2nd BA/BS degrees, or AMSN's entrance/admissions scenario

[demsdata]

Okay so my thoughts are about the admissions system for 2nd BA/BS accelerated programs and/or AMSN's as well.

I have a 3.28 CUM gpa from my first degree (didn't do well when i started school nearly 10 years ago, had a 1.9 when i left school in 2002 after the first 2 years, graduated with a BS in psych, minor in biology in 2007 from a different school with a 3.28 GPA)....yeah...that's determination, kind of funny my classmates called me the "curve breaker"...they didn't want to take the classes with me in it because there'd be no curve, I accept nothing less than A's. Personally I think the whole idea of grading on a "curve" defeats the purpose of what education should be about...actually learning something. If students cannot pass a class, then it's usually either the students that don't know how to study for/take the class or the professor who doesn't know how to teach the class. A Master's or PhD degree does not a teacher make. But really...it's not like i had much choice, I re-started school with a wimpy 1.9, kind of had to get all A's to pull up.

It was my former pre-med advisor who told me about NP's/2nd Bach's/Direct-entry programs and some of the requirements for becoming a nurse practitioner. Said there were different pre-reqs I'd have to take, but that many of the schools would look at more than just my CUM gpa or sometimes look only at the pre-req GPA or the last 60 units or so. That sounded great to me since I'd pretty much aced my last 60 units, with the exception of that one B in psych stats when I stupidly returned to school one month after having my little girl and going through a separation (yeah my name is superwoman...hear me roar....wait wrong character...:) ) but...now that I'm close to finishing my pre-reqs and applying to some programs...I'm swamped with doubts.

Many of these programs in California seem to give more credence to your overall GPA than the regular BSN programs do. The few that do look at the last 60 units and/or only the pre-req's are usually flooded with applicants that have far higher GPA's than me....so I'm worried I've put all this time and money into it, left my daughter with her sitter far more than should be legal just to take these classes and work full-time while I'm at it...and I might not get in to a program. I don't have alot of money, so the high-cost private schools are not the best route, I've already used student loans to get me through the first degree, don't want to risk lightening and add to that debt. Especially since I want to eventually get the DNP or the Ph.D.

With a 3.28 CUM, 3.8 last 60, 3.8 pre-req's (darn stat's)....what are the chances that I will actually get accepted to some program that I can afford? I'm saving up right now just to be able to take off work that first 14-18 months with a 4 year old in tow...

How can i make my application more attractive to admissions departments? I can't exactly go out and volunteer with a full-time job and a full-time kid, I don't have the health field experience. Can't repeat courses from my previous degree....what to do?