to shadow?

2. I am worried about asking for letters of recommendation because so many people are against applying to an NP program right after graduation with no RN experience... Is it ok to ask for letters of recommendation to be sent to multiple schools?

3. What are my chances of getting accepted? My GPA is a 3.36 and the only experience I have are my clinical hours and my Student Nurse Intern experience on a critical care unit. I just don't know how competitive these schools are.

4. Is there anything that is a MUST for my resume?

[BostonFNP, APRN]

1. Is it crucial to job shadow a NP before applying? If so, How do you find one to shadow?

You absolutely should. Its a big investment and it's not the right job for everyone. Ask aroudn with your network contacts at work about spending a half-day shadowing.

2. I am worried about asking for letters of recommendation because so many people are against applying to an NP program right after graduation with no RN experience... Is it ok to ask for letters of recommendation to be sent to multiple schools?

You should feel very comfortable with the people you are getting recommendations, if you have concerns about what they might say, they shouldn't be the ones you ask to write.

3. What are my chances of getting accepted? My GPA is a 3.36 and the only experience I have are my clinical hours and my Student Nurse Intern experience on a critical care unit. I just don't know how competitive these schools are.

The more quality the program the more competitive they are. It is your investment in your future, go to the best one you can. Most quality programs are looking for GPAs above 3.0 at an absolute cutoff to get your application away from the trash bin. Then it is a mix of your academic and career success which determines your acceptance.

4. Is there anything that is a MUST for my resume?

You need to set yourself apart from the pack; if your GPA is in the lower (or even upper) middle of the pack what is going to make them pick you over everyone else?