How hard is it to get into accelerated BSN programs?

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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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It is frustration I hear you.

It does seem that nearly every program has a min of 3.0 AND that truly is a Min. where most programs are very competitive and have averages of 3.5 and up and Yes I have attended several informational sessions where they have 20% acceptance rates.

All I can tell you is research. research. research if this is what you want and are flexible I am optimistic you can find a program that will work.

I was in a similar boat... I graduated with a 3.02 cum undergrad. However, I do also have my Master's and earned a 3.97 gpa.

Some programs considered my grad GPA while others didn't. And it was all a guessing game.

For instance I applied to 3 programs and my GPA was drastically different for all for their admissions requirements

- School 1 considered me to have a 3.02 (took undergrad into consideration only) - WAITLISTED!

- School 2 considered me to have a 3.23 (took undergrad and Grad both into consideration) - HAVE NOT HEARD YET

- School 3 considered me to have a 3.78 (took last 60 hours only, including Grad) - ACCEPTED!

I did come across a program in Lake Mary, FL (just N of Orlando) that had a 2.5 GPA requirement I think. It is called Remington College. You may want to look into that.

Good Luck to you

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You DO NOT want to go to Remington!! I believe they are only turning out RNs and do not have a BSN program. OH is already moving toward magnet status and the other local hospitals will quickly do the say. Remington nurses are finding it harder and harder to find jobs. Seminole State College has a great concurrent program with UCF!!! Check that out.

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Purdue University has an Accelerated 2nd Degree (BSN) in Nursing Program that you might want to take a look at for next year. I had questions about how they calculate GPA because I too was an idiot undergrad my first time around. They require a 3.0, but they calculate the your degree GPA, not your lifetime GPA. This made a significant difference for me since I transferred to a diff university to complete my business degree and performance extremely improved there academically.

I hope this is helpful.

All the Best!

Bobbie Gee

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The Remington program (in Lake Mary only) is an accelerated BSN program.

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Specializes in NICU.

Indiana State has an on campus Accelerated BSN. The current GPA requirement is 2.5 in previous degree and 2.8 in science pre-req., and minimum of proficient on the TEAS test for the April 1 deadline. Next year the GPA requirement moves from 2.5 to 2.75. They have a 30 student maximum and the last 2 yrs they had less than 20 in the program due to lack of advertising of the program. I will know in less than 2 months if my cohort will have 30 students or less. So as of right now there is no competition to get into the program if you meet the basic requirements.

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If you are still in the process of looking at schools you should check our Howard Community College. It's not a BSN but they have an accelerated RN A.S program. I'm thinking of doing that for the cost saving and then doing an RN-BSN bridge. Plus if you finish the pre-reqs before Sept 15 and get 15 points on their grading scale (you get 5 points just for having a Ba) then you get accepted on a rolling admission status. The R.N is what you need to work. I hear different things about the chances of getting a job with just an RN. Personally I will highlight the fact that I all ready have Masters in another discipline and state on my resume that I plan to continue my education. Also, Maryland only requires 3 month residency to get in state tuition at C.C. However each C. C. does charge a different price if you don't live in the same county.

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If ur able or willing to move we have some state schools in Ohio that only require a 2.75 undergrad GPA with a 3.0 or higher for pre-reqs.

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I'm in a similar boat. I graduated with an unrelated BS with a 2.99. I am not too worried about getting in though as long as I do well in my prereqs. Usually recent classes and sciences/prereqs carry more weight than others.

I can't really comment on how competitive schools around NY are but I would imagine it's pretty tough. It's true that the minimums to apply usually have very little to do with the actual average of what successful applicants have.

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Specializes in PCU, LTAC, Corrections.

I didn't think it was so hard, honestly. I got into an ABSN program in the lower tri-state area of lower NY ( where I live). I also got into an direct entry-CNL program in the Midwest. However, I think that my success was due to me GPA. The first 38 credits of college I had a GPA of 2.3. I took some time off then transferred schools. I graduated from that college with a GPA of 3.795 after taking over 88 credits. My science GPA was a 3.12. Schools around NY are extremely competitive. The schools I applied to really did take my whole GPA into consideration but more weight was put on my more recent work.

I say apply and see where the chips fall.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Having been in the peace corps will HELP you. My first GPA was a 3.0, but I was also a US Coast Guard Veteran and it helped me get in. This was in 2006. It isn't all about the GPA, but you do need to be at least at the minimum. If you are at the minimum have other things on your resume. I know there are schools where like a 2.8 or even 2.5 is accepted. You are going to have to be very flexible and be prepared to move.

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I was in the same boat - I had a 2.75 (yikes I know) average in core sciences (microbiology, Anatomy, Chem) and a 3.24 Avg in everything else - not thinking that it mattered first time around. Fortunately, I was able to find a private, accredited school that offered an accelerated BSN, and was able to get a job right away immediately (I actually had 3 job offers ready to go prior to taking NCLEX), and ended up actually graduating and going through a CRNA program afterwards, and am practicing as a CRNA five years later. Your best bet will likely be going to a private school. My best advice would be - try your best to go to a public university or community college concurrent BSN program first because of cost and regional accreditation, then look into schools like Remington/Keiser/etc that have a BSN or accelerated BSN program. Just make sure to look out for accrediation (REGIONAL is a must - CCNE or other types will make it a big challenge to get into any masters programs), student contracts and policies, and cost (some schools like Remington have jacked up their tuition over 30% in 5 years whereas average starting salary in Florida has remained stagnant or only slightly risen in that same period. This tells me that that school, and others I'm sure, are getting greedy). I hope this helps! Don't get discouraged - you have options!

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