Anyone trying for a 2nd degree?

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Hi all! I recently decided to pursue a nursing degree, after completing a Sociology degree in 2002. The problem is, I didn't do all that well in college the first time (spent too much time in clubs, organizations and other social events) So I ended up with an overall GPA of 2.64.

I'm wondering if I have a chance at a 2nd degree program or if I should just try to see if schools would accept me as a transfer student. Most of the 2nd degree accelerated programs require a pretty high college GPA. 3.0 and above. If I do really well in my prerequisites (A+P, chem. micro ,etc.) will my chances improve? Do I have a chance at getting into ANY type of BSN program?:uhoh21:

Actually this is is my attempt for a second degree. I graduated with my Bachelors in Media in 2005.

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My first degree was in engineering, from an ivy league school - but GPA only mediocre. :(

So far my gpa in my prereqs for the nursing program is a 4.0.

I'm applying to SMC which only looks at your last 60 credits, so my GPA will be OK, but I am still quite worried....

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Specializes in med/surg.

I graduated in 2005 with a BA in Business Mgmt, I also have an assoc in Acctg., but I'm tired of sitting in a cube! I'm starting my prereq's this fall. I'm taking A&P I and Biochemistry. I work for a hospital and since they need RNs badly, they will pay for my tuition at the local community college, as long as I agree to work for them for 2 years. I work in accounting now, so I'm kinda of scared, but I know I can do it!

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Me too!

I graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design in 2003, but after working in the field, I know it just isn't for me.

I almost switched half way through school the first time to nursing, but at the time there was a two year waiting list to get into the program. So....I finished up the bachelors in Graphic Design, ended up getting married after school, moved to a small town in different state to be with my husband, and am unable to use my degree at all!! :o I'm actually presently working a couple nights at a grocery store!! Talk about a crappy job to have when I have already gone to college! lol

There is a local hospital in town I plan to work at.

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I graduated in 2006 with a BS in Health Science and decided to take the year off afterwards to figure out if I wanted to go into nursing or to PA school. I chose nursing and got accepted to an accelerated ASN program in Louisiana. I went to several school open houses, ones with various accelerated programs, for people who wanted their second degree in nursing. They all said it is very common for people to be working on pre-reqs for nursing school while finishing up their bachelor's at the same time. That's why so many accelerated programs have popped up all over the place, there's a demand for nurses and they look at it as, if someone can be successful at getting their bachelor's then they want to afford them the opportunity to get their nursing degree, being why some schools pre-req and GPA requirements are so high.

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The first time around I graduated with a BA in Art History. It sounded impressive at the time, but really there isn't much potential with that degree. I remember the day before graduation a light went on in my head...I wanted to go to nursing school. It is something I have thought about daily for the past...11 years.

So like you I sit with a 2.87 GPA, and I am starting my pre-reqs in the Spring of 2008. I know I need a 4.0 in those classes. I am going to apply both to Accelerated BSN programs and ADN programs.

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LoriTN-

It sounds like you and I are kind of in the same boat! Art History? I got a degree in Graphic Design. I had to take some Art History classes to get my degree, and didn't do very well in them at all. That is great that you got a degree in it! You must be really smart! Good luck with the application process for nursing!

I could start this fall, but I have a 14 month old daughter and I am going to stay home with her one more year. That gives me a start date for the nursing program as Summer 2008.

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j9nurse2b.

It does sound like we have things in common. I also have a 13 month old daughter and 3 yo twins.

I'm just starting my pre-reqs though. Did you take any science class the 1st time around? I just took Geology..that was it. Also I had a lot of philosophy and theology type classes because I went to a liberal arts college.

Lori

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I have a BS in Public Administration, and my Associates in General Studies, and I had to go back to school to complete all the science prereqs, so hopefully I will be able to get in. I think I'd be devestated if I got waitlisted at all 4 of the schools I'm applying to! My GPA for my first degree wasn't all that great (3.11) but the instructors I've talked to said that its the GPA from your prereqs that counts the most. That might just be schools in my area, but its worth checking out if you're worried about it. One thing I thought was really crappy is the fact that I only get 2pts on my application for having a Bachelor's degree. I don't know about anyone else, but I was working while I went to school, and I worked my tail off for that 3.11! Seems like they would take things like that into consideration.

Also, just curious, but has anyone else had a professor ask why they don't just go to medical school? My AP professor asked me that yesterday, and it really surprised me, as he sees nursing students all the time. He also told me that I would be a "shoo-in" for the nursing program because I was in the military. They don't even ask that on my application! I think he might be a little nuts!

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Specializes in ICU.

I graduated in 1995 with a B.S. in Biology and a PreMed focus. I was definitely not a serious student my first go around in college. I've almost completed my prerequisites at a local community college with nearly a 4.0 point. The programs I am applying to only look at your prerequisite classes in calculating your application GPA. Because of this I was able to cherry pick my grades and I now have a 3.928 application GPA. These are Associate programs with the option of continuing to a BSN. I also retook the minimum math course requirement (earning an A) in order to replace the C I got in Integral Calculus.

For me the Associate program is a good choice because it will get me back into the working world ASAP. With the ability to later take night classes for the RN to BSN course. I think the major concern for most 2nd Degree students is how "long will I be out of the working world and not getting a regular income" - A lot of us work and go to school for pre-reqs, so working as an RN while getting our BSN shouldn't be a problem....

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Specializes in ICU.

I am applying to one accelerated program - it only looks at your prerequisite grades in calculating GPA. The other school in town looks at "all course work" with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Do well in you pre requisites, applications are competitive (at least in my area). Good luck!

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Yeah, I got accepted into an accelerated program and they only looked at the prereq gpa, which was good for me since my undergrad gpa sucked.

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