Recent graduate hoping to be a future NP - HELP!

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Hello everyone,

Background:

I am a recent graduate with a BS in Community Health hoping to begin my education in Nursing within the next year or so. I have a low cumulative GPA of 2.9 due to my first two years being a Pre-Med student, but have maintained a 3.6-3.7 GPA for my last 60+ hours of coursework. I have completed an internship at a local hospital and have 200 hours of volunteer work at said hospital. I also worked while in school for the majority of the time. I live in Illinois, and would prefer to remain in Illinois in order to save a little money on rent/housing and tuition costs. My end goal is to become a nurse practitioner, potentially in neonatal or pediatric care. I am already aware I will need to retake prerequisite science courses before even beginning to look at/apply to programs, and although I have already done a good deal of research on my own I would appreciate advice/answers the the following questions from your own perspectives!

1. In order to complete pre-reqs, is it best to attend a local community college?

Unfortunately, I am very limited in the number of community colleges near me in which I could receive in-district rates, and also save money by living at home while I complete them, so this is a slight cause of concern. Are these classes typically filled up by this period of time?

2. What program is best?

My definition of "best" includes: nearby, more affordable, efficient (BSN or ADN to be completed within 2 years or less), less competitive, and most importantly most sought after by employers. I know there are a variety of options including baccalaureate BSNs, accelerated baccalaureate BSNs, direct-entry MSNs, ADN-RN-BSN, etc. I also realize some programs are more expensive than others (DE MSN vs. ADN-RN), and that it may be more difficult to get a career with some programs over others due to a lack of clinical practice/practice as an RN.

3. Online or on-site? In-state or out?

Again, I would like to take both the more affordable yet most desirable (by employers) route. I would like to be hands-on and get the most out of my experience, but I have heard from many that online programs are an "easy" way to become an RN, thoughts? Also, while I would prefer to stay in-state to be able to potentially live at home and save some money on housing and tuition costs, if there are programs that would better suit me and my career goals that are out of state, I will most certainly consider them!

ESSENTIALLY, I would like to know what the best way in becoming an RN is, to eventually or concurrently receive my MSN and become a Nurse Practitioner. Again, I know I gave a lot of information and have asked some complex questions, but any and all opinions from those who have already been through this process would be deeply appreciated!!!

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Hello everyone,

I am a recent graduate with a BS in Community Health from UIUC. I am moving back to Lake County (home) in order to save some money for the next year or so and am looking to complete the prerequisite science courses required of most all nursing programs and later apply for said programs. My end goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner in either neonatal or pediatric care, but I am literally starting from scratch at this point. Any answers or advice for the following questions would be greatly appreciated!

1. What is the best way (cheapest, fastest) way to complete the pre-req science courses?

2. What school(s) did you attend? What is your review of them?

3. Is it better to stay in-state, or move?

4. Is it best to complete programs online, or on-site (campus)?

5. University BSN or Community College BSN/ADN?

6. What option is most efficient: becoming an ADN, doing an accl BSN, doing a direct-entry MSN, etc.??

7. Are there programs available in which I would be able to work a part- or full-time job? Would you even advise a student to work during schooling, or simply focus on education?

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I think you have to research the RN programs in your area, whether it's ASN or BSN. Look up their prereqs (they will most definitely have A&PI and II, English and some chemistry as some universal prereq for most RN programs). Look at how their admission process works. Look on forums of what people say about these programs and decide for yourself.

In general, community colleges granting ADN are CHEAPER. BSN degrees, although more expensive, are most desired by employers in the long run. That is the tradeoff, but both take the same NCLEX. If you go for ADN, there are thousands of RNtoBSN programs to choose from, which are usually 6 months to a year in length. Regardless of your degree, your chances of getting a job actually depends a lot on networking and area location in the US. I suggest taking your prereqs in an accredited community college for the price.

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I was in your shoes – already had a BA and wanted to become an NP. I just finished all of my pre-reqs and will be applying for nursing schools this fall. Hopefully I can give you some helpful feedback after doing HOURS of research on the possible programs and pathways to RN/NP.

1. In order to complete pre-reqs, is it best to attend a local community college?

Yes, I attended a CC for my pre-reqs. I saved money over attending an extension class at the local universities. I’m in southern California, so CC classes for the fall have been filled up at this point, especially the science classes. Hopefully this may be different for your area .

Not sure if you need a communications, psychology or sociology class for your local programs, but this may be your best bet for getting into a class for the fall. If classes are filled, just make sure to submit an application to those local CCs later this fall so that you are ready for the spring class registration date.

2. What program is best?

I can’t really give an opinion as to which school might be best for you, but I can say that whether you complete an ADN, BSN or direct-entry MSN, your first job after nursing school will be the same: a bedside nurse. Maybe you’ll get paid more as a BSN or MSN, but you (generally speaking) will not have a higher position than someone with a ADN.

I’d say the advantage of a BSN or MSN is that after you have worked and are ready to accomplish your goal of becoming an NP, it would then a matter of getting your MSN, if you have a BSN OR completing an NP certificate program, if you have your DE MSN.

Imagine if you had your ADN and started working on a hospital floor. Now you have to complete a bridge program to get your BSN, while working full time, and then AFTER that you apply for an NP program.

What I’ve chosen for myself is to apply for accelerated BSN or DE MSN, work a few years, and go for the NP program. It may not be the best way for everyone, but it’s the best route for me : )

3. Online or on-site? In-state or out?

This is me also speaking with regards to my own local area – I do not know of any reputable online RN program that I would touch. I’m not willing to spend the time and money to complete an online program, only to be sent to the bottom of the resume pile by local employers.

One to check out the quality of a program you’re considering is to see the NCLEX passage rates. Your State Board of Nursing should have the passage rates of each accredited school published on their website.

As far as in-state: Hm. This one is hard for me to answer, not knowing what options that you have in your area.

Out-of-state: This link of AACN-accredited accelerated BSN and MSN programs was also extremely helpful for me: American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Accelerated Nursing Programs

This helped me immensely when I was considering out of state options.

Good luck! I hope this was helpful. Before you know it, you’ll be done with pre-reqs and on the road to nursing school!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

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Thanks so much for your advice! I've also done an overwhelming amount of research, but still wanted to get another's POV of someone who has already/recently been through this process. I definitely agree with your points about going for the BSN over an ADN program, and appreciate your advice about online programs - I definitely want a less expensive option, but not if it will cost me my resume for a good nursing career!

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Since you are already bachelor prepared, look into accelerated nursing programs.. Usually about 1.5 years long and you graduate with your BSN.. You would still have to take your prerequisites, and the program will be intense (just like regular nursing school can be) but you will be ahead of the game for your NP. Some NP programs will allow you to continue through right after your graduate from your BSN program, but most require you to have a number of clinical hours ads a RN before you start NP clinicals.. Just a thought. But first things first..gotta get that nursing degree!

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Specializes in Family Nursing & Psychiatry.

You can do it!

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UCLA FNP Class of 2016

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Where are you located? Lewis in Oakbrook offers an RN to MSN, so if you get your ADN from a community college, which is the cheapest, then you can go right for the MSN and not get another bachelors. If you try to get another bachelors, you might find that you reach your undergrad student loan limits before you finish, especially those accelerated programs, they are extremely expensive.

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