ADN to BSN or ABSN help!

[LightBread]

Hi yall,

So I have been doing some internet research through the forums and google about nursing programs. I recently graduated with a 2.9 GPA from UCSB (B.A. Biological Sciences) and I was wondering on which path to take. I have looked at a ASN program in a city college which also helps you transfer to bridged BSN programs and I have also checked like some ABSN programs. However my GPA isn't competitive enough for any of the ABSN programs that I have looked at and many programs have strict course repeat policies making it hard to boost my GPA. The one ABSN program that I might have a chance was the one from CSU San Marcos where they allow you repeat your core nursing pre-reqs courses once (Correct me if I'm wrong). So I'm stuck in a dilemma on which path to take. I feel that I would have a higher chance of getting into the ASN program in Santa Monica College (two years) and doing well to transfer to the bridged BSN program, but that would require at least 4 years. The ABSN in from CSU San Marcos would take me 3 years (one year of repeating courses and preparing for the application and 2 years to complete the BSN).

The current plan was to take physiology, microbiology, and anatomy fall semester at Santa Monica College (Ace them) and apply to the ASN program during spring. I signed up to their ASN program info session on July 12th to ask them further questions regarding the application and admission, but if anyone else has any other good suggestions I would appreciate the help. I just feel like there might be other better options. Apologizes for the grammar!

[FutureNurseInfo]

Go with the ASN. I have not since an ABSN program to be that long. A regular generic BSN is 2 years (2 years of pre-reqs and 2 years of clinical sequence).

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

If you come to a fork in the road and one road is blocked, you don't have a choice between the two. As you said, a 2.9 is not a competitive GPA. Another consideration is *why* you earned a 2.9 -- how will this *why* be different with a rigorous AND accelerated program? ADN and traditional BSN programs are rigorous, but afford you more time to master the material. In many programs, C's are not passing; in mine, anything below a 78% is an F. I've seen others here say that below 80% is an F. You could apply to the least competitive one you mention, BUT... Unless there was extenuating circumstances, (e.g. you had undiagnosed PTSD or you lost close family members of couldn't give your all) you will have a very hard time earning A's and B's in ABSN classes. Plus, if you fail out of one nursing program you may have trouble getting accepted into another.

If it were me I would do the ADN and then the BSN bridge. Traditional BSN programs are an option too, but getting the ADN first would get you working faster.

[justwanttohelp12]

You have made 3 separate topics with similar content and you keep getting the same answers. Hopefully you end up finding what you're searching for.

To answer your concerns:

CSUSM allows you to retake courses but they will be averaged. I had a F in statistics then a A- which were averaged together. It brought my "pre-nursing core" GPA down a lot. The cool thing about CSUSM is that they look at your last 60 unit GPA. So if you're determined on getting into CSUSM's ABSN program, you need to do really well on the TEAS and ace whatever remaining classes you have left.

I would suggest you to take your big 3 sciences first then decide what to do afterwards. It'll be very difficult to get into any program if you don't have a 4.0 in those sciences with how your cumulative GPA is looking. I would look into applying for lottery programs (be aware some don't allow more than 1 repeat) such as Glendale CC, Pierce CC, LA CC, etc. Rio Hondo's CC program doesn't care what your cumulative GPA is. They'll rank you by your pre-nursing GPA, TEAS score, degree held, and licenses/volunteer experience. You might want to look into LA County's SON because I hear they take your highest grade for repeated courses. If you can manage a 78+ (current cutoff score) you'll get into the program which isn't difficult if you ace those 3 science courses.

I believe RN-BSN programs are not impacted and they'll accept anyone that has a RN license and a 2.0 (?) nursing GPA. I know most CSUs offer this option but you'll have to wait until you finish your ADN program, get licensed, then start the RN-BSN program which takes around 12-16 months in addition to your 2 years of ADN plus 1 year of prereqs. On the other hand, ADN-BSN collaborative programs are different and are generally more difficult to get into. There are 13 community colleges that select 8-10 students for each cohort at CSULA's collaborative program. CSULA requires all applicants to have a 3.0 cum gpa, 3.0 nursing gpa, and GEs as minimum requirements. When I went to the pre-registration for LA County's SON, the director said around 22 people applied for CSULA's collab program and only 10 were admitted.

I have researched everything EXTENSIVELY! I kid you not. I can probably help you more but you'll have to find a way to PM me.