chestcompressor

Many of the top ranking schools don't require a minimum GPA (may require GREs), as it should be. Good graduate schools look at candidates as a whole - understanding that often times low gpa's are related to immaturity and low interest in classes that are unrelated to your major. Now how do you make yourself competitive amongst other candidates with higher gpa's? Experience, leadership (charge nurse, precept, unit involvement, committees etc), certifications, and STRONG references and an eloquent personal statement. I myself had a mediocre gpa (2.8, 3.25 nursing/science) and was often discouraged by programs who wouldn't even glance at my direction. Everyone will tell you to retake classes (I didn't have time for that) or give their opinion about your "bad" gpa (they aren't giving me admissions, so who cares about them) But I made myself competitive - 8 years nursing experience (5 in the ICU), precepted, charge nurse, on unit council, certified, good GRE scores and references from physicians and boss. Tell me who would thrive in an NP program.. The ETP new grad with a 3.8 and no experience, or me with the overall 2.8 and experience? Needless to say, I got into a top notch Ivy League NP program. Doesn't matter which program is easiest to get into. Make yourself valuable to the profession and sell yourself as such, people will want you. Good grades doesn't always translate into being a stellar practitioner. Good luck.

Look for schools that have no GPA requirement, they usually require GREs but they tend to look at candidates as a whole. Don't be discouraged - I had a 2.8 gpa and was accepted to an Ivy League NP program. I got my ADN, then BSN from a state school. I had 7 years of experience when I applied. I too was worried that my gpa would be too low and people told me to retake classes to bring up my gpa, but also note that many universities don't change gpas after the degree is conferred (it varies, mine did not). I absolutely refused to retake classes so I bit the bullet and applied. But what I did was let my strong experience, references, GRE, and personal statement speak for themselves. I feel that good grad schools will understand that the lack of maturity can lead to terrible undergraduate grades so they tend to look at the whole picture and well roundedness of candidates. (All my science classes and nursing grades were 3.0+) I've seen many colleagues rejected from the same school with much higher gpa's (3.4+) and less experience than me. If you gain strong experience, participate in your units leadership, get certified in your speciality and basically show that your passionate in your work; you'll be as competitive as any other candidate. Good luck and don't let anyone try to undercut you. Some people are just low key haters. Just remember, having stellar grades doesn't always translate into being a stellar practitioner.

I'm from California and I got my NY license last year. I filled out 3 forms I believe, one was the application itself for NY, the second was my school verification which I filled half and the school fills the other half and sent that, and the third was my state verification (I sent the form and the CA Board fee to verify - you may have to check what NJ charges to verify licensure). I also took the child abuse class and infectious disease which are required by NYS - they provided links which helped and after the course test, they are electronically sent to the NY board. It took about 3 months until I got my license in the mail. It wasn't hard, but it's just time consuming sending different forms to different places.. and it can be pricey, since everyone charges fees! Hope this helped, good luck.

Nice, congrats Lacie. I am sending my application tomorrow for the ACNP. Maybe we'll be going to school together in the fall! One question, do you know how many slots there are for each np program? Also, how long did it take for them to get back to you?

What NP program did you get into?

I was interested in applying to NYU and Columbia for the ACNP programs and also very interested in the Holistic NP program at NYU. Ebu, how hard was it to get into Columbia's NP program? How many students do they take in during their summer term versus # of applicants? Is it very competitive to get in? I have 3 years nursing experience, it's kind of disappointing to hear that their program is really geared to students without experience. It's crazy to think that you can be a practitioner without any bedside experience.

Patty, I'm thinking about applying to Columbia's ACNP program. How many students to they take during their summer term and how hard is it to get in? I'm graduating with my BSN this May and I have 3 years experience as a RN 3.0 GPA overall, 3.4 in nursing.

Hi, I am looking to apply to NYU, UPENN, UCSF and Columbia to their MSN program. I already have my BSN. I was curious if you guys know how competitive their programs are (applicants vs accepted), and how much GPA plays a factor into admissions. I have a 3.0 overall GPA with a 3.4 GPA in nursing core. I know that reference letters, personal statement, and GRE are weighed in as well. I just want to know if GPA is real competitive in traditional MSN entry, or based on an individual basis. Thanks!

Hi everyone, Just curious, planning on moving to NYC with one year experience from California, just curious to a few things at NYU and NYPresbyterian or Sloan Kettering: 1. Salaries: What are their hourly rates for full time, and per diem? 2. Generally what are the nurse to patient ratios? Surgical ICU? Acute care? Intermediate care? 3. Hours: What is considered "full time"? I work at a University hospital where 3 12hour shifts, 36 hours a week, or 72 hours a pay-period is considered full time. Please help me! It would be much appreciated, this is a big move!