Need some help!!!!!!

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I'm at the point where I just want to give up even though I shouldn't. Ok, here's my story: I graduated last year with a BA in psychology with a 2.5 gpa. I recently finished pre-reqs of Anatomy I, II, Microbiology, and English Composition II at NYCCT with grades of B-, A-, A, and B respectively.

I applied to a few nursing schools already such as Downstate, College of Mount St. Vincent, Marymount University, Edinboro, and University of South Alabama. I've been rejected at all these schools applying as a second degree student except for Alabama, I'm on the waiting list.

I'm thinking about taking Nutrition this fall since most other nursing schools require that as a pre-req. But I'm not sure if that's enough.

Here's the thing. I'm not sure which direction I should follow. Should I take the LPN route then take the LPN-BSN later? Or take the RN route and then take the RN-BSN later? Or continue applying for the second degree program?

It's very frustrating at this point. Essays, recommendations, other pre-reqs I haven't taken such as nutrition, ethics, religion, philosophy, computers, history, pathophysiology, pharmacology, organic chemistry, SAT scores required by few schools, interviews etc. Isn't a bachelor's good enough?! Apparently not! If anyone can prove me wrong, please do.

All I want is to be able to go in as a transfer student into nursing. See, the only school that I've found that requires a min 2.5 gpa, no essays, no recommendations, CPR certif., pre-reqs of A&P I,II, Eng I & II, Micro and Statistics was South Alabama. However, I remember specifically on my application that if I'm not accepted into the accelerated program that I would be considered for the traditional program which I do not mind. Now, I get a letter that I'm on the waiting list and that I would have to re-apply if I don't get in. Nothing mentioned about being considered for the traditional option. It's very frustrating :o

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, comments and advice at this point. If there are any nursing schools that anyone knows of that can easily take someone like me, please let me know, please :idea: -Thanks

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I have a BA and am going back to school myself. I don't know the area and, therefor, the requirments. However, here in Kansas City, I went back to junior college. They required 2.5, an essay, and a few prereqs. I know someone who was accepted with a 3.15. Many could be lower.

I have a 3.7 GPA and considered many options. But why go through an accelerated program? Why? Because I already have a degree? So what. Even my "advisor" suggested I get the BSN or go accelerated. But consider this: for 18,000 G's, I could finish my BSN in 12 months, with no time to work. Or, I could pay $ 4,000 for an ADN in 21 months...just 9 months longer. Same jobs, same NCLEX, same license, same scope of practice. And the extra time would allow me to better absorb the info and work little (thereby getting a little experience).

I suggest you move (many CC's give priority to residents) near a CC, finish any prereqs, establish residency, and apply. Look for somewhere that doesn't do all of the "red tape" of recommdations, etc. Accelerated programs are probably going to be more competitive and more demanding. With your GPA, they probably arent' going to think you'll make it. Your past experience suggest you wouldn't do well there (just being honest and candid). You may be a better student now, but there's know way they can know that.

But before you do, take some of the classes that you did poorly in to bring up your GPA.

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I completely agree with the above poster. Check into the community colleges. Less money, less red tape, and a nurse is a nurse is a nurse! In fact, in my area when I looked at pass rates through the state nursing website, the community colleges faired the same and many times better than the big universities. Truly, you're not getting less of an education in the things that matter.

If you want/need to get your BSN later on, you can. That's what I plan on doing -- get the ADN first, work some to afford to pay cash for the BSN degree. I wouldn't even bother getting a BSN except I'll need it and then some if I end up going towards my ultimate goal.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

I agree with the above two posters and I have a graduate degree! I am going the ADN route and paying cash for my classes. I also may transfer directly into the RN-BSN bridge program and attend the school part-time while I work full-time as a nurse. My employer may pay 100% or most of my BSN. If I have to pay a dime it will be cash!

Yes, I am taking more time then doing an accelerated program but so what? It is not as costly. Many people make the mistake of thinking that as a working nurse he/she will make so much money that student loan debts is no big deal. Guess what? They are wrong!

Do you want to take home $11.00/hour or $23/hr? That could be the difference if you have huge nursing school debts or no nursing school debts as a working nurse.

Even if costs is not a factor to you, you should consider your GPA. It has to come up! Besides, there is no way around taking pre-requisites for programs if you do not already have them out of the way. Thus, look at the additional classes as an opportunity to bring up your GPA so you can be more competitive. Good luck. ;)

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They couldn't have said it any better!! why be in more debt?unless u can afford it. If u planning on taking out loans not worth it. Check out community colleges/hospital programs in your area. Take your time searching..

Good luck and God bless

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

The local community college I will be attending is strictly first-come, first-served....you have to complete A & P I (or some biology requirement) and chemistry to apply....then you just wait....between 2 & 3 semesters...enough time to complete other co-reqs so that you can concentrate on nursing when you get in the program!! I, too, have a bachelor's, with a 3.8 GPA, but after looking in to accelerated programs, realized I will need to work while I'm in school and wasn't willing to kill myself to accomplish the same end result as those programs offered.

In addition, the pass rate for the community college is as high or higher as was pointed out earlier, too!

Best wishes!

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Specializes in med surg, icu.

I think you should also take into consideration what sort of specialty you'd like to work in as a nurse... because in some hospitals, there are some areas (i.e. Pediatrics) that want a BSN instead of an ADN... so you won't always necessarily get the "same job" with a BSN as you'd get with an ADN.

Also, there are some hospital loan-forgiveness programs out there that will help you pay back a portion of your BSN degree if you work for them.

Additionally, in many "congested" areas, many ADN programs have extremely long wait lists.... so the 9 months extra might also mean 9 months extra plus one or two (or more) additional years of waiting.

Just some other things you should consider.

On another note, starlitex1280, you should call an admissions counselor and ask them what your status is, as far as consideration for the traditional BSN goes. If something is suspect, never assume that everything is all right. Because they have to handle so many applications every year, chances are someone might have slipped up somewhere... it's just a fact of life. Just try to be polite and calm about it when you try to straighten things out. ;)

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
I think you should also take into consideration what sort of specialty you'd like to work in as a nurse... because in some hospitals, there are some areas (i.e. Pediatrics) that want a BSN instead of an ADN... so you won't always necessarily get the "same job" with a BSN as you'd get with an ADN.

Do not believe the hype! This is usually only true for BSNs who are not new grads. BSNs who have years of working nurse experience (usually former ADNs) will be hired for such positions.

Yes, I am sure there are exceptions to this rule but not enough to be worth the debts to start off as a BSN. For the most part, around the country ADN and BSN new grads work in the same positions. Experience is key in any field and walking out of school without working experience will get you into an entry-level position. That's it!

Also, there are some hospital loan-forgiveness programs out there that will help you pay back a portion of your BSN degree if you work for them.

You don't need anyone to "forgive" a loan if you don't have any loans to forgive. Money = Power. No debts = Freedom of Choice. :monkeydance:

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Specializes in med surg, icu.

Man, you must have a lot of hate for BSN programs.

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Karmyk,

I didn't sense any "hate" from MBA2BRN. I understand how you don't want to let go of the investment you've made in your education to this point. When I graduated with my BA, even though I didn't want to be a teacher, I didn't want to believe that I had wasted my time and money. So, I did it anyways. I evetually decided to take a serious, and uncomfortable, look and where I was at in life. Not that all degree's are worthless. Every career endeavor needs to be evaluated for what it is. And nursing, well, in this profession, were looking at being entry level nurses...all of us. And the route to get there is varied. As a utilitarian, considering all options and opportunity cost, the ADN route seems most practical.

He/she is bursting your comfort bubble. It would be better to cut your losses now. In the words of Shakespeare, "To Thy Ownself Be True".

As my fellow baccalaureate's can attest, degree's, in general, are hype. In a capitalist system, experience (and connections) are king. Most employer's outside of teaching could care less about my degree.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
Man, you must have a lot of hate for BSN programs.

:wakeneo:

No, not even close. :uhoh3: Just because I and the above posters do not think like you (justify going into debt) does not mean we hate BSN programs. :nono: You should re-read my post and the posts of the others.

I might earn a BSN but I will pay cash and not take out a single student loan. The only hate I have is for debts.

Besides, I have done enough research on the field of nursing to know that a BSN is better for the newly graduated nurse, who has work experience (again, usually a former ADN). New grads with no work experience end up in the same spot no matter ADN or BSN, which makes sense.

Schools can only cover so much. The next place to learn is in the workplace as an entry-level employee. So good luck to you. :nuke:

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Specializes in med surg, icu.

And I was just trying to offer a different point of view, since all of the advice here was ADN-heavy.

Sheesh.

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