Biology Teacher Career Change to Nursing...Help!

[simply8o8]

Hello everyone :)

I am new to this forum...hence my request for help! I recently graduated this past spring from UH Manoa with a Secondary Education (emphasis on Biology) degree...In other words, I can teach Science to middle schoolers and high schoolers. I was originally pre-med throughout my undergraduate and as a result, took quite a bit of science courses. I chose to switch to nursing because I felt that the life style fits me better...in other words, the hours are more family friendly and I feel that there is more patient interaction as a nurse than a doctor. My question is if I should apply for Summer/Fall 2012 admission or if I should wait another year. My stats are below:

Overall GPA: 3.58

Last 60 semester units GPA: 3.71

GRE: 520V, 700Q...writing is still pending as I just took the GRE like a week ago

Completed Undergraduate Honors Program...got awarded Highest Honors Degree and graduated "With Distinction"

Completed research thesis and presented at a couple of research symposiums (getting a whiff of that premed side of me...)

Volunteer/Experience:

-Worked as a medical assistant for 3 years at the University of Hawaii Manoa Health Center (sports medicine and general triaging for random medical issues college students have)

-Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish Foundation for 2 years

-Coached High School Judo Team for 3 years and my club team for about 5 years

-EMT-B certified in California

-Licensed to teach in the state of Hawaii

-Currently got a job as a Unit Secretary at UCLA hospital for the CCU/MICU floor

I want to apply to the following entry programs for non-nurse:

UW ABSN

UCLA MECN

NYU 15 month ABSN

Columbia ETP

University of Hawaii MEPN

USF CNL

USD and UCSF are out of the picture since I have yet to take Anatomy, Physiology, Statistics, and Microbiology AND they wont let me complete the classes before the first day of class.....sorry for the long message. I'm worried that my stats arent that stellar to get into those types of schools and considering to wait a year. Anyone who got into these programs...care to share you stats with me? Or maybe suggest any other programs that I should apply to?

Thanks so much everyone!

[Reese2012]

honestly, I would apply sooner rather than later. This way you can begin studying for the TEAS exam (if your school requires it), and begin the program

[lissa.the.cocoa]

Since you are willing to come out here, check out Yale's program and Vanderbilt's. Both have programs similar to the ETP and Yale has no pre-reqs, although they encourage you to have A&P and micro first.

[simply8o8]

Thanks guys for replying. The only school on my list that requires TEAS is Cal State-Fullerton. What is TEAS exactly? Is it like the GRE but with a science portion?

[szeles23]

The MEPN program at UHM seems really good. I'm in the BSN program there. You could apply to both the BSN and the MEPN but I'm not sure if the MEPN would require the NLN-pax rn as the bsn does. I'm pretty sure the MEPN does require the GRE and you seem to have a good score on that :) (How bad was the GRE btw? I'm heading to grad school after my BSN). Vanderbilt's program is #1 in the country. UHM's is good, it's 99th in the country, so I am happy with that :)

Good luck, your GPA and GRE seem very good. I know the process of looking at different nursing schools can be daunting as none require the exact same thing or pre-req.

[simply8o8]

To be honest...UCLA is my number one choice :) But i know it is SUPER competitive so I am crossing my fingers and praying...

When I talked to the advisor at UHM, NLN-pax wasn't required. The GRE wasnt too bad...but I know they are changing it to a new format which I was the guinea pig for and I can see it may be difficult (especially Verbal since it isnt my strong point.) I studied for about 2 months before I took the test. Good luck on applying to Vanderbilt!

PS. I just graduated from UHM this past May :) Its great seeing someone from Hawaii on this forum!