HELP! BOSTON! BS to BSN? LPN? Nursing in general...Advice needed

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Hey everybody, 21 year old male here from Boston nice to meet you all !

Will be graduating in May 2009 with a degree from Suffolk University in Philosophy and a minor in radiation biology. My GPA is a 2.8 which I'm not happy with, but I just didn't take school as serious as I did now. Recently just got a job as a patient transporter in a hospital just outside of Boston. I have been very interested in nursing before but kind of further cemented that idea working at the hospital because after I transport the patient, I just want to take care of them and do more than I'm qualified and know.

My question is what should I do further to become a nurse. I know there is a program in Chelsea that allows you to become a LPN at no charge as long as you work in their hospital for a year. I'm also looking into accelerated BSN programs. Because my GPA is low I'm pretty discouraged about applying though. I'm also taking A&P right now, which is a pretty big pre-req and MGH health professions for ex the deadline is November 1st( although I don't know if I apply this year or next November, figuring how I'll will be graduating in May - The program starts in Summer.) Would also have some really good recommendations though, from people I've helped , Bosses, Professors.

I absolutely want to do this and feel like I have so much to give.

Are there any other programs/ schools that I should really look into?

Any advice on any of this will be very helpful and extremely appreciated.

Thank You!

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also new to this forum, not sure if this is where i post, sorry !

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If you're already going to have a bachelor's degree, I would really go for the BSN...many of your credits may transfer, and there's a big difference between LPN and RN pay in MA. As far as school choices go, I'm not much help, as I'm a bit further west than you.

As far as your GPA goes, I think you'll find many schools forgiving... especially if you prove yourself by doing well in this A&P. Many of us didn't take school seriously when we were young, and you still are. It sounds like you're trying to turn that around, good for you.

Boston is FULL of great schools... I'm sure you'll find one that works for you. Even if it doesn't end up being your first choice, remember that nurses are in high demand... it's not so much where you went to school that matters in this field, but that you went to school, passed your boards, and are qualified for the position offerred.

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Specializes in thoracic, cardiology, ICU.

Hey man, great to hear another guy really passionate about getting into nursing.

I live and work in Boston at one of the big hospitals in longwood. The way I did it was I got my associates first, then did an 18month RN-BS online at umass boston while i worked as RN. It worked for me because the hospital pretty much paid for most of my BS degree through tuition reimbursement.

have you looked at the community colleges like bunker hill? It's a cheap way to get all of your pre-reqs out of the way. We get some of their nursing students on our floors every year, and it gives you great exposure to some really high acuity patients we get. I also have a buddy doing Regis colleges RN program and he seems to like it.

from what i hear the MGH health professions school is crazy expensive, but it does seem to give you an easy in to any of the partners hospitals once you get your RN license. I really don't know a lot about that particular program though.

Other people might take a different stance, but i'm going to discourage you from going for an LPN at this point. If you're going to spend the time in school, you might as well get your RN and a BS. LPNs seem pretty limited in Massachusetts, and you'll have trouble finding a job in this area unless its at a nursing home or something along those lines. I definitely encourage you get a BS because it will make you more competitive in the job market here. There are a lot of colleges pumping out new RN grads and most want to work in the big hospitals like beth israel mass general and brigham and womens.

hope that helps. let me know if you have any other questions.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hi there!

I went to Suffolk also.....I left after a year when I realized I wanted to pursue nursing :) Now im in a program and am very happy with my decision. I think the BSN route would be best for you since you'll have a BS already, but do what is best for you financially and academically.

Just wanted to wish you luck, and tell you not to be discouraged by your GPA. Keep working hard and make your dream happen!

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If you're already going to have a bachelor's degree, I would really go for the BSN...many of your credits may transfer, and there's a big difference between LPN and RN pay in MA. As far as school choices go, I'm not much help, as I'm a bit further west than you.

As far as your GPA goes, I think you'll find many schools forgiving... especially if you prove yourself by doing well in this A&P. Many of us didn't take school seriously when we were young, and you still are. It sounds like you're trying to turn that around, good for you.

Boston is FULL of great schools... I'm sure you'll find one that works for you. Even if it doesn't end up being your first choice, remember that nurses are in high demand... it's not so much where you went to school that matters in this field, but that you went to school, passed your boards, and are qualified for the position offerred.

thank you so much ! i definitely want to go for the accelerated BSN, just didn't know how competitive they are and if I will get accepted. I was looking into the LPN as a second option, but maybe even if it takes me a little longer to take some classes to get my GPA up it'll be better.

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Hey man, great to hear another guy really passionate about getting into nursing.

I live and work in Boston at one of the big hospitals in longwood. The way I did it was I got my associates first, then did an 18month RN-BS online at umass boston while i worked as RN. It worked for me because the hospital pretty much paid for most of my BS degree through tuition reimbursement.

have you looked at the community colleges like bunker hill? It's a cheap way to get all of your pre-reqs out of the way. We get some of their nursing students on our floors every year, and it gives you great exposure to some really high acuity patients we get. I also have a buddy doing Regis colleges RN program and he seems to like it.

from what i hear the MGH health professions school is crazy expensive, but it does seem to give you an easy in to any of the partners hospitals once you get your RN license. I really don't know a lot about that particular program though.

Other people might take a different stance, but i'm going to discourage you from going for an LPN at this point. If you're going to spend the time in school, you might as well get your RN and a BS. LPNs seem pretty limited in Massachusetts, and you'll have trouble finding a job in this area unless its at a nursing home or something along those lines. I definitely encourage you get a BS because it will make you more competitive in the job market here. There are a lot of colleges pumping out new RN grads and most want to work in the big hospitals like beth israel mass general and brigham and womens.

hope that helps. let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you! Did you get your associates in nursing at bunker hill? where did you take that? I have most of my pre-reqs done, except A&P but, Maybe I'll retake some of these classes i didn't do so well in at community college. ie(statisitics=C+, Bio=C, Chem=C, all taken freshman year).

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Hi there!

I went to Suffolk also.....I left after a year when I realized I wanted to pursue nursing :) Now im in a program and am very happy with my decision. I think the BSN route would be best for you since you'll have a BS already, but do what is best for you financially and academically.

Just wanted to wish you luck, and tell you not to be discouraged by your GPA. Keep working hard and make your dream happen!

Thank you so much ! yeah i'm in the Donahue computer lab typing this haha. I wish I would have done what you have, but it just took me a little longer to figure out.

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im graduating in 2009 also with a degree in psychology and looking to do just what you are! So far I have found schools like umassboston and amherst, mgh institute, mcphs, curry, and simmons college for accelerated nursing programs. I talked to a rep for one of the colleges and she told me that your undergrad gpa doesn't matter as much as your prereqs so hope that puts a weight off your shoulders! Another word of advice is to try to diffuse the fact that you're gpa is not to your satisfaction and just work hard at getting into a program. I am going to try to get into the colleges but if not, I think I will get my associates and do a bsn online...OR you can even contact some colleges and ask if you can apply as a second degree candidate in nursing and you will only go for two years instead of four to get your BSN....I hope some of this enlightened you and good luck in your goal!! There are always plenty of options other than your primary one you can work with it just takes some work and research!:yeah:

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