new but VERY excited to nursing as a second degree

[fashionablescrubs]

wow i'm so excited to be thinking about nursing as a second degree!! i have a bunch of questions that i haven't been able to answer after 3 days on google so i was hoping some of you could help me out.

ok so i already have an undergrad degree in fine arts and now want to go to nursing school.

i've been looking at programs and really like the nyu accelerated 15 month program just cause it's short and at nyu. are there many 15 month programs like this one in nyc? what "kind" of nurse do i graduate as from this program? an rn?

also, at what point do i get to specialize? like if i'm interested in neonatal nursing, when do i get to focus on that so i can get a job in that?

what's the acceptance rate? how hard is it to get in? i have great transcripts in both the arts and from a brief stint at business school (3.9 GPA)

is it reasonable to think that i can spend this semester taking the prereqs, enroll next year and be working a $60k job after i graduate?

does anyone know if international students can get a work visa sponsorship once they graduate college to go work at a hospital in nyc?

i really appreciate all your help in this! i'm so excited, i had never considered nursing before and now that i hae, i just can't wait to start!

thanks again!

peace!

[Mossback]

I'm on the wrong coast to answer any questions about NYU, but I can address a couple of the other issues you raise.

what "kind" of nurse do i graduate as from this program? an rn?

When you graduate you'll have a bacherlor's of science in nursing (BSN), and you'll be qualified to sit for your boards. You get the "registered" part of being a registered nurse by passing a standardized exam called the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is administered by your state board of nursing. If you pass, you will be granted a license to practice as a registered nurse.

at what point do i get to specialize? like if i'm interested in neonatal nursing, when do i get to focus on that so i can get a job in that?

The undergraduate curriculum in nursing school is standardized, so you won't get the chance to study a particular specialty. However, most nursing programs have students do a preceptorship or practicuum, in which they spend an extended period of time working in a specific clincal area. If you're interested in working in a NICU, you may be able to arrange to do your practiccum in that area.

what's the acceptance rate? how hard is it to get in? i have great transcripts in both the arts and from a brief stint at business school (3.9 GPA)

I'd don't know about NYU, but most nursing programs are highly competitive. Before you can apply, you will be required to take a number of prerequisite classes, which wil likely include (but not be limited to) anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and nutrition. The admission criteria will likely consider your grades in the prerequisites, your overall GPA, and your grades on some sort of standardized test, such as the TEAS or NET. In many cases, prerequiste grades are given more weight than the overall GPA

is it reasonable to think that i can spend this semester taking the prereqs, enroll next year and be working a $60k job after i graduate?

That's not an unreasonable starting salary for a new nurse, but be aware that jobs for new graduates can be hard to find, particularly in the major metro areas on the two coasts. If you live in New York, it may be necessary for you to move in order to find your first hospital job.

That having been said, nursing school is quite an adventure, and nursing is a great career. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.