I have been reading posts on here for years, but today I'm going to make my first post since I'm really in need for some nursing student/nurse advice.
Since I was about 12, my dream job was to work in labor and delivery (specifically as a CNM), and my dream school was the University of Arizona. I promised myself then that I would do anything necessary to get myself there, but lately it's just seeming more and more out of reach. I started attending U of A in 2012, which alone was difficult since my family was anything but supportive of it. My family didn't understand why I couldn't get my ADN/RN from a local community college and join the workforce immediately and go back and get my BSN/MSN later in life. Being a stubborn teenager, I refused, and I attended U of A on all loans, praying that it would all work out. Though I understood the competitiveness of the U of A BSN program, I still felt that if I didn't try I would forever wonder what could have been.
U of A's program has about 200-400 applicants per cohort (around 200 for Spring, 400 for Fall), and a 3.4 GPA (pre-req and cumulative) is a must to be competitive. Pre-requisite GPAs are weighed the most heavily in the admissions process, being 40% of the score, cumulative GPA follows with 30%, overall making GPA determine 70% of your admissions score. The remaining 30% was split between your personal statement: 10% (which they are now phasing out), and your interview: 20% (which you only complete if you are one of the top 100 applicants). As a high schooler, I was skeptical I would be able to reach above a 3.4 GPA with classes like Chemistry and A&P being so heavily weighed, but I surprised myself and obtained a 3.7 pre-requisite GPA and a 3.8 cumulative GPA by the middle of my sophomore year. I applied to the program and ended up being in the top 100, I received an interview but was denied for admission since the average student admitted had a 3.9. When I inquired about my scores, it turns out that my grades were solely to blame since I received full points for my statement and interview. Though very disappointed, I decided to keep trying and have since applied an additional two times since then. It's been emotionally and mentally tiring to watch my friends and past classmates who I often received the same grades as be accepted to the program. I have to admit, it becomes so draining to want to be happy for them when they talk about their classes and how much they love being in nursing school, but in the back of your head you're thinking about how much you wish you could be there too. It becomes even more emotionally draining when they complain about their classmates skipping classes/clinicals, failing classes, or going to clinicals intoxicated, because all you can think about is how that person proved to be more qualified than you.
I am now about to be a senior planning to graduate with a Bachelor's in Public Health in Spring 2016. As I am looking into ABSN/MSN to Midwifery and MEPN schools, I couldn't help but get my heart set on OHSU's ABSN/MS to Midwifery program. I'm also planning on applying to Seattle U and UIC, but I have found that almost every ABSN/MSN Midwifery or MEPN program is almost equally as competitive. I hoped that pursing my master's would give me that chance I have been so desperately wanting, but after taking the GRE, receiving average scores, and reading about how competitive the schools are, I can't help but wonder if my mom is right. Maybe I should "quit while I am ahead," maybe I really can't do this.
And that's why I am turning to all of you for some advice. When is it time to let go of following your dream and pursue something practical (which in my case would be Public Health)? Are there any recent ABSN/MS or Midwifery graduates/CNMs willing to tell their story or offer some advice on what I should consider? Or does anyone have any suggestions for schools to consider?
Sorry for the excessively long and emotional post! I just feel like I need advice from nurses since most of the advice I have gotten is either "you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it!" or "why would you keep trying?"
2Jun 29 by Goose2015 I am quite surprised you didn't know you needed close to a 4.0 when you enrolled in your undergraduate courses. I am going to a state junior college and I needed a 4.0 to get in. I would tweek your expectations and apply to schools with lower GPA requirements. It is unlikely that the school you are applying to currently will ever let you in.
Your post was pretty harsh. And yes, as a freshman I was told I needed a 3.4. Apparently since then the competitiveness of the program has increased, but their website still states a 3.4 is necessary to be competitive.
Why do you feel that all of the above schools will not admit me? Just out of curiosity.
Sorry if I put that top part in wrong, I'm still learning how to work this site!
2Jun 29 by Goose2015 I am quite surprised you didn't know you needed close to a 4.0 when you enrolled in your undergraduate courses. I am going to a state junior college and I needed a 4.0 to get in. I would tweek your expectations and apply to schools with lower GPA requirements. It is unlikely that the school you are applying to currently will ever let you in.
Your post was pretty harsh. And yes, as a freshman I was told I needed a 3.4. Apparently since then the competitiveness of the program has increased, but their website still states a 3.4 is necessary to be competitive.
Why do you feel that all of the above schools will not admit me? Just out of curiosity.
Sorry if I put that top part in wrong, I'm still learning how to work this site!
Because you have been denied 3 times... there's your sign
I have to disagree with this post. "All that writing" simply is excuses on why she ISN'T in nursing school. Read it again...she gives excuses after excuses on why she is not in nursing school. If she "really" wanted to be a nurse..then she would apply to many nursing schools...Just because someone spews a bunch of words means nothing. Usually the people who want to do something..shut their mouth and DO IT.
I am planning on applying to NAU and GCU as they have ABSN programs in Tucson, but I wanted something to fall back on so I decided to finish my degree in public health first. I have also looked into Pima CC in addition to other CCs, but often the wait-lists are so long that it would be more beneficial to get a BSN from a 4 year program. There is also an issue at times with prerequisites. Some schools require different and extra prerequisites that I just would not have finished by the application deadline, making applications to possible BSN/ABSN-MSN schools even more tricky. Additionally, I am on all loans, so I would ideally want to be admitted to an accelerated ABSN-MSN program in order to graduate/get a job sooner and reduce the interest on my loans. I understand if that ends up not working out that I would either have to get my ASN or continue with public health until I was financially stable enough to pursue graduate school
Thanks again everyone! :)
As someone with an MPH I would not rely on public health jobs to get you "financially stable". In general, the pay sucks - especially without a supporting clinical degree.
It can definitely be done. But, if you can, avoid overloading yourself as I did this summer with 2 nursing classes (mental health and pharm) and AP2 (had to repeat because mine "aged out").
I like that there is some flexibility in my program. Since I took these classes this summer I will only have med surg in fall. Flexibility was one of my reasons for choosing this ASN program over BSN and ABSN programs that offered me spots.
To the OP...I can completely relate to the hurt when your mom tells you that you can't/shouldn't do something. At 32 I finally admitted that I wanted to go back to school and be an RN. My husband was all for it, my dad said that it has always been a part of who I am, and my mom told me that I couldn't do it because I would not be able to handle it. It hurt when she said that (again I was 32 at the time and I cried like a 5 year old because "mommy didn't support me"). I also understand wanting to go to a specific school (or not going to another). It has taken me 6 years of working to pay for pre-reqs and dealing with life (the birth of my daughter took priority for a bit), and I even changed which school I wanted to apply too. Here is the thing, I had the most fun telling my mom that I was accepted and would start school next month. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. If you want it, find a way and go for it. At the end of the day, it is your life and not any one else's. Perhaps earn your BSN somewhere else and then try for grad school at U of A.
Always remember, it is SO much fun to prove doubters wrong.
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amelissa
3 Posts
2Jun 29 by Goose2015
I am quite surprised you didn't know you needed close to a 4.0 when you enrolled in your undergraduate courses. I am going to a state junior college and I needed a 4.0 to get in. I would tweek your expectations and apply to schools with lower GPA requirements. It is unlikely that the school you are applying to currently will ever let you in.
TheCommuter and kariace like this.
Your post was pretty harsh. And yes, as a freshman I was told I needed a 3.4. Apparently since then the competitiveness of the program has increased, but their website still states a 3.4 is necessary to be competitive.
Why do you feel that all of the above schools will not admit me? Just out of curiosity.
Sorry if I put that top part in wrong, I'm still learning how to work this site!