Admission to RIC

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Hi! I'm Stacy. I am a 38 year old mom of four returning to school to persue a nursing degree. I have registered for Spring classes at CCRI but am kind of second guessing that decision. I guess I know that it would be a better use of time to go for the BSN. I mean, the difference in time it would take isn't really too much. So, I have been contemplating applying to RIC. I am wondering whether they are really open to older students. I graduated from high school in 1990, did not take SAT's back then and do not have any college credits that would transfer. Do any of you have any info on the application process for older students, is it competitive to get into the college itself (not necessarily the nursing program, I'll worry about THAT later). I don't know whether it would be better to do my pre req's at CCRI and then try to transfer, stay at CCRI till I get me associates then bridge to BSN or try for RIC right from the start.

Any ideas on what the best route would be for me? Thanks!:)

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I haven't applied to RIC's nursing program yet, but I HAVE applied to the school itself and it's not difficult to get into imo. I've heard conflicting stories, so I'm not sure what route to take either (either going to CCRI first and transferring or doing it all at RIC). With RIC, there are still prereqs you have to complete (similar to CCRI with the addition of chemistry, I believe) before you can apply to the nursing program itself.

However, I've heard that at RIC if you start there as a freshman you're more likely to get into the nursing program, and that they have a specific number of transfers they allow into the program each semester. I'm not sure if that is right, but it sounds like it could be the truth. You have no college credit so I believe they would start you as a freshman, which would work in your favor in that respect.

I think for RIC you'll need to take your SAT's for acceptance. I also remember seeing that there's a rule in the handbook at RIC that says freshman transfers are those who have earned less than 24 credits. So, you could probably go ahead and take your spring classes at CCRI while at the same time trying to set up a meeting with someone at RIC who could answer all of these questions in much more detail. Hope I helped you :-)

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Admission to the college itself is far less competitive than admission to the nursing program. Yes, students who started at RIC as freshman have priority, and there are a few spots left for transfers and second degrees. The program is extremely difficult to get into, and you need a minimum of 3.0 to be considered (but accepted students have much higher than that).

I am a senior in RIC's nursing program (graduating in May), so if you have specific questions- feel free to ask.

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I am a senior in RIC's nursing program (graduating in May), so if you have specific questions- feel free to ask.

HI RhodyGirl- I was thinking of applying to RIC and I recently spoke to a RIC student (not in the nursing program but wants to apply) and she said that even after accepted in to the school of Nursing that you were put on a waiting list to get into the nursing classes. Have you ever experienced that or heard about that?

Also, how many transfer Nursing students have you come across or know about? (I'm from CCRI :)

Congrats on your upcoming graduation btw!http://img.an-file.info/smilies/yeah.gif

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Hi, I'm a 2nd Degree RIC student aspiring for the Nursing program. Started over the summer, took Intro to Psych and Bio. Did well in those courses. Now I'm working on Human Development, withdrew from Anatomy (too much for me right now!) I am a single dad (custody 4 nights a week) and I work full time and go to school. You can do it, just take a lot of hard work, concentration, concentration, concentration and more concentration. Very difficult to balance but I am determined so I just go for it. I know this thread is kind of old, but you should skip CCRI and start RIC (in my opinion.) There are a LOT of "older" students and it's not a big deal at all. I'm 32 and I feel fine, there are people older than me. People of ALL ages, really. A lot of people going back to school now. Would love to know how you're doing. Best luck.

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Hi everyone - I will be starting the program at CCRI in January but want to complete the BSN ultimately. I'm wondering if it would be worth it to take the first year at CCRI and transfer to the accelerated second bachelor's program BSN at RIC. I don't think it would take any longer, based on the second bachelor's aspect and the fact that it is "accelerated." The only hitch is that I would have to take two semesters of chemistry to qualify to apply to RIC. The first semester of this particular chemistry is offered at CCRI, but not the second semester. I was thinking of taking the first semester at CCRI this summer (if it's offered) and then the second semester at RIC during perhaps the second summer session and then apply in September to RIC. I probably wouldn't start until January 2013. Or, am I better off getting the ADN at CCRI and then going for the RN - BSN program at RIC. According to their website it looks like just four courses. I don't know if that is accurate or if I am interpreting it correctly. Another option I was considering was, upon graduating from CCRI with the ADN, I would pursue the direct-entry online MSN program at Drexel University in Philadelphia. This program is for those with a bachelor's in a non-nursing field. The first 16 months is dedicated to achieving licensure (RN) and then the rest deals with the Master's degree. The clinicals can be done in RI. They have an agreement with about six states, of which RI is one.

Any thoughts, opinions, etc. on these plans would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

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Specializes in L&D, Postpartum, OB.

I would do ADN.. get a job with some tuition reimbursement. Then go and to either RN to BSN or RN to MSN. Thats what im hoping for.

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Thanks, mgalano. I'll probably do that - keep it simple. Most hospitals, I assume would help you with tuition?

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Specializes in L&D, Postpartum, OB.

From what ive heard most bigger hospitals offer tuition reimbursement.

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ok thanks for the info.

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I would say that if you have the resources to do the BSN off the bat, you will put yourself in a better position when you graduate. Unfortunately, there are not tons of nursing jobs in the northeast, so having your BSN makes you more competitive in the job market. There are online courses for ASN- BSN, though. I know Umass Boston has one.

As for RIC- I'm in my first semester here (I am a second degree student with my first being a BS in Biology) hoping to start nursing in the spring. I don't know too much about the nursing professors and classes yet, but I have heard through the grapevine that while the program is competitive, it isn't AS BAD as most people think. Someone said there are 120-150 applicants for around 80 spots. So basically if you're in the upper 2/3 of applicants you have a good shot. Just be sure that your pre-req classes (Chem 106 [organic/bio chem], Developmental Psych, and Anatomy/Physiology) you do well in. From what I understand, your transfer GPA counts, but your RIC GPA counts more. So if you were to transfer from another school with a 3.0 and you transfer to RIC, take a few of your pre-reqs and have a 3.8, they will weigh the 3.8 more heavily.

Hopefully come the spring I will be able to answer more of the actual nursing questions :)

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I will be transferring to RIC from a pharmacy program. My gpa from my other school is a 3.2. I still have to take some classes at RIC before applying to the nursing program. My question is when getting into RIC's nursing program is the gpa reset at RIC? Like do the classes that are not transferable to RIC not counted to getting into the nursing program?

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