In a bit of a pickle.... needing some advice

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Hello all.

I'm nearly a second semester junior at the College of Charleston. My goal is to try to get into MUSC's accelerated nursing program. I only have 2 prerequisites left, and I plan to study abroad Spring of 2015, so I figured if I was going to be at CofC for another two semesters, I might as well try to get a degree out of it since I need to fill my schedule anyway. And that's sort of my problem. I'm pretty far from any degree. It would be a stretch that would involve full semesters and summer classes. The problem there is that I'm not from an advantaged family, which means I have to work through the semester and I can't exactly afford a slew of summer classes. I'm closest to a BA in Bio, but even with these issues I don't like Bio. I've always been better in Chemistry and enjoyed it more. I would major in that (what I've wanted to do since I was a freshman) but prereqs are holding me up there. I just began intro to chem and I have to take part two of it before I can progress to upper level chem classes. Plus I need to take calc 1 and calc 2 which I can't do at my school because I made a D in precalc (also why I'm so behind in starting chem to begin with) and they expect a C or better. It's just so frustrating.

So, I guess that's the pickle I'm in. I don't know if I should try to major in Bio and break my neck to do it in such a short time, or just collect my pre-reqs and apply to the nursing program.

Part two of my dilemma, is my fear of not being accepted into their nursing program. I'm right at a 3.0, for one thing. I'm barely pulling a C- in anatomy this semester because my professor only gives two tests per semester and likes to keep them tricky. I've heard much of the same for physiology, which I'm taking next semester. I'm worried because I spoke with a person on the admissions board who spoke to students the other night, and he told me that MUSC expects about a 3.6 GPA and As in all science prereqs. I don't have a 3.6 GPA, and I'm not counting on having As in anatomy at least, physiology, not sure yet. I'm taking Micro over the summer at tech which should be easier. But I will mostly have As in all other prereqs. I made As in english, lifespan and development, most of my humanities, and I expect to pull As or high Bs in Chemistry and Statistics this semester. I also have worked as a caregiver for nearly a year, and I have volunteered with the SCRUBS program at Roper. So, what I lack in gap, I have in experience. But I'm not sure of how this will affect my chances. I just want some opinion on what I should do, because I'm so lost and no one I've talked to seems to know either.

-pessimistic pre-nursing student :(

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

One thing to consider is how obtaining a BA will effect financial aid. Im assuming that you use grants and loans because you said you have to work and don't have a lot of money, if I misread then my bad. If you get a BA, you will no longer qualify for grants (free money). Which means you will pay completely out of pocket or will need to get student loans to pay for school. If you are already using loans for your current degree then 2 things: a) there is a limit on total loan amount so you may reach that in pursuing a second degree and b) do you really want to pay back that high of loan amounts. Of course, if you are paying out of pocket, then this does not matter anyway except that you will be out of pocket on 2 degree, one of which will be no use to you.

Another thing to consider is what you plan to do with the degree if you get your BA in a non nursing field. What will you do with a biology degree? Is there a field you are interested in that requires a bio degree? Or even one that requires just any BA degree? If you get the degree just because you are close credits wise, then it will be a waste of time and money.

Also, if you get a BA in another field, then you apply for your program in a different way. The nursing program will look at your complete degree GPA instead of just the pre reqs. This could be good or bad. If your overall GPA is not above 3.5 it will make applying to a BSN program even more difficult. The application process for the ABSN and second degree BSN programs are in many cases even more competitive then the standard entry.

Also, have you considered going to a CC and getting an ADN first then bridging to your BSN. It may see counterproductive, but some of the CCs are not as competitive as the BSN programs or even go off a waitlist.

Lastly, have you looked for any other BSN programs? Some have a personal statement and interview added to the app process, and some will take your previous experience into consideration. I have heard of students with less than a 3.5 getting accepted over 3.9 students because of their experience as well as their interview. Try that route as well. If nursing is what you want then go for. There are many routes you can take to get there, some are just longer than others.

OOOh, I forgot to also mention. You can try the longer route but easier to get in as well. You can apply to LPN/LVN programs, then bridge to RN later. GL

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One thing to consider is how obtaining a BA will effect financial aid. Im assuming that you use grants and loans because you said you have to work and don't have a lot of money, if I misread then my bad. If you get a BA, you will no longer qualify for grants (free money). Which means you will pay completely out of pocket or will need to get student loans to pay for school. If you are already using loans for your current degree then 2 things: a) there is a limit on total loan amount so you may reach that in pursuing a second degree and b) do you really want to pay back that high of loan amounts. Of course, if you are paying out of pocket, then this does not matter anyway except that you will be out of pocket on 2 degree, one of which will be no use to you.

First, thank you for taking the time to reply to my long post. Secondly, I want to make sure I understand what you're saying about this part. So, if I understand correctly, you're saying that if I go ahead and get a Bachelor's of Arts in Bio from CofC, then I will no longer be able to get financial aid for my BSN at MUSC? Because if that's the case, then I definitely do not need to pursue this Bachelors of Arts since I completely rely on financial aid (I have grants, scholarships, and loans currently).

If I got the BA in anything from my college, I would never use it. I want a BSN. I want to be a nurse. That's the degree that I want to use. But so many people have been scaring me and telling me that many programs are accepting those who already have Bachelors degrees because it gives you a step up. I don't know how true this is but it's making me feel like I'm dancing in place trying to decide which direction to run in.

I think maybe my best bet at this point will be to try to just take my pre-reqs and some other classes to boost my GPA. I don't want to swamp myself with classes to try to cram a separate bachelors degree into the mix and risk doing poorly in my nursing pre-reqs.

I also have been trying to find some other nursing programs but I don't have anyone to help me with it. I can't really afford out of state tuition, so I'm trying to stay in SC. I know that USC Columbia has an upper and lower division for nursing, but I heard that you have to spend a year at the lower division and apply to the upper, and risk not getting accepted. I didn't want to waste a year retaking classes and risk not getting accepted. I would have nothing to show for it. My other option that I looked into was going to Trident Technical College to get an associates RN if MUSC doesn't accept me, but I've been in school long enough to almost have a bachelors degree, so I would hate to have to spend another two years there and come out with only an associates degree and have to do a BSN online. I also want to eventually go to CRNA school, so Idk how they would look at me going this route. maybe not to fondly? I'm not sure. I'm the first person in my family who has gone to a four year university, let alone nursing school, so no one in my family can help me with what to do.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

For financial aid, you would still qualify for loans, but not grants for a second BA. ANd the government loans have a cap of 57,000. Dont know how close you are to hitting that limit, but once you reach 57000 you can only get private loans for school.

As far as I aware, there are two different application processes. One is for current BA students going for a second degree in nursing. It is usually an accelerated course and they use your current BA GPA as a deciding factor. Then, the second is you can have a BA and still apply for the traditional route. Then it is up to the application process at your school. If they look at previous degrees, then it could be helpful, if they dont consider previous degree, then it wont give you any edge. Maybe apply to both the University and the technical school. The technical school can be a backup for just in case. Also look for any other CC in your area. Most will offer a program or have info to which CCs do. Apply to those as backups as well. At least if you dont get accepeted to the BSN program, you will have those backups to at least get started so you can bridge later.

I totally feel you on not wanting more school to only get an ADN. I am in the same boat. I had a rough year of school (my own fault, i was working and got lazy 2 pre req classes), so my GPA wasnt competitive enough for the Unis in my area. So, after a few years of pre and co reqs I will start an ADN program in Jan and bridge to BSN after. Luckily my school has a MAPP program for RN students that guarantees admission to the Uni for bridging to BSN after graduation and NCLEX. Its not the path I wanted to take since it will be 2 years longer, but in the end I will have my BSN. I also rely on financial aid, so I have to watch my loan amounts and classes so I dont lose any of it.

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Have you just tried to take your a&p at tech and why don't you just transfer to trident tech and try and do there acceralated adn program you can always do RN-to-BSN

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

At some point, it becomes clear that successful nursing students do not travel the same academic pathway as the traditional college major. No semesters abroad, No 'easy-A' classes, Not enough free time to enjoy (and recover from) collegiate social traditions, No easy way to recover from low grades and still gain entry into a nursing program . . .

It is my guess that OP is 'getting this' - it can be very depressing. Thank goodness there are wise and thoughtful AN-ers to provide insight and support.

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