Master's Entry-Level Nursing Programs

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Specializes in Adult Stem Cell/Oncology.

Hi everyone! This is my first post on this site. Sorry, this is kind of long, but here is my story:

I graduated from college in 2005 (Chapman University) with a BA in English Literature and a BA in Philosophy with a Religious Studies emphasis. I originally planned on getting my Ph.D. in English but then eventually decided to pursue my childhood dream of working in the medical field despite the fact that I'm not exactly mathematically or scientifically gifted. So far, I have taken these classes:

Psychology 100: A

Statistics: A

Microbiology: B

Anatomy: C .....not happy about that :bluecry1:

I still need to take Chemistry (this summer) and Physiology (this fall) ....and I definitely can't get any more C's!!!

I also just started volunteering as a Clinical Care Extender at Hoag and as a nursing volunteer at CHOC.

So my question is this: does anyone know of any good masters entry-level programs in California (where I live) or in other states? I'm applying to UCLA's program and desperately want to go there, but obviously have to apply to several schools. I graduated magna cum laude with a double major and would like to put it to some use....

Also, I'm worried that my application may not be competitive enough because of the C in Anatomy and the B in Microbiology....from what I've heard, you're supposed to get straight A's in all the prereq's to get in anywhere..... I'm so scared!:uhoh21:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.

Also, I'm worried that my application may not be competitive enough because of the C in Anatomy and the B in Microbiology....from what I've heard, you're supposed to get straight A's in all the prereq's to get in anywhere..... I'm so scared!:uhoh21:

DO NOT WORRY! There is a pernicious myth on internet message boards that suggests one needs a 4.0 GPA to get into masters entry nursing programs. I suspect this myth has been propagated by pre-medical students - a group widely know for their GPA aspirations and delusions.

My story: I will be starting at UCSF direct entry program in one short month (yippiee), arguably one of the more prestigious programs out there. I did my undergrad at UC Berkeley where I majored in Microbial Biology. I took many courses outside of major that interested me. My GPA is lower than yours (a bit more than 3.0). I got a B- in anatomy and a B+ in General Micro (granted it was the Hard Micro for Micro majors, but there you have it. I failed physics the firs time I took it and got a C- the second time. I am not an A student. I am a competent student but nowhere near and A student.

I do however have alot of clinical experience as a volunteer and as a paid employee. I have a published paper in cancer biology. And I have alot of experience in the workplace in a different field. Oh, I have a very strong sense of purpose about going into nursing and I communicated this in my personal statement. My GRE was pretty good but not mind blowing good. I took courses in health care policy and bio ethics. So while my grades were far from perfect (I got other stuff to do in the this life than get A's) I evidently showed the admissions people something they wanted.

So, the moral is that while direct entry masters programs are competitive, they are looking for at the holistic you - the total package - not just your GPA. One must demonstrate that one can handle the work - and it looks like you have done that.

So do not invest any more time in worrying about an anatomy grade you cannot change. Some programs require a B as a minimum. If you want to go to one of those then take anatomy again. Do as well as you can in the rest of your prereqs. Invest yourself in you volunteer work gaining maximal clinical exposure.

And here is the hard one - think very very hard about why you want to be a nurse. How does nursing fit into the narrative of your life? Write about this in your statement. ("I wanna help people" is not a sufficient answer.)

To ease your stress I would also suggest a back-up plan. Apply to some second degree BSN programs and some ADN programs. You can always get your MS after doing one of these.

Good luck, and really Don't Worry - it will suck the life out of you. The time spent worrying is much better spent studying and volunteering.

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Hi- I would consider Azusa Pacific University's EENAP or SCAN programs. The EENAP program is only offered at their Inland Empire (San Bernardino) and San Diego campuses, but the SCAN program is offered at the main campus in Azusa. Just wanted to throw out a few other ideas to consider.

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Specializes in progressive care telemetry.

Nope, the Master's Entry program I am going to here in Ohio requires a B or better in your prereqs (A&P, micro and stats).

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california baptist nursing elmsn student.

almost finished with half of it : )

you need at least a B in your pre-req courses...

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Gahnosah how do you like the EL-MSN program at CBU. I applied there for the May 2011 start date. I am just finishing Abnormal Psych at CBU this quarter. All of my other prereq's are complete. I took the GRE and now I have to take the TEAS V in January. SOOOO nervous!! I also applied to other schools in Southern California. I hope that I can get into at least one.

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