Pre-Nursing BSN

Published

Hi all,

Im currently taking my pre-reqs at Portland State University and am planning to apply at OHSU and Linfield for their BSN programs. However, when I apply I will have taken everything but my A&P II and A&P III courses (PSU works on a quarter system so there is 3 courses rather than 2). However, I have been reading a lot of stuff that says its nearly impossible to be admitted while you are still taking pre-reqs. I was under the impression that was how most of the BSNprograms did admit students. Am I wrong? Is it really unlikely that I will be admitted because I am still completing pre-reqs?? Both programs just require that the first A&P course is complete and mine will be when I apply. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

When I applied for ohsu you did not technically need all your prerequisites finished to apply, but the competition was great enough that if you didn't have the points from completing them you just weren't competitive enough for a slot. It's a points game, especially at the Portland campus where you've Got hundreds of applicants for very few slots (of the top of my head it usually has like a 10% acceptance rate for each application year).

So for example, I'd finish my prereqs in Spring 2020 and if I waited to apply I'd apply in Fall 2020 for a slot for Fall 2021... that's a whole year between applying and actually starting. What did you do during that gap year?? Especially when you didn't have a degree just a handful of courses... that's my biggest fear.

Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

I completed my transfer associates degree and the bachelors level non-nursing courses so I only had to take nursing courses during the program. Could also get a job as a CNA at a local hospital to get the basic fundamentals down and establish a relationship with a system to help get a job after graduating.

The issue I'll run into is I'll have every requirement done with the exception of A&P II and A&P III. The only courses I'll take winter and spring term are those two courses... like everything else with the exception of my nursing courses will be done. If I stayed another year just to apply with every prerequisite completed at the time of my application I'd be taking courses I dont need... Like I'm not wanting to apply and take pre-reqs and nursing courses. I would have everything done in Spring 2020 and begin nursing school in Fall 2020. Would those last two courses completley kill my chances of getting in??

Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

Technically, all you need to apply is 45 quarter credits and the first A&P I complete. However, OHSU is extremely competitive to get in to and you'll be applying against applicants who have completed all of their courses. If you want to maximize your chances of getting an interview, study the application information and see what you can do to get additional consideration.

do you have 16 credits of non-nursing 3/400 level courses? You need to take a bunch of non-nursing bachelors level classes that aren't your prereqs to get your BSN. I did that and worked as a CNA waiting for my cohort to start.

I have around 40-45 non-nursing credits with a mix of 300 and 400 level courses... I am hopeful that with A&P II and III being all I'll need that I'll have a shot at OHSU or Linfield during my first application. But now I'm really worried I'll have a year of trying to figure out what to do all because of two courses

Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

Realistically, you need to look at the "additional considerations" and see what you can do to make your application as competitive as possible. Things like work experience in the health care field, volunteer experience, etc. are very important. This is the list from last year's application cycle of "additional considerations:"

• If Anatomy & Physiology plus lab series is completed by the end of fall 2018 term.

• If all required prerequisites are completed by the end of fall 2018 term.

• Life/ healthcare experience - you will be asked to provide evidence (via an essay response) of knowledge and or skills acquired though work, volunteer, or personal experiences and describe how these translate to nursing.

• Completion of chemistry course with a grade of "C" or better.

• Credits taken at these host institutions - Southern Oregon University (SOU) if applying to Ashland, Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) if applying to Klamath Falls, Eastern Oregon University (EOU) if applying to La Grande, Western Oregon University (WOU) if applying to Monmouth. This is not a factor for the Portland campus.

• Supplemental Questions - OHSU School of Nursing looks at students holistically, and as such the supplemental questionnaire allows admissions the committee to get to know applicants. The supplemental questionnaire is optional and not required; however it can help and be factored into your overall application.

• Previous Degree – completed a previous college degree (i.e. associates, bachelors, graduate degree).

• Oregon Resident

• Exhibited understanding and value for working with diverse and underrepresented communities.

You can see, completion of A&P and all the prerequisites are the first listed considerations. They don't want to give a slot to someone who possibly might not actually complete the requirements for the program vs. someone who has everything lined up and ready to go. I want to stress OHSU is very competitive. I don't know much about Linfield, I've heard it's for-profit so a bit more expensive but maybe a little easier to get into as they have more application periods and starts throughout the year.

+ Join the Discussion