Second Degree Encouragement and advice please!

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Specializes in ICU.

Hello everyone,

I am currently in the process of going after my BSN as a second degree in Atlanta. With this being a second degree I don't really want to spend a lot of time and money but that's what I seem to keep running into. I am currently enrolled at Clayton State University to add some needed prerequisites. Here's my current stressors: my anatomy courses from my first degree did not require a lab for my school (University of Kentucky) so now those classes are a waste here in Georgia. Since they are a waste this adds about a year of prerequisite courses needed when I was planning on a semester. Next, my GPA isn't competitive and I can't spend years taking classes to put a lot into that at this point. Overall, my GPA dropped when all of my courses from my degree didn't transfer, I can't get into the prereqs that I actually need such as microbiology, classes are on a timeline of being expired and I'm extremely tired of getting told what I can't do. This is a path that I really want to take and am pretty experienced hands on as I work in a children's hospital. Running into these many obstacles is taking a toll on me. I like to have a plan and follow it to where I need to be. Any advice on possible routes and options I can explore? As a last resort I am considering Chamberlain but it's last resort because of the cost. As of now it is seeming like the only option for my situation.

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In the same pickle as you... i just finished my pre reqs this summer... it took me about a year to complete them. Its just a obstacle in the road and you have to push through, there will be many more. Its not an easy journey. I would suggest going to a reputable community college for pre reqs (cheaper, normally lesser loopholes). Some schools are holistic..the will look at your bachelors gpa, science gpa, and then the school you are currently taking pre reqs in.. i would take advantage of the fact that you need to do pre reqs..thats your chance to shine. Knock them out get all A'sssss : ) good luck!!

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Are there other programs in the area your could apply to that would accept your out-of-state pre-req courses? Look at both BSN and ADN programs. I realize you want to go for your BSN now and are at a state university, however if an ASN program accepts all of your transfer credits it will get you through school faster and you can always bridge to BSN later (with employer possibly picking up part of the tab). There may also be other 4 years schools in the area that would accept your transfer credits - look for them.

Look at all the options in your local area for getting through nursing school - which one are you closest to meeting the requirements for? Which programs are most affordable? What do you need to do to get into those programs? Then start working from that information.

If you do have to re-take a bunch of pre-reqs do it at a community college (even if then transferring back to 4 year) tuition usually costs about 1/3-1/2 the cost of a university and many CCs have transfer agreements with local 4-year institutions.

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I ran into the same issues when going back to school for nursing. I currently have a BA in Psych and while a lot of classes transferred over, I still had to retake some pre-reqs and then add some more. I am in the process of completing my pre-reqs to apply to nursing school but it has been a full year. It's just something you have to do to get where you need to be and it will fly by... trust me.

Also, look into community colleges. I was looking to get my BSN but found that you don't HAVE to have one. An ADN is just fine, takes less time to complete, and its cheaper. Some hospitals you work for will pay for you to go from an associates degree to a bachelor's in nursing. There are options you just have to see which best suit your needs. Hang in there!

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Are you saying taking courses like Microbiology is based on GPA? I actually completed majority of my B.S. in Biology at Georgia State. Unfortunately, at the time I attended GSU, A&P together were not required for my degree. I had to take the lab portion this past year along with other pre-req's such as Public Speaking, Sociology and Lifespan. I knew I just had to suck it up to get to where I want to be. Since my courses were older, I did have to take a few others, but I want to be a nurse, so I did what I had to. Now, it's possible for you to seek a CC, but I was told my courses were too old for the CC in my area and I would have had to start from scratch. The institution I attend now accepted a lot of my courses, and I did a little giving on my end as well by taking the required courses. If my now school would have said the same thing the CC said, I'd have went the CC route because that would have been best for me. You just have to explore ALL of your options in the metro area, and if you really want it, go the easiest/best route for you.

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Chamberlain is not even CLOSE to being your "only" option. You seem to be more concerned about the time (a year isn't a long time for pre reqs. I know it sucks, but it's going to pass anyways).

A few things that could help all of us get to know you better:

*What is your overall GPA? If you have passed and maintained a C average or better, you will be eligible for most programs. Many programs first weigh/only weigh your pre req GPA. This is why retaking those and pulling A's could be the difference here for you and your saving grace.

*I know this year seems like an eternity, but if you take those pre reqs and pull straight A's, you could be a very competitive applicant at many ASN and BSN programs. Take the TEAS/HESI and get a good score, even BETTER.

*Do NOT rule out ASN/ADN programs. I am also hoping of accelerated BSN, but I want to be a nurse. If I have to get my associate's because the BSN's locally are too competitive, I will start with my ASN. Even though I have great grades, I've accepted a LOT of people have amazing grades too. If I can't beat the numbers, I'm going to do what I have to do!

*Why can't you take microbiology? Do you mean you just have to wait a semester or something?

*Waiting a year might actually be good for you. It's a year. Take those classes and get those A's. Don't pay insane for profit tuition because you can't wait an extra 9 months. You'll regret it.

I look forward to getting a little bit more info from you.

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Specializes in ICU.

@turkleki

That's what I'm learning is that it's going to take longer than what I had set and planned in my mind. Most of my prereqs are done, I was only about two-three classes away but that isn't enough to raise my GPA to where I want. I'm already enrolled in a state school to take my prereqs, it was just a matter of accepting how long it will take. Thanks for commenting and good luck to you on your journey as well!

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Specializes in ICU.

I've explored a ton of options. I'm already enrolled in a state college here in Georgia and tuition isn't too bad. As far as the nursing program options, the ADN programs here are almost more competitive than all of the other schools. I plan to try to get into a few places and talk to advisors, maybe community colleges will be more willing to do so. Thanks for the information!

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Specializes in ICU.

@crazydoglady89

You're right, I was mostly concerned about time because I just spent 5 years for my first degree in Exercise Science. I'm kind of at a point of wanting to start a career and not wanting to waste more time getting there. Essentially, I am seeing that it isn't a waste, just a new journey.

*My current cumulative GPA is a 2.78 :( which means it may take a few semesters of "all A's" to at least achieve a 3.0.

*I currently can't take Microbiology anywhere as planned because my anatomy course at Kentucky did not have a lab with it, therefore I will be retaking anatomy just to take the lab (pretty frustrating when the class is present on my transcript.)

I've come to terms that this process will take longer than planned. I believe what made me have hope in the beginning of this journey is that I visited Mercer and they told me the classes I needed and what grades I needed to achieve to be competitive to get in there. Most of my classes transferred and I only need to take microbiology, abnormal psych and redo my first anatomy because it has been exactly 5 years. I was mainly on a path to achieve these goals and they have been pushed back since I can't take micro until this anatomy and lab is completed.

Thank you all so much for the information and encouragement, it's nice and helpful talking to people who can relate to the situation and have been through the situations. I really appreciate you all! (:

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I completely understand where you are coming from and how/why you feel.

I am in the similar position that you are in. Not only did I get BA in Education, I also got my MS in Ed. I wish I had listened to my parents. But what's done is done, there is nothing I can do. Nor can you! All you can do is move forward, and reach for the stars, your BSN, if you truly desire it. Granted, spending more time and money is a huge burden, but make a plan, and research on schools that do not charge much and will allow you to get your BSN in as little time as possible. Look into the accelerated BSN programs that may take anywhere between 12 to 18 months to complete. If the only choice for you is to apply to a private, hence expensive, college, see if they offer any kind of financial aid: grants, scholarships, loans.

Most importantly, believe in yourself!

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