Failed out of BSN program, will another BSN program take me?

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Tragic as it may be I failed out of the BSN program at the University of South Alabama. I was in my 4th semester and almost to the end, but med/surg got the best of me (twice). After changing my major I graduated this past May, with my B.A in Communication/Public Relations.

However, I still have the RN bug eating at me. I really wish to be a nurse. Is there any schoool in the U.S. that accepts students who have previoiusly failed a BSN program, into their BSN program? I have considered taking the ADN to BSN track, but if I could get back into a BSN program that would save me alot of time and money. I know I could do it if I tried. I got my GPA back up to a 3.1 and I believe after doing some growing up and handling some personal issues Im ready to try again.

Can any one PLEASE PLEASE give me the name of some schools that I could try to apply to.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

You might want to consider looking into 2nd degree BSN programs. They tend to be a little less competitive to get into, although there are also usually fewer seats available. Also, they are usually accelerated programs, but you only have to take nursing classes during that time.

Don't expect the nursing faculty to just believe that you will do well this time, though. It is unrealistic to just expect that they will give you another chance at nursing at of the goodness of their hearts...they have limited seats in the nursing program, and they want to make sure that motivated students who will be successful get them. In general, the best predictor of future performance is past performance.

To overcome that challenge you need to make sure you do what it takes to be prepared to restart nursing. And you need to be proactive about showing the nursing program what you have done, and specifically telling them why things will be different for you this time around. For example, have you retaken A&P? Was there a family emergency the first time round? A great cover letter can go a long way in explaining the former circumstances, and what you've done to change the situation. In their eyes, it could change you from "another nursing school dropout" into a nurse-to-be who has overcome personal challenges, worked hard, and is willing to do what it takes to succeed.

Good luck!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I disagree that 2nd BSN programs are less competitive... quite the contrary, in fact.

Regardless, RNTutor is right on the money regarding the (totally justified) skepticism that you'll likely face. You probably need to continue taking classes and excelling at them to prove that you've become an excellent student.

You probably need to be looking at the high-priced private schools where, due only to the exorbitant costs, fewer folks generally apply.

Realistically, your chances of being admitted to any of the public BSN or DEMSN programs are not good right now since most or all of them have competitive admissions processes. Some of the ASN programs admit by simple lottery or waiting list for all candidates who meet their minimum requirements.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.
I disagree that 2nd BSN programs are less competitive... quite the contrary, in fact.

Very likely I am way off there I guess :rolleyes: I was just thinking about my own 2nd degree program experience (n=1). Out of all the people who applied, only 1 person was denied...and when someone else declined to attend, they changed the denial into an acceptance. It was a state school, and we ended up with a class of 19 I think, so I guess I just assumed most 2nd degree programs got fewer applications. On the other hand, that was a few years ago too...

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Very likely I am way off there I guess :rolleyes: I was just thinking about my own 2nd degree program experience (n=1). Out of all the people who applied, only 1 person was denied...and when someone else declined to attend, they changed the denial into an acceptance. It was a state school, and we ended up with a class of 19 I think, so I guess I just assumed most 2nd degree programs got fewer applications. On the other hand, that was a few years ago too...
They may, in fact, get fewer applications. That, however, doesn't mean that they are less competitive.

At a local university, they admitted about 1 out of 5 applicants which, numerically, is a higher ratio than most of the community colleges. However, I've seen the profiles of the admitted candidates and they are a stellar group of folks, both in terms of academic performance in their first degrees as well as their postbaccalaureate experiences and accomplishments.

Most or all of the local community college programs will admit anybody who meets the minimum requirements and their selections are either random luck or a matter of passing time on a wait-list.

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I've heard the excelsior online has a good program but I don't know anything about it. It came up on another thread like this one. Good luck.

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I've met nurses that did nursing school twice. It's possible. Comm. colleges are cheap and not easy to get into, but they do not look at the whole picture like BSN programs so you may have an easier time getting into one - it's more about your points/gpa/bonus classes etc. You can get bonus points for previous degrees too. They generally do not look at what your past is - you just have to have a high gpa (3.7-4.0). Only in the prerequisites of course. Retake them if you have to. Also, at least in my area, the NCLEX pass rate is higher with ADN programs than with BSN (regular length) because BSN programs are easier to get into than ADN programs. Who wants to pay 60K for an RN when you can get it for 7500.

I'd go for ADN - or apply to everything. Work on a 2nd degree in the mean time to show you can start & finish something significant if you really want to do an accelerated program. Or try out of state schools in the south. Good luck, it is possible!

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I would simply revisit all the schools you looked at on the first go around and add others if you run into roadblocks. You might want to first set up appointments to talk to advisors before spending money to apply so you don't waste time and money on schools that won't even consider your application. Excelsior College http://www.excelsior.edu is an option once you get an LPN license or another acceptable healthcare designation. However, you need to verify that EC is acceptable for RN licensure in your state. Good luck.

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Very likely I am way off there I guess :rolleyes: I was just thinking about my own 2nd degree program experience (n=1). Out of all the people who applied, only 1 person was denied...and when someone else declined to attend, they changed the denial into an acceptance. It was a state school, and we ended up with a class of 19 I think, so I guess I just assumed most 2nd degree programs got fewer applications. On the other hand, that was a few years ago too...

On some west coast schools only 1 in 10 or 1 in 12 are accepted to accel. BSN programs. The applicant pool is growing significantly year to year out here. Sometimes by as much as 30% jumps. Almost all of my prerequisite instructors are saying that their past good students have actually had an easier time getting into medical school vs. RN programs. They are actually starting to discourage people from going into nursing at all.

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The Community Colleges in my area are very difficult to get into. Several of the LPN's that I work with have found that they must retake pre-reqs that are weighing down their GPA's. It's not a case of taking just anyone. It doesn't help that they also cut enrollment because new grads were having such a hard time getting jobs. To the OP, consider private school. It may be easier to get into.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

Wow, I'm really surprised to hear that the BSNs are much more competitive than I thought. I always figured that since it required a degree, it was usually a career switch, which fewer people would want to do overall. But I guess it has become much more popular, plus the program tends to have fewer seats than a traditional program, so I guess that adds up to more competitive.

Thanks for setting me straight :)

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On some west coast schools only 1 in 10 or 1 in 12 are accepted to accel. BSN programs. The applicant pool is growing significantly year to year out here. Sometimes by as much as 30% jumps. Almost all of my prerequisite instructors are saying that their past good students have actually had an easier time getting into medical school vs. RN programs. They are actually starting to discourage people from going into nursing at all.

:down: Wow. That's a shame.

To OP - try accelerated BSN programs. Since you were in nursing, the prereqs were be clearer for you. Watch private school tuition...50K a year for a BSN is not the business. Also, ADNs are great!

All nursing programs are competitive, some more than others. Just do some research, meet with the staff/directors...and go from there. Good luck!

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