Entry Level Masters in Nursing: Stats

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Hi everyone,

I was thinking about applying to several entry level masters programs for nursing and I was wondering if you guys think i have a chance.

Im male, 22 years old, graduated from UCSD with a B.S in physiology and Neuroscience Cumulative GPA of 3.12 with prereq gpa around 3.5 for several schools. I have volunteered at a hospital on the cardiology unit for almost 100 hours, have been a public health officer for a program that does free clinic trips to mexico for 2 years, have been a CNA at two different rehab centers for 2 years, and I`m planning to shadow a Nurse Practitioner soon. I am also planning to take the GRE soon.

Thank You any feedback is helpful.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

Hard to assess your chances not knowing the program or population that you'll be competing with for admission. Different programs will look at different aspects, your volunteer service might help at one place, and not be considered as part of admission criteria for another. I know when I applied to nursing school, my original master's degree in the science field was considered irrelevant and didn't even factor in, which was disappointing. Good luck finding something the works for you.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Agree with JBMmom-it is hard to say. You look good on paper, but it can be hard to know what schools consider important. Have you spoken directly to any of the schools you're interested in? I would set up some informational interviews.

Best of luck to you.

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I appreciate your feedback. And i was considering several entry level masters programs such as APU, NorthEastern, Western, John Hopkins, and USF. I would really like to stay in California programs but I`m willing to relocate to really any state because i just really want to start my career path in being a family NP. I also am aware that California programs are very competitive. I know that a lot of the schools I`m planning on applying to say they take a holistic approach to viewing applications, which is what i am really hoping because my GPA isnt as high as i would want it to be.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Out of curiosity, what makes you want to do the master's program vs. an accelerated BSN?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to prenursing forum

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Well, let me congratulate on all you have accomplished thus far being only 22 years of age! Now to your question: you are correct that many CA programs are ultra competitive, which is my I think you should not limit yourself to only direct entry MSN programs. Like another PP said, think of going ABSN route as well. I mean, you are only 22, so you have plenty of time to gain some hands-on experience as an RN and then slowly transition into FNP.I am sure by 30 you will become one.

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MSNs give student more funding opportunities. A lot of students with BA/Ss have reached the maximum allotted funding for a bachelors degree and a graduate degree offers more. Also, why get a BSN when you can get an MSN in the same amount of time and with the same requirements?

Are you applying?

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Did you end up applying? How did it go?

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Specializes in Adult Cardiac, School Nursing.

I'm also looking into a MSNEL program. There are three in the area I live, and all three require different prerequisites, have different program lengths, and place an emphasis on different things. One is pretty much all academic and volunteer experience (and requires pathology as a prerequisite), one is academic and character-based, and one is a little bit of both. I have little to no volunteer experience, since I have a music degree, work part time, and stay home with two small children (so no time to volunteer). I'm applying to the second program because it's a well-respected nursing school, they require the fewest prerequisites, and they want a very diverse cohort with a wide range of life experiences.

So, it really depends on the program! Do you have stats on the most recent cohort of the program you want to apply to?

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I'm also looking into a MSNEL program. There are three in the area I live, and all three require different prerequisites, have different program lengths, and place an emphasis on different things. One is pretty much all academic and volunteer experience (and requires pathology as a prerequisite), one is academic and character-based, and one is a little bit of both. I have little to no volunteer experience, since I have a music degree, work part time, and stay home with two small children (so no time to volunteer). I'm applying to the second program because it's a well-respected nursing school, they require the fewest prerequisites, and they want a very diverse cohort with a wide range of life experiences.

So, it really depends on the program! Do you have stats on the most recent cohort of the program you want to apply to?

Which area do you live in?

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