Does it matter where you get your BSN from?

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Hello all. I was wondering if the school you get your BSN from matters in regards to selection for service in any branch's nurse corps? I know it has to be ACEN or CCNE accredited.

But are things like online only, for profit, competency based/3.0 GPA a la WGU etc taken into account when a candidate is up for selection? Thanks.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Hopefully, your GPA is higher than a 3.0. A GPA of 3.0 would not be high enough for a new grad without experience regardless of the school. I believe the minimum GPA for new grads is a 3.5 for all 3 branches; it is for the Air Force.

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Hello all. I was wondering if the school you get your BSN from matters in regards to selection for service in any branch's nurse corps? I know it has to be ACEN or CCNE accredited.

But are things like online only, for profit, competency based/3.0 GPA a la WGU etc taken into account when a candidate is up for selection? Thanks.

Short answer, Yes.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I am not sure how the military would view a competency-based GPA like what you get from WGU, which is a max of 3.0 based on the pass/fail model. WGU is a non-profit, though.

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Thanks all for the replies. I suppose I should have left the WGU/3.0 out of the discussion. It makes sense that a 3.0 GPA would either disqualify or put one at a severe disadvantage.

Basically I'm trying to decide where to go for my RN to BSN? Alot of the online only programs are appealing for both time and financial reasons. My ultimate goal is to get a guard or reserve nurse position after a few years of nursing experience, and I just want to make sure where I get my BSN from doesn't hinder that.

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Short answer, Yes.

Care to expand? Thanks.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I did my RN-to-BSN with Chamberlain. Served 4+ years AD as a 66T (ED/Trauma). Never had my education questioned.

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I was searching as well, and to my surprise the person whom I was in touch told me they do not accept some programs even though they are accredited and they are provided by schools that are military affiliated so to speak they do not accept their nursing program. Whoa. Also the branches has their requirements of the age (I think each has different). So I knew I would not qualify. The best is just to call them (what branch you want to go to? Army? Air Force?) and tell them which program you are planning to attend, have few ready - and they will tell you yes, yes, no, no, yes to that one :) That is how should you know for sure. Good luck

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