BSN Program Admission Question

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Specializes in Traveling.

So...Here is my little two-bit story. I graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in African History. I lived in Cuba for a year and now I am back in New York in my last semester at some community college taking the courses that I need in order for me to get into a BSN program anywhere. I went to an Open House at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn and the head of admissions at that school said that there are 40 seats for more than 600 applicants!!!!! Isn't that crazy?

I get discouraged really easy, so I try my best to stick to myself, and not dream too far out of my limits. Should I continue with my pursuit of a BSN degree, or should I just get an Associates in Nursing, and say that I never went to school at all?

My partner said that I should apply to a private school, but I don't have that type of money. I am writing this because I feel like I have been in school forever trying to eat this dream and every time that I go to another open house I am in the next line registering for another course that another school needed. I am having all of these worries and I haven't even applied ANYWHERE yet. Please tell me what to do:uhoh3:

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Specializes in SRNA.

Croc,

I think many us of here feel your pain and frustration because the available number of admissions spots are not increasing, and the applicant pool is definitely widening. It is not uncommon here in California, to have over 1,000 applicants competing for the same number of available positions in the state schools, for a BSN.

In terms of the private schools, it is a very clear fact that there are sometimes fewer applicants to compete with because of the significantly higher costs involved. For me personally, I'm choosing to apply to mostly accelerated 2nd bachelor's programs for my BSN, which means that I can earn my BSN in 12-13.5 months and choose to go straight to work if I like. The way I view the higher cost of tuition in this manner is: I am shaving at least one year off of the time it will take to get a BSN in a traditional 2-3 year program, which means more earning potential, sooner. All of the programs I am applying to are over 50K for a one year BSN (except Columbia), but if you factor in the cost of living and tuition for two years at a state school or ADN program, I could be losing more money if I go that route (assuming I cannot work in either program and I will be borrowing money).

It truly is a bit of a trade off, but depending on where you're located in the US (or otherwise) and the cost of living in your geographical area, a private school could make sense if you get in, get out and on your way to practice nursing.

Good luck! ;)

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Specializes in Traveling.

Thanks for the advice. I am really considering just applying to a private school because they seem to be more interested in my application then SUNY Downstate. My mother who is an RN with an Associates degree can't even get in that school because her G.P.A is too low..but my mother worked at Burger King with 2 kids, no man, and put herself through nursing school, and passed the NCLEX on the first try. This semester I am taking 4 more courses, and I just found out that I got a C in my Statistics course which is awesome for me because that is the grade that they want for me to get in. The Statistics course was a 4 month course that I took in 5 weeks (summer school). I would have gotten a better grade if I wasn't working full time. I also found out that I got a B in Anatomy and Physiology 2 (also summer school).

I am just tired of taking these courses, I want to get in a program already.

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Specializes in SRNA.

I am just tired of taking these courses, I want to get in a program already.

Trust me, I know the feeling. I'll have taken six sessions (four semesters and two summer sessions), equating to 45 semester units. I just want to start!

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Specializes in Traveling.

I am looking forward to finishing Nursing school, working for a little while and then leaving the country, I would like to live abroad and work as a nurse.I have a few countries in mind...I just want to make it and leave. :lol2:

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Kudos to Cuba! I just came back in July myself...just 2 weeks---what a rush. What were you doing there? What were your impressions of the medial system there? Have you seen the movie sicko? I, too, am interested in working abroad...Brasil, haiti or Cuba/Domincan Rep

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Specializes in Traveling.

Hey Wings....Umm....thats a good question. I went to Cuba after my 5 year relationship with my partner ended. I took the train from 34th street...to Canada and I flew from there. I stayed in Cuba for a while, and I think that I spent most of my money taking classes at the Universidad de la Habana (the same school that Fidel Castro went to), and I lived in a casa particular (small house with family). I did see sicko, and I thought the movie was awesome because when I was there, the people took care of me. I lived in Vedado, and I stayed near the Santeria house.

I live in Cuba...in my head anyway and I want to become a nurse so that I can go back...for good. My mother is Jamaican and because of this, I was able to obtain Citizenship from Jamaica and a new passport. It is because of this that I was able to stay in Cuba for so long. Jamaica and Cuba have great relations....I can't say the same for those who hold American passports....

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Just a thought but... Have you looked into going to school in Cuba?

Since you want to work in Cuba, you should ask yourself what are the educational levels of the people employed as nurses in Cuba. If they are predominantly BSN nurses then you should really focus on a BSN. If they are mostly ADN or diploma nurses then that level of education is probably sufficient to meet your goals.

You should define what are your goals and then evaluate the educational requirements to achieve them and become accordingly prepared.

By the way, I'm wondering what you meant when you wrote, "...or should I just get an Associates in Nursing, and say that I never went to school at all?"

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Specializes in Traveling.

I have looked at working in Cuba because I want to leave the states as soon as possible. The problem with the BSN, is just getting into a program. I have all my pre-courses at the end of this semester, I just don't have a 4.0 GPA. If I went to some random communiy college, I'll just start over..my BA, in African History means nothing in the states. I just want to become a nurse using my BA degree.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
I have looked at working in Cuba because I want to leave the states as soon as possible. The problem with the BSN, is just getting into a program. I have all my pre-courses at the end of this semester, I just don't have a 4.0 GPA. If I went to some random communiy college, I'll just start over..my BA, in African History means nothing in the states. I just want to become a nurse using my BA degree.

Like I said, if you want to leave ASAP, what about going to school in Cuba.

I'm not clear what you mean about starting over. Whether you're in an AA program or a BSN program, your BA will probably have little bearing on the nursing curriculum beyond your critical thinking skills (which will be valuble in either type of program).

Getting into an accelerated 2nd bachelor's program is competitive and your grades are a major factor. If you aren't so competitive now, your best bet is to take more classes to become more so.

Best of luck to you in whatever you decide.

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