BSN Program Recommendations

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Hi all, I am a rising high school senior planning to apply to 4 year BSN programs  and am having a hard time figuring out which schools I should be targeting based on my GPA/SAT/etc. It's easy to find general admission stats for schools, but not so easy to find them specifically for nursing which is usually a lot more competitive. I'm trying to create a list of 3 safety schools, 3 target schools and 3 reach schools.

GPA is 3.8, SAT is 1350. I am volunteering this Summer at a local hospice. I speak basic Spanish as a second language. I am based in California but willing to move anywhere in the country. 

I would appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

You should not have trouble getting into at least one nursing school.

Cheapest route - community college ADN, then do bridge to RN.  These are actually the hardest programs to get into, with long waiting lists, because they are the cheapest.  However, everyone I know that was on the waiting list got in pretty quickly.  Apply to a couple of community colleges.

Another community college option:  take all your prereqs and GE at a community college.  If you get at least a 3.0 GPA, you are guaranteed admission to a State college or UC.  It won't guarantee admission to a nursing BSN, but if your community college GPA  is high and you have a 4.0 or very close in your prereqs, it should not be a problem.  

State colleges - many good programs like Cal State LA, Long Beach, SDSU, and so on.  It can be easier to get into a program that is not in a highly populated area like L.A.  I've heard SDSU has become more competitive due to high demand.

Private schools - consider U of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing, Loma Linda, National University, etc.  There are a lot of private schools in CA.  You should be able to easily get into National.  I think Western Governor's Univ now has a BSN option - it is online, but you will have to see how they handle clinicals.

UC - UCLA, UC Davis.  I'm not sure what other UC schools have undergrad nursing.  UC Irvine?

Speaking Spanish well is a big advantage for you and schools will likely be very interested in you because of that.  Your GPA and SAT are fine.  Volunteering in hospice is great.  Something else you might consider is taking one or two community college classes this Summer that are nursing prereqs and getting an A.  Some of the UC schools offer Extension programs which will admit anyone, but they can be pricey.  UCLA, UCSC, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis have good Extension programs with many online options.

It doesn't hurt to apply to schools in other states.  I ended up going to HOpkins and it was cheaper than UCLA because Hopkins has a big endowment with lots of financial aid.  A few years ago, literally half of my class was from CA - we had the same reason, plus the prestige!

 

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Thanks for the detailed advice! I am leaning toward taking nursing prereqs at my local community college then transferring in or out of state to a BSN program. I am in the bay area it seems some of the local community colleges have agreements with local CSU campuses that streamline this process.

UC Irvine does have undergrad nursing but it's also very competitive. I'm attending the nursing Summer camp there in a few weeks anyway.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
davidw76 said:

Thanks for the detailed advice! I am leaning toward taking nursing prereqs at my local community college then transferring in or out of state to a BSN program. I am in the bay area it seems some of the local community colleges have agreements with local CSU campuses that streamline this process.

UC Irvine does have undergrad nursing but it's also very competitive. I'm attending the nursing Summer camp there in a few weeks anyway.

You are very welcome.  Please don't be so down.  There are a lot of nursing schools in CA and you are a good candidate!  Your chances of getting into a decent school are excellent.  

Here is a comprehensive list of all schools that are accredited in CA:

https://www.RN.ca.gov/education/rnprograms.shtml

Honestly, if I were your age and looking to become an RN, I would go to a community college for the ADN, then get a job, then complete the RN to BSN bridge while working.  Most organizations would pay for the bridge program for employees.  This would leave you with little to no debt.  In the future, you could then complete an MSN or DNP if you wish to become an Adv Prac Nurse (NP, Nurse Aneth, etc).  If you choose this route, try to go to a community college where you plan to live and work as an RN.  There are so many CC's in CA this should be easy.  

You could also complete a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) program through the Red Cross or a community college this Summer.  That is very valuable training and experience.  It would also be a good job to have while you are in nursing school.  Another option would be to add HHA (Home Health Aide) or to be certified as a Medical Assistant.  M.A.s typically work in outpatient facilities like primary care offices.  I mention these in case you are put on a waitlist for a nursing school, it would be good, relevant work to do.  I was put on the waitlist for UCLA and ended up getting in.

Think positive!

 

 

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FullGlass said:

You are very welcome.  Please don't be so down.  There are a lot of nursing schools in CA and you are a good candidate!  Your chances of getting into a decent school are excellent.  

Here is a comprehensive list of all schools that are accredited in CA:

https://www.RN.ca.gov/education/rnprograms.shtml

Honestly, if I were your age and looking to become an RN, I would go to a community college for the ADN, then get a job, then complete the RN to BSN bridge while working.  Most organizations would pay for the bridge program for employees.  This would leave you with little to no debt.  In the future, you could then complete an MSN or DNP if you wish to become an Adv Prac Nurse (NP, Nurse Aneth, etc).  If you choose this route, try to go to a community college where you plan to live and work as an RN.  There are so many CC's in CA this should be easy.  

You could also complete a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) program through the Red Cross or a community college this Summer.  That is very valuable training and experience.  It would also be a good job to have while you are in nursing school.  Another option would be to add HHA (Home Health Aide) or to be certified as a Medical Assistant.  M.A.s typically work in outpatient facilities like primary care offices.  I mention these in case you are put on a waitlist for a nursing school, it would be good, relevant work to do.  I was put on the waitlist for UCLA and ended up getting in.

Think positive!

 

 

Thanks, I will definitely consider that path as well

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Specializes in Pre-nursing mentor | UCLA nursing student.

Hi there, you have really good stats and I definitely recommend applying to as many nursing schools as you can. I am a transfer student at UCLA nursing school and just finished my first year and many students who came as a freshman have really good stats, UCLA and UCI are the only UC's that have a BSN nursing program and they both accept students as a freshman and transfer but from my experience, UCI is harder to get in as a transfer at least. if you have hospital volunteering and experience in healthcare and leadership in your community, it can definitely help your application a lot more. I recommend just applying to as many schools as you can and write a really good essay for all. If you decide to go the community college route, you have a lot of options so either way don't be disappointed and do your best. Make sure to maintain a really good GPA and get A's in Anatomy, Physio and Microbio if you do go the community college route since it's still very competitive. If you have any specific questions, ask away, I'd be happy to help. I also have been mentoring pre-nursing students if you prefer to talk on zoom, here is the link to my mentorship Google form:) https://tinyurl.com/4xfyjsvn

Good luck on your journey. 

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thanks.. mentorship form submitted

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