Best Route to become a Nurse in SF Area

[g2255lw]

Hey everyone!

As you may or may not know, Nursing is such a sought after major here in the area and it's almost impossible to get into a BSN program at any given CSU. It's very intimidating that the state universities in my area receive over 700-800 applicants, and only around 80 get in.

With that said, I don't want to waste my time and was wondering if anyone knows what the best route is to achieving a BSN.

I've looked into trade school LVN programs, but I suppose that's a last resort? I'm currently 20 years old, an I'm working full time. I am scheduled to start school at San Francisco State University as a freshman this fall, but if I have no hope to become an RN through the college system, then I might as well look for other alternatives.

What do you think? What routes have you taken? Is it worth it to try and get into the few CSU impacted Nursing programs in this area?

Thank you!

P.S. I'm a male if that gives me any advantage whatsoever.

[gislo23]

Hi, I'm also currently 20 years old and I also struggled with figuring out how to get into a BSN program when almost every single one in the Bay Area is impacted. The route that I decided to take is the private school route. I went to community college for 2 years at DVC, didn't take any of the science pre-reqs (Anatomy, Physio, Ochem, Micro) Except for Nutrition and also bio, Chem, etc. I applied to Mills College in Oakland which has a 2+2 program with Samuel Merritt University. Meaning you spend 2 years at the sister school (1 year in my case since I'm a transfer student) and then you are guaranteed admission into SMU contingent on a few requirements like maintaining a 3.0 and getting a passing score on the TEAS.

That's one route that you can go. Mills is an all women's school though, but you can look into Holy Names University, which also is part of the 2+2 program with SMU.

Another really good BSN program is USF.

Though private schools can be expensive, SMU and USF from what I've heard are very well regarded by hospitals in the Bay Area and they provide you with a really good education.

Or you can apply directly to SMU if you've already completed most of your pre-reqs, but I've been told this route is more competitive.

Best of luck to you !