Florida Freshman - want to be a Nurse - need advice

[nurse2b13]

Hello. I am a Freshman in college at a community college and I've decided that I want to go into Nursing and get a BSN and eventually become a Nurse Practitioner. I'm taking all the pre-requisites for my AA degree right now. However, Im getting a little discouraged by what I"m reading about the Nursing programs in Florida. It seems that there very difficult to get into and so I dont know which route to take.

Should I continue my AA and apply for the BSN Nursing program then? Or, should I try to get an ADN, then after I become an RN, get my BSN? I fear that If I go the ADN route that I'll start making money working and find that I dont have time for school and never get my BSN. So, I'd like to take the AA route and then apply to BSN programs, but I'm extremely discouraged right now as I read all the stories about schools having limited enrollments. What happens if I dont get accepted..I can't work as a Nurse with just an AA, so that's the risk I worry about. I'm a decent student and I work hard, but I dont have a 4.0 and probably never will. (more like 3.0) My sciences are good, but my College Algebra grade killed my GPA.

Can someone give me some advice on which route I should take and suggest some programs? I'm willing to go to any Public University in FL. Just need some guidance...thanks!

[NP Sam]

Hello! I would say continue in your AA and then try to transfer into BSN program. Don't let fear of competition stop you. Keep your grades up in the rest of the prereqs you have to take. Try to get some healthcare experience also. Apply everywhere, like at least three schools.

But you must always have a back up plan... apply to some ASN programs too.

Me personally, I had an AA out of high school, applied to two BSN programs and didn't get in either one of them. So I changed my major and got a bachelor's degree. During my last semester I applied to 3 second degree programs and one ASN program. TWO accelerated bsn programs accepted me and now I'm finally in nursing school, one of them being a public university in florida that is fiercely competitive but obviously not impossible to get into.

I said all that to say don't give up on your ultimate goal, but understand you might have to make some adjustments in the timetable for everything:). Do you know what schools in particular you might want to transfer into?

[nurse2b13]

After I get my AA, I will apply everywhere! My short list is UF (next to impossible!), FSU, UCF (all 3) & UNF. I'll go anywhere in FL though.

I looked at some requirements for ADN and thought I should consider that route. I figured I could apply as soon as I qualify (which would be in my sophomore year) and if I get accepted, I just take that route and then continue to get my BSN afterwards. But, I don't want to sell myself short. I kind of thought this route may be good only because working as an RN may help me with my BSN classes. Any thoughts?