Published Feb 17, 2008
jennyjuniper
10 Posts
Hi everyone. I have been considering nursing for a while now and have a lot of questions about nursing programs. I have a Business degree with a 3.2 GPA. I am really only interested in accelerated programs in the West and don't have any of my science prerequisits done. I have a killer job that runs April through October up in Alaska. This prevents me from taking traditional classes and I am really not willing to give up the job until absolutly necessary. Without knowing where I want to go yet, are there any general guidelines of how to go about taking prerequisits online? I've seen online Biology and Chemistry classes without labs but will I later discover that most programs require labs with most science classes? Does anyone have any recommendations of programs in the West with no wait list? I've heard that newer programs are easier to get into. Does anyone know of any? Wow, just one more question for now. Would getting my Wilderness First Responder certification be of much help when applying for programs? Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
teensmom
71 Posts
hello there, welcome.
I am in the Samuel Merritt ABSN program right now. I know that Samuel Merritt is very picky about which classes can be taken online. I would recommend asking each school you are thinking of attending what classes would be acceptable. Samuel Merritt gives out a list of recommended classes for pre-reqs online.
I had a very easy time getting into Samuel Merritt, my previous GPA was not the greatest but my NET test results and science grades were high. It also depends on which campus you want, Oakland has the most applicants, I am at the San Mateo campus which is brand new so less applicants apply. I love it here, I am almost done with my classes and I know I'll miss school.
By the way, what killer job do you have in Alaska, sounds interesting. Any volunteer work looks good on an application, especially if it involves healthcare in some way, my experience was with working with the mentally ill.
Good luck.
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
Thread moved to a more appropriate forum.
Have not heard of one Accelerated program not having a waiting list to get into, and even more so in the west. You may find a private program easier to get into, but again not in the Accelerated ones.
Check out the requirements for the programs that you are interested in, they are quite specific in what they will and will not accept as far as on-line type classes. Pre-reqs are where you are going to really need to improve your grades to get it, you are up against many that have higher grade point than you. Science courses always have labs with them, and there are some like Micro that have on-line skills labs, but you need to find out what the programs that you want will accept, not the other way around.
The wilderness course will not really be a benefit for you in getting accepted to school, your grades are going to be the most important in the science courses. First responder courses do not make it easier for you to get into a program as an RN, to get into an Accelerated program, you are up against many that have much more that they have done.
Best of luck to you but be aware that all pre-reqs need to be completed before you apply to a program.
Would an emt class help?
picurn10
409 Posts
I believe the Oklahoma City University ABSN does not have a wait list, but I've never heard of being able to take non-lab science courses and have them count so I'd be really careful about what you do take.
rockybeanz
36 Posts
hello there, welcome.I am in the Samuel Merritt ABSN program right now. I know that Samuel Merritt is very picky about which classes can be taken online. I would recommend asking each school you are thinking of attending what classes would be acceptable. Samuel Merritt gives out a list of recommended classes for pre-reqs online. I had a very easy time getting into Samuel Merritt, my previous GPA was not the greatest but my NET test results and science grades were high. It also depends on which campus you want, Oakland has the most applicants, I am at the San Mateo campus which is brand new so less applicants apply. I love it here, I am almost done with my classes and I know I'll miss school.By the way, what killer job do you have in Alaska, sounds interesting. Any volunteer work looks good on an application, especially if it involves healthcare in some way, my experience was with working with the mentally ill.Good luck.
:DHi , I am an applicant to the San Mateo campus this year, and I am still waiting for my letter of . . .hopefully acceptance. congratulations on almost finishing the program and I am especially glad to hear that you really liked it there.
:idea:Do you mind if I ask
-If you had to travel out of the San Mateo area for classes and labs often?
-What was your NET score average upon applying (because my GPA isn't super great, but my net score was above average)
-My science grades for the Chem, Anatomy, Physio, Pharmacology, Micro, and Pathophysio are pretty much A's and B's . . how were yours?
-And how was the first quarter of the year? Was it pretty intense, i mean the first few classes that you are supposed to take??
I hope I can stay in touch with you . . .especially if I get into the program . I am praying praying everyday.
Hope to hear from you