ACCELERATED BSN - anyone?

[HopefulABSN10]

So I recently graduated with my BA from a 1st tier university. My overall undergrad GPA is only a 3.1 but I took statistics and nutrition this summer at Hunter College and got an A- in Nutrition and a B+ in statistics (i think my professor miscalculated my final grade for stat and he said he would reconsider raising it when he returns in the fall). I am taking A&P and Micro in the fall and A&P II and Chem (if necessary) in the spring. I am determined to get A's in both of these classes and from experience I know that if I want to do well in a course. I can.

I have a very strong essay and what I hope to be recommendations from both a professor and a nurse manager that I worked for during my senior year. I am currently an intern at a hospital in New York City and was just wondering what those who have already been accepted to an accelerated bsn program think my chances of getting in are. All I want to do is be a nurse. I wish I had known this earlier because otherwise I would have just got to a university where there was a nursing school or at least transferred to a nursing school while I was still an undergrad but I guess everything happens for a reason. I am starting to get anxious about applying and I think the next few months (or at least until I get into my first school...crossing my fingers) will be filled with anxiety.

Can any of you give me any advice - other than doing well in the prerequisites, that I am aware of! - on how I can increase my chances in getting in? I feel like most people on here only apply to one school but I think I am going to apply to around 7 or 8! Is that normal? I don't see why you would place all your eggs in one basket. I am currently considering applying to Villanova, NYU, GMU, Rochester, Stony Brook, and maybe Georgetown. Also i am REALLY interested in the accelerated programs...I would really liek to graduate and start working full time as soon as possible, but do you think I should be applying to the traditional second degree programs as well? THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE!

[AccelCNL, MSN, RN]

I am a prenursing student, who at one point was considering doing nursing after graduation. However, I decided to do nursing before my first degree. I will just give you my thoughts on your questions.

Your GPA from your first GPA is very important. Plenty of programs do have requirements of at least 3.0. However, it is your sciences that are the most important.

You are on the right track concerning your prereqs. You should also consider applying to SUNY Downstate...because it is a cheaper option (less than 20,000 i think).

I also think you should apply to some generic BSN programs just to be on the safe side. I completely understand that you want to finish quickly so you can go into the job market however, it never hurts to have back up plans.

If you are a matricualted Hunter student, you can apply to their nursing program.

Concordia College also opened a new acclerated program in my backyard. If you are interested in Pace, you need to take the GRE.

I am taking my last sciences this semester and then I hope to transfer to a great program for the Spring. I decided to take the longer route for reason. The most important one was $$$$. Since I don't have a BS/BA yet I still qualify for federal grants and loans. I also wanted to be paced in my education. Nursing school is stressful enough....I did not need added pressure. I also wanted to have the break to see if the summer between my last two years if I could pick up an externship position or a nurse tech job. In this market it is better to be on the inside of somewhere rather than on the outside looking in.

Just apply to both generic BSN programs (well the ones that only have a two-year professsional phase) and to accelerated programs.

I know Dominican College's year long ABSN is a bit less competitive...but that school is in Rockland County I think.

[Cali_RN]

I recently graduated from the Rochester accelerated BSN program. It's a good program, your out in one year, but it's also very stressful/intense and hard to have a job at the same time. I found that they were looking for something different or unique. Felt like everyone in my class had a unique story about where they came from. We had ppl from former construction jobs all the way to former dancers and pianists and recent undergraduates. GPA is important but so is your personal statement and your interview. I also had taken the GRE's already which isn't required for Rochester but if you do well on them can help you. You could consider contacting the admissions office, they may give you some idea of what they are looking for.

[lavendersapphire]

I have a BS in Criminal Justice and I'm applying to 5 schools. Two of the programs are accelerated and 3 are the traditional route - though once you factor in the prereqs from your first degree, both the accelerated and the traditional routes are the same length - at least here they are (4 semesters). It's just that one program goes fall, spring, summer, fall; while the other programs are fall, spring, fall, spring and they expect you to work or intern at a hospital during the summer term.

So to answer your questions - applying to multiple schools isn't odd, you just dont know what the other people's circumstances are for just picking one or two schools (commute time, $$, etc), and you should also apply to the traditional 2nd degree routes in case you dont get into one of the accelerated programs.