Getting into nursing school. Need help!

CDEWannaBe · Jan 27, 2012

The ASN programs aren't for less intelligent students, they just take less time and you earn an associate's instead of a bachelor's.

Contact the schools you're applying to and ask the GPAs and qualifications of those students who typically get in and ask for any advice. It's also a good idea to have the program's academic advisors evaluate your transcripts.

FitMommyRN · Jan 27, 2012

I'm currently in an ADN program and there is NO WAY anybody could consider this easy, or better for 'less intelligent' students. As someone who nailed all of her pre-reqs and has a previous Master's degree, I can say that this is the most difficult thing I've ever done. I'm surrounded by extremely intelligent students who still fail nursing exams. In fact, the class ahead of us just had their first exam of second semester and half of the class failed. These are hard working people getting into the program with 3.6+ GPAs and 85+ on the TEAS V.

The BSN takes longer because, as I understand it, there are more research based and management courses. But you have to think of it this way: we ALL sit for the RN NCLEX, and ADNs pass it right along with BSNs. It's what's best for you, and where you get accepted, that will determine your decision.

Most schools will post the average GPAs and TEAS V scores for their previous incoming classes. You could also go meet with a nursing advisor at these schools, let them look at your transcripts, TEAS V score, entrance essays etc, and usually they will be quite honesty about your chances of getting admitted into the program. Be very selective when choosing the professors that will be writing your letters of recommendation. If you need to explain any previous bad grades that were perhaps due to other circumstances, note that in a cover letter with your application packet. I had some bad undergrad grades and explained the circumstances behind them in a cover letter to Emory University and was admitted into the program. Of course, $17,800 a semester is a bit steep so we went with the ADN program instead.

Good luck, and never forget that a nursing program will always be difficult, but worth it in the end.

leeanna_9899 · Jan 27, 2012

I' m also a current Nursing student, and I have very smart people with me in my semester from with Bachelor degrees in Chemestry and they are having a hard time with the program. The program itself is time-consuming, but like rockabillyMommy said...it'll be worth it in the end.

liairis · Jan 27, 2012

I just graduated from a BSN program, and I can honestly say the only real difference is some extra research/management classes. It seems to me that the ADN programs are as difficult as BSN programs, but take slightly less time. One thing you might want to consider is where you want to work, and whether they prefer BSN nurses over ADN nurses. In the city I live, several of the hospitals are moving to only hiring new grads with BSNs. You also might want to think about whether you see yourself staying a bedside nurse or whether you are interested in eventually getting into management. But definitely don't think that the ADN programs are going to be too easy!

karczyn2 · Jan 30, 2012

It all depends on what you want personally. In my opinion, it makes more sense to just get the BSN because you are putting in the same amount of work and time (relatively speaking). Plus, as previously mentioned, a good amount of hospitals are preferring more BSN prepared nurses.

Things you should consider include cost, clinical placement, and culture of the school/program. I agree with people on this forum in that the BSN prepares you more for leadership, research, critical thinking, and theory. They also focus more on community health. I am currently a junior in my second semester at Emory and we definitely focus on those quite a bit. Based on my research and experience the ADNs are more prepared clinically skill wise upon graduation compared to BSN students, but BSNs eventually catch up.

The only difference between our ABSN and BSN program is that the ABSN students don't stop in the summer. The number of semesters is the same. Some programs are even faster so that is something you need to differentiate. Also, find out how many clinical hours you get at each school you are considering. That can be a make or break for some.

Your chances of getting in depend on where you plan to apply. At Emory, the class average GPA coming in is a 3.45. That doesn't mean that we don't have students with lower or higher GPAs, however. When applying to schools you need to find other ways to differentiate yourself. Let them know if you have experience abroad, speak a different language, worked in another industry, have community involvement, etc. Those can be your key to getting in for some schools. If you don't have the strongest GPA from your undergrad then you need to rock your prerequisites and show them how you have been consistent since your undergrad.

Don't worry about whether you have a chance to get in or not. Apply to any school you may want to attend. You will never know unless you try. If you are truly passionate about nursing then you will work as hard as you can to get in and your application should express that.

maddiem · Jan 30, 2012

I wouldn't say that anyone is "too smart" for an ADN program...Its not like you're learning downgraded material, its just not as advanced of a degree as a bachelors is. The outcome of both programs is an RN license. Nursing is HARD. It doesn't matter if you are in an ADN or a BSN program. Of course, you would rather get your BSN asap but if you don't get into the accelerated programs, don't feel like you're going to be missing out on a better education. Many people who get their ADN take RN-BSN bridge programs that only take about a year and many great schools offer them. If you get into the accelerated BSN program then go for it! But don't feel bad if you don't get in and end up doing your ADN first. It will be a challenge academically either way!

Good luck!

- Maddie

Hope63 · Jan 30, 2012

Pre-reqs are one thing............nursing classes and clinicals are another. You can never be to smart for an ADN program. Take it seriously and apply for both.

tas026 · Jan 31, 2012

I agree with everyone else, ADN courses can actually be MORE challenging than BSN courses because you will be learning all of the same things just in a shorter amount of time. The only real difference that you get with a BSN is a bunch of general education courses that may or may not help you in your nursing career. The fact that you already have a bachelors degree almost tells me that you may be better off in an ADN program. You could earn your nursing degree, then transfer all of your previous degree's credits to an RN-BSN program. You may be finished sooner than you thought.