Advice for getting into Nursing School (second career)

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · May 4, 2012

Im part of the "older folk" and got into my program without any difficulty... granted it was a night and weekend program but again no issue! I dont see how your age should be a deciding factor at all! go for it!

Pick01 · May 4, 2012

Hi!
I have been posting a lot, sorry!!
I am very interested in applying to nursing school (specifically, accelerated BSN programs). I graduated last year with a BS in Biology, so I have all of the prerequisites done. My overall GPA was a 3.59, I have been a Hospice volunteer for 2 years, have volunteered in a Pathology Lab at my local hospital, and traveled to Ghana this past fall to volunteer with an environmental organization. I also did tutoring during college, and completed a summer internship with a youth group for girls in an under-served community.
So...do I have a good chance at getting into nursing school? :) I live in MA, and the competition here is fierce. I have no idea what schools look for besides grades. None of the accelerated programs go into detail about what they look for in an applicant. I really, really, really want to be a nurse!!! I know many "older" folks who applied to nursing school and were rejected, whereas, kids out of high school seem to have no problems getting in.
I would love some advice!

I too, am one of the older group. I just finished school and have graduation next week. I got in first time (Two years ago) in an ADN program. It can be done, GPA is the important part, also put in all of your community stuff, it won't hurt a bit. Good Luck to you. With luck I'll be an RN by the end of June, and I can't wait.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 4, 2012

BTW, I love your screen name...Hester Prynne! I remember that story from high school. Let's hope the scarlet "A" stands for A's in your nursing pre-reqs

I, too, am an adult student, changing careers after 18 years. The best advice I can give you is to schedule appointments with the pre-nursing advisors at the schools you wish to attend to get more in-depth information. If they offer pre-nursing seminars, go to those as well. They're so informative and you'll get all your questions answered. Each school is different in terms of what they're looking for in candidates...particularly bachelor's to RN programs.

Some schools go on a points system, some use a lottery, some are waiting list only, etc. You'll need to do your research with each institution. I'm applying to a program that is points based. I have the best shot of getting in. I'm also applying to 2 other programs that aren't points based, but they do admit students twice a year. Hopefully, I'll get into one of them!

Good luck to you as you change careers. I'm nervous, yet very excited at the same time. I've wanted to pursue this for years and I'm finally gettting the chance to do it.

Go for it!!!!!

HesterPrynne123 · May 7, 2012

Thank you all so much! SopranoKris, I love the Scarlet Letter! :)

I really hope I make it into a program!!!! Good luck to all of you!

HesterPrynne123 · May 7, 2012

Another concern:

I don't have all A's in my prerequisite courses.

I have the following:

A & P 1: A

A & P 2: A-

Organic Chemistry 1 & 2: A's

Inorganic Chemistry 1 & 2: A's

Statistics: B

Nutrition: A

Microbiology: B+

I get discouraged because a lot of people say you need all A's... I have a ton of A's, but I also have some B's in there. Do I really need to take them over again? It just feels silly to take a class over again if I didn't get below a B.

Advice?

leenak · May 7, 2012

I wouldn't take a class over that you got a B in. You don't NEED all A's but the more A's you have, the more competitive you are as an applicant.

Cherry02 · May 8, 2012

I don't know how it is in MA, but I think you have an excellent chance of getting into an ABSN program. I just got accepted to one starting this fall (not in MA, though), and my background is not nearly as good as yours :-) My GPA was a 3.64...got a B in A&P I...I was not even finished with microbio or A&P II when I got accepted...no volunteer or healthcare-related job experience...and my first degree is an unrelated non-science degree. So, your chances sound pretty good to me! I wouldn't re-take a class I got a B in. But at my school, if you re-take a class, they average the new grade with the old one, so it probably wouldn't be that helpful. I know every school is different, though.

Good luck!

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 8, 2012

HesterPrynne...how does the school you want to go to calculate your GPA. Do they take just your pre-reqs or do they use your cummulative GPA? Is it a points-based admissions process? If so, how many points do you get for your GPA?

The program I'm applying to gives 80 points for a 3.75 or higher, 70 points for a 3.5 - 3.74, etc. Also, do they give points for CNA, phlebotomy, EMT, etc.? Do you get points for volunteer work or direct patient care work? Find out how they base their admissions and then rack up as many points as you can get. I don't think the B's are going to hurt you at all if you've got other points boosting you. Your GPA is still great.

Isn't it sad that we're fretting over B's? Ahhhh, the competitive world of nursing school admissions!

HesterPrynne123 · May 8, 2012

HesterPrynne...how does the school you want to go to calculate your GPA. Do they take just your pre-reqs or do they use your cummulative GPA? Is it a points-based admissions process? If so, how many points do you get for your GPA?
The program I'm applying to gives 80 points for a 3.75 or higher, 70 points for a 3.5 - 3.74, etc. Also, do they give points for CNA, phlebotomy, EMT, etc.? Do you get points for volunteer work or direct patient care work? Find out how they base their admissions and then rack up as many points as you can get. I don't think the B's are going to hurt you at all if you've got other points boosting you. Your GPA is still great.
Isn't it sad that we're fretting over B's? Ahhhh, the competitive world of nursing school admissions!

I'm not sure how the schools I am applying to base their admissions. I have only seen the criteria on their websites. Many say 3.0 or higher (undergrad GPA), and also say that prerequisite courses must have a B or better, but some even say a B- or better. None of the schools ask for healthcare experience. They do ask for letters of recommendation, resume, and statement of intent. MGH in Boston even says that courses must have a C or better! Weird. So maybe I am okay? Haha, I'm so paranoid! I know there is nothing I can do about my undergraduate GPA. It's not like I can start all over again in that department, but I'm wondering how else I can better my applications. I am a Hospice volunteer, but maybe I should volunteer at a hospital as well? I have volunteered in a Pathology Lab before, not sure if admissions would care about that or not. I also volunteered in West Africa...Ugh! So stressful!

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 8, 2012

Make some appointments with the nursing advisors at the programs you want to apply to. You will then get all the details & answers to your questions that aren't found on the website. It's definitely worth it! If they offer pre-nursing seminars, go attend one. I got the majority of my questions answered at the seminar. It was really refreshing & made the paranoid "can I even get in?" feeling to subside

I stress over the details, so I know how you feel!!!! Sounds like you've got some great volunteer experience. Your letters of recommendation, statement of intent and resume should highlight your experiences to show why you're an ideal candidate. This is the time to strut like a peacock....pick me, pick me!! :lol2:

HesterPrynne123 · May 11, 2012

Thank you for the great advice!!!!