HOW CAN I COMPETE??

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2017

BSN and RN to BSN programs are different, so you're not competing for slots. If you're talking about competing for jobs, most RNs completing their BSNs are already working.

AceOfHearts<3 · Feb 24, 2017

If you want to become a doctor I'm not really sure why you would go for nursing first- they follow totally different models.

amoLucia · Feb 24, 2017

OP - you really need to decide nsg or medicine. The courses are different but the costs and time involved will drain you also BIG TIME.

HeySis, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2017

I'm also unsure of what you mean by "Compete" I agree with Jedrnurse, the BSN and RN to BSN programs are different and will have a certain number of spots for each program. You will only be competing with others that have finished pre-req's and want to start a BSN program.

And I agree with others that point out the best way to MD school is not through nursing school. When I was doing my nursing pre-req's I took a few classes (basics like anatomy and physiology) with the pre-meds students. They were doing 4-year bachelors degrees in other areas (sports medicine, chemistry, biology, business). They were all getting their "feet wet" in the medical field by volunteering at the hospital or becoming a patient tech and working ER or OR, then building relationships with MD's and shadowing.

But if you do decide nursing is the way to go.

1. Make sure your grades are great,

2. Work in healthcare in some capacity now,

3. Build relationships with professors, nurses and mentors that will be able to write you letters of recommendation,

4. And proof your letters to make sure sentence structure, spelling, capitalization and such are all correct. (Text writing looks unprofessional.)

Good Luck to you!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2017

I'm also unsure of what you mean by "Compete"

Perhaps he/she is referring to the fiercely competitive nature of nursing program admissions.

If so, the way to compete is to attain a competitive grade point average and outstanding entrance exam test scores.

jdpowerfitness · Feb 24, 2017

thank you for your response. the thing is that i'm skeptical when it comes to actually being in nursing school. i dont know how would i be able to survive nursing school from pre reqs to BSN compared to students who already have their rn going for their bsn.

jdpowerfitness · Feb 24, 2017

my anatomy teacher recommend that route. and i felt like it made sense. only due to the fact i can get a good job with a nursing degree. and nursing is the bachelors that worth going for. thank you for your response.

jdpowerfitness · Feb 24, 2017

:down:

jdpowerfitness · Feb 24, 2017

thank you for your response. and i will definitely take your advice to consideration. the thing with me is that i'm thinking about majoring in other areas like sports medicine,exercise science something in that field however i did 2 years of college already and they were for nursing pre reqs . i feel as if it wont be worth it if i major in something else other then nursing. like what if i dont get into md/do school. now what? i will be stuck with a major that i cannot use .

HeySis, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2017

Perhaps he/she is referring to the fiercely competitive nature of nursing program admissions.

Maybe, I did answer to that.

But it seemed OP was concerned about competing on admissions with applicants that are already RN's, and that just isn't the case, thus my curiosity.

As OP has furthered clarified, it seems it's not just about admission but being in the program with RN's.

i dont know how would i be able to survive nursing school from pre reqs to BSN compared to students who already have their rn going for their bsn.

You won't be in the same program, so there won't be a comparison between you and the ASN going to BSN students. You will be moving along with students that have similar experience/lack of experience as you have.

Besides, nursing school is not a competition, in the idea of there being a winner and a loser. If you study and apply yourself you can do this. I have heard of one program that cuts it bottom 10% each year, even if they are passing. I'm not sure how accurate that information was, but I wouldn't apply to a program that subscribed to that methodology.

Check with the school you are applying too. Most have the requirements publicly posted on what it takes to continue to move forward, like have to have B or higher in every nursing class, and if not can only redo one class for a higher mark.

If you have done well in the pre-req's, you will most likely be able to handle the academics of nursing school. When I have known people that were cut/quit, it was because they found during clinicals that nursing was not for them, or they were in a spot in their life that they could not/would not put in the time to do the work.

my anatomy teacher recommend that route. and i felt like it made sense. only due to the fact i can get a good job with a nursing degree.

I would seek out the professor that oversees the pre-med students (most university has a committee that works with those students to make sure they are prepared to apply to med school) and get advice on your school path from that person.

nursing is the bachelors that worth going for.

I agree a nursing bachelors is worth going for... if you want to be a nurse. But if you want to be a physician, you will spend 4-5 years and not have the pre-req's needed for med school. You won't be able to get into med school without the higher level biology and chemistry classes that just will not fit into the nursing curriculum (organic chemistry is the one that my pre-meds friends beat their heads against the wall about), and without those classes your scores on the MCAT will suffer.

Your comment about being able to find a good job with a nursing degree leads me to believe you don't have the time and money to waste. That's why I would suggest for you to shadow both professions, look at salaries, work schedules and future opportunities and make a decision between the two.

Nunubegone · Feb 25, 2017

If I had to do it over again, I'd get the Associates first, work, then go get the BSN (maybe). ASN's get paid the same as BSN's. So, unless you want to go further, don't waste your time. BSN programs are good but some of them are cruel in that they favor people and make you feel like crap if you are not as good as them. And how could you be, you are a student. Also, life is short. If you need money, put the two years in instead of 3 or 4. You can get a BSN online later.