Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

[GoodyNurse2b]

Thanks for all of your responses to all of my previous posts. As you probably assume, I'm evaluating all of my options including ADN, BSN, and Direct-Entry MSN. The direct entry programs look extremely appealing, but seeing that they are at the best of colleges, I don't know how easy they are to get in.

Does anyone know what the typical GPA, scores, acceptance rates of these programs are? Anyone have any experience applying?

I'm in MD, so I'd consider Hopkins, but Columbia, MGHI in Mass, Case Western, Vanderbilt, Pace, and Yale also look appealing.

Seeing as nursing traditionally isn't an "ivy league" profession, are the credentials required for these programs less than what a typical "ivy" student would need?

I'd love to hear experiences with any programs.........

[smile123]

My point, though, was that especially for those of us in tracks like neonatology and CRNA, where we have to take a year or two to work in between pre-licensure and master's studies, it may come to pass that we decide we really just love the bedside nursing and want to do that for a while longer. In that instance, going to a program that grants a BSN might be preferable.

I agree. If you have a BSN and stop out for a year to work in between the BSN and masters, it's much easier to get into a masters program without the hassle of "what type of RN degree do you have? An associate degree, a BSN or "other"? If you have an associate degree, they will make you take additional classes (BARN program). BSN is no problem. It's the "other" that takes up cycles to explain and to get some schools to accept! Hugs to all!

Smile123

[Peachy720]

wow,

just read that NP education thread that y'all were so engaged in back in february.

well, considering:

1. I am a cashier/sales floor person at Target

2. getting a Liberal Arts degree

3. am definitely trying for an accelerated BSN, and also thinking about a Direct-Entry program (in CRNA)

looks like I am both going to devil's land and will make a HORRIBLE nurse..:angryfire

Actually, I had a question for you, Eliza. Would you know if you can take more than a year off between getting your BSN and starting your specialty? Thanks so much in advance!!

edit: even though I know y'all are all wonderful, and don't make any kind of judgements, because of that thread, I feel the need to explain myself. Believe me, I don't go bragging to anyone that I check out or work with, that I can "be a nurse in a year." I've always known I wanted to be in healthcare, I just always wanted it to be in veterinary medicine. However, I also always knew that I couldn't euthanize an animal. So, after waffling and changing majors several times, and sitting out 3 years of school due to my maw-maw's death and managing a video store, I'm back and stronger than ever. It's actually my maw-maw's stroke and dad's heart attack and accident that brought me to nursing. I have to be completely honest and say before these incidents, I had NO idea what nurses did. But through these experiences, I got a better idea; also, a friend of mine was going to ADN school (accelerated..gasp! alas, she did drop out because she missed a clinical too many) and I LOVED hearing the stories of her day. Wow, I'm rambling. Okay...long story short. I really feel this is for me, and BELIEVE me, I'm not looking for an "easy way out." I've been in school off and on for almost 10 years, and still have another year to finish my BS and pre-reqs. I do know that I devote myself to school completely (I'm a couple months from 27, single, and just a furkid to spoil), and know that I can handle the accelerated option. Honestly, if I am lucky and honored enough to get into Columbia's CRNA program[Hopkins is a dream school too, but no direct entry for CRNA, so another option], hoping there's leeway for more than a year of ICU experience. I'd love to try a bit in the ER/Trauma, and of course ICU....Okay I'll stop..I feel better now... All I can do is let the chips fall where they may.

Cheers to all of you who held your own in that thread..not sure I could have been quite so rational! :chuckle

[naggytabby, BSN, RN]

I am at UPENN and had several community college courses that transferred in full. They also have a list of courses that they recommend at a local community college for transfer credit. I know of quite a few schools that request you take semester and not quarter classes.

If anyone wants any info about UPENN, feel free to PM me.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Actually, I had a question for you, Eliza. Would you know if you can take more than a year off between getting your BSN and starting your specialty? Thanks so much in advance!!

Hey Peachy -

I'm not sure what the answer is. At the visiting day, someone in one of the tracks that DIDN'T require work time asked if they could take time off btwn phases, and was told it was "discouraged" and the program was not "designed that way". However, they didn't say absolutely no or anything. I think you may lose some scholarship money, and you definitely lose your campus housing if you drop below full time. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful!

And you don't have to explain yourself to us, darlin! We're all in the same boat!

Seriously, this thread has gotten so long they should just give us a section of our own. What are we up to, almost 800 posts? With losta different discussions going on, too. Us future horrible ill-prepared nurses sure are a wordy bunch!!! :chuckle

[Peachy720]

Hehe, thanks SO much, Eliza!

You have seriously made me laugh in all your threads..I love the "my guidance counselor told me I would wind up in a gutter, and now I'm going to Columbia! nyah, nyah!" Seriously, that had me rolling for a good 5 minutes! :rotfl: :rotfl:

I know great things are in store this year for you, Smile, Diana, Gen, Jess, and everyone else involved in the thread! Cheers! :Melody:

take care,

Tanya, the emoticonwhore...

[Gennaver, MSN]

wow,

just read that NP education thread that y'all were so engaged in back in february.

well, considering:

1. I am a cashier/sales floor person at Target

2. getting a Liberal Arts degree

3. am definitely trying for an accelerated BSN, and also thinking about a Direct-Entry program (in CRNA)

looks like I am both going to devil's land and will make a HORRIBLE nurse..:angryfire

:chuckle

:)

Welcome aboard Peachy!

Nice to read from you. Over here I am starting to feel some anxiousness while waiting for the particulars of my program's interview. Argh.

I did call and ask if they knew when the Adult NP specialty was going to conduct their interviews and the dean was very kind to call me back. Sad thing is, there is not a known date yet. Sigh.

Still waiting, and sending a hello to you,

Gen

[PdxDreamer]

Hey Peachy you cracked me up with that "emoticonwhore" line... I totally abuse the priviledge on those things :chuckle

See, there I go again!

And BTW, don't get discouraged by the anti-accelerated posts on this website (on other threads). I made the mistake of looking at those first and I totally freaked out. Then I found this thread and felt much better.

Have a nice weekend everyone! I'm studying for Chemistry today. I've managed to clean my house, get some shopping done and organize my closet, but can't seem to crack that book open yet.

[Myethpio]

Has anyone out there applied to CSULA? Was curious... :)

[smile123]

Has anyone out there applied to CSULA? Was curious... :)

For those out there who are not familiar: CSULA stands for Cal State University Los Angeles. I don't know much about them.

Smile123

[Myethpio]

Yeah it's been tough getting info... both programs are only in their second cohort, so no graduates as of yet...

[LittleWing21, RN]

Just found out my analytical score for my GREs...I did terrible!!!! 3.5, I'm ashamed to say. I can usually write pretty well but.......I was just getting over being really sick, and since I'm in the middle of finishing my BS a semester early, I didn't have any time to prepare. ALSO, I write horribly under the pressure of time constraints.

I did about average in the other sections (1220). My GPA is a 3.8 as of now (BS in Sports Med). Luckily, I'm pretty sure that at least 2 of my recommendations should be really strong. I just sent out my application to Boston College, but now I'm scared I won't get in because of my GREs (especially after reading how much weight they're given!!!). Luckily, I applied to an ADN program as well. Do I still have a shot with BC or Regis (the other direct-entry program I applied to)???

~A slightly less cheerful Tina

[Gennaver, MSN]

Just found out my analytical score for my GREs...I did terrible!!!! 3.5, I'm ashamed to say. I can usually write pretty well but.......I was just getting over being really sick, and since I'm in the middle of finishing my BS a semester early, I didn't have any time to prepare. ALSO, I write horribly under the pressure of time constraints.

I did about average in the other sections (1220). My GPA is a 3.8 as of now (BS in Sports Med). Luckily, I'm pretty sure that at least 2 of my recommendations should be really strong. I just sent out my application to Boston College, but now I'm scared I won't get in because of my GREs (especially after reading how much weight they're given!!!). Luckily, I applied to an ADN program as well. Do I still have a shot with BC or Regis (the other direct-entry program I applied to)???

~A slightly less cheerful Tina

Hi Tina,

First, I want to give you a head's up that this thread was moved to the graduate student/msn/np/phd forum in the student's section. This is the original thread before it got moved.

If I knew how to ask a moderater to bump this over there I would! Maybe one will read this and bump it for you/us. :)

Your GRE's sound good try not to worry about the analytical, (I guess most universities do use the 4.0 as a general baseline BUT, remember you are an entire package.)

My only and strongest advice would be to keep yourself in the contending! Essay, essay, essay!

You can do this,

Gen