Need guidance on what path to apply... in Texas

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Hi y'all,

I'm in a bit of a dilemma in terms of where to apply for nursing school, or if I am even competitive enough. I graduated with a BA in biology and have extensive amounts of volunteer/work experience in the hospital. I spent a year in med school and shortly afterwards decided it wasn't for me. I still really want to help people with medical knowledge which is why I want to be a nurse.

Now, my stats are what really worry me. I know there is emphasis on GPA and that it's getting very competitive. Relatively, mine seems to be very low as I look at the boards (~3.1 overall). It may sound odd that I'm worried about this stat since I was excepted into med school, but I rocked my MCATs.

I'm confused about which path to attempt. Should I go for BACC2 and accelerated routes, or should I try for a traditional pathway?

I am interested in the UTMB BACC2 program in Galveston as well as accelerated/traditional pathways in Round Rock (TAMU) and San Marcos (Texas State). Do y'all know much about these programs, like statistics of entry, and whether or not I should bother applying here?

I like stay optimistic, but I also like to be practical about how I spend my time/money. I really do appreciate any help!

Also, would you recommend that I get an LVN and then try for a bridge to RN/BSN pathway?

Thanks again!

Molly

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Molly,

I have not researched or heard anything about the program at Texas State. I have heard good things about TAMU. The program has a rather good reputation.

As far as the route you should go, I would definitely NOT go the LVN route. In my opinion, it is a waste of time and money. I am currently an x-ray tech and have been working in the medical community for about 6 years. I have decided to become a nurse and am pursuing my BSN per the advice of many nurses. I know that in the Medical Center in Houston, most if not all of the hospitals are requiring their nurses to have a BSN or actively pursuing their BSN. When I spoke with the counselor at the community college that I am getting my pre-requisites, she told me that on their ADN website, they are putting more information about pursuing the BSN.

You seem like you would be a great Nurse Practitioner. That might be the route that would satisfy your needs to medical help people as well at having a more one-on-one interaction with patients...have a more personal touch (which many doctors don't have).

I don't know if my insight has helped any. When I read you were thinking about LVN, it struck a cord. LVNs top out in pay usually around $22/hour. My best friend is an LVN in another area of Texas and she has topped out at $25/hour...this is very rare.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Just want to clarify for you so you don't accidentally 'step in it' among nurses. Our industry is called "health care", not "medicine" Physicians are the only health care professionals who practice "medicine" and are legally entitled to provide "medical care". Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are also entitled to provide some aspects of medical care; PAs must be directly supervised by a physician while NPs can practice more independently. The rest of us are health care professionals; nurses practice nursing.... yep, it may seem like petty differences, but using the right language is important.

I doubt that your current GPA will make the cut for UTMB. Same goes for most other TX state universities - They are all super competitive due to the massive amount of people still stampeding into nursing. It is actually easier to get into med school right now - crazy, no? This situation is just due to the fact that the overall demand is outstripping available resources. I just don't get it. I'm completely flummoxed that this situation hasn't leveled out by now.

Although ABSN programs may seem like the answer, I encourage you to do some very careful investigation before committing to that route. Hiring managers in my organization no longer hire ABSN grads because of problems they have experienced.

Best of luck with whatever route you decide to take.

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Yes and thank you @guide. I shouldn't mistake medicine with anything other than doctors.

So, in terms of what path I should take... I was thinking I would look for a traditional program that will break down my GPA into pre-req parts and the like, or simply only consider my pre-req GPA. I am trying to get around being considered only as my overall GPA.

Also, I understand the programs are very competitive all throughout Texas. But, I was wondering if it is worth a shot to apply everywhere in Texas with my stats?

I would like to get into a BSN program as soon as possible...

But, if it is too unlikely, I would like to keep the ball rolling and maybe try either retaking the classes I fell short in to boost my GPA, OR maybe do the ADN and then RN-BSN bridge program...

What do y'all suggest I do in order to save time/money/sanity?

Thanks again for all your advice and time...

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bump please

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