BA to NP - help getting from point A to point B

[vtgal80]

I am in need of some help with a career change to nursing. I have decided to shelve my marketing and arts career and do what I always should have and become a NP (I would like to specialize in women's health or midwifery).

I made the decision this fall but was too late to apply to most programs. I live in Vermont and took a stab at the accelerated MEPN program at UVM. It required no prerequisites other than a BA or BS, and I received my BA from UVM. The program is quite competitive and thus, I didn't get in for this coming fall.

I need any advice about what steps to take to get my NP. Here are my challenges and questions.

1) It's too late to apply to any accelerated program (BSN or entrance to NP) for fall 09. They seem to all have October deadlines.

2) I can't quit my current job until I am IN a program - so how do I take prerequisite courses? (I am taking statistics now and it is quite challenging to put the needed time in while working 60+ hours). Do I take out loans and do a full time semester of prerequisite courses?

3) Does anyone know of any programs that have January admission? Or open slots for this fall?

There is one school within 45 min of me that I could possibly get a BSN at, then work on my NP after that. However it would take 3 years to get my BSN with that program. I already have a BA.

I am willing to move - to take more prerequistes this summer and/or fall. I just really don't want to wait another year and a half to start a program. I also need to retake the GREs - I took them quickly and didn't do very well.

It is also a very big challenge to maintain my current position in the creative world while my thoughts and drive is certainly with nursing. Has anyone else had to deal with this while beginning the process of changing careers? It's quite a tough job market out there, so I can't give my current employer any reason to cut my position.

Any advice would be extremely helpful.

Thank you!

[Jennifer0512]

If you're willing to move to MA... Regis College in Weston has rolling admission and they are still filling slots for September (I know because I applied at the very end of February and just got accepted last Friday). It's a 3 year program, so you get your BSN after 2 years and your MSN (and your NP license) after an additional year. The only thing is there are some pre-reqs you would need to take, so I suggest checking that out and make sure you can complete them by September before you apply.

Good luck!

[vtgal80]

Thank you. I just emailed them. Do you have the direct email address of any contact in the program? My concern is whether or not I would be able to fulfill the chemistry, anatomy, and microbiology by September. I could look into financial aid and take classes full time starting in June - I asked if there was any room for prerequisite courses being completed the first semester at Regis. Do you know? also, do you know how weighted the GRE scores are? I took them before and did quite poorly - I don't know if it was just the day or not (I had been doing MUCH better on all the practice tests I took). My sister lives in Brighton, so it would be an easy transition to MA. They also have a women's specialty - which is excellent. What are your thoughts on their nursing program, based on the fact that they are a catholic school? I have a fairly liberal view on women's reproductive health and am a bit concerned about what the programs views would be. Thoughts?

Again, I really appreciate the information.

[Jennifer0512]

I will PM you the contact info of 2 women who I spoke to regarding graduate admission.

As for the other info...

I think it would be an intense summer but you may be able to complete the pre-reqs, but I don't know for sure so you'll definitely have to double check with them. I also have no idea about completing the pre-reqs during the first semester... that's a good question to ask them (which you already did :) )

They ask for over 1000 on the GREs, I don't know how weighted that is, but if you don't have that they may ask you to retake it before starting.

As far as it being a Catholic school... I was also a little worried initially, but after talking to some students in the program/who graduated from the program it doesn't seem to play too big of a role in class views. I think there are more opportunities on campus (outside of classes) for people who are Catholic and want to expand with that, but it does not seem to be a big factor in classes or for people who do not want to partake in that aspect of campus.

Hope this is helpful info. Keep me updated on how everything goes and if you have any more questions. Who knows maybe we'll be classmates in the fall :)

[vtgal80]

thanks! i would be delighted to be your classmate this fall. i look forward to the email info. cheers!

[vtgal80]

I would still love any other recommendations from folks...