Change of career path and looking for advice during nursing school.

[stephalina6, BSN, RN]

I currently have my BS in Business Management but after the passing of my mother in 2009 from cancer and my grandmother this past Feb from cancer, I have decided to go into the Nursing field - something I always wanted to do when my Mom was sick but didn't want to "start over" in school.

I'm currently enrolled at the community college in my area, rather than signing up for the 2nd degree program at the university - my GPA during Bus Mgmt was only 2.5 and I heard it's strict to get in so I decided on the ASN route first and then transfer to the university.

As of right now I only need the pre-requist classes to apply for the nursing program. Because one of the classes was full during the summer by the time I registered, I have to take the class in Fall which means I won't be able to apply until August 2013. I'm ok with that because I have a full-time job that I need for benefits and to help pay bills. By the time August 2013 comes, we should be able to get by on my husbands income.

I understand the importance of getting A's and scoring high on the TEAs test (thanks to this forum) - however what I'm not familiar with are "points". I've seen other posts that talk about "having more points now than before" or "try to gain more points".

So my question is what are these "points"? I'm starting over the summer and taking 2 classes at a time (minus labs) to get the pre-req classes and other classes within the program completed - but would like to gain these "points" before then also to boost my chances on getting accepted the first time.

Thanks much.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I understand the importance of getting A's and scoring high on the TEAs test (thanks to this forum) - however what I'm not familiar with are "points". I've seen other posts that talk about "having more points now than before" or "try to gain more points".

So my question is what are these "points"? I'm starting over the summer and taking 2 classes at a time (minus labs) to get the pre-req classes and other classes within the program completed - but would like to gain these "points" before then also to boost my chances on getting accepted the first time.

Thanks much.

*** Some schools use a point system to decide who gets admitted. First find out if the school you are applying to is in a point system or not. If it is they will have their own point system. There is no standard across nursing school and most (many?) schools are not on a point system at all.

[Shorty11, BSN, RN]

Requirements for the program I am in, just to give you an example of how some schools work. 1. Complete HESI A2 with a min composite score of 84.2. A grade of c or higher in all science courses.3.Finish prereqs with at least a 3.0 or higher. If you complete these things then you are ranked according to the points system below. Since the number of spots outweighs the number of applicants where I go, they use this points system to determine who gets in. I got into the program with a ranking system score of 65.BSN core & prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or above.* 1 point deducted for each course repeated more than two (2)*times.*2 pts - per course with grade of “C” or above, excluding P.E. courses (max. 42 points)*BSN prerequisite courses with a grade of “B” or above.* No credit for science courses taken more than two (2) times.*1 pt – per course with grade of “B” or above (max. 10 points) A&P I, A&P II, Microbiology, Chem., Math, Engl I, Engl II, Gen. Psyc, Intro to Socl, Devel Psyc..*BSN core and/or prerequisite courses currently in progress.*1 - per course*Cumulative GPA of all core & prerequisite courses.*1 - for each 0.10 over 2.50*GPA of BSN prerequisite courses.*1 - for each 0.10 over 3.00Working Experience (minimum 6 months in length)(1.5)***LVN/LPN(1)***CNA/EMT/MED TECH(.5)***NURSE'S AID* *Prerequisites completed or in progress 2 - for 20 to 22 courses1 - for 10 to 19 courses.5 - for 1 to 9 courses*This is an example of how the points ranking works at the nursing school I go to. I started the program 2012. Obviously not all schools use a point system tho. You need to look at the requirements for the schools you are requiring to to determine what system they use.