Stressed about starting nursing school!

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Aug 8, 2011

I recently just graduated college in June and have a bachelors in a non-nursing related subject. I have been thinking seriously about changing direction and getting into nursing for quite some time. I live on Long Island and I have been looking into various nursing programs which are not insanely expensive. I have mostly looked into Adelphi, Molloy, and NYIT.
I did look into these programs and some of them do not require these courses to get in because they allow you to take them once you are already in the nursing program. Due to my financial situation.... I am looking to get into a nursing program and THEN complete all of the prerequisites once I am in it..... because I am terrified that I will spend all this money on taking the prerequisites, then apply to nursing programs only to be denied by the school/program. I am worried that I will not be able to get into any of these schools without a background in math, bio, chem, A&P I and II, etc....
I am supposed to hear back from my #1 choice in September to know if I got in for the Spring 2012 semester. I am so nervous that I will not be able to get in. I want to go for my BSN and I am willing to work my butt off to get in, but I just feel so bad about myself and feel like I wont get in due to my low college GPA (3.3) and my non-related Bachelors degree (Criminal Justice). I would like to know what peoples GPA's were who got accepted into Nursing School as well as where they went, and for those who went to nursing school who already had a non-related bachelors degree, what was the bachelors in? Thanks for any advice!!!

Hi there!

To answer your questions:

I had a much better GPA at the community college where I will be starting nursing school in 2 weeks than at the university where I received my BS.

GPA in classes that count: 3.9

BS in biology

There are definitely people with GPAs lower than 3.3 from a baccalaureate-granting institution who do go on accelerated programs or even master's programs, so don't even think of selling yourself short.

What matters for many people (who do not have that 3.6+ from the bachelor's) is knocking out mostly A's in any pre- or co-requisite classes that are required by your program of interest.

Also, I don't quite understand taking "pre-reqs" AFTER you've been accepted into a program...do you mean co-reqs.?

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2011

yeah there is a reason you need those classes first.....from what i've heard those types of programs are interested in your money and will get your money regardless if you finish or do well

JonB04 · Aug 8, 2011

Is that true they willonly take money because I want to go to Molloy and my gpa is a 3.5 but i do feel like its a for profut school even though it says its not

Nursing2102 · Aug 8, 2011

Also, I don't quite understand taking "pre-reqs" AFTER you've been accepted into a program...do you mean co-reqs.?

Basically the program at the college I applied for does not require me to already have taken the science prereqs (like chem, bio, A&P 1 and 2 etc..) The adviser said I would be able to register for those classes and complete them in the beginning of the nursing program before taking any nursing courses. Only after I pass them with C+ or above will I be allowed to take the nursing courses.

If all else fails and I end up not getting in for some reason, I was going to take the prerequisites at a community college and then try getting into another college's BSN program. I feel like I am going to have such a hard time with the science considering my degree is in criminal justice and the only science related course I have taken in the last 4 years was forensics which was very simple stuff! Ugh!

JonB04 · Aug 8, 2011

hmm sounds like Molloy to me

Nursing2102 · Aug 8, 2011

Balancing school full time along with working part time should be fun too........ :bugeyes:

casuell · Aug 10, 2011

Well honestly, I think it is important to note that the pre requisite classes help to build your confidence as a student as well as provide background information so that you can do well in the program itself. I have a 3.99 gpa and only made one B throughout all my classes. I wouldn't want to take pre req classes and nursing classes at the same time. I don't know what your pre reqs are but if you are afraid of failing the pre reqs or passing and not get accepted to the nursing program then you are just like every other pre nursing student, myself included. However, I made it through and got accepted on my first application attempt. So, it can be done and if you are truly dedicated you will do well. I think if you haven't been in college for a while, you should use the pre reqs to build your confidence and help you get back in the groove of studying and test taking. I hadn't been in school in 15 years and I was nervous about the rigors of going through the whole academic process again at my age but I did very well and now have the confidence to not only finish what I started but I have confidence in myself in general because out of 1500 applicants to the program I made it among only 160 people. Just keep focused and keep good grades. Also realize that sometimes it isnt always your gpa that keeps you from making it into the program, the number of students accepted versus the number of applicants is a small sometimes very small number. And schools don't always use just gpa numbers some combine gpa, teas test scores, and deadlines to select potential students.

So I say all of this to say, have faith in yourself and the process. Please don't feel like your financial situation will keep you from completing the process because you can do it. I am and I have a part time job but I use grants, scholarships and loan money to pay for school and some of my living expenses. It's not always easy but I can day that God has blessed me enough to do well in school and still have more than enough to live on. I hope this helps and best wishes.

Nursing2102 · Aug 10, 2011

Thanks a lot for the advice.

The prereqs I will be taking consist of:

-A&P I

-A&P II

-Organic/Biological Chemistry

-Microbiology

-Statistics

-Nutrition

________________________________________

After I complete those I will be allowed to take the nursing courses. I don't know if I should take 5 classes at once for full time attendance or whether that will be too much to handle at once.... although when I was in college (2007-2011) I always took 5 classes a semester and never had any trouble. I am just afraid it will be to difficult since they are subjects that I have never taken before. I also don't want to be in school forever so I want to be able to attend school full time so I can finish in 3-3.5 years as opposed to 4-5 years.