Wanna-be in need of major answers

Ranchgirl30 · Feb 4, 2004

Hey. . .I have a degree in communications as well and will be starting an accelerated BSN This May - The program is 12 months.

The application process was long. I applied a year and three months ago for my program. There were something like 27 credits of prerequisite classes. I had to take A&P (I&II), Chemistry, Nutrition, Statistics, Medical Ethics, Microbiology, the list goes on and on.

I worked in pro sports after college for a year. Then I moved to a small town and worked in a vet hospital. I learned a lot there but it was all on animals. My last job was as a 911 operator. I have actually wanted to be a nurse since college but didn't want to change my major during my junior year. Now, 10 years later, I am going back. I can't wait.

TopCat1234 · Mar 9, 2004

Ms. May, did you receive any other answers that you would like to share? Or is there anyone else out there that can provide some insights? I am considering the same programs and I'd like to hear of other's experiences.

Thanks!

TopCat

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2004

I just graduated from an accelerated BSN program 6 months ago. My previous degree was in biology and I do feel that it helped me get through my nursing program. The previous non-science majors in my program seemed to have a more difficult time then us science majors. I only had a 2.85 GPA and I had no trouble getting accepted to my program. Just make sure you have all of the required pre-requisites to start the program.

shimi · Mar 12, 2004

1) From experience, what school's programs have you had success at?

I applied to U of maryland and U of Colorado HSC...I got into both.

2) How hard was the admission process at your school? What's the stats on the students admitted? (i.e. What was your GPAs, GRE scores, pre-req grades? How many students admitted versus applicants?)

U of Maryland: 500-600 applied. 80 Accepted.

UCHSC: 700-900 applied. 110 accepted. (i'm a bit fuzzy on these numbers, but it was somewhere around there.

U of Maryland admission process was really quick! I applied in Sept 2003, they told me I got in less than a month later. 2 letters of rec, resume and an essay. No GRE's for BSN program, No SAT for second degree peeps. My GPA was a 3.2 in my previous degree. Pre-Req GPA was 4.0. U of C HSC was similar, but it took them 5-6 months to get back to me whether not I got in.

3) What type of background did you have previously? Does having job experience in a health related field increase your chances of acceptance?

I had a lot of part time jobs. Summer camp, taught english abroad, volunteered in the hospital for a bit, tutored kids. I was sort of in your shoes. Just graduated with a social science degree but didn't really know what to do with my life. Thought nursing would be a good idea. Currently in my first semester for a BSN program.

4) Any suggestions or advice about things to do, such as volunteering, prior to applying that might help my chances? I graduated with a CUM 3.1 GPA, and although most schools require at least a 3.0, I heard that because of the competition, my GPA is nowhere near good enough.

I think you could definately get into a nursing program with your GPA. What sets you apart though would be your essay and your life experiences and recs. Just try and get involved in the community. Volunteer at hospital is good, tutor kids, homeless shelter...that stuff. Write in your essay about how these experiences had inspired you to help people and thus pursue nursing. I'd recommend and pay for a prof essay editor to critique yoru essay (I did, and hey! it worked! I got in, !). There are students who got into my program with a 2.4 GPA...so its not all grades they are looking for.

About entry into a masters for nursing, I wouldn't recommend it if you don't know much about the nursing profession or don't have good direction in wha tyou want. I considered some Master's program also and i'm glad I didn't go that way. "what?!? going back for a SECOND bachelors degree?!" Its an ego thing =P. But seriously... i'd recommend getting a 2rd BSN in an accelerated program (1-2 years)...work for a while as a nurse and see what areas of nursing appeals to you. Then go back and specialize (get a masters) in an area you KNOW you like. Just committing to a specialty BEFORE you even know what nursing is about huge leap into the unknown.

hope that helps! good luck! if you have any other questions, feel free to email me!

Megsd, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2004

I'm also considering an accelerated or second-degree program. I'm currently a year away from getting my BA in Spanish. Hopefully that'll be an asset in the field.

The main reason i want to do the accelerated program is to make sure my prereqs I'm currently gathering transfer to my BSN. Does anyone know if non-accelerated/second-degree programs take prereqs from previously gained degrees? The list of second-degree programs seems relatively small (I've looked a lot at www.allnursingschools.com for resources). I'm thinking of going to school in CA somewhere and the only second-degree program on that website in CA is Loma Linda, which is quite pricy.

--Meghan

TopCat1234 · Mar 19, 2004

i'm thinking of going to school in ca somewhere and the only second-degree program on that website in ca is loma linda, which is quite pricy.
--meghan

search on all nursing schools for accelerated bsn. there are 2 that i know of in southern california - mount st. mary's is one, and cal state long beach is starting a new one this fall. those are the intensive, you-don't-work-during-the-program-but-you-get-your-bsn-in-one-year type of programs.

msm is also pricey. cal state wouldn't be as pricey, but check on that, as you might be considered an out-of-state student.

topcat

TopCat1234 · Mar 19, 2004

i'm thinking of going to school in ca somewhere and the only second-degree program on that website in ca is loma linda, which is quite pricy.
--meghan

search on all nursing schools for accelerated bsn. there are 2 that i know of in southern california - mount st. mary's is one, and cal state long beach is starting a new one this fall. those are the intensive, you-don't-work-during-the-program-but-you-get-your-bsn-in-one-year type of programs.

msm is also pricey. cal state wouldn't be as pricey, but check on that, as you might be considered an out-of-state student.

topcat

manna, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2004

All nursing schools doesn't seem to always have all the programs listed.

I know that on the web there is a PDF file that lists all the accredited Accelerated BSN programs... I'll try and dig it up for you later if no one else has the link handy. :)

manna, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2004

All nursing schools doesn't seem to always have all the programs listed.

I know that on the web there is a PDF file that lists all the accredited Accelerated BSN programs... I'll try and dig it up for you later if no one else has the link handy. :)

Megsd, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2004

msm is also pricey. cal state wouldn't be as pricey, but check on that, as you might be considered an out-of-state student.
topcat

yeah, i know in order to be a resident of ks you can't have a driver's license in another state. i lost my ca license in december and needed to have one to fly home for the holidays, so now i have a kansas license.

won't that be my luck if i'm not considered a resident of any state? i'm hoping that since both parents live in ca, i went to ca schools till college, etc., that they'll take me back.

thanks for the tip on cal state long beach. i'll definitely look into that.

meghan

AnnaN5 · Mar 26, 2004

All nursing schools doesn't seem to always have all the programs listed.
I know that on the web there is a PDF file that lists all the accredited Accelerated BSN programs... I'll try and dig it up for you later if no one else has the link handy. :)

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/APLIST.PDF

That is the list published by the AACN of schools that offer accelerated BSN or MSN programs. It looks like in Cali these schools have accelerated BSN programs: Azusa Pacific, Loma Linda, Mount St Marys & USC.

Hope this list helps!