glassprn

I worked at a level one trauma center ER for a year, then switched to CV ICU before I applied to schools. In order to increase your chances (&for your own benefit), you definitely need ICU experience. ER & ICU are very different, & I'm glad I have both under my belt. Personally, I would not go for master's unless that's what I really want to do. To me, it costs too much time & money with minimal benefits.

Here's my story. I did a 16-month absn program. if you are going to attend an absn program, you probably cannot work. The schedule will be very tight. You don't want to sacrifice your GPA over NA/clerk experience. But, if you can somehow manage both, by all means go for it! It will definitely help. After I graduated, I could not get an ICU job right away. So I took a job at ER (level 1trauma center). Stayed there for a year, then moved to CV ICU. I applied to crna schools when I just had one year of experience. I got accepted, & will start this fall. So I will have two years of ICU experience in the end. My GPA is high (like many other applicants, my class average GPA is 3.7) Had multiple certifications Precepted students & participated unit based committes. Most importantly, you gotta sell yourself well during interview. Especially, if you lack ICU experience, you need to show them you have a great potential.

Im not 100% sure, but it sounded like it. If they already sent out letters, and people already got a call from them, i assume its done.

I could not wait, so I called the department. They sent out letters to all applicants ( accepted or not) yesterday. So if you did not get call so far, probably not accepted. Little disappointed, but I am accepted to OU so I am trying to brush it off.

Congrats!! :)

I got a call last Tuesday. :) good luck to everyone!

I totally agree with mschas! It's very competitive to get into NS now, but please don't be discouraged by GPA. I recently got accepted to 2 ABSN programs with under 3.0 undergraduate GPA. So you can do it, too!! =) For the finance,,, try hard to get scholarships as much as possible. Good luck!!

I was very grateful that I was accepted to UR, but I decided to go to another school. I wish all of you (accepted and waitlisted) the best. =)

Don't be discouraged by GPA! I had exact same GPA(2.95) in my undergraduate and recently I got accepted my top choice ABSN program. (My graduate GPA was higher than undergraduate, but not supper high..also both are from outside U.S) However, I did very well in last 60 credits including all pre-requisites. I assume that the school see my progress positively. Also at least for my school, essay, interview, extracurricular experiences weigh greatly on admission. Good luck! =)

Most important thing, I believe, is how to make yourself stand out from the rest. The questions I was asked (both ABSN programs) were very generic. Why nursing? Why this program? Strength and weakness? etc. I tried to relate my personal experiences (volunteering, cultural background, previous degrees) to these questions. Also emphasize them, too. It is nerve-wracking, but be calm and confident. =) I got accepted to my first choice ( another school will let me know by end of October). Good luck! =)

Congratulations! Isn't it awesome? =) Now you can relax and enjoy!

JonB04 You can absolutely do it! Why not?? =) Like other posters already said, it is doable as long as you are focused on your goal and dedicate a certain amount of time to it. When I first read posts here Allnurses.com, it seemed like every one has over 3.7 or even 4.0. I was freaked out... But what I've seen and heard so far is quite different. Don't be discouraged only by GPA! Of course, you need to try hard to get decent grades but I believe that GPA is not everything... Do your best, and you will be fine! Good luck!

Thanks a lot Chickenlake and twois!! I'll look into these suggested areas =)

I'm not a math person at all..But I took statistics last semester and end up getting A! Even though I didn't like my professor and his teaching style, I just did what I had to do get a decent grade. I think it is all about understanding the concepts and just practicing a lot!! You will be fine, don't worry too much!

Yogi - Wow, where did you live in Vermont? I'm living in UVM graduate housing near Burlington downtown. =) I like Vermont but it's winter is too brutal.... Maybe because I lived in California before moving to Vermont..haha LittleQ- Congrats! =)