Am I fooling myself? Direct Entry PNP

[gglove317]

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading this board for a few months now and have found it both helpful as well as discouraging. I'm in one of those discouraging moments so please bear with me.

I graduated with a BS in recreation program administration and a minor in marketing. My overall GPA from undergrad is a 3.03 thanks to some hiccups freshman year, but my major GPA was a 3.46. I took business statistics which 50% of students failed out of and got a C+. For other prerequisites, I had an A- in human development across the lifespan; humanities classes consisting of youth culture (A), anthropology (B), and contemporary conservation issues (A-); services for individuals with disabilities (A); and microbio for non-majors (A).

After spending some years in the business world, I knew it wasn't my calling. I've done some job shadows and volunteering and for some time pondered getting my masters in child life, however, I know the job market for that is slim to none. Then I met with a PNP and it changed everything. I nanny-ed my way through undergrad and absolutely love kids. I've done lots of research, set a game plan up for myself, and have my eye on entering a direct entry PNP program for fall of 2012.

My question: am I crazy?

I am working a full 40 hours a week in the business world still... only because I couldn't get a job doing any sort of work, even administrative, in a healthcare setting. I volunteer with kids in a therapeutic riding program whenever I can. I've tried getting into hospitals to do pedi volunteer work but due to my work schedule, there are no opportunities for me to do so.

My current plan is this: A+P I last semester, A+P II right now, microbio this summer, and biochem in the fall. I plan on taking the GREs in June and applying to BC, MGH, UMass-Worcester, NU and Yale in November. Last semester (my first semester back to school in 4 years) I got a B- in A+P I. I am afraid that this will be considered a joke to schools, regardless of the fact that 60% of this class failed out and my grade was one of the highest among students. This semester in A+P II we are down to only 25% of our original class, as of midterms last week several more dropped. I am currently carrying somewhere between an A- and B+. I study every night after work, spend every weekend in open lab, and have become known as the flash card diva in my class. I feel like I've been working my butt off and am still not seeing the solid A that many suggest is an unspoken requirement for admission into one of these programs. I'm paying out of pocket for classes while barely making ends meet, and I'm starting to get very concerned that I am kidding myself thinking I'll actually get into a program.

I guess I'm mostly looking for a pep-talk/realistic view of my situation. I know I haven't taken my GREs yet but I am also studying like mad for that and my goal is a 1300 (though I'd be okay as long as it's a 1225). Am I setting myself up for disappointment? I know I"ll meet the admissions requirements and may exceed several, but by no means am I entering as a 4.0 student with a 1350 on GRE, but I know that this is what I want to do. I'm one of those lucky (at least I think so) people that kids flock to. Mothers tell me I have a gift, that I am the only one their children will let clean out wounds, apply dressings, and keep them distracted during those dreaded yearly vaccinations. I know this is what I want, I know I would be great at it... it's just the process of getting there. Like other threads have said, "a 4.0 doesn't make a great nurse", but how do I convince a school of that?

Any feedback (positive and constructive, please... but don't kill my dream!) would be greatly appreciated. Thank so much!!!

[2011NursingStudent]

Did you find a direct entry PNP program that doesn't require an RN? The direct entry programs by me are bachelor's in another field plus ADN RN to PNP or FNP.

[gglove317]

2011Nurs- All the programs that I'm looking at are for non-nurses. Are you applying to/currently in one of the programs? Thanks for your response!

[2011NursingStudent]

No, I've applied to an ADN-RN school (should find out tomorrow), but live blocks away from a large college. I've checked out their programs and they only offer the combination bachelor's and RN to FNP or PNP. I didn't even realize they had master's programs in nursing for non-nurses without the RN first. I'd like to look into that myself, although the ADN is really affordable - I'm hoping my employer covers part of the cost of the master's or DNP in the future.