Hi everyone! Been reading on all of these forums here for a while. I've even posted a couple of queries outside of this area before. But now I'm starting to freak out a little bit, and think maybe I've been a little bit crazy or a little bit stupid to think of pursuing this nursing idea.
Here's a little bit of my background. I already have a bachelor's degree in a liberal arts area. I also have a law degree. I got all the way through law school before I realized I really didn't want to be a lawyer. I've been working in a bank for a couple of years now. My job is okay, but it's not what I want to do with the rest of my life. I've been trying to find my direction, and for a variety of reasons, I really feel drawn to nursing. For the first time in a while, I'm very excited about the direction my life is taking. I'm working through my pre-reqs now. I've actually applied to one Accelerated BSN program already, because it's prereqs aren't as stringent, and have looked into a couple more in my area to apply to for next year.
Here's my concern. I've been reading here a lot and hearing various things, and everyone seems to say that the accelerated BSN programs are extremely competitive. I really feel that this is the best route for me to take, though, since I already have another degree (or two, lol) and think I might someday like to further my nursing career with an MSN and advanced practice. I'd also like to get to actually doing my new career as quickly as possible.
My grades in school were good, but I don't have a 4.0. And now I'm hearing about people who have those grades and all this health care experience and they are not getting into programs. I mean, I meet the minimum requirements for the program, and then some, and I feel like I have a lot to offer and that my background might make me stand out from some of the other candidates for these programs, plus I feel really passionate about being a nurse, which I hope came through in my application. Maybe I'm really freaking out over nothing, but this is something I really want and now it seems like I might not even get into school.
Anyway, sorry this ended up being so long. Thanks for reading, any of you that did. I'm taking Chem I and Statistics this semseter, for anyone who's interested. Take care, and any of your thoughts or encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I've actually applied to one accelerated BSN program already, because it's prereqs aren't as stringent, and have looked into a couple more in my area to apply to for next year.
Here's my concern. I've been reading here a lot and hearing various things, and everyone seems to say that the accelerated BSN programs are extremely competitive.
Yes, I think that most programs want you to jump through a lot of hoops before admitting you. Admission requirements vary from program to program, though. Some require interviews, some do not. Some want a "goal statement", some do not (and just judge you by your grades).
I think that if you want to get in, you'll get in. If you don't get accepted the first time through, ask them what you might do to make yourself a better candidate.
SELL yourself in any interview or goal statements - show your passion, your strengths, what you bring to the table, and what you hope to gain by a nursing degree.
There is a lawyer in my ABSN program, a couple former cops, some folks with degrees in music, a couple engineers (I'm one), a bunch of folks with psych & biology degrees, Spanish/German majors,...very diverse. If you can sell yourself, and show your passion for the field, you'll get admitted.
As others have said, the workload is a wee bit intense. If you're 4.0 when you start, don't expect to be 4.0 when you finish. You'll be in classrooms full of driven overachievers. If you're lucky (as I am), your classmates will pull together & help each other succeed, rather than backstabbing & helping each other fail.
Cruffler - An engineer, eh? Some of my best friends in law school were engineers.
Thanks for your advice. The program I've applied to doesn't require interviews, but I did make sure to include my drive and passion in my statement, in order to make myself stand out. I'm hoping that, plus my background being a little different than most and my pretty good grades, will be enough to make me an attractive candidate who will hopefully get accepted.
I hope to experience that camaraderie with my classmates as well. When I went to law school, I started in the Spring rather than the traditional fall semester. We were a really small class, and we all got to know each other pretty well, and we really helped each other out a lot for the really difficult first year of law school. That was so nice, and I would like to see a repeat of that with my nursing school class, wherever I end up going.
I'm glad to see other engineers on this forum! Actually, I have just been accepted into an Accelerated BSN program in Ohio, and even the acceptance process is accelerated. A hospital with Magnet status in our area will be offering loan forgiveness deals (as they have in previous years), with an obligation to work for them for 3 years (not bad - and they are a good employer).
For me, my greatest worry has been working out the money part. As it is, I currently have an engineering job I enjoy, but I prefer to work closely with people. In addition to an engineering degree, I have a master's degree in music from one of the top music schools in the country (organ performance and church music).
I had an interview for the program in January, got accepted in February, and now I'm waiting to see how the funding works out for starting class on March 31. Once the funding is figured out, I'll inform my employer of my intentions. (Also, I'll make myself available for occasional technical support.)
The professor who is in charge of this program told me that it helps greatly that I have degrees in both a technical field and in a humanities field. I like the combination of high-tech, high touch. Insofar as the accelerated program is concerned, we all come in with clinical experience in the form of STNA credentials (State Tested Nursing Assistant). Needless to say, I enjoyed every minute of my clinical experience.
The academic part of this does not make me nervous. Even the idea of working a code does not make me nervous. Starting an IV? Now that makes me nervous!!!!!!!!
I'm looking forward to starting classes. I'll miss my current job, but nursing is a much better fit for me than any other field I've practiced.
Finally, a word to the wise about interviews for accelerated nursing programs: Dress as you would for a job interview, and relax. Think about your answers to questions, but don't be afraid to let your guard down. If people on the committee laugh with you, that is a good sign (my committee laughed with me).
Best wishes to all of you. If you get accepted into an accelerated program, you probably have what it takes to succeed.
This is a very interesting discussion! I thought long and hard about doing an ABSN program, but ultimately chose a 2-year BSN w/automatic MSN acceptance. I have a BA, an MA and a Ph.D., so a lot people were urging me to do the ABSN. But I know myself. I am a ponderer. I like to turn new information over in my mind, roll around in it for a while, and really get to know and understand it. I know that that process takes time. And I have a husband with a long-term illness and 2 elderly parents/parents-in-law. All of those factors made me realize that it would be too stressful for me to do the ABSN thing.
Having said that, I know that the ABSN is perfect for some people. And that's something only they can decide for themselves. The key is to be honest with yourself, no matter how bad you want to be earning a paycheck again and be done with school! :)
The academic part of this does not make me nervous. Even the idea of working a code does not make me nervous. Starting an IV? Now that makes me nervous!!!!!!!!
Always glad to feel wanted!
As to your nervousness about starting IVs, remember...as with many things in life, it's better to give than receive. This is definitely true with IVs, Foley catheters, NG tubes, and the like.
I'm a little late to this discussion, but wanted to let you know I'm in a similar boat. I've decided against an accelerated MSN program in favor of an ABSN and am banking everything on getting in and beginning next May. I was an average undergad student- although I did finish with a BA in four majors- and was very average in A&P I (my first class after being out of school for almost 8 years!)
However, I've held many jobs since graduation- working for Congress, in public affairs, development, management and creating my own positions- and I'm hoping that this will show that I'm flexible, driven, committed, mature and well-rounded. I also want to use my nursing degree to work with underserved rural and urban populations, and I hope that a school will see that I want to fill a big need when I complete their program. I'm basing my entire application on different strengths I have rather than just a GPA.
I wish you the best of luck- I know how tough this is. I've really enjoyed reading others' comments to your post too- it's helped me a lot. If you ever want to commiserate, feel free!
I was an average undergad student- although I did finish with a BA in four majors- and was very average in A&P I (my first class after being out of school for almost 8 years!)
Hopefully you'll be able to start next May. From what I'm seeing in my program (your mileage may vary!), you don't need to be exceptionally "smart" to pass the accelerated nursing courses. What you do need, however, is strong organizational skills and self-motivation to study & finish school related projects when you don't really feel like it. Nobody will spoon feed you the information - it's like drinking from a fire hose, and the profs expect YOU to stay on top of assignment due dates.
We just started a new set of classes 3 weeks ago, and it's already time for midterm exams. I'm just working a day at a time. Even though we'll have a week off between quarters in March, I'm not even thinking too much about that - it's too far in the future to worry about.
As to admission requirements & GPAs & such, you'll need to find a program that fits you and your strengths. Some are stuck on pure GPA & test scores. Others seem to be more willing to look at the "whole person." If your GPA isn't too great, I'd strongly urge you to do your absolute best on prerequisite classes, to show the program director what you're really capable of doing (in terms of grades). If you pull C's, that won't be too impressive. Once you start the accelerated program, you'll be hard pressed to do as well in those courses compared to the prereq courses. This isn't due to any sort of "degree of difficulty", but it's just due to trying to absorb/internalize the material presented in 5 week blocks, versus the normal 12 or so weeks. If you've got an "integrated" program, you'll be trying to stay caught up with lecture classwork, while doing clinicals 2-3 days a week. Oh joy!
What amazes me is that there are some folks who are working 40 hours/week while doing the accelerated program. I'm only commuting 1.5 hours each way per day, running medic one night a week, plus trying to help out with family stuff as much as I can so my wife isn't hammered with the entire load. How they do it, I don't know. I guess they're excellent at multitasking.
If your prereq GPA is above the program's admission requirements, you should be OK. If, on the other hand, your GPA is below the cutoff, you'll have some strong selling to do.
In my case, my 1983 undergrad GPA sucked (2.6 or so). Admission cutoff for my accelerated program was 3.0 minimum. Even with a hundred or so credit hours of classes taken from 1990-2006 with a 4.0 GPA, a 1370 GRE, 18 years in EMS (1988-2006), I still had to get additional letters of recommendation from my A&P, Psych, and Microbiology instructors to convince the program director that I wasn't a twit.
I'm saying all this just to present my experiences in applying to an accelerated program. It worked out for me - I applied to just a single program (University of Cincinnati), and was accepted to it. I'm 3.5 quarters through a 5 quarter long program, and surviving...so far!
Hope this hasn't been too long a response...GOOD LUCK!
CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P
1,025 Posts
Yes, I think that most programs want you to jump through a lot of hoops before admitting you. Admission requirements vary from program to program, though. Some require interviews, some do not. Some want a "goal statement", some do not (and just judge you by your grades).
I think that if you want to get in, you'll get in. If you don't get accepted the first time through, ask them what you might do to make yourself a better candidate.
SELL yourself in any interview or goal statements - show your passion, your strengths, what you bring to the table, and what you hope to gain by a nursing degree.
There is a lawyer in my ABSN program, a couple former cops, some folks with degrees in music, a couple engineers (I'm one), a bunch of folks with psych & biology degrees, Spanish/German majors,...very diverse. If you can sell yourself, and show your passion for the field, you'll get admitted.
As others have said, the workload is a wee bit intense. If you're 4.0 when you start, don't expect to be 4.0 when you finish. You'll be in classrooms full of driven overachievers. If you're lucky (as I am), your classmates will pull together & help each other succeed, rather than backstabbing & helping each other fail.
Good luck!