Any advice for getting into Nursing School?

Samantha.L · May 4, 2016

If anyone is currently attending nursing programs in NYC/Northeast or attended in the past please let me know what you think! :)

oldsockventriloquist · May 4, 2016

This is coming from someone who did not graduate from an NY school. You state that you have a 3.4 GPA, but do not list: 1) your prerequisite GPA, 2) the GPA you have in the two other schools, and 3) how many credits you have from all three schools. Number 2 and 3 matter if you are applying to schools that factor in your overall GPA. However, before going into advice, I should mention that there are about 45 CCNE accredited BSN programs in New York, http://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/rptAccreditedPrograms_New.asp?state=NY&sFullName=New%20York&sProgramType=1 , and that does not include other nursing programs (for example, ADN). Now what I would do is contact as many of the schools close to NYC (if your goal is to stay close or in the city) and see what factors they take into consideration for admissions, if it is not listed on their website. When you do call them, you also want to figure out what their accepted student averages are for the GPAs and test scores and the accepted student ranges. I would also see if they consider upward trends and how they factor in your other experiences. At the same time, I would find a couple of schools that offer pre-nursing advising and/or applicant feedback and see what advice they give. If after receiving all that information (online and by talking to admissions staff) and you believe you aren't a competitive applicant, I would start looking at other programs in the NY area, especially universities that offer public tuition rates. Once you've found a couple of feasible programs, and looked at cheaper ADN programs, I would contact employers (for example, hospitals) and see how they view your selected programs (for example, if you decide to apply to three different BSN programs and two ADN programs). After getting all that information, you can then determine whether you need to enhance your academic and other resume credentials. I have given some advice on the subject in an article found here - https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/applying-to-nursing-1048760.html . Good luck!

Samantha.L · May 4, 2016

Thanks for your advice! After high school I spent two semesters at a private college having a GPA of 2.7. I transferred to a good public college for pre nursing but was told I would not be eligible for their program as I had repeated a class. I took two classes their but ended up withdrawing from both. I then transferred to my current school.

oldsockventriloquist · May 4, 2016

Thanks for your advice! After high school I spent two semesters at a private college having a GPA of 2.7. I transferred to a good public college for pre nursing but was told I would not be eligible for their program as I had repeated a class. I took two classes their but ended up withdrawing from both. I then transferred to my current school.

So, let's say you were a full-time student at your first school. That's 15 credits (on average) per semester or 30 credits total. The second university, assuming it's on a semester based system as well, let you take 6 more credits (3 per class, let's say), but you withdrew so the credits cannot be applied towards graduation. Finally, assuming again that your third school is semester based, and you need 60+ credits or roughy 2 or more semesters to graduate with an AA degree, then you've probably only have taken one semester so far and you might not even be done with that semester. This based on the fact that you said you have two semesters left.

If all of that is true, then 1) that 3.4 GPA will not change the overall GPA by a huge amount and 2) one semester will not show in my opinion an upward grade trend. If that first school and withdrawal classes were mainly science based, then in addition to retaking certain courses, you'll probably have to prove you can handle a rigorous science course load, by taking additional science courses. You might also need to additional classes if they involved other subject areas. For example, if you did poorly in English writing classes, you may need to take additional writing classes and do well, to demonstrate your writing capabilities. If you did poorly on a subject being tested on with the admissions test, then I'd also gain a solid foundation in the sciences prior to applying.

I would strongly consider calling up programs and see what their policies are about retakes, along with their accepted applicant averages and everything else stated above. It would be good to ask how they feel about withdraws and getting advice about your situation. I'd also look at ADN programs, since you are already pursuing an associate's degree.

Samantha.L · May 4, 2016

Thanks again! I guess this isn't looking well for me. If you don't mind me asking, what school did you attend? :)

oldsockventriloquist · May 4, 2016

Many current and former nursing students have had downward trends in their GPAs, especially when they first started their undergraduate careers. Try to come up with approachable goals and stick to them.

2soon2beOTC · May 17, 2016

I am not attending school in NY, but I did get into a public school ADN (and my first choice) program in a highly compacted area. I have no idea why I got in, friends who had 4.0's did not. BUT my one thought is: apply everywhere. My classmates applied to one or two programs. I applied to five-- every RN program within easy driving distance and private school BSN for backup. And I got into one highly impacted program, plus the pricey private program. Luck? My previous degrees? I don't know, but that was all I needed, that one school. So: I would encourage you to apply to many programs, don't get your heart set on just one, and have a workable backup private school just in case. Thanks for letting me add my two cents.

hopefulkim99 · May 18, 2016

Any other advice for getting into nursing school? I have grades from different schools as well how does that impact admissions?