ABSN Reject, Need Advice

[JB21591]

Hello.

I am a 27 year old male living in Philadelphia, with a prior Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh. In the past two years, I have been completing the ABSN prerequisites while applying to programs. I completed my pre-reqs but have been rejected from every ABSN program I have applied to. While I scored a 3.97 on my prerequisites, I credit the rejections to the following three factors:

1. I have a misdemeanor DUI conviction for driving under the influence of marijuana when I was 20.

2. I don't have the greatest undergraduate GPA (2.45).

3. I have little to no experience working in healthcare.

Since I cannot reapply to these ABSN programs for another year, I need to figure out the next step. I am considering taking an EMT or CMA program so I can get a decent income and gain healthcare experience, while working towards my eventual goal of a BSN. In addition, I have considered a traditional 4 year BSN program, but I don't know if Gen-Ed credits from my BA will transfer, and I am dreading taking freshman and sophomore gen-eds again.

Should I do a certification program so I can work in a hospital while reapplying every year? Will I have to retake Gen-Eds if I go through a traditional BSN program? Will my misdemeanor conviction preclude me from becoming a nurse? Should I just give up?

Discouraged, sad, and confused in Philadelphia.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Hello.

I am a 27 year old male living in Philadelphia, with a prior Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh. In the past two years, I have been completing the ABSN prerequisites while applying to programs. I completed my pre-reqs but have been rejected from every ABSN program I have applied to. While I scored a 3.97 on my prerequisites, I credit the rejections to the following three factors:

1. I have a misdemeanor DUI conviction for driving under the influence of marijuana when I was 20.

2. I don't have the greatest undergraduate GPA (2.45).

3. I have little to no experience working in healthcare.

Since I cannot reapply to these ABSN programs for another year, I need to figure out the next step. I am considering taking an EMT or CMA program so I can get a decent income and gain healthcare experience, while working towards my eventual goal of a BSN. In addition, I have considered a traditional 4 year BSN program, but I don't know if Gen-Ed credits from my BA will transfer, and I am dreading taking freshman and sophomore gen-eds again.

Should I do a certification program so I can work in a hospital while reapplying every year? Will I have to retake Gen-Eds if I go through a traditional BSN program? Will my misdemeanor conviction preclude me from becoming a nurse? Should I just give up?

Discouraged, sad, and confused in Philadelphia.

Why don't you try asking one of the schools you're interested in whether you would have to repeat Gen-Ed credits or if they would transfer? Why don't you ask one of the schools that turned you down what you could do to be more successful an applicant next time around? You're bound to get more reliable information that way.

You might wish to change your user name. Per TOS, you cannot call yourself a nurse in your user name unless you actually ARE a nurse. The moderators may be able to help you with changing your user name.