SLP versus BSN

Published

I am a PCA working in Atlanta, Ga.I have wanted and desired to be a nurse, but never took the opportunity to fulfill those goals/dreams due to my fear of not getting into a program. All in all, I've been torn between sticking with SLP (which was my

back up career option due to having a low gpa) or going for the punch and entering my school's (UWG) BSN program... I would love any advice from professionals and students.

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

We moved your thread to the Pre-Nursing Student forum.

Good luck and we hope you enjoy allnurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

what's a SLP?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
what's a SLP?

Speech-Language Pathologist...or Speech Therapist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Speech language pathology is a master's to doctoral level program. I would not consider it a valid back up due to low GPA. These programs are highly competitive and have very few slots. My sister was readily accepted in Univ Washington after completing a few post-graduate level prerequisite courses and earning A's with a lot of hard work, dedication and studying. She already had a BA in sociology, and a dual major Masters in Education in K-12 (specializing in social sciences/studies) and Special Education. She graduated cum laude from both her BA & MEd programs and was worried she wouldn't be accepted. Most of her classmates had masters. Many had undergrad degrees in speech pathology and worked as SLP assistants. (Minimum to work as an SLP is masters ) After 2 years post masters & graduating, she finished her post grad supervised clinical clerkship and earned her license and CCC (certification of clinical competency) and now works independently as a pediatric SLP. It's 6-7 years of undergraduate then graduate education then you must secure a year of supervised clinical clerkship (if you want a specialty like my sister it's highly competitive for 1-2 slots especially in major facilities with research programs).

Nursing is not easy either. Most areas of the country are BSN preferred and there are more nurses than jobs available.

Both programs generally have heavy science pre-requisites including bio, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, statistics

Perhaps consider going to career counseling services at your school and completing some surveys to determine where your interest truly lies. Consider meeting with academic advisors for each program to see how close you are meeting program entry requirements and what you can do to make your application more favorable to an admissions committee

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion