Hi everyone, this will probably be a super long post, but I would really appreciate any feedback anyone can give me whether you’re a current nursing student, nurse, or a pre-nursing student like myself. I’m a sophomore at a community college in the bay area finishing up pre-nursing courses hopefully by the end of this fall.
Cumulative GPA: 3.71
Core Science GPA (so far): 3.00
Haven’t taken the TEAS yet
Have worked at Starbucks part time since December 2016 while taking classes. No healthcare working experience.
Planning on gaining at least 100 hours of volunteer experience in the current outpatient surgery center I volunteer at every other week. Looking to move into an every week position.
Don’t speak any other language besides english.
I, unfortunately, have gotten B’s in my core science pre-reqs, except for at the moment I am holding on to my A in Physio. But in Chem & Anatomy I got B’s. The only other class I got a B in was freshman English during my first semester. I still have Micro and 1 more general ed class to take (Art history), and then i should be ready for transfer, at least credit wise. I have 1 W on my unofficial transcript, and that was because I had to drop my first stats class (4 units) during my first semester in college. However, I took Business stats online (3 units) the semester after and got an A. Many of my classes have been online because I am very adamant about not going without some source of income for myself, even though i am living at home, and only classes have been my saving grace.
I’m very concerned that schools will not even consider my application because of the B grades in the science courses, even though when I was taking anatomy i was also taking 4 other classes. Will these B’s hurt me? Will the fact that I don’t have a job in healthcare ruin my chances of being accepted? Is it worth it to retake chemistry to try for an A? In my district, we are not allowed to retake anatomy unless we received a D or an F, because they consider that unsatisfactory, and this is because this class is so heavily impacted with hopeful students. 7/14 of the classes i have taken are online (the 14 is including the one I’m in now), will this raise a red flag for schools looking at my application? I am very firm in doing what i can to go to a state school in CA, because I don’t want to go into a ridiculous amount of debt for a bachelors degree where i won’t be able to pay it off for 10 years. Will traditional, public BSN programs in California accept me based on my current grades alone, disregarding the fact I haven’t taken the TEAS yet?
I am also hesitant to leave my current job to pursue a healthcare related job only because programs around here are not very cheap, and they can chew up a good amount of your time so taking classes concurrently isn’t always great if you want to prioritize school. There is a CNA program near me, however, the program fils up super quickly with students well before it starts, and I recently took on a supervisor position with Starbucks to continue building leadership skills that everyone needs. Is it worth it to leave my current job, maybe get a spot in the CNA program, and then only get to work for a year or so (wherever they place you) and then have to quit to go to nursing school?
If you are not going to have any health care experience, a 4.0 in science GPA really is crucial. I have an A in all of my sciences except for anatomy, and I know I won't get into any CSU without health care experience or another language. I applied this past spring and didn't get accepted anywhere, with 3.9 overall GPA, and a 90 on the TEAS. At this time, I am looking at ADN programs before trying to get healthcare experience. The idea of doing the ADN route instead of BSN was not appealing to me whatsoever, and I really did NOT want to, but if you live in the Bay Area, some schools have bridge programs. For example, I believe Chabot has a bridge program with CSUEB, and I think CSM has a bridge with SFSU. I'm not sure about others, as these are the only two I've looked into, but I'm sure there's more in the Bay Area and across CA. Not every CSU will take volunteer experience, either, so that won't always help.
As for online classes, I wouldn't worry about those. They shouldn't show up any different on your transcript compared to in person classes. At least, mine don't.
No matter what happens, know you have other options! Do your best to get As in the rest of your classes, and apply to see where you stand. Best of luck to you!
If you are not going to have any health care experience, a 4.0 in science GPA really is crucial. I have an A in all of my sciences except for anatomy, and I know I won't get into any CSU without health care experience or another language. I applied this past spring and didn't get accepted anywhere, with 3.9 overall GPA, and a 90 on the TEAS. At this time, I am looking at ADN programs before trying to get healthcare experience. The idea of doing the ADN route instead of BSN was not appealing to me whatsoever, and I really did NOT want to, but if you live in the Bay Area, some schools have bridge programs. For example, I believe Chabot has a bridge program with CSUEB, and I think CSM has a bridge with SFSU. I'm not sure about others, as these are the only two I've looked into, but I'm sure there's more in the Bay Area and across CA. Not every CSU will take volunteer experience, either, so that won't always help.
As for online classes, I wouldn't worry about those. They shouldn't show up any different on your transcript compared to in person classes. At least, mine don't.
No matter what happens, know you have other options! Do your best to get As in the rest of your classes, and apply to see where you stand. Best of luck to you!
Hi, thank you for the feedback! I am also not a fan of going the ADN-BSN route because it takes longer, & it’s hard to get a job. The CSU’s I’m looking at seem to take volunteer experience & will give you points based on that. If it does come down to it & I don’t get in anywhere without work experience, then I will quit my job & look elsewhere. I’m tied to this job because I make above minimum wage & am gaining leadership skills. And the CNA program near me is extremely impacted, unfortunately. Should I not Greg in anywhere after that, then I will consider an ADN program.
Hi, thank you for the feedback! I am also not a fan of going the ADN-BSN route because it takes longer, & it’s hard to get a job. The CSU’s I’m looking at seem to take volunteer experience & will give you points based on that. If it does come down to it & I don’t get in anywhere without work experience, then I will quit my job & look elsewhere. I’m tied to this job because I make above minimum wage & am gaining leadership skills. And the CNA program near me is extremely impacted, unfortunately. Should I not Greg in anywhere after that, then I will consider an ADN program.
If the ones you look at take it, that's great. I was a little shocked while looking around that some schools don't consider it at all, haha! I agree with you though, I want to be done asap. These bridge programs are 3 years, so it would be the same as most CSUs (and cheaper!).
How do you know it's harder to get a job? I know a lot of hospitals will hire you with an ADN especially if they know you're going to pursue a bachelors degree soon after.
If the ones you look at take it, that's great. I was a little shocked while looking around that some schools don't consider it at all, haha! I agree with you though, I want to be done asap. These bridge programs are 3 years, so it would be the same as most CSUs (and cheaper!).
How do you know it's harder to get a job? I know a lot of hospitals will hire you with an ADN especially if they know you're going to pursue a bachelors degree soon after.
That's just what I have heard from the people I know who are family friends and in medicine and nursing. Who knows, maybe its not as bad as people think. But, I was just reading somewhere that it will soon become a requirement for nurses to have their BSN over just having an AND, and it makes sense because you are a more rounded graduate after getting it, and it prepares you a lot better for leadership opportunities. Does anyone know about the competitiveness of programs up in northern states like Oregon or Washington? I wouldn't mind state schools up there, but I'd like to not move to far from the bay area. I find it really surprising that only 2 UC's have nursing in CA.
That's just what I have heard from the people I know who are family friends and in medicine and nursing. Who knows, maybe its not as bad as people think. But, I was just reading somewhere that it will soon become a requirement for nurses to have their BSN over just having an AND, and it makes sense because you are a more rounded graduate after getting it, and it prepares you a lot better for leadership opportunities. Does anyone know about the competitiveness of programs up in northern states like Oregon or Washington? I wouldn't mind state schools up there, but I'd like to not move to far from the bay area. I find it really surprising that only 2 UC's have nursing in CA.
I think that having a BSN will be required by 2020, or you must be in the process of gaining your BSN by 2020.
I think that having a BSN will be required by 2020, or you must be in the process of gaining your BSN by 2020.
That's not true, they have said this for years and years. For larger magnet hospitals, a BSN is desirable. But smaller community hospitals will hire new grads, ADN and BSN alike.
That's not true, they have said this for years and years. For larger magnet hospitals, a BSN is desirable. But smaller community hospitals will hire new grads, ADN and BSN alike.
Even so, if I have to go somewhere else to get a BSN I will consider it. A higher Education is really important to me.
also, did you know that some CCs have bridge programs within them, so you can be in an ADN program but keeping pace with a CSU and graduate with your BSN at the same time?
I know Sierra College in Rocklin has this, they work with Sac State. And I don’t remember if it’s American River or Sac City, but one of those two do it as well with Sac State. I’m only really familiar with the Sacramento area since I’m personally tied down to the area, so check out the CCs in your area or anywhere you’re willing to go.
Yes this! This is why I suggested to meet with a pre-nursing advisor who knows the ins and outs of programs in your area. There is such a push for BSN educated nurses that these programs are becoming more common. At MJC all ADN students are automatically granted admission to Stanislaus to work on their BSN during the summers. MJC graduates will finish the program with their ADN and BSN at the same time!
And yes I totally get the wanting to go away for college thing. I stayed at home for my original Bachelor's degree and was able to graduate debt free. I don't regret it for a second! There are plenty of other ways to get that "dorm life" experience. Example...work in Yellowstone for the summer. You'll be in a tiny room with a random roommate, go to the bathroom down the hall, eat questionable cafeteria food, no parents, and have the time of your life in one of the most beautiful places in the world. You may make some money instead of paying tens of thousands of dollars for the "experience" at a university.
Hi everyone, this will probably be a super long post, but I would really appreciate any feedback anyone can give me whether you’re a current nursing student, nurse, or a pre-nursing student like myself. I’m a sophomore at a community college in the bay area finishing up pre-nursing courses hopefully by the end of this fall.
Cumulative GPA: 3.71
Core Science GPA (so far): 3.00
Haven’t taken the TEAS yet
Have worked at Starbucks part time since December 2016 while taking classes. No healthcare working experience.
Planning on gaining at least 100 hours of volunteer experience in the current outpatient surgery center I volunteer at every other week. Looking to move into an every week position.
Don’t speak any other language besides english.
I, unfortunately, have gotten B’s in my core science pre-reqs, except for at the moment I am holding on to my A in Physio. But in Chem & Anatomy I got B’s. The only other class I got a B in was freshman English during my first semester. I still have Micro and 1 more general ed class to take (Art history), and then i should be ready for transfer, at least credit wise. I have 1 W on my unofficial transcript, and that was because I had to drop my first stats class (4 units) during my first semester in college. However, I took Business stats online (3 units) the semester after and got an A. Many of my classes have been online because I am very adamant about not going without some source of income for myself, even though i am living at home, and only classes have been my saving grace.
I’m very concerned that schools will not even consider my application because of the B grades in the science courses, even though when I was taking anatomy i was also taking 4 other classes. Will these B’s hurt me? Will the fact that I don’t have a job in healthcare ruin my chances of being accepted? Is it worth it to retake chemistry to try for an A? In my district, we are not allowed to retake anatomy unless we received a D or an F, because they consider that unsatisfactory, and this is because this class is so heavily impacted with hopeful students. 7/14 of the classes i have taken are online (the 14 is including the one I’m in now), will this raise a red flag for schools looking at my application? I am very firm in doing what i can to go to a state school in CA, because I don’t want to go into a ridiculous amount of debt for a bachelors degree where i won’t be able to pay it off for 10 years. Will traditional, public BSN programs in California accept me based on my current grades alone, disregarding the fact I haven’t taken the TEAS yet?
I am also hesitant to leave my current job to pursue a healthcare related job only because programs around here are not very cheap, and they can chew up a good amount of your time so taking classes concurrently isn’t always great if you want to prioritize school. There is a CNA program near me, however, the program fils up super quickly with students well before it starts, and I recently took on a supervisor position with Starbucks to continue building leadership skills that everyone needs. Is it worth it to leave my current job, maybe get a spot in the CNA program, and then only get to work for a year or so (wherever they place you) and then have to quit to go to nursing school?
In CA both BSN and ADN are very competitive...I took classes with very bright kids that didn't make it.
The good news is that while B's aren't great...they aren't terrible. If you take chem or A&P again and get an A, you'll be fine. I also know some people who got thier BS in biochem or health science instead of nursing and applied to an ABSN program after and got in easily.
Also , it may be tough, but consider cutting back on work. You may have to take out loans( don't borrow too much)...but if it helps you get a lifelong career that pays well, then it's worth it.
Like other poster said...try an ADN program or major in something else that's science related and try an ABSN program. Also kill on the TEAS...if you study it's not that hard to do well.
In CA both BSN and ADN are very competitive...I took classes with very bright kids that didn't make it.
The good news is that while B's aren't great...they aren't terrible. If you take chem or A&P again and get an A, you'll be fine. I also know some people who got thier BS in biochem or health science instead of nursing and applied to an ABSN program after and got in easily.
Also , it may be tough, but consider cutting back on work. You may have to take out loans( don't borrow too much)...but if it helps you get a lifelong career that pays well, then it's worth it.
Like other poster said...try an ADN program or major in something else that's science related and try an ABSN program. Also kill on the TEAS...if you study it's not that hard to do well.
At my school no one is allowed to retake anatomy unless you get a D or an F, and even then you have to petition to retake it. I’d like to avoid taking out a huge amount of money in loans, but I will open up to considering out of state schools up north.
Let me chime in here. People need to let go of the preconceived notion that the ADN route should be a last resort. Agreed- that BSN is strongly preferred (right now many hospitals need to meet the 80% BSNs or higher and 20% ADN requirement.) But that does not mean that an applicant with an ADN cannot land a job. Sometimes, it may come down to the name of of the institution (ie. LA County's ADN program has been around far longer and students during their clinicals are often strongly preferred to work with by RNs over other CCs students because of how well-trained LA County's students are). I too held on to the opinion that I never wanted to even give ADN programs a chance (one of my first programs I got accepted into was a CC, PCC to be exact and I actually turned them down without having a backup, which may have not been the smartest idea). Also, I actually am a career-changer at 30 years old, with a MA in something completely different, but I wouldn't mind an ADN- if that's my only option. But I kid you not, I'm very happy I let that opinion on ADNs go, because if anything - it made my ABSN applications THAT MUCH STRONGER. The time I spent filling out CC applications made me work harder at my ABSN and MSN applications because the CC applications were sort of like "for practice". I got rejected from both MSNs I applied to (these were actually my last resorts anyway, I would have favored a cheaper ADN to BSN route than an expensive MSN), but accepted to both ABSNs I applied to. But if I hadn't been accepted to those, I would have been very happy with a school like LA County's ADN program (even though I got into my top choice ABSN, I'm still waiting on LA County and Glendale, which are both really good programs as well). So I would recommend this, while you're submitting your applications to BSN/MSNs, you have nothing to lose if you went ahead and just submitted a couple ADN applications as well. I could have easily just applied to JUST BSNs and above and eliminated any ADNs period, but that would have made me really nervous throughout my entire application process. And when I added ADNs to my list, it made me feel more at ease, because you never really know.
All the nursing programs whether BSN or ADN are incredibly impacted in CA. Your best bet is to apply to all of them. If it takes you 2 or 3 years to get into the BSN program IF you get in at all then you could have done a bridge program and already had your BSN by then. Many of the community colleges in the Sacramento area have bridge programs through CSUS so you can take a couple classes over the summers and an extra semester after you pass NCLEX to get your BSN. I think other state universities in CA also do something similar with local colleges. Apply to every program you can whether its BSN or ADN.
mariexo8
46 Posts
If you are not going to have any health care experience, a 4.0 in science GPA really is crucial. I have an A in all of my sciences except for anatomy, and I know I won't get into any CSU without health care experience or another language. I applied this past spring and didn't get accepted anywhere, with 3.9 overall GPA, and a 90 on the TEAS. At this time, I am looking at ADN programs before trying to get healthcare experience. The idea of doing the ADN route instead of BSN was not appealing to me whatsoever, and I really did NOT want to, but if you live in the Bay Area, some schools have bridge programs. For example, I believe Chabot has a bridge program with CSUEB, and I think CSM has a bridge with SFSU. I'm not sure about others, as these are the only two I've looked into, but I'm sure there's more in the Bay Area and across CA. Not every CSU will take volunteer experience, either, so that won't always help.
As for online classes, I wouldn't worry about those. They shouldn't show up any different on your transcript compared to in person classes. At least, mine don't.
No matter what happens, know you have other options! Do your best to get As in the rest of your classes, and apply to see where you stand. Best of luck to you!