Can someone set me strait on what to expect for FAU nursing please?

labrador4122, RN · Nov 4, 2009

Hi everyone, my first post on this site.
Getting down to business. I'm a Asian-Caucasian male student at FAU and PBCC. I have 3 prereqs to finish up: microbio, human growth and development, and nutrition. I've always have taken a full course load.
I took the HESI A2 and scored 3 A's in reading, mathematics, and vocab and 1 B in grammar with an overall 'A' average. As of now I have a 3.2 GPA (damn you Organic Chemistry and Calc II for bringing it down!!!) but after this fall semester's over it will probably go to a 3.4 or 3.5 GPA.
Based on this information, do I have a good chance of making the 2 year BSN program? Can anyone give me a reference point on how the average HESI and GPA of those admitted were? Even if you go to UCF, UF, or FSU it would help.
I'm really anxious about this whole thing, as I don't know how my chances to make it in are. I don't feel like I can spend an ADDITIONAL 2 years just getting a RN degree, then another 2 years later getting my BSN degree. I just can't justify that.
In addition, how is the ease of entrance to UCF's, UF's, and FSU's programs?
Thank you.

I think that you do have a really good chance of getting into a BSN program if your GPA is a 3.5

however, I suggest that you have a backup plan just in case you do not get into your university BSN program. These programs are very competetive, and there are many student's who are already there and may be picked first because they are already students and not transfer students from a community college.

If you only apply to universities-- and God forbid you don't get accepte into any school--- that's gonna be time wasted.

Therefore, my suggestion to you is, to apply to a community college anyway-- after your job will probably have tuition reimbursement, and you will get your RN-BSN for free!!

mrmedical, ASN, BSN · Nov 4, 2009

Thanks Bumblebee.

I should have made it more clear that I am enrolled in both the University and a community college. I made it a choice to apply for the community college's program as well, which I think I have a pretty good chance of getting into provided my first option fails.

Perhaps someone or yourself can clear this up for me though; the std. BSN program at most Universities is 2 years (or about 5 semesters) and the RN program at most CC's is 2 years. If I get my RN, I don't have to go to school for another 2 years to get my BSN, right? I've seen RN->BSN options offered online and through employers, so I'm assuming it's anywhere from 6 months to a year to get your BSN then?

Thanks.

DawnSue · Nov 10, 2009

Hi,

I am in pretty much the same boat you are in. I have a 3.6 in my required classes, and a 4.0 in my others, with a BA in another field. I got a 94% on my HESI. I even have the same three prereqs to finish as you do, and plan to take them in January.

Frankly, I am expecting to NOT get into FAU. I have heard about so many 3.6's not getting in, and about the average GPA being 3.8 and over in some places.

The multi-racial male thing may help you, for diversity's sake. Don't know if it matters in nursing school. I know I am a non-traditional student as well -- 42 year old mom.

I have also prepared to apply to an RN program at BC that looks very good. I have been accepted into the college, but not the nursing program. Taking the last prereq now. It is over in six weeks and I will be able to put in application.

Frankly, with the sheer numbers of people applying, I am expecting to NOT get in there either......

Who knows?

My view on the whole RN/BSN thing is that I plan on being a NP anyway, so the RN for now( which will be paid for by a hospital scholarship in exchange for two years of work) makes sense. It's free. I will have a job when I get out, and it will give me work exp. for applying to graduate school.

The RN program at BC will also be having a BSN bridge that opens as soon as I graduate with RN. Just a few simple part-time classes at that point.

I can use my two years of work experience to apply to FAU's RN - NP bridge. You can do this if you already have a BA/BS in another field. I REALLY want to go to FAU's graduate program.

The pay differential for RN vs. BSN is only 50 cents, I heard. Don't know if it is true.

Hope this helps. Let me know your thoughts.

SFloridaRN2010 · Nov 10, 2009

DawnSue -- do you have information on the hospital scholarships -- when do students typically apply for those? After they are accepted but before they start? Or can we start talking to hospitals now before we are accepted? Thanks.

DawnSue · Nov 24, 2009

Here is one:

http://www.broward.edu/hospitalsponsorships/

I have heard ( chit-chat and grapevine) that they are only offering 4 or 5 TOTAL scholarships among all of the hospitals in Broward. Which I guess would be 1 each or so. I heard there used to be a lot more.

NightNurse876 · May 16, 2011

Here is one:
http://www.broward.edu/hospitalsponsorships/
I have heard ( chit-chat and grapevine) that they are only offering 4 or 5 TOTAL scholarships among all of the hospitals in Broward. Which I guess would be 1 each or so. I heard there used to be a lot more.

Hello!

When I applied for that scholarship that had gven about 7-8 of my classmates from FIU the scholarship. By the time I applied the economy started going south, roll in the bank bailouts...roll out the money. I ALMOST got it, well I got it, but there was no money.....also the providers of the scholarship give "private" scholarships and after they have awarded people then BC gets the left overs to pass out. 4 or 5 is better than the nothing I experienced, LoL. Also just want to let you know I got into FIU's program with a 3.2 ok! These programs have a point matrix, your GPA is not all that is considered. Your interview, essay, community/campus involvement and you interview count too!

mrmedical, ASN, BSN · May 16, 2011

Wow this is an old thread. Thanks for the replies everyone. I started PBSC's RN program in the Fall of 2010, and just finished my med-surg lecture/clinical this April. I do peds/gyno in the Fall then Psych and preceptorship in the Spring - done by 2012. I figured I'd just work on my BSN online from FAU - it's mostly management style classes and nursing theory. :)

Grindaholic · Jun 15, 2011

Wow this is an old thread. Thanks for the replies everyone. I started PBSC's RN program in the Fall of 2010, and just finished my med-surg lecture/clinical this April. I do peds/gyno in the Fall then Psych and preceptorship in the Spring - done by 2012. I figured I'd just work on my BSN online from FAU - it's mostly management style classes and nursing theory. :)

MrMedical, thanks for posting this. So, to make sure I understand what you've said, my goal is the ABSN at FAU, but you're saying most of the BSN classes at FAU can be taken online? Intriguing. :idea: I am thinking possibly ADN first, get working faster and if what you're saying is true, this might be best for me.

mrmedical, ASN, BSN · Jun 15, 2011

MrMedical, thanks for posting this. So, to make sure I understand what you've said, my goal is the ABSN at FAU, but you're saying most of the BSN classes at FAU can be taken online? Intriguing. I am thinking possibly ADN first, get working faster and if what you're saying is true, this might be best for me.

No problem. Unless I'm incorrect, a pamphlet I got from FAU's RN->BSN program states that those classes can be all taken online, you must be enrolled in FAU and have I *think* atleast 16 credits at their institution.

The following is required for graduation with BSN ala their information packet:

Core University:

9 credits of Humanites + Arts, 1 elective*

Core Nursing: 19 credits

Nursing as a Profession + Discipline**

Nursing as a Scholar**

Nursing Research

Nursing Situations with Individuals, Families, and Groups

Nursing Practice leadership

Practicum in Integrative Nursing ***

Additional Nursing Classes: 12 credits

Nursing Electives

Validated Credits: 20 credits

RN Validated Credits ( all credits are awarded once all nursing courses are completed successfully)

* These courses may be substituted with certain nursing electives - check with advisor

** These classes are prereqs to the remaining core courses, thus taken first

***This course is intended to be the final course of the program and requires nursing practice hours, student malpractice insurance coverage, RN liscensure, proof of health insurance, college health form and BLS cert.

Hope that helps.

Grindaholic · Jun 16, 2011

No problem. Unless I'm incorrect, a pamphlet I got from FAU's RN->BSN program states that those classes can be all taken online, you must be enrolled in FAU and have I *think* atleast 16 credits at their institution.
The following is required for graduation with BSN ala their information packet:
Core University:
9 credits of Humanites + Arts, 1 elective*
Core Nursing: 19 credits
Nursing as a Profession + Discipline**
Nursing as a Scholar**
Nursing Research
Nursing Situations with Individuals, Families, and Groups
Nursing Practice leadership
Practicum in Integrative Nursing ***
Additional Nursing Classes: 12 credits
Nursing Electives
Validated Credits: 20 credits
RN Validated Credits ( all credits are awarded once all nursing courses are completed successfully)
* These courses may be substituted with certain nursing electives - check with advisor
** These classes are prereqs to the remaining core courses, thus taken first
***This course is intended to be the final course of the program and requires nursing practice hours, student malpractice insurance coverage, RN liscensure, proof of health insurance, college health form and BLS cert.
Hope that helps.

It does, tremendously. It lowers the pressure of only focusing on the ABSN. By doing the ADN, I can get back to the workforce quicker.

After reading your post, I asked my best friend (a nurse) what her take was on the ADN vs. BSN. She pretty much said, depending on what my goals are, the ADN is fine for at first and just do the rest of the BSN courses on line.

Thank you so very much for this post. It opens my options so much. :thankya:

psychnurse2b · Jun 25, 2011

Hello!
When I applied for that scholarship that had gven about 7-8 of my classmates from FIU the scholarship. By the time I applied the economy started going south, roll in the bank bailouts...roll out the money. I ALMOST got it, well I got it, but there was no money.....also the providers of the scholarship give "private" scholarships and after they have awarded people then BC gets the left overs to pass out. 4 or 5 is better than the nothing I experienced, LoL. Also just want to let you know I got into FIU's program with a 3.2 ok! These programs have a point matrix, your GPA is not all that is considered. Your interview, essay, community/campus involvement and you interview count too!

Just curious, for what nursing year program did you apply for? can you tell me more about your interview experience. Because I was freaking out about my GPA.