Question about Direct-Entry MSN

[aship, BSN]

I received my B.S. in Kinesiology in 2008. Thought about pursuing masters in public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dietetics, health psychology...but never nursing...until now (go figure it's been right in front of me all along)! Have worked as a personal trainer, alcohol and drug counselor, physical therapy aid, volunteered at Special Olympics, worked with people with cerebral palsy, caregiver for the elderly internship at an eating disorder clinic, and probably other experiences I'm leaving out. Long story short, it has taken me a long time (at least what seems like a long time) to FINALLY settle on becoming a nurse practitioner.

My GPA isn't stellar. I just barely have a 3.0 and some C's in science prerequisites. I think I would have been more strict and not let my grades slip if I knew down the road I'd want to pursue more school. I think being all over the place with my experience was good for exposure but bad for focus. However, I believe I have a lot to bring to the table in terms of patient care because I have worked in so many different health-care related environments.

The main question is: How does someone who is confident she will make an excellent NP convince the admissions committee to admit me when my GPA isn't that great?Should I take remaining prerequisites at a university rather than community college? My fall back plan is ABSN to masters/doctorate but I am so ready to get the ball rolling that I'm willing to go 100% above and beyond if that's what it takes!

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I received my B.S. in Kinesiology in 2008. Thought about pursuing masters in public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dietetics, health psychology...but never nursing...until now (go figure it's been right in front of me all along)! Have worked as a personal trainer, alcohol and drug counselor, physical therapy aid, volunteered at Special Olympics, worked with people with cerebral palsy, caregiver for the elderly internship at an eating disorder clinic, and probably other experiences I'm leaving out. Long story short, it has taken me a long time (at least what seems like a long time) to FINALLY settle on becoming a nurse practitioner.

My GPA isn't stellar. I just barely have a 3.0 and some C's in science prerequisites. I think I would have been more strict and not let my grades slip if I knew down the road I'd want to pursue more school. I think being all over the place with my experience was good for exposure but bad for focus. However, I believe I have a lot to bring to the table in terms of patient care because I have worked in so many different health-care related environments.

The main question is: How does someone who is confident she will make an excellent NP convince the admissions committee to admit me when my GPA isn't that great?Should I take remaining prerequisites at a university rather than community college? My fall back plan is ABSN to masters/doctorate but I am so ready to get the ball rolling that I'm willing to go 100% above and beyond if that's what it takes!

Welcome.

You have an interesting history and each one of those experience potentially brings perspective to the nursing profession and admission committees are often interested in that.

If I were reviewing your application, this is what I would be interested in seeing/hearing from you to make yourself a better candidate:

1. Retake some pre-requisite classes and demonstrate that you can get As in them; community college should be fine if the programs accept their credits. Often adults are better students than teenagers and by taking the classes again you demonstrate that you have the capacity to score well along with the fact you are invested in your career path and raise your overall GPA.

2. Do some shadowing. You have skipped around a lot in your past which can be bad or good. Shadowing some NPs lets both you and the committee know that you understand the role and are interested in a long-term commitment.

3. Have a good answer for why you want to be an NP.

4. Have a good answer for why your "fallback" is an ABSN.

Best of luck!

[aship, BSN]

Thank you for your help! I'll take all that advice into consideration when I fill out my applications.