Prospective ABSN student. Thinking about GMU vs. Marymount

Quota, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

GMU info session today, yep that's the preferred school for sure. Still plan to apply for both to cover my bases but really hope I get into GMU.

lanekone · Mar 9, 2016

I'll tell you what: if I had the money, I would go to Shenandoah University. I went there to talk to a counsellor, and they made a very good impression on me. However, I got accepted to GMU and will be finishing my junior year in the next 7 weeks. I did take CHM 111 for other schools I was planning to apply to as backup, and it didn't hurt a bit. Moreover, it made my transcript look more competitive. My advice is - take the chem, apply everywhere, and decide upon admission.

Quota, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

I'll tell you what: if I had the money, I would go to Shenandoah University. I went there to talk to a counsellor, and they made a very good impression on me. However, I got accepted to GMU and will be finishing my junior year in the next 7 weeks. I did take CHM 111 for other schools I was planning to apply to as backup, and it didn't hurt a bit. Moreover, it made my transcript look more competitive. My advice is - take the chem, apply everywhere, and decide upon admission.

Too far out for me. I'm about halfway between GMU and Marymount, Shenandoah would be about an hour and a half drive in good conditions. Homeowner, not relocation for school. Furthest out school on my radar is GW but that has distance AND high cost going against it.

I'm still debating what I'm going to do about the chemistry requirement for Marymount. I guess it's partly going to depend on how quickly I finish the rest of my pre-reqs and how much time I have to put into it. If I have the time AND motivation I might do the CLEP, tight on time just take a gen Chem class and get it over with easier. Being that I'll need to take the HEIS A2 and want to study/prep for that just taking the simpler Chem class is probably the better option.

lanekone · Mar 10, 2016

Take it with Dr. Burton at NVCC. It's a fun class, you will learn a lot and will get an A, provided you put some effort into your studies. She offers a ton of extra credit.

Quota, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2016

Take it with Dr. Burton at NVCC. It's a fun class, you will learn a lot and will get an A, provided you put some effort into your studies. She offers a ton of extra credit.

Doing all my pre-reqs online as I'm still working my current lab job full time. Loving the flexibility so far but just started. I'm guessing the class you are talking about isn't offered through ELI. About 1/3 through Bioethics and starting A&P I in a week or so. Probably going to just finish the bioethics class early so I can focus on A&P I. I don't expect any trouble with the class but everyone talks about it being hard. I'm a biology major who actually really enjoys biology and truly learned the material in my biology classes. Never took A&P but I did take intro to animal physiology and comparative endocrinology which covers a lot of the same materials I'd believe. Been a while and I'm sure additional material will be covered but I enjoyed and did well in both those classes.

lanekone · Mar 10, 2016

I love biology too. A&P is not hard, certainly not for a Bio major, unless it is an upper level class and/or you have a crazy professor. I took some online and hybrid classes at NVCC, but preferred all my science classes to be in-person. My A&P professor was the best teacher I have ever had in my life. That is one thing I do not like about Mason - I expected better quality teaching. Some instructors are excellent but not the others.

Quota, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2016

That's unfortunate about the instructors at Mason but really that can happen anywhere. Plus I've been out working in the real world for 12 years... have to deal with good and bad teachers/trainers and bosses all the time. You learn to adapt, focus on yourself and what you need to do well and just do it. It's always great to have a good teacher/trainer but if the information is out there you can manage most things on your own even if it's more effort.

Thanks for the feedback as someone already at Mason. Its been helpful for me.

lanekone · Mar 16, 2016

Quota, you're welcome and good luck!

Trhl09 · Apr 5, 2016

Hi Quota! I'm a career-changer like you, also in my early 30s, and also was a BS in Bio major (minor in chem, though). I'm still finishing up pre-reqs at NOVA while working full-time, but I was excited to get accepted to GMU's ABSN program for this fall 2016. I haven't told my current employer about my plans to leave since it's still a few months until the semester starts, and there's a chance they could terminate my employment if they knew I were to leave.

Anyway, I did some research on Marymount, GWU, and VCU ABSN programs as well as UVA, Hopkins, and Georgetown CNL (direct-entry master's) programs. In the end, GMU was the only program I applied to because of the cost effectiveness as well as the length of the program. I talked to several nurse friends who are our age and who live in the area (one went to GMU for traditional BSN), and they all said that a BSN would be the most useful degree (ADN is not recommended because employers are looking for BSN; CNL is a master's but you end up on the same bottom rung as BSN but with longer time to complete the degree and more debt). They pretty much said that the school's name isn't really a big deal to employers, so try to minimize your debt (especially living around here in Northern VA).

I'm sure that the programs at the "big name" schools are also great, but the program at Mason really seemed to be the best option financially, and my friend who got her BSN and MSN at Mason feels she was well-prepared for her career. I know there are also financial aid packages, scholarships, and other options at the private schools, but it still didn't seem like enough to tilt the balance for me. But to be completely honest, I didn't do a great job researching those options. So good luck to you!

Quota, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2016

Thanks for the feedback Trhl09! I've definitely decided I'd much prefer getting in to the GMU program at this point. I'll still apply to Marymount as well, with Chem class pending, as a back up. Everything about GMU seems better to me but I also don't want to wait another year to apply again to GMU in case I don't get in. So having a backup with Marymount seems like a good play. I'll have to look into financial aid options with both schools. So far I've just looked a bit for the classes I'm taking at NOVA and it's looking like I don't qualify for anything as a degree holding student who works full time and has significant savings.

Congratulations on getting in and I hope you do well and enjoy yourself. I agree to not tell your boss your leaving until closer to the start of school if you fear they'll fire you. You don't want to burn bridges and give no notice but don't risk putting yourself in a financial hole with no income prior to starting a debt inducing BSN program. My coworkers know my plans but my supervisor and boss do not, and I plan to keep it that way. I'm still 1.5 years off from knowing if I've gotten in to GMU, then another 4 months or so before school would start. If my work situation remains the same as it is now I'll give them a few months notice. Allowing them to hire my replacement and for me to train them.

pigginsrn · Apr 5, 2016

Good choice. It makes no difference to your career if you Mason or Georgetown but if makes a big difference in you bank account.