confused and in need of advice

Published

Hi,

I am currently attending a community college and at the point where i can transfer; however, the state that i live in is a extremely competitive for nursing students and there are wait-lists starting at 2 years just to get in an AA program. I do not want to start at an AA- I do not have financial support and where I live, hospitals are starting to require a BSN to hire. I want to get my BSN, but it worries me that if I apply to these programs for a BSN, that if I don't get in, I won't be able to apply again...

Another concern is that I was told that if I get my bachelors degree in something else, something irrelevant to nursing, then I could apply for accelerated bachelors programs...

I am really confused because there are so many different avenues to take and especially with my limited financial help and income, I don't know how I am going to make it work. I have wanted to become a nurse ever since I was 12 years old and that was reaffirmed when I took care of my grandmother for 7 months while she was in a hospice and dying. I know that I can do this, I was meant to be a nurse.

I just need some guidance. Any imput would be EXTREMELY APPRECIATED!

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

BSN programs are really competitive. Usually when someone is wait listed it's because they meet the requirements but they're not considered "competitive." The school I'm applying for fall 2014 has a 2.7 GPA requirement. There was a girl who applied for spring 2013 and her GPA was 2.9 and she was wait listed. Another lady that I know applied with a 3.8 GPA and was admitted. I honestly believe it's about how competitive you are.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You could always get your ASN then apply to an RN to BSN program. So even if you don't find a way to get a job at a hospital you could still apply for other jobs (SNF, doctor's office, clinic...) while working on your BSN. It will take longer than 4 years, but so will getting a nonrelated bacchelors then doing an accelerated program. Many CC's are starting to offer dual degree programs with 4 yr colleges or at leadt have articulation agreements to make the applicatio process a little easier.

You are right, there are so many ways to go about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry about the typos, doing tjis from the phone :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I apply for a BSN program and don't get in, can I apply again and have a chance to be accepted?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
If I apply for a BSN program and don't get in, can I apply again and have a chance to be accepted?

In a word, yes. The standard varies from year to year based on the applicants.

I'd cast a wide net. I'm not sure where in CA you are located, and if you are able to move, but I applied to 10 CSU programs my first app cycle and was accepted into 2. However, with some situational changes in my life, I had to turn them both down. The second year, I only applied to 1 because of extenuating circumstances, and I'm due to graduate from that program in May.

DON'T waste time getting another bachelor's. You're better off doing an ADN then an RN-BSN program than doing that. At least then you'd be able to work as an RN while getting your BSN, and a lot of RN-BSN programs are online (mostly).

Each CSU BSN program looks at different stuff, so just because you could get into one doesn't mean you could get into another.

That said, if your GPA is below a 3.7, and/or your TEAS score is below 85 or so, there's not much of a chance of getting into a CSU. Many also look at the specific grades in your prereqs.

If you're considering private universities, look at their NCLEX pass rates. They tend to be pretty low, and with the tuition as high as it is, you'd expect better. Plus, in speaking to a couple of instructors I have that also work for a local private university, the quality was FAR below CSU.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do hospitals frown upon getting a BSN online?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

they dont care as long as you have taken the needed NCLEX. They usually only look at wether or not you have an aSN or BSN, years of experience and what unit/s you had experience in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion