I am a rising senior at Fordham University and will obtain my BA (Business Admn.) in May 2022. I have a handful of ABSN programs that I plan on applying to. I am nervous I won’t get into any schools since I don’t have ample experience. I consider myself a well rounded student and person which is reflected on my resume. I am taking a phlebotomy course in the fall which will prepare me for the NPCE. I wanted to take a CNA course these past few months, but I have been taking classes… Fordham requires students to take Intro. Bio I and II and Gen. Chem I and II with lab in order to take A&P. I did well in all of those classes. I took them over the course of the Spring 2021 semester and Summer 2021 session. My GPA is a 3.6 but I plan on boosting it this Fall and Spring semester. I am taking human physiology in the Fall and anatomy in the Spring. I am also taking Microbiology through portage learning this August, but I am sure it will carry into the Fall semester which starts Sept. 1st. I feel like I am in the right direction and well prepared, but would greatly appreciate any advice people have. I understand how competitive ABSN programs typically are. Having a high GPA is imperative but I also want to strengthen my application in other ways such as thoroughly articulating myself in the personal statements and getting some kind of experience. Should I apply for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters (each program is different)? Or is that too soon? Am I on the right track? I am worried about taking out outrageous loans and want to keep that on the back burner. I am not highly concerned because I know that I am motivated to pay them off, but it would be nice to keep them at a low cost. I could apply to an in state program, but I also care about trying a new environment and expanding my horizons. Here is the semi-final list of schools I plan to apply to: University of Miami, Duke University, GW, NYU, Columbia (MDE program), Medical University of SC, UCONN, MGH (Boston) Is that too many schools, too little, just enough? Am I being too ambitious given my academic history and background? What does anyone recommend? I am so looking forward to hearing back from this post. I am so passionate and driven to reach my goal. I am so eager to start a program and become immersed in a career that I strongly feel I have an aptitude for. Thank you! Ellie 1 Likes More Like This Need advice. Accept offer from NEIT or wait by bre2006 Accelerated BSN Programs For Those Who Want To Move Into Nursing by VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN Who’s applying for the FALL 2022 nursing program by Brittany Martin, CNA Mount Sinai PSON ABSN Fall 2021 by cam458, EMT-B CSUN ABSN Fall 2021 by mhutchh
NICU Guy, BSN, RN Specializes in NICU. Has 7 years experience. 4,043 Posts Aug 9, 2021 Find a low cost public university ABSN program. Going to a private university will rack up the student loan debt which will be difficult to pay back. If you want to "trying a new environment and expanding my horizons" then get your nursing degree, work for 2-3 yrs and then do travel nursing. You get plenty of new adventures and get paid well to have those experiences. 1 Likes
Eleanor Rocco 3 Posts Aug 9, 2021 Thank you for the advice! Do you mean any 4 year university or specifically in state? 1 Likes
NICU Guy, BSN, RN Specializes in NICU. Has 7 years experience. 4,043 Posts Aug 10, 2021 Preferably an in-state university. I graduated from an ABSN program at a state university. Tuition was $5k/ semester. My degree cost me a little over $20k. My niece graduated from an ABSN program from a private university and spent $16k in tuition/ semester ($64k total). We both graduated within a few months of each other. 2 Likes
Eleanor Rocco 3 Posts Aug 10, 2021 Do you know of any public universities in the DC area, Boston area, Charleston, SC, Miami, FL or a major city on the East Coast that have a good ABSN program? I also have to consider the cost of living and budget that too, so the south appeals to me since it can get expensive in NY, Boston, and DC. I have savings and help from my parents, but do have to make a significant contribution to expenses myself. Also, do you recommend that I get more experience before I apply so that I have a stronger application? If I apply to a Fall 2022 semester or Spring 2023 semester, I will have that time to work (hopefully as a phlebotomist or CNA). But is that enough? I heard that people don’t necessarily need experience, but I personally want to and feel like it will confirm that I am committed to nursing. 1 Likes