Attempting the 2nd degree BSN route with a <3.0

[txchelle]

I'm a recent grad May '12 and this summer I've been doing a lot of soul searching on where and what I want to do.

My undergrad GPA is a sub-3.0 but my school averages everything together and I didn't retake a lot because I was really just ready to be finished.

Right now, I'm in a really good place for grad school because I have 100% support from my parents. I've talked to them and it's a solid "whatever you want we have everything else" so working isn't a problem so I'm really blessed with that. I've weighed RN vs BSN but because I have the support and time I want to pursue the BSN and because I know there's more room to move up.

I know I can handle an accelerated program because I have no children and everything is will be taken care of thanks to complete support.

But I'm worried about my GPA. As it is, the only classes I'd need to take are the prerequisite sciences and nutrition. With the others I have all As and a B in statistics.

I'm in TX right outside of Houston so I have a lot of options school wise in the area. Lone Star, San Jac, Baylor, UHV, TWU, UTHSC, etc.

Will that sub 3.0 hurt me? Or do I still have a shot if I work hard in those prerequisites I need and shoot for all As?

[MedChica]

Will it hurt you?

I don't think so.

I had a competitive gpa though I hadn't finished my pre-reqs and was wait-listed...how insulting. LOL

I was on the Dean's List...d*mn it! LOL

BUT -- water under the bridge. Whatever.

You haven't taken the pre-reqs. That's good. Unless things have changed, these schools tend to weigh the pre-req GPA separately and the nursing pre-reqs will pull your GPA up allowing you entry into the university.

You can kind of screw up on your regular basics. You have a 'C' in this or that class..?

You can repeat that mess.

Go to CC and knock that out in an 8 week Flex 1/Flex 2 session. You can knock out several classes ONLINE in a single semester.

The CCs, I believe, will forgive the poor grade and replace it.

Just don't screw up the nursing pre-reqs!

A's are not optional. Nursing programs tend to frown on pre-req retakes.

Also, start networking and finding leads...NOW. There's an issue in nursing and the powers that be are throwing new nurses at the problem. Backwards, I know. That's why there's a glut of newbs, ALREADY.

Here's what I'm saying: Neither one us knows how the nursing market's going to look by the time you get out of school.

Thankfully, you're not going to be locked away for 4 years. LOL I mean, I want a degree as well - but who knows what these BSN's will be graduating into.

So, you've got to hit the ground running.

Your third goal after gaining entry to nursing school and graduating? Is to NOT be culled with the rest of the new-grad herd.

Yeah, you'll have a license. You're a nurse with a degree.

So what?

So does everyone else that's applied. Big whoop.

Network like a ninja. Get out and talk to people. Get that CNA/PCT and go to work. Get out there and create an 'in'.

If you were a business major, then I know that what I'm saying is a second language to you. LOL

Luck always favors the prepared and a lot of people are a--ed the heck out right now because they don't know how to research, fell alseep at the wheel and don't know how create opportunities for themselves.

I saw it with my class. Trust me - the majority in YOUR cohort will also wait until the last minute to think about finding a job. Some can't work. Some won't want to...but they'll all act shocked and surprised when jobs aren't falling into their laps.

I know a fair amt of new grads with jobs...and the new grads who graduated into jobs? Are the same ones who did the legwork in the beginning.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Please take the time to really investigate the job market for ABSNs before making a commitment. This degree is not popular with hiring managers - mostly because of problems they have experienced with ABSN grads. These programs are very fast paced, and as a consequence, the grads are not provided with enough exposure to clinical practice & the healthcare environment. As a consequence, they may be ill-prepared for the realities --- if they manage to find a job. The only exceptions seem to be ABSN grads with previous clinical healthcare experience, such as those crossing over from another clinical profession.

I agree with the PP's advice and would also suggest that you get some experience in healthcare before deciding on this route. Bear in mind that it is likely that you would have to go elsewhere to find your first nursing job, since the Houston area - like all Tx cities - is saturated with highly qualified BSN grads.