Law school dropout pursuing nursing career

[hoosiergator]

Hi Everyone! I'm new here. I am hoping to start a direct entry MSN program in fall 2014. Vanderbilt is my top choice, but I'm not sure how much of a chance I have of getting accepted. I did not decide I wanted to go into nursing until very recently, and I am still trying to figure out how this all works. I attended law school for a year and decided it was not for me, and now I am very interested in nursing, especially pediatrics. I have just started taking my pre-requisite courses at a local community college and will not have them completed until May. I know that schools say this is ok, but I wonder how much of a difference it makes if they don't have all of my grades to look at. I am a little worried about this. I also have no nursing experience unless you count taking care of a very sick grandfather before he passed away. It seems like everyone applying to these programs has years of experience volunteering in hospitals. Is this a requirement even though the degree is for students who have degrees in fields other than nursing? I plan on volunteering at a hospital where I live and hopefully at a children's hospital as well. However, this only leaves me a few months to gain experience before I submit my applications. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to raise my chances of getting accepted to a MSN program. How much should I try to volunteer before I submit my application? It seems like schools should not expect non-nursing applicants to have a ton of health care experience. What else are these schools looking for in applicants? I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions. Thanks!

[Collegegal28]

Hi @hi616, I am interested in a direct entry program with a np specialty. Can you email me at [email protected]. I'm a senior in college this upcoming fall and wanting to get advice. Thank you

[hoosiergator]

hi616, your post was very helpful. Thank you so much. I feel like I am in a similar position as I already have a bachelor's degree and a year of graduate school under my belt. I have a good undergraduate GPA and a good GRE score, but I am worried I will not be competitive because I will not have my pre-reqs completed before I apply and because I do not have the experience volunteering in a hospital. I have contacted 2 hospitals nearby and will start volunteering twice a week; however, that will only give me a few months of volunteering before my application is submitted. I would love to talk to you more about the direct entry program and your application experience if you wouldn't mind sending me a pm. And congratulations on getting into Vandy! I would love to join you there in 2014!

[Krisp2]

hi616 - Congrats on getting accepted to Vanderbilt!! :)

I've been waitlisted for the pre-specialty program. Do you have any information about the waitlist? When did you hear you were waitlisted and accepted? Thanks in advance!