Nervous I won't be accepted

[StacieB]

I did dual enrollment in high school so I got my high school diploma in 2011, graduated with Associate's in Science in 2012 and a GPA of 3.26. I took the necessary training to become an EMT for college credit but I didn't go through the state testing to become lisensed(a very expensive test). I graduated in December so I'm taking the spring semester off and I'm gonna be volunteering at a hospital. I've already had an interview, the head of the department thinks I may be able to help them in their ER.

I'm just worried no school in Massachusetts will accept me with less than a 3.5 GPA. I live in Mass, it'd be so much cheaper to stay here. First I wanted to go to UMass Dartmouth but it seems they don't let any transfers into their nursing program. Now I want to go to UMass Lowell but now I'm starting to doubt myself and think I should only apply to "safe schools" that I'm pretty sure I'd hate.

Ease my fears? Give me suggestions on more I can do?

[taossantafe]

You've accomplished more in a short amount of time than many pre-nursing students have. You have a GPA many students would love to have. I won't sugar coat it for you: Nursing schools are getting more and more difficult to get into. However, under no circumstances should that stop you from pursuing your goals. GPA's are becoming more important in the package, but remember it's not the whole package. It's how you present yourself in your letter of intention to the school, the experience you gained during your studies, how that experience will contribute to your education and nursing career, letters of reference from those supervisors, physicians, charge nurses that have seen your work, any contributions to research you may have assisted in.

It's similiar to getting into the Masters Program; students believe the GRE scores are the end all. Not true. Explaining the reasoning for the low scores or low GPA together with experience and contributions to the profession can be a plus. Trust me, some people that have achieved their Masters degrees, didn't have the best of GPA's in nursing or other professions.

It may take you sometime to get into the nursing program of your choice, just don't limit yourself to a few schools, safe of otherwise. There will be some sacrifacing to make if you want this nursing degree. Consider the financial alternatives of moving in-state or out-of-state going to school. Talk to the college advisors as well. Talk to former nursing students. Introduce yourself to the nursing faculty.

(the old saying, "be the bad penny, he's always turning up")

Ask the faculty for their opinion and suggestions in entering the program. In other words, make yourself known. Network, even at this stage. Ask for advice from the hospital staff you will work at or volunteer.

If in the meantime if you are unable to get into the program anywhere, GAIN as much experience as you can in the ED. If there is committee that needs volunteers, volunteer; if there are classes for nurses in the hospital setting, talk to the supervisor of attending these courses for experience, do what you have to do. Put all of that in your resume package to the school. Nursing Schools look for achievers, not slackers. And, remember, GPA's do not reflect the whole person. If they did, many excellent nurses at the bedside now or in the past would not have gotten into nursing school, let alone the front door. We need nurses like you.

[SycamoreGuy]

With a 3.26 you can get into an ADN or BSN program somewhere, staying in mass might be the only thing holding you back.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Fear of not getting in should not stop you from applying. What are the "safe schools" you think you'd hate? I'm from MA too.

[Mewsin]

I was afraid to apply too. I thought about waiting until the next intake (2 years from now) and taking a few more courses to get me a better chance. On the last day that applications were being accepted, at 3:56 in the afternoon(they are done at 4) I applied, and I got in.

You don't have anything to lose by applying. Even if you don't get in, you will get to know what you need to do to get in the next time.

[ICUjunkie]

Hi StacieB!

I went to UMD for nursing school and you are right about not taking transfer students, however they do take transfer major students in the school. I know that may not be your ideal situation but I knew a few students in my class who wanted into the nursing program so they started in other science majors and got some pre reqs out of the way. Just another option and something to think about. I think you should def apply to the schools you want to. They look at your overall package and even if your GPA isn't the highest if your science classes are good they prefer that. Good luck you will get in somewhere! :)

[PNursing2014]

5 years ago I was accepted into the college now program and from there it is easy to get into the nursing program if you work hard for it. Check out umass College now website and see if you qualify