Second Degree Nursing Students

SarahLee7 · Dec 11, 2011

Hi I am looking into programs and taking my 1st pre reqs now- what school are you going to and is it hard to get into?

Imani919 · Dec 11, 2011

I am currently going to North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC. No its not hard to get into in my opinion. Just have to have at least a 2.5 GPA overall and also in the prerequisites as well. Its a great school. UNC Chapel Hill and Duke are also great schools as well for 2nd bachelor degrees in Nursing.

mangopeach · Dec 11, 2011

This is my 2nd degree. Most of the people in my class are career changers. For some this is their 3rd degree.

As far as GPA to get into the school you want to, I advise you to revisit that. Most programs are extremely competitive, I would see a nursing advisor to find out what it really takes to get in. Not the advisor for the rest of the school. Often on a school's website or brochure they will list the minimum to be considered but the reality is almost no one is getting in with that GPA. There are limited spots and usually hundreds of applicants. You are competing with all those other applicants for a spot & usually the spots go to the highest GPAs.So although they may list 2.5 as the minimum, please strive to get your GPA way above that because very few programs these days admit folks with a GPA under 3.0.

Good luck!

pharaohnc · Dec 30, 2011

Hi Imani,

I am looking to get into NCCU for my 2nd bachelors degree in Nursing. What are the prerequisites to get into the program and would you take them at Central or go to a community college and transfer them over?

Deredain · Dec 31, 2011

I have a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in MIS. After the last year and a half of my job threatening layoffs, I got into the nursing program and am starting in January. You are certainly not alone in getting your second degree in nursing.

zpb72000 · Jan 5, 2012

The program at NCCU says 2.5, but it is competitive, it seems that most that got in, had at least a 3.3 overall GPA, before taking the Bridge courses.

NightBloomCereus · Jan 20, 2012

My first degree was in dance, because I wanted an active job where I worked with people and didn't sit behind a desk. Bad route to my goal. Then I got a degree in church ministry, wanting to minister to others in their greatest time of need. Another bad route to my goal. My third and final degree will be in nursing. It will fulfill my goals while being able to put food on the table. You are most certainly in good company!

BeachsideNic · Jan 20, 2012

These days, second bachelor's students are becoming more and more common as people search for a second career later in life. I am no exception as I begin my ABSN program next week with a BS in Biology already under my belt. More schools are now allowing second bachelor's students, but that doesn't mean you get a break on the admissions requirements. What it does show to the admissions committee is that you have already displayed that you can complete a degree, which is what schools want. The biggest piece of advice is to just get really high grades in your sciences and be aware of all deadlines and requirements.

Good Luck!