Looking for advice about West Coast schools and prereqs

sequoia87 · Nov 17, 2014

Hello!

I am looking for advice about programs and some ways to get started on going back to school.

I really see myself working in Women's and GLBT/Queer healthcare long term. First, I want to go back to school and do an accelerated BSN program and gain experience working as an RN first. Then, in a few more years, return to school for an MSN in Women's Health.

Some background on me: I live in Boston, Massachusetts and am looking to go to school on the West Coast. I graduated from Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont with a Bachelors in Psychology and Political Science. I received written evaluations rather than grades so I don't have a GPA. While I was in school, I commuted back to Massachusetts to work as a CNA at a hospital. I have 1.5 years experience total doing that. I left the job because the commute was long and I didn't have the time or money to get my CNA certification in Vermont during my senior year of college. I completed my senior research work on community mental healthcare.

So far I have completed a Nutrition course at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. I got an A. I also took a statistics course at a community college over the summer while I was still an undergrad and got a B+.

Depending on program requirements, I have a lot or a little left to do. I at least have A&P I&II and Microbiology to do.

Some schools require the GRE, some don't.

Right now I am working in a completely unrelated field, hospitality! I work at a very high end hotel as a concierge, and I'm leaving that soon because my schedule constantly changing has made it impossible for me to take more classes. What's next, I'm not sure, but I'm hoping to find some sort of temp job in a medical office while I complete a few more prereqs.

My lack of a GPA definitely doesn't look good at some schools. I want a program that considers more than just statistics on applicants. The admissions department at Simmons College was fine with it, it's not the program for me for a few reasons, but it was nice to hear. Same goes for Columbia, which I've also eliminated because I don't want to go from no experience straight into a DNP program.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks :)