How to get into a BSN Nursing Program in Bay Area?

lauraline · Apr 9, 2013

Wow! That's such good news to hear!!! Did you apply to anywhere else besides CCSF? They have a great program. Hundreds of people apply there. Is this your first time applying to programs?

Yes, this is my first time. CCSF was the only school I was able to apply to at the moment. This semester I am finishing up my nutrition, speech, etc. so that I could apply to more places. But, my top choices are USF, SMU, and SFSU. I actually took my Physiology and Microbiology at SFSU (Extended Learning), and I loved my professors there. Send me a message if you want to know which professors I had (this forum won't let me post names). I actually will have letters of recommendation from them. However, I've decided that if I get an offer from CCSF this week then I will go for it. Although it is a community college, CCSF has a great reputation for nursing, one of the highest pass rates for NCLEX, and I have only heard good things about it. I know it will only be an ADN, but seeing as it is difficult enough just getting accepted anywhere (especially in the Bay Area), I would be more than happy to earn my degree there. Plus, like you mentioned, there's no reason you can't pursue an RN-BSN or RN-MSN afterward. :)

Oh, and BTW.. USF actually has an RN-MSN online program!

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Apr 9, 2013

Hi abbster, Samuel Merritt (SMU) looks at your entire application package. Not just grades. My Science GPA was 4.0 and my last 60 units about 3.7. However, I will say my GPA from CSUEB was a little under 3.0 in the mid-90's. I think back then, because I was working full time and going to school, I didn't have as much time to focus on my schoolwork. Anyway, if you can focus and get high grades on your pre-reqs or mostly A's, write 3 good essays, do well on the TEAS (above 75%), volunteer at a hospital or clinic, obtain 3 letters of recommendation and one from the place you volunteer would be ideal, include a resume, etc. I think you would have an excellent chance of getting into SMU! Also, not sure which location of the Bay you live, though I believe San Mateo SMU receives a little less applications than the Oakland and Sacramento locations. Thank you for your kind comments - I'm wishing you good luck to and high fives for your efforts!

abbster · May 3, 2013

Thank you :) even though I won't be attending usf, I'm glad the ball is in my court and I've done something right to get their attention. High hopes for samuel Merritt though, even if I don't get in ill apply for spring 2014. Ummm I don't believe they do but at the same time, you can technically apply into usf at any time of your college life because they don't require you to have all of the pre reqs done, because you can finish them there. I sent it just 1 from a supervisor from work that wasn't medically related, I'm sure getting at least two from medical personnel would help tremendously. At Stanford I did the navigators for 6 months and showed people where to go, it was the only job available at the time. After 6 months I requested another unit and am now placed at the oncology unit at Stanford. I do clerical duties, such as paging the nurses when the patient presses the call light button, making admin packets, restocking supplies, etc. etc. I know that eventually I can help the nursing assistants with simple things. At LPCH, I am a buddy. Here, I am basically a patient companion. I get orders for the kids that need a buddy and I sit and play with them, read books, take them on wagon rides, whatever they want to do. Idk if it matters so much as to what specific volunteer work you do, but I'm sure it being in medics, setting helps, and that you really take away good lessons from it, and you really learn what the profession is about. I think if you are surrounded by that type of environment, then they'll know that that's what you really want to do and you know what you're getting into. At Stanford, I get to talk to all of the nurses be they tell me it's a crazy, but rewarding job, even if they don't get to take breaks sometimes, have to hold their pee in because they're so busy, barely have time to eat, they say its all worth it. I'm currently taking three pre reqs for samuel Merritt- interpersonal comm, history and sociology. So hopefully the fact that I'm taking these three wont affect my getting in because I read somewhere that they prefer those that have everything -- even though it clearly says they'll accept those that have in progress classes as long as they are done the term before they start, so for me as long as I have those done by summer, and I'm accepted, then I'm good.
As for the TEAS, just get the book from the ATI website, use the McGraw book, and just browse online for some practice tests! Know your strengths and weaknesses and go from there. I was able to get a 90% on the reading portion, 79 on the math and 80 on the science. I forgot the other one. I studied from all the things i mentioned to you, but take into consideration math isn't my forte.
Good luck!

Hi! Thanks for all your help. I was wondering if you could help me with tips on how to get into USFs program? Either through here (I don't have pm or email?) I really want to get in there because I haven't completed all prereqs for SMU and at the time of the application when I apply this fall for spring, ill have between 3-5 classes in progress. Will that hurt my chances? Have you heard back from SMU yet?

smiley616 · May 5, 2013

It doesn't hurt to apply when you some have pre-reqs in progress. Some of my peers got accepted into the Samuel Merritt ABSN program with 3 pre-reqs in progress, so it's definitely possible to get into the program while you have pre-reqs in progress. However, it's always good have pre-reqs done at the time of your application to increase your chances, but having pre-reqs in progress do not hurt you.

abbster · May 13, 2013

It doesn't hurt to apply when you some have pre-reqs in progress. Some of my peers got accepted into the Samuel Merritt ABSN program with 3 pre-reqs in progress, so it's definitely possible to get into the program while you have pre-reqs in progress. However, it's always good have pre-reqs done at the time of your application to increase your chances, but having pre-reqs in progress do not hurt you.

Thank you! But I am not applying for their ABSN, but for their BSN. Im also trying to see a counselor there to talk to them and stuff. Do you think the same goes for their BSN program?

smiley616 · May 13, 2013

Thank you! But I am not applying for their ABSN, but for their BSN. Im also trying to see a counselor there to talk to them and stuff. Do you think the same goes for their BSN program?

I would like to think so, considering that the ABSN is supposed to be more competitive than the BSN program.