Published May 6, 2014
pdc8
6 Posts
Hello there
I have been looking for an accelerated nursing program for a while now,looks like there are many requirements ,could you guys help me out please
- I have a bachelor degree in biology,and I took many courses years ago like Anatomy..I was gonna go to nursing school then I changed my mind ( family,kids) that was like 8 years ago . now my overall GPA is less than 3 and wherever I look I see schools are asking for 3.0 or higher ..are they strict about that ? I mean is there anything I can do for it ..I have asked and was told if GPA less than 3.0 then I need to look for a basic nursing program,means 4 years not accelerated one!
-Do I need to retake those courses like Anatomy and Biochem ...again? schools asking that those courses need to be within the last 7 years ?
-Also some science courses are asked to be within 7 years and I graduated like over 10 years ago now ..please some advice
-those accelerated programs aren't online so I have to travel for them which is hard for me, so what you guys suggest ?
SycamoreGuy
363 Posts
I can't speak for every accelerated program but I can give you my experience. My first degree was a non-science degree and my GPA was a little below 2.5. I found a new accelerated program that only required a 2.5, I took two semesters of pre-reqs (since I hadn't taken any A&P, chem, microbio, or psyc with my first degree) and I got all A's. Since I had transferred my credits from my first degree in order to take pre-reqs and GPA doesn't transfer I can only assume that the program only looked at my pre-req GPA of 3.98. I was accepted and finished with a 3.5. So, my advise would be to find a new program and work really hard on their pre-reqs even if it means taking A&P again. I have heard that some places will accept you conditionally if you are below their minimum GPA but considering how competitive accelerated programs are becoming I wouldn't count on that.
kaybeyond
10 Posts
I couldn't agree more with Sycamore guy. Our program requires all prerequisites to be finished before you can be considered for the accelerated program. Getting those finished and working as hard as you can on them will get your brain ready (a little!) for what will come in nursing school. I was coming back to the academic scene after raising four daughters and had a lot of performance anxiety to work through too. If you want this, you can absolutely do it! Blessings to you and your career path!
Thanks to both of you
so basically I need to go back and take those courses again,I remember back in 2006 I took most of them and did very well.
-by finding a new program means moving to a different city,which is kinda hard at the moment . I am just afraid to get those courses finished and then won't get accepted because of my GPA
-Are there any online accelerated programs out there ?
NurseGirl525, ASN, RN
3,663 Posts
There are online accelerated programs but you will have to do your own clinicals. You can't do a complete nursing program online. I would see what you need to retake and do that first. Online accelerated programs can be difficult to get into and are very expensive. I would find one and talk to an advisor from there and see what you need to do.
I haven't seen any programs that are 100% online. I looked at one that allowed you to do all of your classroom stuff online but you were still required to come to campus 1-2 times a week for labs. It was also twice as much($) as the program I did. Shop around near you, ask advisors questions, see what you find.
How much those courses cost ?
-Anatomy and physiology
-Advanced anatomy and physiology
-Biochemistry and organic and general chemistry are required for that
-Psychology
-statistics
-then you got Microbiology
-Also Sociology
Can I get any kind of financial aid for that ? would they pay for them? The adviser said it would be better if you take them at a 4 year university not a community college!
Peanut&Buttercup
135 Posts
You should talk to your school. Some places require that classes be taken within a certain time frame. Some prefer or even require you take classes at that school. Some won't let you repeat classes.
For of me, I had a less than stellar GPA from many years ago. Of the accelerated programs in my area, the under 3.0 GPA was a non-starter. It's just too competitive; 3.0 is the minimum, but those are admitted have much higher GPAs. They told me flat out that I should not apply.
In the end, I ended up going the ADN route at the local community college. After the prerequisites are completed, it's just three semesters before I can sit for the NLCEX. Then, I can complete my BSN (we are automatically dually admitted to 4-year university) in another three semesters. It's not the quickest route, but it certainly is the cheapest and I'll be able to work while going to school. Many of those accelerated programs discourage or even prohibit working while in school.
Good luck!
There is a limit on how much financial aid you can take out for undergrad. I had a scholarship for my first degree so it wasn't an issue for me but I'm pretty sure most of my other classmates still had enough left over to cover it