Discouraged undergrad student about grades

delawaremalenurse · Jul 21, 2015

Well most nurses I have talked to/shadowed have been saying that almost all hospitals would like to see nurses with their Bachelors. I am going to try to do as much as I can to bring my gpa back up, most likely along the lines of what you suggested! Thank you very much!

They're talking about nurses having their BSN...not just any Bachelors

molllyhenderson · Jul 21, 2015

Hi, I attend University of Colorado in Boulder. I am thinking we do not have the option to declare our major as pre nursing. Everyone I have met (even who is older than me) just has a science major, not actually nursing or pre nursing. My major right now is Integrative Physiology, which is what most kids have that are going to medschool, nursing school or PA school. I feel like I haven't really been informed at all about our programs, but I don't think we have a BSN program.....I know we have a nursing school in Denver but I won't be going there, I will most likely becoming back to Washington for nursing school. Your responses have been so helpful thank you so much!! I'm going to call a nursing advisor today and do some more research. Thank you again, I'm so appreciative of your help!

Molly,
No problem! It's a great idea going to a nursing advisor for more direction and advice. Don't use them as your only resource for nursing though. The Internet is your best friend if you want to stay current on program changes and etc.
If you don't mind me asking, what university are you attending? I may be able to help you out by guiding you to the right resources.
For your comment about Calculus and Chemistry, there are very few cases that would require to take up to Calculus and up to General Chemistry 2 for a nursing major. The only schools I know of that ask for those classes are UCLA and UC Irvine.
Around 85+% of undergrad nursing programs that I've come across would only require you to take up to college algebra or intermediate algebra for the statistics prerequisite.
For the most part, BSN programs consist of these major prerequisite classes to apply/declare for the major:
- Human Anatomy
- Physiology
(Some universities have these two classes combined into a series as well, such as Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2)
- Chemistry (many universities have a chemistry series for life sciences instead of the general chemistry series which is usually for physics, engineers or pre-med students)
- Microbiology
- Statistics
^^^^^these are pretty much asked for by all nursing programs^^^^
These courses below are also in the curriculum, but some schools either want them done before transfer or before you graduate the nursing program:
- Nutrition
- Psychology
- Life Span/Development Psychology
- Communications
- May be a few more or a few less depending on the school
"What are common majors pre-nursing students choose?"
A better way to phrase this is, "What majors do pre-nursing students fall back on if they are not accepted to the nursing program?"
That depends on the person really. I assume many would choose another science based major such as Biology, Chemistry, Kinesiology and etc. (these majors would probably require Calculus, more Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Those majors also can prepare you for medical school, since they usually ask for higher level math and sciences), or reapply to nursing after you graduate.
Some may decide to choose a less intensive major to complete their bachelors to boost their GPA (while also completing the nursing pre-requisites). This can be good as you would have a higher GPA when you're reapplying to second Bachelors in Nursing programs, accelerated BSNs, or an entry level Masters in Nursing program to become a registered nurses.

Tumbler · Jul 21, 2015

Well, there's your problem. Doesn't look like your school offers a BSN. The advising page talks about earning a degree before enrolling in an accelerated BSN (essentially a second degree) or earning a BSN before completing a second degree a CU Boulder. Honestly, if nursing is what you want to do, get your GPA up and look to transfer. ABSN programs, as second degree programs are quick, but costly, especially if you just went into debt for a traditional bachelor's (and often not eligible for any fin aid).

molllyhenderson · Jul 21, 2015

I go to University of Colorado. I don't believe we have that option to have pre-nursing or nursing as our majors, which is a bummer and would probably make my situation less confusing! Thank you for your help!

bayarea123 · Jul 21, 2015

They don't have a BSN program. They have a masters program though which could explain why some people are majoring in different subjects.

molllyhenderson · Jul 21, 2015

Thats what I thought. Just to get a little more clarification because I am still a little confused...once I finish all the nursing prereqs, what happens after that? Is a BSN not earned in 4 years? Or is it earned once you finish actual nursing school? I'm still a little confused on the order everything happens in. Thanks!

molllyhenderson · Jul 21, 2015

And how a BSN is earned

molllyhenderson · Jul 21, 2015

Thats what I thought. Just to get a little more clarification because I am still a little confused...once I finish all the nursing prereqs, what happens after that? Is a BSN not earned in 4 years? Or is it earned once you finish actual nursing school? I'm still a little confused on the order everything happens in and how a BSN is earned. Thanks!

Well, there's your problem. Doesn't look like your school offers a BSN. The advising page talks about earning a degree before enrolling in an accelerated BSN (essentially a second degree) or earning a BSN before completing a second degree a CU Boulder. Honestly, if nursing is what you want to do, get your GPA up and look to transfer. ABSN programs, as second degree programs are quick, but costly, especially if you just went into debt for a traditional bachelor's (and often not eligible for any fin aid).

Tumbler · Jul 21, 2015

A BSN is a bachelor of science in nursing (and an ASN or ADN is an Associate of science or an associate's degree in nursing). It is a major offered by an institution and accredited by an outside body, usually the CCNE for 4 year programs, and approved by the state Board of Nursing. It is typically a degree earned in 4 years. However, not all schools offer a nursing major (BSN), just like not all schools offer a degree in engineering, anthropology, social work, Russian literature, etc.

If you want to be a nurse, you cannot do so with a degree from your current school, plain and simple. Here's a link to your college's advising page about nursing:

Nursing | Academic Advising Center College of Arts & Sciences | University of Colorado Boulder

If you expand the length of professional training section, you'll see the advice is to get a degree and go to an ABSN program (so earn 2 degrees and take about 6 years) or take your prereqs and then transfer (apply) to a school that offers a BSN.

bayarea123 · Jul 21, 2015

Well, your school does not have an undergraduate nursing program. If you finish the prerequisites you can either:

a) Apply to an accelerated BSN after you get your bachelors from Boulder

b) Apply for transfer to a different school that offers the undergraduate nursing

c) Apply to an entry level masters in nursing program after you completed your prerequisites and bachelors degree

d) Go to community college, finish the prereqs there (save money) and apply to transfer to a university which offers a BSN degree

Similar situation. The schools I was accepted to during my gap year of school (UC Davis and UC Berkeley) do not offer undergraduate nursing programs. During my gap year I also realized I did not want to keep pursuing computer science. So, I declined their admission during my gap year off school and I'm back at community college finishing prerequisites. Applying next Fall to transfer.

molllyhenderson · Jul 21, 2015

Totally makes sense. I think I am looking at either transferring next fall to an instate school that offers the undergrad nursing and has a BSN program, or coming back home to a community college next year. Thank you so much, you have honestly been so much help! I am glad I found someone that has been through a similar situation. Thank you so much for all the help.

Well, your school does not have an undergraduate nursing program. If you finish the prerequisites you can either:
a) Apply to an accelerated BSN after you get your bachelors from Boulder
b) Apply for transfer to a different school that offers the undergraduate nursing
c) Apply to an entry level masters in nursing program after you completed your prerequisites and bachelors degree
d) Go to community college, finish the prereqs there (save money) and apply to transfer to a university which offers a BSN degree
Similar situation. The schools I was accepted to during my gap year of school (UC Davis and UC Berkeley) do not offer undergraduate nursing programs. During my gap year I also realized I did not want to keep pursuing computer science. So, I declined their admission during my gap year off school and I'm back at community college finishing prerequisites. Applying next Fall to transfer.

bayarea123 · Jul 22, 2015

No problem! Keep in mind transferring to nursing programs is super competitive. Make sure to get A's in all your prereqs to offset your low freshman GPA.

You can probably get into a state school if you get good grades from here on out, but from what I can see at the moment, you are more likely to get into private schools which are more expensive!

Remember, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Go on university websites, college forums and etc. A counselor can help but you are ultimately in control of your education.

I recommend you make a spreadsheet of all the classes you need and the colleges you plan to apply to. That way, you can see which pre-reqs for different schools overlap and to keep track of your transfer program.

I have a near perfect GPA but I'm applying to more than 6 schools! Don't put your eggs in one basket!

Best of luck!