How to get into a BSN Nursing Program in Bay Area?

lauraline · Apr 8, 2013

I'm also applying to most of the schools you mentioned. But I've already finished most of those prerequisites, and am waiting for a reply from CCSF this week. I have a decent lottery number! If I get an offer I'm going to go, because I really don't want to wait around another few years to hope for USF or SM. And my cumulative GPA is not that great either, because I was a pre-law major originally and had some bad grades that ruined it. So, I don't want to get all my hopes up for those more competitive schools. Besides, those schools will be darn expensive. So I won't feel bad if I don't get in.

You seem to be doing great though, you have good grades in the prerequisites and volunteer work. I did speak with an advisor at USF and she told me they look at everything, and not too focused on the GPA. Just apply everywhere you can! Keep your options open. Good luck.

jennafezz · Apr 9, 2013

Try CSUEB, you can probably get in with those grades and it's a great school. Also what about SJSU? I wouldn't look at ADN programs or private school programs until you're sure you can't get into a public CSU BSN program.... which you probably can.

abbster · Apr 9, 2013

Also I don't think my overall GPA is good. Everyone is around 3.6-4.0. Is it possible to get in with a 3.0+?

abbster · Apr 9, 2013

Sorry I'm new to this site I didn't know I had to quote someone to reply, lol!

abbster · Apr 9, 2013

I'm also applying to most of the schools you mentioned. But I've already finished most of those prerequisites, and am waiting for a reply from CCSF this week. I have a decent lottery number! If I get an offer I'm going to go, because I really don't want to wait around another few years to hope for USF or SM. And my cumulative GPA is not that great either, because I was a pre-law major originally and had some bad grades that ruined it. So, I don't want to get all my hopes up for those more competitive schools. Besides, those schools will be darn expensive. So I won't feel bad if I don't get in.
You seem to be doing great though, you have good grades in the prerequisites and volunteer work. I did speak with an advisor at USF and she told me they look at everything, and not too focused on the GPA. Just apply everywhere you can! Keep your options open. Good luck.

Wow! That's such good news to hear!!! Did you apply to anywhere else besides CCSF? They have a great program. Hundreds of people apply there. Is this your first time applying to programs?

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Apr 9, 2013

Hi~ I live in the Bay Area and have my Bachelor's in Health Science (with a minor in Business) from the mid 90's. I had originally wanted to be a nurse (and took some pre-nursing courses) however, decided to major in Health and focus my efforts in Accounting/Finance. About a year ago, after 16 years in healthcare Finance, I resigned from a great paying job (Senior Financial Analyst) at a major Bay Area hospital as I didn't seem truly fulfilled. I reviewed Samuel Merritt University's (SMU) ABSN program and knew that's what I was going to pursue! I talked to some friends who went to SMU and read posts here in allnurses.com to prepare for my journey/application. All the advice I received was tremendous and spot on for applying at SMU - get as many A's as possible in all pre-req's, volunteer at a hospital or clinic, and obtain great reference letters to include with your application. Lastly, study and score well on the TEAS test, write exceptional essays for the application. Being I've been in healthcare a long time, and have seen the increase in hiring BSN's - getting your BSN is the way to go if you can swing it initially. I also reviewed the entry level MSN (ELMSN) program at SMU, which did look appealing, however, I decided I wanted to obtain my BSN first and obtain experience. Then I will pursue my MSN or FNP. Overall, do your best and preparation is key! Good luck!! :) PS. I recently received my acceptance to SMU's ABSN 2013 (Summer) program which starts next month. I'm excited for this journey, and new career endeavor.

abbster · Apr 9, 2013

Try CSUEB, you can probably get in with those grades and it's a great school. Also what about SJSU? I wouldn't look at ADN programs or private school programs until you're sure you can't get into a public CSU BSN program.... which you probably can.

Ah! EB was gonna be one of my top schools but after speaking with admissions for the program, I have another YEAR worth of Chemistry!!!! My chemistry from SFSU doesn't transfer over and they want an additional course that is more advanced than just basic Chem. The nurse I was speaking with couldn't even really tell me what I need chemistry for even within the field. She's been a nurse for 30 years now and thought that having to do another year of chemistry was ridiculous. CSU programs are so competitive!!!! Everything is based on points and my GPA isn't good enough to get me a decent amount of points... and they even give you addtl points if you live in the area, have work experience (I was thinking of doing a CNA program), speak another language, how many hours you've volunteered.... It's all so overwhelming....

KZE15 · Apr 9, 2013

Hi everyone! I am currently a Sophomore attending SFSU. I have A's and B's in most of my prereqs (English Stats, Microbio lab, Communications-A/A-) (Microbio Lecture, Crit thinking B-, Chem lec + lab B), and I am taking Human Anatomy over the summer and hopefully Physio in the fall. I know that all schools differ but these are the prereqs for SFSU. My science GPA is much higher than my composite GPA... Which is about a 3.00 and I'm taking 4 GE classes right now. I currently volunteer in a Radiology department/Breast Center with a Nurse who graduated from USF! I also hope to be volunteering in SFGH soon. I am really looking into USF, Samuel Merritt, Dominican University, Chabot College, CCSF, CSM, and a few other CSU's NP (even West Coast University if I can't get into any of these schools). I am guaranteed to not get into SFSU... Which was already expected. Can someone give me some tips as I finish my prerequisites? What should I be doing to be a considered a competitive candidate? And for the people who are applying/got into one of these programs what did you do?!? And how did you do it (GPA wise, experience, TEAS)?!?! also is it possible to apply to community colleges even though I attend a University right now? I don't mind going for an ADN. I can always try to get a BSN afterwards. Thank you![/quote']
Hey! I'm a 4th year at a CSU (yes it's taken me this long to apply, smh) but anyways, I just finished applying to usf and samuel merritt. They're both my top choices as well. I didn't apply to any of the CSUs because it was just way too competitive, and I feel I had more to offer for them to look at than just grades and test scores. Since the usf app was due in January I've already heard from them and I got accepted - thank god! My grades and GPAs weren't stellar. I had a's and b's in the pre reqs and a c in o chem. cumulative I have a 3.0, pre reqs I have around a 3.3. My TEAS was about a 75%, not TOO bad i guess, but USF doesnt look at the TEAS. For them i think what helped me was most likely my essay, which I really did research on the topic and made sure to incorporate their actual values into the essay. I volunteer at Stanford and LPCH, and work as a caregiver as well. At the time of the application I did not have this current job so that wasn't included of the USF app.
I'm still waiting for SM but won't hear until June, but am most likely going to not attend USF because its a 3.5 year program and above 140k. Whilst Samuel Merritt is 2 years and around 80k.
My tips for you are to just study hard, study months ahead of your TEAS, buy the TEAS book and maybe even the extra stuff like the McGraw hill book which has 5 similar TEAS exams, brush up on old topics- especially science and math. The contents in that book are a little more difficult, but it's better to over study than to under study. Keep volunteering, the more hours and experience, the better!! Try to volunteer at more places too- I'm looking into volunteering for the red cross. It looks great on the resume and helps boost the application FOR SURE. For anatomy and physio, study hard try to get an A or B and actually learn the stuff - a little obvious but it will seriously help you in the future.
I wish someone helped me figure all this stuff out but I had to take the high road and learn the hard way of trial and error. Hope this helps :) here for any more questions if anything.

abbster · Apr 9, 2013

Hi~ I live in the Bay Area and have my Bachelor's in Health Science (with a minor in Business) from the mid 90's. I had originally wanted to be a nurse (and took some pre-nursing courses) however, decided to major in Health and focus my efforts in Accounting/Finance. About a year ago, after 16 years in healthcare Finance, I resigned from a great paying job (Senior Financial Analyst) at a major Bay Area hospital as I didn't seem truly fulfilled. I reviewed Samuel Merritt University's (SMU) ABSN program and knew that's what I was going to pursue! I talked to some friends who went to SMU and read posts here in allnurses.com to prepare for my journey/application. All the advice I received was tremendous and spot on for applying at SMU - get as many A's as possible in all pre-req's, volunteer at a hospital or clinic, and obtain great reference letters to include with your application. Lastly, study and score well on the TEAS test, write exceptional essays for the application. Being I've been in healthcare a long time, and have seen the increase in hiring BSN's - getting your BSN is the way to go if you can swing it initially. I also reviewed the entry level MSN (ELMSN) program at SMU, which did look appealing, however, I decided I wanted to obtain my BSN first and obtain experience. Then I will pursue my MSN or FNP. Overall, do your best and preparation is key! Good luck!! :) PS. I recently received my acceptance to SMU's ABSN 2013 (Summer) program which starts next month. I'm excited for this journey, and new career endeavor.

Oh my that is soooo exciting!!!!! Good luck to you and all your future endeavors :) I am so happy for you. SM is a great school and I know they have a great ABSN program! Thank you so much for your advice. If I have no luck at all, this is my option as well! But I really want to get my BSN!!! Is their ABSN competitive?!

abbster · Apr 9, 2013

Hey! I'm a 4th year at a CSU (yes it's taken me this long to apply, smh) but anyways, I just finished applying to usf and samuel merritt. They're both my top choices as well. I didn't apply to any of the CSUs because it was just way too competitive, and I feel I had more to offer for them to look at than just grades and test scores. Since the usf app was due in January I've already heard from them and I got accepted - thank god! My grades and GPAs weren't stellar. I had a's and b's in the pre reqs and a c in o chem. cumulative I have a 3.0, pre reqs I have around a 3.3. My TEAS was about a 75%, not TOO bad i guess, but USF doesnt look at the TEAS. For them i think what helped me was most likely my essay, which I really did research on the topic and made sure to incorporate their actual values into the essay. I volunteer at Stanford and LPCH, and work as a caregiver as well. At the time of the application I did not have this current job so that wasn't included of the USF app.
I'm still waiting for SM but won't hear until June, but am most likely going to not attend USF because its a 3.5 year program and above 140k. Whilst Samuel Merritt is 2 years and around 80k.
My tips for you are to just study hard, study months ahead of your TEAS, buy the TEAS book and maybe even the extra stuff like the McGraw hill book which has 5 similar TEAS exams, brush up on old topics- especially science and math. The contents in that book are a little more difficult, but it's better to over study than to under study. Keep volunteering, the more hours and experience, the better!! Try to volunteer at more places too- I'm looking into volunteering for the red cross. It looks great on the resume and helps boost the application FOR SURE. For anatomy and physio, study hard try to get an A or B and actually learn the stuff - a little obvious but it will seriously help you in the future.
I wish someone helped me figure all this stuff out but I had to take the high road and learn the hard way of trial and error. Hope this helps :) here for any more questions if anything.

CONGRATS for getting in!!!!! :) You both are my inspiration. Heehee. I've heard of USF's program being super competitive. Does USF require you to take O chem? How many recommendations did you send them and what kind of volunteer work did you do? Does it matter what kind of volunteer work a person does? Do you think being a CNA will help in any way? Some people say to not do it and just focus on my grades... I know SM prerequisites also include GE's (like a history class, humanities, arts, etc) and I have about 2-3 C's from Philosophy classes that aren't prereqs! LOL not exacty my favorite subjects so I think my GPA won't be that great... Thanks for the advice. My sister has the McGraw book and I think I'm gonna get another one. Any suggestions? Good luck with SM!!! Best wishes for you :)

KZE15 · Apr 9, 2013

CONGRATS for getting in!!!!! :) You both are my inspiration. Heehee. I've heard of USF's program being super competitive. Does USF require you to take O chem? How many recommendations did you send them and what kind of volunteer work did you do? Does it matter what kind of volunteer work a person does? Do you think being a CNA will help in any way? Some people say to not do it and just focus on my grades... I know SM prerequisites also include GE's (like a history class, humanities, arts, etc) and I have about 2-3 C's from Philosophy classes that aren't prereqs! LOL not exacty my favorite subjects so I think my GPA won't be that great... Thanks for the advice. My sister has the McGraw book and I think I'm gonna get another one. Any suggestions? Good luck with SM!!! Best wishes for you :)

Thank you :) even though I won't be attending usf, I'm glad the ball is in my court and I've done something right to get their attention. High hopes for samuel Merritt though, even if I don't get in ill apply for spring 2014. Ummm I don't believe they do but at the same time, you can technically apply into usf at any time of your college life because they don't require you to have all of the pre reqs done, because you can finish them there. I sent it just 1 from a supervisor from work that wasn't medically related, I'm sure getting at least two from medical personnel would help tremendously. At Stanford I did the navigators for 6 months and showed people where to go, it was the only job available at the time. After 6 months I requested another unit and am now placed at the oncology unit at Stanford. I do clerical duties, such as paging the nurses when the patient presses the call light button, making admin packets, restocking supplies, etc. etc. I know that eventually I can help the nursing assistants with simple things. At LPCH, I am a buddy. Here, I am basically a patient companion. I get orders for the kids that need a buddy and I sit and play with them, read books, take them on wagon rides, whatever they want to do. Idk if it matters so much as to what specific volunteer work you do, but I'm sure it being in medics, setting helps, and that you really take away good lessons from it, and you really learn what the profession is about. I think if you are surrounded by that type of environment, then they'll know that that's what you really want to do and you know what you're getting into. At Stanford, I get to talk to all of the nurses be they tell me it's a crazy, but rewarding job, even if they don't get to take breaks sometimes, have to hold their pee in because they're so busy, barely have time to eat, they say its all worth it. I'm currently taking three pre reqs for samuel Merritt- interpersonal comm, history and sociology. So hopefully the fact that I'm taking these three wont affect my getting in because I read somewhere that they prefer those that have everything -- even though it clearly says they'll accept those that have in progress classes as long as they are done the term before they start, so for me as long as I have those done by summer, and I'm accepted, then I'm good.

As for the TEAS, just get the book from the ATI website, use the McGraw book, and just browse online for some practice tests! Know your strengths and weaknesses and go from there. I was able to get a 90% on the reading portion, 79 on the math and 80 on the science. I forgot the other one. I studied from all the things i mentioned to you, but take into consideration math isn't my forte.

Good luck!