Calling second degree students..... Competition

CDEWannaBe · Jul 17, 2012

You need to contact each school and ask about the grades and qualifications of students who were accepted. And ask if there's anything you can do to increase your odds.

In my experience accelerated programs (for those who already have advanced degrees) are a little more forgiving. For example mine just considers GPA for the last 60 hrs. completed and GPA for prereqs.

Once you identify the schools where you have the best shot, meet with an academic advisor at the nursing school to have your transcripts evaluated. Every school's prereq requirements and course transquivalent agreements are different.

midlifemom · Jul 17, 2012

I have a master in music as well! I'll be starting a direct entry Master's program in the Fall. I think it depends on the school but your science grades will likely mean more than the grades you got getting your degrees. And make sure you have other stuff to show them- leadership, volunteerism etc. Good luck!!

And I have to ask, what is your instrument?

paultxrn · Jul 17, 2012

I have a bachelors and a masters of arts degree in music. I will be finishing up my prereqs this fall and hope to apply to USF or UCF. These schools/state universities seem to be very competitive.... My gpa is not that great. Most likely hovering right above a 3.0. Even an advisor told me that when I met with him. I have gotten all As and Bs in my prereqs thus far. I went to school in 2003-2007 for my bachelors in missouri and 2009-2010 for my masters (ironically also at UCF). My question is.... Do these admission committees not show any mercy? After being in school for so long your GPA drags down. And that was years ago. How can I be judged when my heart and mind were in a different place? I would like to know any second degree applier opinions. I am scared I will apply and not get in anywhere. All because of some stupid grades from 8 years ago.

Sounds like we have something in common. I also have a bachelor and masters degree in music (flute performance), and went to nursing school after a few frustrating years of auditioning and not finding a job. I've been a nurse for 20 years, and it was a great choice. All the best with your nursing school application.

sfraz99 · Jul 17, 2012

I have a previous bachelors in Mass Communications and I just got accepted into an ASN program with a previous GPA of 3.1...you just have to know what each school is looking for. I have only one semester of pre reqs under my belt but you just have to go for it. When I finished high school I went to a community college of my parent's choice and so my GPA is kind of low after you add that in but I still gave it a try and I was accepted after first being on a wait list for the first round of acceptance...one month later, here I am and I start in the Fall! Good luck to you!

JennKRN · Jul 18, 2012

I too was a BMus, also with a BEd. There wasn't a lot of work for me with these degrees, I wanted to be a school band director, and while I could find jobs teaching in schools, a small portion of my teaching assignment would be band and the rest would be an assortment of other subjects I didn't care to teach. Disinterested in being a regular classroom teacher, I started to look into getting my BScN.

I'm in Canada, and the schools here typically wanted at least a GPA of 3.0-3.3 to get in, higher if it happened to be an intake with a lot of applicants. I did ok in school in my first degrees, but I think I had a 3.2 initially. I took a few extra courses and worked really hard in my pre-req's and managed to get into the program with a 3.3 overall. My school wasn't interested in specific courses though, you just needed that average over all on basically the last 60 credits or so. This meant the grades I got on the pre-reqs and the extra courses I took after graduating were really what pulled my grade up and got me in.

If you are willing to consider traveling for school and are willing to consider a Canadian school, there are many after-degree nursing programs at this time. I think our tuition is less too if that helps.

alynno · Jul 18, 2012

I am currently in an accelerated program that required a 2.75 gpa. Thought it is lower than most, this program moves incredibly fast and has no room for the lazy. Our pass rate is 100% for our May graduating class and it is usually half of what we started with. It has more sympathy upon entering the school, but has little during. Im here to say that I had a previous degree is science and always had arough time with tests. However, i love the field, and i couldnt get away. I was motivated like crazy, upped my science gpa to a 3.0 and Im doing great. Set to graduate in December! Search like crazy, and apply to a lot of programs!

leenak · Jul 18, 2012

The problem is you are competing with a lot of other students who may have better qualifications. If they show mercy to a student with lesser qualifications then they may be passing up someone else.I'm a bit nervous as well and I've gotten a 4.0 in my pre-reqs. It is totally possible that I'd not get into the BSN programs I want. (I was already rejected by one school)

mssjez · Jul 18, 2012

I have a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Psychology. Unfortunately, I cannot find a job that doesn't require counselor certification to support myself. I also can't find a job working directing with clients that pays well, so I'm stuck working at a desk 40 hours a week. The ADN program I applied to only looked at the GPA of the last 5 years of school (which was great because my general ed requirements in my BA program hurt me). I got in and begin in the fall. Check with programs and see what they even look at. If they require an interview, that might be a better option for you instead of schools that only look at your transcripts. Also, apply EVERYWHERE!! You never know where you will or won't get in! Good luck!

soyboy · Jul 18, 2012

Just came across your post, Sweet-

I am like you in that I have a BS and am looking for schools with an accelerated BSN program. As you probably already know, requirements vary widely as far as what they require from applicants. I would suggest looking for a program that emphasizes your strengths (or, de-emphasizes your weaknesses). If your GPA isn't the greatest, look for an opportunity to get admitted based on a high TEAS V score (most likely), or perhaps work experience and/or bilingual fluency.

From your post I'm assuming that your pre-req GPA is pretty good (As and Bs), and most programs use pre-reqs for the GPA requirement, not Total GPA...so this should work in your favor.

Have you considered the ASBSN program at Sac State? They give equal weight to pre-req GPA and TEAS V score. They do require a min GPA of 3.3 and 75% on the TEAS V, with random additional points for work exp, bilingual fluency, etc.

soyboy · Jul 18, 2012

double post

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 18, 2012

Beware of direct entry MSN programs. They can cause all kinds of problems with mobility d/t not meeting basic licensure requirements in all states. Also, employers in my area aren't hiring these grads anymore because of problems they experienced. In order of preference 1) BSN, 2) ADN, 3)ABSN with no diff's in the starting salary.