BSN- candidate NY

[ms_2015]

Hi everyone-

I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight as to what else I could do to make myself a great canidate for competetive BSN programs on Long Island, NY.

I am a senior in college working towards my Bachelors in Science in Public Health, with a 3.7 major GPA and a 3.6 institution overall. I have made deans list 3 semesters in a row and will be graduating in December with honors. I did transfer in from another college with a 2.85, and my first year there I failed out. I have an A in both A&P 1 and 2, a B+ in statistics, an A- in chemistry, an A in micro, an A in sociology, a B+ in developmental psych, and a C+ in Bio (taken at old school during bad semester).

I work for the largest healthcare system in the region, I have been volunteering as a nurses aid at a Nursing Home for 2 years, and I recently completed an internship at a substance abuse detox center, where I worked directly with a Psych NP. I need three recommendations and I have chosen a doctor that I work for, the nurse practitioner I work for, and the nurse practitioner that I had the internship with.

I want to become a nurse because I want to be able to help and take care of the severely mentally ill. I have a Schizophrenic younger brother, who I have helped take care of since childhood. The subject of mental health has always been an incredible passion of mine, and I plan on going to graduate school after obtaining my BSN to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. This is what my personal statements will primarily be based on.

I will be applying in the fall so I still have some time, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about anything I can do to improve my chances of getting in to a program (another internship, more volunteer work, take some classes etc). I know that I have some issues with my grades from the first few years when I was away at school, but i've worked really hard to turn it around (and cover them up lol).

Any help is appreciated!!