Need RN career advise

[destela2]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post

I am 29 years old I have a Bachelors in Fine Arts from FIT. I have been working in corporate Fashion for 8 years. However, I have always loved helping people and have looked into career change. Fashion does not give me that personal gratification anymore ( I graduated FIT with a 3.38 GPA ) I am taking my science and other pre-requests now at BMCC got a B in General Chemistry. I know it will take me a few more semesters to finish them up as I working full time and planning a wedding . I will volunteer at a hospital this summer. I wanted to get advise on the accelerated bachelorette programs in NYC, I have looked into Hunter, Stony Brook , SUNY Downstate and my first choice Lehman? (NYU and Columbia are so expensive) however I did see the Columbia you can get a straight Masters ) .

I am really worried about all the standardizes test the HESI-A2, TEAS-V, NLN PAX exam depending on where I apply to) I went to Art school and standardized test were not required and SAT'S and ACT's were such a long time ago for me. A class mate of mine from BMCC had a good GPA 3.8, good resume was on the peace core , but scored a 76% on her TEAS-V she took it twice and SUNY Downstate because of her score they did not even consider looking at the rest of her application. This is very discouraging. Do these schools only look at your placement exam? And not your professional background? I am not a good test taker.

Any tips on studying for them? How does everyone like being a RN nurse? I am open to working in any department that I can gain as much experience as possible even doing the night shifts to start out . Any input on salary range for entry level RN with a Bachelors in NYC ………I know I have to put in time first just like any career I make good money now but I can't enjoy it with the long hours Fashion requires 5 days a week and having hour emails . Any recommendations ? much appreciated.

Best

[Trust in Jesus, RN]

I can't answer all your questions. But, I haven't heard of ANY school only looking at the standardized test. They look at a combination of science grades, gen. ed. grades, standardized tests, and sometimes previous degrees, volunteer work, etc. Most schools are on a point system. The people applying with the highest amount of points are able to get a spot. You can look up your schools and see how they distribute the points.

The TEAS will be much easier if you have taken your prerequisite science courses like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology first. If your school starts the nursing program without these courses, then they probably won't expect as high of a score.

[destela2]

Thank you for the info

[Trust in Jesus, RN]

You're welcome!

I know how confusing it is to try to understand how nursing schools work. It's so different from other degrees.

I think it's a great idea to volunteer and see what nursing is like. I'm about to volunteer also.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Because of the continuing stampede into nursing (since ~ 2008), nursing school admissions continue to be uber-competitive. In many areas, most entry students have GPAs >3.75 with extremely high standardized test scores. Maybe this will subside eventually, but this is today's reality. Schools establish their admission criteria based upon the characteristics of their successful students. So, no matter how wonderful your career or life experiences may be, it won't make a difference.

Hey, I love you guys - one of my relatives is a successful costume designer. But that certainly does not have any relevance to nursing - she's right-brain all the way. And kudos to you - if you got into FIT, you're undoubtedly creme de la creme in your own field!

[destela2]

yes that is when I graduated FIT during 2008 and the Fashion market has been up and down ever since been. Thank you for the replay will do my best on my pre-request and test all I can do is try. Thank you for the nice words. The competition for nursing will remind me of my HS days getting into FIT.