Advice for Accelerated BSN

[t2091]

I earned my BA from Arizona State in journalism a few years back and worked in the industry for quite some time. I moved back home to start taking some pre-reqs with the goal of going to PA school. The application cycle is coming up and I still plan on applying but in honestly my undergrad GPA was bad due to my immaturity at the time, but my pre-req GPA has been great, all A's and B's but still I'm looking into other possible options for my future in healthcare just incase. Currently I have a 3.15 overall and a science of around the same with just over 1000 hours as a CNA. I have been looking at some accelerated BSN programs and wondering if someone with these stats would have a chance of getting in? If I go this route I still have a few of the nursing pre-reqs to finish, mainly the psychology's. Thank you.

[Tinker88]

First, I would research nursing programs you are interested in attending. They should provide you with requirements, such as GPA and etc. The school I was accepted to required a 3.0 in the past 60 course credits.

[Fireman767]

I will give you an alternative route idea. I got my bachelors from a different college than the one im at now. I considered an accelerated but it was very competitive and risky because if you fail one course most programs make you wait a year before retaking. In addition, there high stress, you spend 8-10 hours in class a day 3-4 days a week, and its tough not being able to work. I choose to find a college with an associates degree as well as a Bachelors in nursing, and Im taking both at once, and after transfering most credits into the college ill leave with both degrees in 2 years, prepared for grad school and work.

The GPA in the pre-reqs is good and the experience helps, however most accelerated schools want to see someone who can keep up with the pace of doing 4 years of college in 1 year. id suggedt you consider a slower program, definitely consider a slower one if you need to work, most accelerated programs actually dont allow students to work during it, not like you would have time to unless you never sleep.

[Tinker88]

If you fail a course in the accelerated program, they may give you the option to try the regular paced program before dropping completely out of nursing school. That's what my school says. I chose the accelerated program because I have no problem with time managing and plus I want to get it done in 15 months vs. 2 1/2 years. My program like most accelerated programs squeeze 2.5 years in 15 to 17 months. It will be difficult but people do this route all the time and many graduate LOL!

[HammockBound]

Yes.I would check with the school you plan on attending. The one here only accepts you if your graduating GPA from your bachelors is over 3.0 Post-baccalaureate classes are not included in this calculation.

So it wouldnt matter if you raised it it would depend on the graduating grades.

I think it is difficult when we are returning because you see that what you did in the past catches up to you. I try and tell that to my kids all the time. Even though now you will have amazing grades and keep a high gpa they still base it upon your original grades even if you have changed you study habits and such.

Even if you dont do the accelerated, the program is not as bad because you get credits still for the classes you have done so you may not need the full amount of time. Mine is 3 semesters in 1 year for accelerated or 5 semesters in the traditional. Not bad either way.

[mrsbacktoschool]

Ooooh. PA school applications were brutal on me. I applied to 13 schools last year through CASPA and didn't even get an interview.

I agree that you might want to take it a little slower if you need to work. I was saving up to go to PA school, so I am now applying for accelerated BSN program here, with the intention not to work. And finally, I have an interview! You might want to call an advisor at different colleges and ask them about the programs before committing to a track.