Questions about direct entry applications

[ProspectiveBSN11]

Hello all,

I am a 29-year-old Latin teacher who is interested in making a career change to psychiatric nursing. I will finish the school year this spring and then never return to the classroom - yahoo! I am completely starting over, however, when it comes to prerequisites, work experience, etc. I'm wondering if it would be possible for me to apply to programs for entry in fall 2011, or if I should put off the application process until 2012. I would need to take all of my prerequisites (starting with one this spring, then hopefully two over the summer, two in the fall, and two more in the spring of 2011), start working (hopefully), or at least volunteering, in a hospital this summer, research programs, and prepare my applications. I have strong GRE scores (700 verbal, 650 math, 5.5 analytical), 2 MA degrees in Latin and Greek, and a good undergrad GPA (3.82) from a very competitive undergraduate institution. I'm interested in MGH, Simmons, Regis, BC, UMASS-Boston, UMASS-Amherst, and maybe UMASS-Worcester. Would my chances for admission increase substantially if I delayed the process for a year?

One more thing (just adding this now)- do the programs I've listed look unfavorably on completing prerequisites at community colleges? My main motivation for going the CC route would be cost.

I'm so happy to have found this forum; what a wonderful resource. Thanks for any help!

[Sand_Dollar, BSN]

Hi ProspectiveBSN11 - welcome to allnurses!!

First thing you need to do is go to each school you are thinking about and look at what they require. With your other degree(s), you could apply to an accelerated BSN program. There are still pre-reqs required (AP 1&2, Micro, stats, etc) but way less than someone without a degree.

Since the pre-requisites often have pre-reqs themselves (AP1 has to come before AP2, etc), it may take 2 semesters/quarters to get them all done, maybe more depending on what's needed. Be very aware of dates and plan accordingly, you may not be able to start as soon as you would like... I had to apply almost a year before my program even starts.

BTW, the state University I am applying to encourages getting pre-reqs done through CC's.

Hope that gives you a little to start with. Good luck!!