Looking into direct entry MSN programs. I need help with thoughts and chances

[beaconshome]

Hey Everyone!!

I'm still a little new here but I have been doing a lot of research regarding direct entry MSN programs. This fall I am finally graduating from college and I am so happy. It's been a long road for me especially with medical difficulties (a brain tumor), but it's almost here! This is currently my 5th year of college and I was a chemistry major for 4 years before deciding to switch to a psychology major. Unfortunately I didn't do so stellar in my physical chemistry class (failed) thus the decision to a psychology major. At graduation I will have a psychology major and chemistry minor. My cumulative GPA as you would expect from failing classes isn't stellar as well, 2.73 currently. I was very proud of myself last semester making a 3.5 GPA and the dean's list!!! Anyways, I have a few pre-reqs to take before applying to nursing programs (A&P 1&2, microbiology, etc.), but I really wanted to ask what are my chances of getting into a direct entry MSN program? I would really like to implement my psychology degree so I would prefer to go into psychiatric nursing. Programs I have been looking into have been MGH, Vanderbilt, etc. Any help or thoughts would be much appreciated! Thank you.

[aurora155]

I think some schools count the GPA of the pre-reqs heavily, so if you have 2.9 overall but 4.0 on the pre-reqs, this would be quite favorable. I also think if the GPA is weak, that taking a couple of years out of school to work in healthcare can help. I had no nursing experience and wanted to do a direct entry program. I got my CNA and I think this reflected well on my direct entry application--showing I truly was interested in nursing. Plus I got to learn some basic nursing skills. So I would say not all is lost, if your GPA is under 3.0, but if you are just finishing your undergrad degree, maybe a break of a year or two to work in healthcare would be helpful.

[jlnp7]

I have taken all my pre-reqs at Quincy College. I would recommend them based on their flexible schedules and the price. Some classes are stronger than others, but that's the case with every school, I think.

Good luck!

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

I am in my last year of a direct entry Masters program. My undergrad GPA wasn't the greatest (3.2), but my pre-req GPA was a 4.0 and I think that looked favorable more than my undergrad transcript.

I say apply. Whats the worse that can happen, ya know?