Accelerated Programs Help

[2018hopeful]

Hello!

I am looking into applying to Nursing Schools, preferably an accelerated 1-2 year program. I would love help from anyone who has applied, been accepted or attended a program. My top choices are Stonybrook, Binghamton, Hunter or Columbia. I would prefer to go to a public school for low tuition but I am open to looking at opportunities elsewhere.

A little about myself:

1) I graduated from a top 30 school in 2016 with a B.S. in Biology. I entered college in their honors program but unfortunately became unmotivated and my priorities switched focus, causing me to graduate with a low gpa (3.10). I got mostly Bs and Cs in my science classes.

2) I have only taken Statistics and Chemistry and need to complete the other prerequisites. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on where to take the prerequisites in New York? Is it better to try to take it at a more reputable school vs a community college? I am hoping to work part-time while completing them in the summer and fall. But as I have to take so many, I may not finish until the Spring.

3) Has anyone who has been accepted to a program completed a prereq online? (Thinking of doing this for nutrition or lifespan development)

4) I have limited exposure to health services (besides volunteer work). Most of my experience is in schools working with kids. I would like to be a pediatric nurse

I am hoping that if I do well enough on the pre-reqs they will overlook my low GPA, but I don't know if my background of mediocre science grades will just hurt me.

Thank you for your advice and suggestions!

[sweet_ifunanya]

I'm also looking into applying into an accelerated program. I've been doing my research and hope to apply sometime next year. Im also in similar shoes to you where my GPA fell and is now at a 3.0. I also live in NY.

All of the answers to your questions can be found on the websites for the schools listed. Each school has different requirements. Some schools require a HESI exam along with other things like an essay, references, etc. Some schools don't require an entrance exam. It depends. I would advise going to each website to look up what they are looking for or talk to an admissions counselor for the program.

Also, most schools only accept certain GPA's. Some schools accept 2.5 and up, some 3.0 and up and some 3.2 and up. You may need to apply to schools that accept 2.5 GPA and up. You aren't the only one who has a low GPA who wants to be a nurse. I'm sure if you do really well in those courses you mentioned, you will be chosen. The application is much more than just grades. You can also retake a class that you felt you didn't do well in. I need to retake Chemistry because I got a D years ago.

The best chance is to apply to a private school because public schools are highly competitive since they are a bit cheaper. As far as the pre-requisites, you can take them anywhere. Most people recommend community colleges because the classes are cheaper. Again, each school has different requirements. Do your research.

Generally speaking, you can take the classes anywhere. I wouldn't recommend online classes. But I'm sure there are some people who has done it online. Hopefully they can give you some insight.

good luck

[Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN]

I would definitely suggest connecting with your local community colleges. Ask whether they are offering a hybrid Associates/Bachelors degree. I can't believe that where I live (AZ) is the only place to offer this type of program!!

How it works is that the Community Colleges here (there are about 10) have partnered with a bunch of Universities (about 6 in total at the moment, although I'm sure more will sign up as time goes by) to offer a concurrent degree program. A potential student has to complete all the prerequisites and co-requisites from the Community College, plus all the pre-requisites from the University of their choice before they can apply. Once accepted, a student is enrolled with both the Community College and the University at the same time.

The CC classes are hands-on, and taken in person. The University classes are taken online (with the occasional class being in person at a satellite campus). There is no summer break; once the program starts it is fulltime and without the traditional semesters, so the course is rigorous and has a heavy workload for sure! Generally if you stay on track, you will graduate after 2-2.5 years with an ASN and a BSN at the same time.

The program was developed because of the demand for nurses to have a bachelors degree was getting stronger, and the job market was tougher for new graduates with an ASN...not impossible, just tougher.

The ASN to Masters is similar: a student (who already has a Bachelors) takes the hands-on ASN classes plus approx. 6 core nursing classes from the online BSN degree program (their bridge program). You would then move onto the Masters degree. Hence, although you wouldn't graduate with a BS in Nursing, you would graduate with an ASN and a Masters, plus you'd have your previous Bachelors of course.

I personally would not suggest for-profit private schools for nursing. Many reasons, just search a few other threads to see why.

I took my previous degree entirely online. It has its pros and cons. You certainly have to be self-driven and motivated. It is easy to let your mind wander when you are all alone in an office! Classroom learning is much easier, IMO. However, doing a degree online allowed me to continue working fulltime, and I could "attend class" whenever suited me - sometimes very late at night, for example. So for me, at that time in my life, it was ideal!

Good luck!!