Nursing programs if you already have a BA

HopefulSRNA1234 · Sep 18, 2014

Yes, you can do an accelerated or non-accelerated program. However, they are both very competitive

DoGoodThenGo · Sep 19, 2014

Keep in mind depending upon prerequisites required and your past academic work you may end up spending two years (or more) obtaining an ABSN regardless. That is say unless you have the required sciences and other courses and such aren't built into the program you'll have to take those classes before being admitted.

Here is Hunter-Bellevue's ABSN's requirement page: Accelerated Second-Degree (A2D) â€" Hunter College

Note that rather long list of classes that must have been completed before application or in progress at time of.

There was a time when previous four year degree holders could simply go for an ADN (Associate degree ) and become an RN (if passed the boards) and hired. Then make a decision to go on for the BSN via an RN to BSN pathway. While that is still an option for becoming an RN, finding work as an ADN nurse without experience (or even with in some cases) is becoming more and more difficult in NYC. More and more places want the BSN at least in the City and parts of Long Island or Westchester. You *may* find work upstate or out of state with an ADN but there you are.

For what it is worth NYU probably takes in the largest nursing classes in NYC made up of both undergraduate and second degree students. Competition is still keen but chances are probably better than say at Hunter-Bellevue where only about 100 or so students are chosen in total for each class.

Destin293 · Sep 20, 2014

Yes, it is competitive in NYC, but programs have to take someone, so why can't it be you? When you start your pre-req's (if you haven't completed them already), just keep aiming for an A...not an A-, not a B+, but an A. You have to pretty much tell yourself it's all A's or nothing and your chances of getting in will be pretty good.

You can go the ADN route, but I don't really recommend it unless time is on your side and you're in absolutely no hurry to get moving on a career (you'll probably end up taking a year for pre-req's, 2 years for the ADN program, then another 2 years for the BSN). You already have a BA, start looking at BSN programs. You also don't have to just do accelerated if you enter a BSN program, all programs have generic programs that are about 2 years in length. Apply to ADN programs, but let those be your last resort.

I personally think the whole "Being accepted to a nursing program in NYC is sooooo hard" is a bit over the top. When I first started looking into nursing programs, I was pretty much told I was SOL for an accelerated program at a public school in NYC because my GPA from my previous degree was low. I was also on unemployment at the time and had $70k in student loans from my previous degree so dropping $60k on a private school wasn't even an option. Well, guess what? I focused 100% on my pre-req's, finished them with a 3.93 GPA, and I only applied to 1 nursing program -- a CUNY that was accelerated. I got in...and just graduated in August.

Cast a wide net, but also narrow down programs you want to get into, check out their requirements and stay focused 110%!!! Also, don't rush it. I know people that put a time limit on finishing school and that was great for them, but I preferred taking my time...and that's okay, too. I took 2 years to get the pre-req's done in order to really focus on doing well. If you need to take a little extra time, do it. Just work hard, very hard, and you will see it pay off.

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2014

Try Accelerated BSN programs at these schools CUNY: Hunter and Lehman and SUNY Downstate. These programs have good reputation and are affordable...you will be saving a lot of money. Plus they admit way less people than NYU so you are guaranteed a clinical placement as opposed to having to do simulation only b/c your class size is too big and not enough placements were available at the hospitals. For all of them CUNYs and SUNY you need a 3.0 gpa and a decent score on the PAX (nursing school admission exam).

raisincookie · Sep 22, 2014

Have you looked into SUNY Downstate,I've met many students from their program who already have a BSN and take the accelerated route.

seconddegreebsn · Sep 22, 2014

Try Accelerated BSN programs at these schools CUNY: Hunter and Lehman and SUNY Downstate. These programs have good reputation and are affordable...you will be saving a lot of money. Plus they admit way less people than NYU so you are guaranteed a clinical placement as opposed to having to do simulation only b/c your class size is too big and not enough placements were available at the hospitals. For all of them CUNYs and SUNY you need a 3.0 gpa and a decent score on the PAX (nursing school admission exam).

No offense, but you are going to need a LOT higher than a 3.0 unless you have some sort of amazing, out of the ordinary experience or an advanced degree in another field. I went to one of the above listed schools and everyone had a 3.5 or higher. Hunter you definitely need MUCH higher than a 3.0 - I got rejected with a 3.6 and excellent PAX scores.

Piniella · Sep 22, 2014

Which CUNY school did you attend? I'm looking into a few of them but would love to hear what your experience was like!

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2014

you never know until you try....do not decide to not apply to a program just b/c you don't have a 4.0. I know several people with slightly higher than 3.0 but great PAX scores who got into Hunter. I had a 3.4 from my health-related first BA major (and a 3.7 from my pre-reqs that i had to take b/c i did not take them during my first degree) and very high PAX and i got in. They also had an essay and interview as part of admissions. You never know what admissions is looking for exactly so try applying , you just may get in.

I attended Hunter. I recommended it but be ready to study alot, it is challenging but has some good professors and clinical experiences including preceptorship in the last semester. Plus i graduated without owing anything (students that already have a bachelor degree in something else are not eligible for any financial aid except loans...I skipped the loans and paid out of pocket as the CUNYs are 2,300 per semester. I was working while attending school).

The Accelerated program accepts about 35 students per year...with the Traditional program accepting about 85 per year. You can also try the Traditional program, its a little easier to get in and it is only one semester longer than the accelerated...if you have all your pre-reqs done before admission and your previous courses from your first degree fill the requirements for the general ed requirements (english, history, etc).

raisincookie · Sep 25, 2014

Sorry I was rereading (several days later) what I had posted and I meant students who already have Bachelors in other fields not BSN.

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2014

Raisincookie, i don't understand your question. This post is for people who had bachelor's in other fields and which programs we went to for our BSN. Accelerated BSN is the most affordable option for someone who has a bachelors degree in something else. Saves more money and time than an associate degree.

raisincookie · Sep 30, 2014

Sorry it wasn't a question, my second post was a clarification (I failed) of my original post. What I meant is that the OP should consider the private route since she already has a BA and I have meet many SUNY Downstate students who were taking the accelerated BSN program and were satisfied with the program.