Did you apply to an NP school before you got your BSN?

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jan 17, 2011

Do you have any experience as a nurse? Some schools

Require experience. Some don't. Just be mindful of that when choosing where to apply

smkiya, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2011

I've been an RN in Tele for 4 years. I'm doing RN to BSN now. I'd like to send in my app, references, transcripts, and essays when I get this semesters grades in April, but I'll still have 6 classes left to finish. They will be all done by December at the latest. My overall Gpa is greater than 3.0 and my ADN Gpa is 3.67.

Moogie · Jan 17, 2011

I suggest you check with the schools to which you are interested in applying and see what they say. Considering that you are an experienced nurse, I don't see anything that should hold you back from going straight from your BSN into an NP program.

Just so you are aware---although many schools admit twice a year, the course sequencing in some schools can make a January start somewhat difficult. For example, let's say that a course is offered only once a year during the spring semester. If there's a prerequisite course that is only offered in the fall, the student who starts in January won't be able to take that course for another year. Check the course sequencing and course availability before you commit so you don't find that you're taking even longer to get through the program because you started in January.

Hope this helps and good luck to you in whatever you decide!

LaxNP, DNP · Jan 20, 2011

I was in the same boat as you. I was lucky enough to find a program near me that accepted students in the spring semester for their NP program. I finished my BSN during the summer and started my NP program in January. One word of caution though. If you are going to finish over the summer, check to see if your school will confer your degree in the summer. As I said before, I finished my BSN program in the summer, bu since my school only gives out degrees in May and December, my actual graduation date is December, not August. So I was accepted into my NP program on a conditional basis, and once my transcripts are final they will be sent to my graduate program. I was able to get a letter from my BSN program saying that I had completed all my requirements and will be graduating (or rather did graduate).