How hard is it to get into a BSN program?

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · May 1, 2012

Why wouldn't you want an ADN, especially if that's the only accepts you? Are your parents paying your tuition entirely?

knittygrittyRN, MSN, RN · May 1, 2012

Well in my area most schools have waiting lists, which I'm assuming you'll encounter in most areas. The community colleges in my area have much longer waiting lists (to the point where they tell you when you start the program which can be years later). The cost of a BSN does turn people off which worked in my favor.

Now getting in, the better you're GPA the better, and especially if you've already done a lot of prerequisites that helps. If your school does essays explain why your GPA is lower then you expect. Life does get in the way of school at times and most people are willing to understand it when most of the other grades are high.

MissNancy · May 1, 2012

Why wouldn't you want an ADN, especially if that's the only accepts you? Are your parents paying your tuition entirely?

Also yes, my parents are paying for my tuition entirely. The only thing I pay for is for books, permits and gas.

Do you happen to know about Samuel Merritt acceptance rates than or any private colleges for BSN?

If it is a long waiting list; should I try for a BSN than? Or go with my original plan? Also I really would not mind if I moved around CA to get my degree. Thanks

Shorty11, BSN, RN · May 1, 2012

I live in Texas. It is way easier to get into a BSN program in this state. I have a 3.25 GPA, made a 94 cumulative on the HESI A2, and I got into the first 3 (BSN) nursing programs I applied to. (public universities) Then got to choose which one I wanted to go to. From what I hear, the southern California area is one of the hardest areas in the country to get into nursing school. If you really want your BSN, instead of your ADN, I would consider applying to universities in different areas of the country, still accredited, just less competitive about admission. If it is your dream, keep your opinions open... Don't be afraid to move!

soxgirl2008 · May 1, 2012

Just wondering, this semester I have 15 units and so far straight A's or maybe a B+ in heredity biology. I'm not too sure, but finals are in two weeks. Right now I have a 3.0, but after this semester I will have a 3.3 GPA probably. I messed up really badly for ONE semester thats why my GPA is horribly low. (All my C's were in that semester, every semester besides that one are all A's or B's). If you haven't seen my last thread https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/if-i-could-702128.html; I am still rethinking about it. My parents do not approve of this; they want me to get a BS at a prestige UC (I want to remain anonymous) and nothing is wrong with that. That is what I was planning to do and their reasoning is if I find something over there I could follow that route. And I thought if I wanted to become a nurse I could always go back, but then it would be wasting my time and effort. I mean I can see the UC route first because what if I find something I really love that I cannot find now? So according to this how hard is it? I do not want an ADN! I live in California btw.

Well if your parents are paying for it and money isn't a problem I'm sure you can find a BSN program somewhere....Around here all the public university programs are super super competitive. The private schools aren't competitive at all but extremely expensive. I'm not sure how the private schools are out in California though.

However, if the only schools that accept you are ADN programs I'd still do that if nursing is really what you want to do....You can always bridge over to a BSN...If you're set on getting your BSN first though you might have to expand your search depending on how competitive your area is.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · May 2, 2012

Cali seems to be one of the most competitive states for nursing schools. I would just apply to as many as possible, even out of state.

MissNancy · May 2, 2012

Cali seems to be one of the most competitive states for nursing schools. I would just apply to as many as possible, even out of state.

I heard about that to; Im a bit scared to go out of state though, but which states would you recommend?

Bobmo88 · May 4, 2012

Hey MissNancy,

I'm from So-cal and just got into a BSN program at CSUCI for the fall. I don't know if you are currently at a community college or a university but I would recommend exploring all of your options. I would apply to ADN programs if you are eligible since the wait lists can take a long time and then while waiting I would work on taking additional pre-reqs for BSN programs. Once you're done with those start applying to BSN programs. I actually am about to graduate with a Bachelor's in Spanish in less than 3 weeks because I know it will be a useful language around and also, it would make me eligible to apply to accelerated BSN or even Entry Level Master's Program so I would consider transferring to a University while studying something else instead of just waiting around. I also would try to get certifications like EMT, CNA or phlebotomy to try and get a job in order to get more experience. My pre-req grades weren't great, I got a B in everything except for Micro in which I got a C. I believe all of the other things like doing well on the TEAS test, speaking Spanish, pursuing a Bachelor's are what got me into my program (along with some luck) but if that didn't work out I would have re-taken classes, applied to more schools, or got on a program that had a wait list. Just some suggestions, let me know if you have any questions and good luck to you!

MissNancy · May 4, 2012

Hey MissNancy,
I'm from So-cal and just got into a BSN program at CSUCI for the fall. I don't know if you are currently at a community college or a university but I would recommend exploring all of your options. I would apply to ADN programs if you are eligible since the wait lists can take a long time and then while waiting I would work on taking additional pre-reqs for BSN programs. Once you're done with those start applying to BSN programs. I actually am about to graduate with a Bachelor's in Spanish in less than 3 weeks because I know it will be a useful language around and also, it would make me eligible to apply to accelerated BSN or even Entry Level Master's Program so I would consider transferring to a University while studying something else instead of just waiting around. I also would try to get certifications like EMT, CNA or phlebotomy to try and get a job in order to get more experience. My pre-req grades weren't great, I got a B in everything except for Micro in which I got a C. I believe all of the other things like doing well on the TEAS test, speaking Spanish, pursuing a Bachelor's are what got me into my program (along with some luck) but if that didn't work out I would have re-taken classes, applied to more schools, or got on a program that had a wait list. Just some suggestions, let me know if you have any questions and good luck to you!

Congratulations and thanks! So, how were you able to do pre reqs and your BA at the same time? Just taking those classes? Im currently at a community college and I'm transferring in Fall 2013; I actually never though of that. Do you think it would be possible to do Micro + Anatomy at the same time? Because once I transfer I will have upper-division classes and it will be a quarter system. My class does include Anatomy; but I'm not sure if that fits the prereqs because it is only one quarter there. But on assist.org it says it is equivalent to Anatomy 1 and 2 at my community college. And thanks.

here is a cookie :)

Bobmo88 · May 4, 2012

Thank you! Well, I graduated high school in 2006 and had already taken some college level classes like English Composition, Critical Thinking and Psychology so that helped. Was pre-med at first and took intro to Bio and General Chem I my first semester. I took Anatomy and Physiology in Spring 2008 and Micro in the Fall of the same year and applied to an ADN program Spring 2009 and was waitlisted. Once I was done with all my nursing pre-reqs, I started taking supplemental classes like Pharmacology and additional pre-reqs for BSN classes. When I applied to BSN programs, I chose back up majors and when I didn't get into the nursing programs, I decided it would be better to work towards a BA or BS instead of just waiting around for my ADN program.

In sum, I did my pre-reqs for ADN first then I did the BSN pre-reqs. I was already done with all of my pre-reqs before I decided to just transfer and pursue a BA. I would've actually been able to start at my ADN program this semester but I didn't take the updated TEAS V test (took the TEAS 4.0 in 09) by the deadline so my application was withdrawn. It all worked out for the better anyways since I took the TEAS V and got into my BSN program.

As far as taking Microbiology and Anatomy together, I personally wouldn't do it because I didn't have a strong bio background. If you're good at biology then I'd say go for it and try not to take any other classes. The most important thing is getting the best grades possible because it makes it so much harder to get in to programs. (I got a B in most of my pre-reqs except for Micro, which was a C and it made my life difficult) I'm a little unsure about how Anatomy works at your school because mine was like a 4-5 unit one semester class only, some programs will say how many semester and quarter units are required so double check just to be sure. Best of luck to you!