Alternative Paths to BSN for a current degree holder?

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Hi!

Currently, i'm finishing up my senior year getting a bachelors in chemistry and decided that i wanted to go into nursing after over a year of discernment and volunteer work. I school in California and know that the acc. programs in this state are extremely competitive (i'm sure the same applies for any school). That being said, with my current GPA at 2.997 (subject to drop after fall 08 grades come in due to personal issues and extremely rigorous classes). i'm not sure if my GPA will be sufficient enough to get me a spot in the program, assuming i do extremely well with the non-chemistry/physics pre-reqs and with my last 2 quarters of school. So my question is if there are alternative methods toward getting a BSN would be realistic? Or should i bite it and push for the acc. programs? Thanks!

Regards

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Specializes in Couplet Care/Newborn Nursery.

I would try for the acc. programs or entry level masters because most schools look at the overall applicant.

Some of the schools look at only the last 30 or 60 units, some just your prereq grades, and some your undergrad gpa.

They also take into account your test scores, letters of rec...etc.

It never hurts to try.

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Thanks for the input. the Masters programs are probably going to be out of my way because i'm aiming for a CRNA sometime in the future. Would going 2yr RN, then RN->BSN take much longer? i'm gonna go ahead and shoot for the acc but in case i don't get in, i'd like to know what my options are. I'm currently looking at SDSU, OU in San Diego, and Creighton University. Any inputs on those schools would appreciated as well. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Couplet Care/Newborn Nursery.

Well I am looking to apply at OU in Glendale for a Fall start date. I do not know a lot about the school, but will hopefully be attending an info session in Jan.

Going the RN (community college) and then getting my BSN is my backup. It will def take longer than just doing an accelerated bachelors program.

Have you looked at Samuel Merritt? They have an accelerated bachelors that is 12 months.

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i will look into samuel meritt, it's not too far away from here. Hopefully i will excel in my next 2 quarters and prereqs!!

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Research all the programs in your area and find out exactly what they look at from their candidates. The school I am going to apply at only looks at my GPA from the courses required for their nursing program. The fact that I didn't do so well in my formal logic class doesn't matter, they only care about my great grades in psychology and chemisty. (as well as others of course) Even though your overall GPA isn't very competitive, if you have good grades in the classes that matter for nursing school, you may have a fair shot at getting in to an acc program. If the school(s) you are looking at have information sessions about their nursing program, go to one and find out exactly how things work there. Also try to get an appointment with a nursing advisor because they can tell you specifically what YOU (as opposed to just a general group of applicants) need to do to get yourself a spot in the program. Good luck!

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Specializes in Float Pool, acute care, management/leadership.
Research all the programs in your area and find out exactly what they look at from their candidates. The school I am going to apply at only looks at my GPA from the courses required for their nursing program. The fact that I didn't do so well in my formal logic class doesn't matter, they only care about my great grades in psychology and chemisty. (as well as others of course) Even though your overall GPA isn't very competitive, if you have good grades in the classes that matter for nursing school, you may have a fair shot at getting in to an acc program. If the school(s) you are looking at have information sessions about their nursing program, go to one and find out exactly how things work there. Also try to get an appointment with a nursing advisor because they can tell you specifically what YOU (as opposed to just a general group of applicants) need to do to get yourself a spot in the program. Good luck!

Just out of curiosity, what school are you applying to?

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