How hard is it to get into accelerated BSN programs?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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The first time I went to college it seemed pretty easy to know what schools were reaches, safe and way out of my league. For instance no one in their right mind would have told me to apply for Yale in the same token someone telling me I should look at the local community college could have been interpreted as insulting (which it isn't, just using it as an example). But now I am looking at accelerated BSN programs and every school seems to have the same requirements, and I am seriously confused.

Heres the story, I blew off college the first time around because I was arrogant and I thought economics was stupid (which time proved me correct to be fair) and I graduated with a 2.9 GPA and degrees in Economics and Human Rights, by no means a measure of my capability. I moved to DC and had 3 productive yet unremarkable years in the non profit scene. I did have a ton of very legit volunteer experience. I then left for the Peace Corps and sometime in the two years of overseeing a small rural health clinic in the South Pacific decided nursing is the thing I've been looking for all along. Now I am enrolled in a community college in Manhattan taking all the pre-req science classes I never did the first time around, and looking very hard for an accelerated BSN program that I can complete in 1-2 years. It all seems like a solid plan but I'm super nervous, and here's why:

Nearly every program requires a 3.0, which I didn't think would be a problem for a 2.9, but some of the people I've talked to in admissions say their applicants average a 3.4. Also most schools, from Yale to Southern Upstate Rural Junior College are claiming acceptance rates around 20% or lower. I have no hospital experience (but PLENTY of public health experience) and between going to school and bar tending to be able to pay for that I do not have time to go work as a CNA on the side (if that was even possible). Basically internet community what i'm asking is that do I have a shot here. (aka has anyone been in a similar position and made it). I'm wading into a considerable financial and time commitment for something I don't know is possible and I'm losing my mind a bit. Thanks.

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Specializes in ER trauma, ICU - trauma, neuro surgical.

Many applicants have anywhere from a 3.5 - 4.0. The acceptance rate is so low b/c so many people apply to nursing programs. You don't need to be a CNA to get hired, but many people suggest that because hospitals are more likely to hire staff from within the hospital. If you have your foot in the door of a specific department (where the manager know you), you will have a leg-up on someone applying for the first time to the hospital organization. But I did read that you don't have that option at this time. I don't know much about accelerated programs...esp. for non-science first degrees. There is a section on the forum that discusses online universities and has posts of nurses who attended online universities. See if the moderators can move your thread there to get more responses. (They don't allow copied posts in multiple sections). It's located in the "colleges" tab on the top of the website. You might have some luck there.

The only thing I can tell you is to do everything you can to have the highest GPA possible. That is the main factor for getting accepted.

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Specializes in Med-surg, home care.

I am looking to get into an acclerated program as well and from what I read the average student gpa is 3.5. You mentioned you are in Manhattan and let me tell you all the ABSN programs in NY are super competitive although it seems like the public college ones are the worst because they are cheap. My suggestion is to get a 4.0 in all pre req and if you can get a CNA job, even per diem, I say do it. I have a 3.2 gpa so I am gonna aim for a 4.0 in my pre req. I also wanna try and take a CNA course so I can work per diem although I am not sure how I would do that with a f/t job, a husband, and 3 kids but I'm gonna try...you can also look into associate programs or traditional BS programs but they are probably really competitive as well

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I am in California, and was able to get an "academic renewal" for most of my horrible grades from 14 years ago. I am now qualified and applied to CSULB nursing, and will find out in march if I'm in. Google it to see if an academic renewal, or academic forgiveness is offered.

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I am in Arkansas... applied... wrote my essay and prev. degree is a bachelors of science in psychology. They looked at GPA .. either the last 60 hours or last 4 years of college (whichever brought the best GPA to the individual). Hundreds applied to the program and I believe only 28 got into the second degree accelerated program. I GOT IN! :) My GPA over the last 60 hours was all A's and one B.. So like a 3.9 maybe.. and if you calculated total GPA over 4 years, it was around a 3.8. I was sooo nervous about being rejected because I gave up getting my masters degree in the psych field to pursue nursing. I even spent the last 2 semesters getting my A and P classes and having to take organic biochem... not to mention the labs that went with them. I have a 3 year old and husband.. 23 years old and it is time to finish school and start to work.. So I would have been SO upset if I had wasted the last year of my life. Plus, I only applied to ONE college.... so my chances were not as high. Good luck to all applying.

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High GPA is crucial. Don't tell them what a nurse is. The people reading your essay know the def. lol

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