Hunter's or NYU's Accelerated second degree nursing programs

SirNurse312 · Feb 24, 2016

Great advice. I had to choose between a sf based school, which would cost me an arm and a leg, or spend me time in a more cheap area, with less worries about student debt. You gotta do what you gotta do! You got this!

Pm92 · Feb 25, 2016

Great advice. I had to choose between a sf based school, which would cost me an arm and a leg, or spend me time in a more cheap area, with less worries about student debt. You gotta do what you gotta do! You got this!

Thanks!!! I'm worried that I won't get in though... Statistics is one of the prereqs and I took that class a few years ago and got a C+ ugh!!

Pm92 · Feb 25, 2016

Great advice. I had to choose between a sf based school, which would cost me an arm and a leg, or spend me time in a more cheap area, with less worries about student debt. You gotta do what you gotta do! You got this!

Thanks!! I'm worried I won't get into the program though... One of the prereqs is Statistics and I received a C+ in that course

Buckhill · Feb 25, 2016

Hey there- I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I have a bachelors (in the theatre arts) obtained years ago and am currently in the process of changing careers. I'm now towards the end of finishing up my science prereq's for entry into a nursing program. I've been looking at Hunters, NYU's and Columbia's accelerated programs.Cost is of course a HUGE concern. Columbia masters direct entry program looks impressive. Masters Direct Entry (MDE) | School of Nursing. I looked at NYU's accelerated program: https://nursing.nyu.edu/program/accelerated-bachelor-science. It just seems to me that if you're going to endure the cost...stress..etc of an accelerated program..why not go into one that offers a masters degree at the end instead of a bachelors. It just seems that the masters would hold more weight than a bachelors degree. But....there again...there are those who say that in the end...it really doesn't matter what degree you come out with...all these schools are great programs.

RN_Man · Feb 25, 2016

Thanks!!! I'm worried that I won't get in though... Statistics is one of the prereqs and I took that class a few years ago and got a C+ ugh!!

I graduated from the Hunter program. It's notorious for using strict composites metrics for admissions. Overall GPA is weighed heavily. Individual course grades aren't even looked at, unless they are non-passing. What's your overall GPA?

RN_Man · Feb 25, 2016

Hey there- I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I have a bachelors (in the theatre arts) obtained years ago and am currently in the process of changing careers. I'm now towards the end of finishing up my science prereq's for entry into a nursing program. I've been looking at Hunters, NYU's and Columbia's accelerated programs.Cost is of course a HUGE concern. Columbia masters direct entry program looks impressive. Masters Direct Entry (MDE) | School of Nursing. I looked at NYU's accelerated program: https://nursing.nyu.edu/program/accelerated-bachelor-science. It just seems to me that if you're going to endure the cost...stress..etc of an accelerated program..why not go into one that offers a masters degree at the end instead of a bachelors. It just seems that the masters would hold more weight than a bachelors degree. But....there again...there are those who say that in the end...it really doesn't matter what degree you come out with...all these schools are great programs.

Personally know a bunch of graduates from both Columbia's program as well as NYU's. They are both great programs. The complaint I heard from ALL people I personally know that went through Columbia's program is that the BSN portion of the program is too fast and they felt clinically unsafe at times - that being said, they all did well and are advance practice nurses now - NP's, midwives, and CRNA's.

NYU's program places it's clinical rotation in an odd manner. Basically waste a whole semester were you cannot do ANY drug administration in clinical - and 1st round clinical is adult/genro (kinda the meat of bedside nursing), so it's a major waste. They also rotate between hospital clinical and in lab simulations every week so you don't get much clinical time. Very poor choice in my opinion. Student nurses need as much real clinical time as possible.

Pm92 · Feb 25, 2016

I graduated from the Hunter program. It's notorious for using strict composites metrics for admissions. Overall GPA is weighed heavily. Individual course grades aren't even looked at, unless they are non-passing. What's your overall GPA?

I have a 3.5 GPA but still have this semester to go plus I still need some of the prereqs. I emailed admissions and a nursing program aide told me that because I didn't get a B or higher in Statistics, I would not be considered for the program !!!

Pm92 · Feb 25, 2016

Hey there- I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I have a bachelors (in the theatre arts) obtained years ago and am currently in the process of changing careers. I'm now towards the end of finishing up my science prereq's for entry into a nursing program. I've been looking at Hunters, NYU's and Columbia's accelerated programs.Cost is of course a HUGE concern. Columbia masters direct entry program looks impressive. Masters Direct Entry (MDE) | School of Nursing. I looked at NYU's accelerated program: https://nursing.nyu.edu/program/accelerated-bachelor-science. It just seems to me that if you're going to endure the cost...stress..etc of an accelerated program..why not go into one that offers a masters degree at the end instead of a bachelors. It just seems that the masters would hold more weight than a bachelors degree. But....there again...there are those who say that in the end...it really doesn't matter what degree you come out with...all these schools are great programs.

That's true... Great advice, thanks. Where are you taking your prereqs?

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 27, 2016

I have a 3.5 GPA but still have this semester to go plus I still need some of the prereqs. I emailed admissions and a nursing program aide told me that because I didn't get a B or higher in Statistics, I would not be considered for the program !!!

No, you won't and HBSON does not accept repeat courses for pre-nursing or the equal for ABSN program. http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/nursing/admissions/undergraduate/accelerated-second-degree-nursing-program

Long story short some CUNY nursing programs require pre-nursing and or courses required before entry in ABSN programs passed with a minimum 2.5 GPA, others want a 3.0, HBSON falls into the later but many more both ADN and BSN are following.

Simply put there is a body of evidence linking first time NCLEX passing performance with high academic achievement in nursing school. Some hospitals like NYU actually state their *preferred* choices for new graduate program have grades of "B" or better in nursing and science classes.

While it will of course vary each semester but going back almost twenty years not (gosh cannot believe it has been that long, *LOL*) HBSON entry has been top heavy with applicants with GPAs ranging from 3.5 to 4.0, with plenty of the latter not being admitted on their first attempt. In theory the introduction of the NLN exam portion was to allow for a more democratic selection but don't think it has really worked out that way. If you look at those accepted each semester it still is heavy with nearly 4.0 GPAs.

HBSON has had a problem with too many applicants for too little openings for some time now (see above regarding twenty years). Ever since everyone and their mother decided nursing was a "hot" career. That coupled with the increasing *BSN* preferred stance by NYC hospitals and lead to large numbers heading to CUNY nursing programs. Problem is there are only two or three undergraduate BSN programs at CUNY (Hunter, Lehman and some type arrangement with Queensboro and Hunter IIRC). There are of course the ABSN programs but they aren't many either.

Worse for prospective nursing students at Hunter is the introduction of the ABSN program has split the number of openings for undergraduate admissions. IIRC total number is about 150 to 200 or so split between generic and ABSN.

Meanwhile back at the ranch because of the way CUNY is structured far more students enter Hunter as pre-nursing students (undergraduate) than ever can be admitted in each class. People have gotten fed up with Hunter and after taking pre-reqs but not being admitted to the generic program once or twice gone elsewhere (such as NYU) and graduated, passed the boards and now are working.

Main reason so many choose HBSON besides all the fame attached to the program is simple; money. That is the same reason CUNY programs have been and remain one of the largest source of graduate nurses in NYC. CUNY tuition is far more reasonable than say NYU or other private schools, and at the end of the day few places truly care where a nurse graduated. Some places have a better reputation than others.

As all this relates to your situation HB pretty much as already given you an answer. Your Stats grade is below the minimum and unless am mistaken they will not accept a repeat course.

HopefulSRNA1234 · Feb 27, 2016

No, you won't and HBSON does not accept repeat courses for pre-nursing or the equal for ABSN program. Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program (A2D) â€” Hunter College
Long story short some CUNY nursing programs require pre-nursing and or courses required before entry in ABSN programs passed with a minimum 2.5 GPA, others want a 3.0, HBSON falls into the later but many more both ADN and BSN are following.
Simply put there is a body of evidence linking first time NCLEX passing performance with high academic achievement in nursing school. Some hospitals like NYU actually state their *preferred* choices for new graduate program have grades of "B" or better in nursing and science classes.
While it will of course vary each semester but going back almost twenty years not (gosh cannot believe it has been that long, *LOL*) HBSON entry has been top heavy with applicants with GPAs ranging from 3.5 to 4.0, with plenty of the latter not being admitted on their first attempt. In theory the introduction of the NLN exam portion was to allow for a more democratic selection but don't think it has really worked out that way. If you look at those accepted each semester it still is heavy with nearly 4.0 GPAs.
HBSON has had a problem with too many applicants for too little openings for some time now (see above regarding twenty years). Ever since everyone and their mother decided nursing was a "hot" career. That coupled with the increasing *BSN* preferred stance by NYC hospitals and lead to large numbers heading to CUNY nursing programs. Problem is there are only two or three undergraduate BSN programs at CUNY (Hunter, Lehman and some type arrangement with Queensboro and Hunter IIRC). There are of course the ABSN programs but they aren't many either.
Worse for prospective nursing students at Hunter is the introduction of the ABSN program has split the number of openings for undergraduate admissions. IIRC total number is about 150 to 200 or so split between generic and ABSN.
Meanwhile back at the ranch because of the way CUNY is structured far more students enter Hunter as pre-nursing students (undergraduate) than ever can be admitted in each class. People have gotten fed up with Hunter and after taking pre-reqs but not being admitted to the generic program once or twice gone elsewhere (such as NYU) and graduated, passed the boards and now are working.
Main reason so many choose HBSON besides all the fame attached to the program is simple; money. That is the same reason CUNY programs have been and remain one of the largest source of graduate nurses in NYC. CUNY tuition is far more reasonable than say NYU or other private schools, and at the end of the day few places truly care where a nurse graduated. Some places have a better reputation than others.
As all this relates to your situation HB pretty much as already given you an answer. Your Stats grade is below the minimum and unless am mistaken they will not accept a repeat course.

Completely agree with above. But don't get your hopes down. If I were you I'd apply to state schools (stony, Bing, etc) and see what happens. Moral of the story: nursing isn't as easy to get into as it used to be and apply to everywhere and see what happens.

If you don't get in after all that, re evaluate

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 28, 2016

Completely agree with above. But don't get your hopes down. If I were you I'd apply to state schools (stony, Bing, etc) and see what happens. Moral of the story: nursing isn't as easy to get into as it used to be and apply to everywhere and see what happens.
If you don't get in after all that, re evaluate

CUNY really needs another four year degree program. Don't know where or how it can be done though. Maybe resurrect City College's school of nursing. For long and complicated reasons CSI still only awards a ADN but offers a bridge program. This even though SICC and Richmond College merged decades ago.

There was a rumor last year that Beth Israel's program was going to offer the BSN, but haven't heard much about that since.

ddeRN16 · Mar 4, 2016

Hi everyone! I am currently in NYU's ABSN program and wanted to share what is solely my opinion as I am graduating in 2 months!

- Application: NYU accepts a much larger class size (between 150-300) while Hunter does not. Also means lecture class sizes are between 60-160 students. Clinicals have 4-5 students and simulation 4-8 students. I know a lot of my peers at NYU who were denied at Hunter. I recall Hunter's pre-req requirements being more extensive than NYU's as well.

- Cost: NYU is VERY expensive, especially for a 15 month program and being a second degree student. Majority of students receive a College of Nursing Scholarship each semester (3-6k but it's something) and the scholarship officer sends weekly emails with internal and external awards to apply for. I did not receive financial aid aside from the College of Nursing scholarship upon acceptance but received just about 20k in scholarships throughout the program from applying to them.

-Clinicals: Yes, we switch every week between simulation on campus and clinical at a hospital, but simulation is just as important. I have been at clinical sites where Pace and Adelphi students are on the same unit and they are doing the same thing as us NYU nursing students - basic assessments and observing the nurses. In simulation we are extremely hands on - giving meds to talking, crying, moving mannequins, giving CPR, running blood and IV's, EKGs, foleys, trach care, etc. It is a brand new simulation center and everything is exactly like it is in the hospital. It's great because it's where we can make mistakes and learn whereas in the hospital you make mistakes and you're in trouble. We also have open simulation each semester to practice skill sets which is 1-on-1.

Master's opportunities: In your 3rd semester (of 4) you are able to apply to any NYU's master's program at no cost and are notified of the decision within about 2 weeks. I am pretty confident everyone I know already at NYU became accepted into their program of choice. Columbia's entry to practice program is also great, but speaking with nurse managers in clinicals and our professors who have been hiring managers, most facilities want an NP with a Master's Degree to have some independent experience. NYU's program allows you to pass NCLEX and work for up to 2 years then come back to continue your studies. Columbia grads typically do not have comparable experience when graduating with their Masters -but I am only relying on what I am told here.

The faculty is amazing; they are all so approachable, helpful and successful in their own careers. They really encourage us to become involved in interning, volunteering or research. The camaraderie as students at NYU is also unlike anything I've seen. We all help each other so so so much. Lastly - they thoroughly prepare us for NCLEX and have us in a Kaplan NCLEX program from semester 1 until after graduation when we take a 40 hour NCLEX prep course. I would like to say that as an (almost) new graduate looking for jobs, many nursing managers say NYU graduates are the graduates they interview first as they are known to be of high caliber. Second though - they say are Hunter graduates. NYU professors also attest to Hunter being a close competitor, even before Columbia. If cost is a factor, that is something to consider but personally - if I could do it all over, I would take out my 60K loan and chose NYU again.

Best of luck to everyone even considering entering the field!