Questions About Nursing Education (RN)

[Parallelism]

So I'm 22 years old and have been really excited about the idea of becoming a nurse. I was thinking about getting my RN degree (or is it a certification?) and trying to find a job.

I have some questions:

1) I'm in college doing my prerequisites, and what happens when I've finished my prereqs? I heard I have to apply and could be on a wait list for 2 ~ 5 years, is there any way to speed up this process? I'm willing to move out of state if that will hasten the process.

2) The application, once prerequisites are completed are on a point system. Essentially, GPA is what earns you the most points, but my GPA is roughly 2.7, give or take. I'm afraid I'll invest my time into the prerequisites and will never get accepted into the nursing program because of my GPA.

3) I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around how investing time into prerequisites, to get on a wait list is a good career move if my GPA is not competitive.

4) Do I have to apply and get on the wait list if I'm just going for my 2 year degree?

Basically, I want my RN certification ASAP and I'm willing to do whatever. Parents are paying for 100% of college and I want a career as soon as possible! Can somebody give me a direction to take?

In a perfect world, I'd finish my prerequisites, apply for the nursing program, get accepted within a year, complete the program and have my RN licence.

PS: I'm a male, does this increase my chances of getting accepted into the program or just employment?

PSS: I know this is unorganized, my apologies. I've just heard so many different things and conflicting answer from people I've asked.

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

I doubt you could get into any nursing school with a 2.7 GPA. I think most require you maintain a 3.0. If you invest your time now to make all A's in your prereqs to improve your overall GPA you will have invested your time well. If your school of choice bases everything on points you may still have a problem if it is not high enough. But if you have an interview or application letter you can emphasize that you are now serious about your commitment to good grades and will have the evidence to back it up.

Nursing is not a certification but a degree. You can get an AS, BSN, MSN etc. Regardless of basic degree, you will have to pass NCLEX which is how you will get your license to practice.

If you truly don't care where you live, you may check some states that interest you (listed by state in regional list) on this forum and ask about area schools requirements, length of wait list if any, pass rate on NCLEX, etc.

Do your research before you commit to nursing school. It is very a competitive, difficult course of study. Know what you are getting into before you jump. Many schools require you have your CNA to apply. It would be a good starting point to learn what nurses really do, and improve your chances of getting into school if you choose to. Good luck. It is not a decision to be made lightly.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

1. How long a wait list depends on the nursing school you are applying to, so the best person to answer that question is the nursing school.

2. A lot (not all) nursing schools will look at your prerequisite classes when figuring out your admission GPA. The GPA for my first undergraduate degree was only 2.7, but the GPA of just the pre-reqs was 4.0 so getting into a ADN program was no problem--fortunately some of my less than stellar pre-reqs from that first BA degree only transferred over as completed credits, not grades. Unfortunately, the RN-BSN program I'm in is using the actual grades from any pre-req/prior classes taken, so my GPA is 3.6 or 3.7.

Point being, your GPA may not be a career-killer...but again, the nursing school you are interested in is the best source for your answer.

3. See answer 2. And again, talk to the nursing school you are interested in. Also, they may be able to help you work out the fastest path to go from now to nursing school.

4. The fastest path to a RN varies on what educational program you pursue as well as your prior coursework. Generally a diploma or ADN are the fastest routes, averaging 2-3 years (all times given are nursing programs themselves and do not count pre-req courses). A BSN is a 4 year program; however if you have prior college coursework that could be shortened. If you already have a college degree, there are accelerated BSN programs that can take on average 2 years.

Of course, how much you attend school impacts it too. Attending school full-time is faster; going part-time will take longer. Accelerated programs are almost always full-time and very intense, leaving you little free time to work or do anything else.

Online nursing schools also vary in intensity and time, but expect to spend at least two years if not more taking nursing classes.

REGARDLESS of what educational path you take, it will end with you taking the NCLEX-RN and becoming a Registered Nurse. The license you get from the BON makes no differentiation between diploma, ADN or BSN. Employers may differentiate but that's a whole other story.

5. Being a male will not increase your odds of either acceptance into nursing school nor employment as a nurse. It just means you are a male applying to nursing school who hopes to one day work as a nurse.

Best of luck whatever you decide!