squirt28

Wow! Thank you all for your advice and encouragement. I did get five C's in my first two years of undergrad and they were in core science courses. One that I got a C in, I went back and got my MS in that subject so I should be fine. The others were like Stats and Organic Chemistry... I did really great in my last 2 years and in grad school. I am only applying to Marquette since it is the only program that I currently meet the prereqs. If I don't get in I guess I will evaluate other routes and it will take some more time and planning. All worth while! Thank you all again!

Thank you for the advice. I have looked in to a lot of different options. All of the ASN programs in WI have 2-3 year waiting lists. I'd like to go on to be a nurse practitioner. So that would mean waiting 2-3 yrs to get into ASN, then at least 3 years in ASN while working full-time, then a RN to BSN program and then a MSN program. By then the new rules would be in effect to be a NP and I'd have to get a Ph.D. So we are talking about at least 10 years before becoming a NP versus 3-4 with the direct-entry program. My son is 8 months old. I guess I just wanted to get done with my schooling as quickly as possible so we could move on with our lives. Oh, and the BSN program have a lot of prereqs that will not work for me....like working as a CNA, taking a ton of classes and then there is no quarantee that I will even get in after all of the money spent on the prereqs. With this program I only need one prereq....don't even need to take the GRE and after 15 months I will be an RN and can work while doing MSN courses. Still worried about the money part though. I know it's just a mess!

I am planning on applying to the direct-entry MSN program at Marquette University. I am worried about the fact that I don't really have much clinical experience. I have volunteered at several units at our local university hospital and have worked at a plasma clinic, but this was all years ago. This program is for non-nursing majors so I would think it would be ok. Also, I have just under a 3.0 from my BS in Medical Microbiology, but have a 3.7 from my M.S. in Bacteriology and they said that I since I have a MS I don't have to worry about my undergrad. gpa or taking the GRE. I also taught college level microbiology to nursing students for a semester and have 7 years of full-time biological research experience. I guess I'm just worried about the grade thing and the lack of clinical experience. Should I be worried? Anyone with any onfo about Marquette admissions? I hate to let the cat out of the bag and ask my current boss for a reference and then not even get in...ahhh!

I have a MS in Bacteriology and have worked in research for awhile now. It didn't take me long to realize that I need to work with people and not in a lab. In fact I was pre-med as an undergrad and in grad school, but never did it. I am leaning towards applying to a direct-entry MSN at Marquette University. I am very familiar with the medical field as I've volunteered in a burn unit, HIV care clinic, and hospice program and have worked in a plasma clinic. I have even taught medical micro to nursing students. I just am so scared to take the leap. Mostly because of the money. It is so expensive $40K for the pre-MSN portion and then I'm eligible for the RN. After that MSN courses are $800/cr! I am hoping to work p/t and get tuition reimbursment for this. Does anyone have any advice about the money part. I mean I might end up with $70K or more in loans. Is it hard to get this kind of $ for loans? We will need xtra money for child care expenses. My husband's salary alone just won't cover all of this. Also anyone have any insight into direct-entry programs or Marquette's program? Thanks.