Will I be competitive enough for NP?

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Nov 23, 2008

Anyone?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2008

I don't know about Graceland, but I certainly think that's a great index, and I wouldn't hesitate to apply.

UVA Grad Nursing · Nov 24, 2008

One question that will come up (and you can perhaps address in your essay) regards your work experience in PICU and your desire to pursue a primary care FNP. Why are you not pursuing either a Pediatric specialty masters, or an acute/intensive care area?

We have enrolled NP students with a year (or less) of full-time RN experience, but most have work experience that pertains directly to their program.

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Nov 25, 2008

I graduated in May of this year (08) with my BSN. I work in PICU at a level 1 trauma center. I plan to apply for FNP programs for fall 09 so I'm trying to get everything together for applying next year.
My gpa for last 60 hours of my BSN was 3.36
total cumulative is 3.24
I will have PALS, ACLS (and maybe CCRN)
I'm on th evidence based practice committee at work
I have an associates degree in general studies
I live in Oklahoma and plan to apply to Graceland, not sure where else because I'm just now starting all this. I want distance programs around my area hopefully.
Do my stats look like I have any chance of getting in anywhere??? What else can I do to make myself look good for the selection process?
Thanks :)

I don't think you will have a problem. Consider applying to USI, too.

http://health.usi.edu/acadprog/nursing/grad/fnp.php

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Nov 25, 2008

Thanks for all your input!

czyja, MSN, RN · Nov 27, 2008

I would not worry too much about "stats." Graduate programs in general look at stats to see if you can handle the academic work of their program, and that is about it. What they really want to know is "Will Marylinmom fit in here? Will she add something to our program? When she graduates will she be a representative of our program?"

Although applicants everywhere think that a person with a 3.8 has a better shot in than a person with a 3.2 because they have a higher GPA, this is not the case.

The person with a 3.2 GPA who writes a great essay, who has a compelling reason for wanting in the program, who has something to add to the program, and who has great recommendations will get in. The arrogant boor with a 4.0 GPA who feels like they are doing the institution a favor for applying will usually not get in.

The person who does not apply because they think their GPA is too low will not get in.

Stats are the favorite obsession of pre-medical students. Don't fall into their error. Proceed with confidence!

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Dec 2, 2008

I would not worry too much about "stats." Graduate programs in general look at stats to see if you can handle the academic work of their program, and that is about it. What they really want to know is "Will Marylinmom fit in here? Will she add something to our program? When she graduates will she be a representative of our program?"
Although applicants everywhere think that a person with a 3.8 has a better shot in than a person with a 3.2 because they have a higher GPA, this is not the case.
The person with a 3.2 GPA who writes a great essay, who has a compelling reason for wanting in the program, who has something to add to the program, and who has great recommendations will get in. The arrogant boor with a 4.0 GPA who feels like they are doing the institution a favor for applying will usually not get in.
The person who does not apply because they think their GPA is too low will not get in.
Stats are the favorite obsession of pre-medical students. Don't fall into their error. Proceed with confidence!

Wow- thanks so much for your post! You gave me a different perspective :)

CuriousMe · Dec 6, 2008

One question that will come up (and you can perhaps address in your essay) regards your work experience in PICU and your desire to pursue a primary care FNP. Why are you not pursuing either a Pediatric specialty masters, or an acute/intensive care area?
We have enrolled NP students with a year (or less) of full-time RN experience, but most have work experience that pertains directly to their program.

I'm just sophomore in a BSN program, so have about 6 years before I intend to apply to a graduate program....but I'm curious what you would consider work experience that pertains directly to an FNP program?

I'm trying to think about what specialties might best prepare me for an FNP program.

Thanks in advance for your time and attention.

*RN123ABC* · Dec 12, 2008

I appreciate the comments of CZYJA too. I have a 4.0 in all nursing classes, but a 1.8 in my previous liberal arts undergrad work, so my cummulative is in the low 3s (I am not sure b/c I can't recall how many hours that 1.8 entails as it was 25 years ago!). My GRE scores were 1150, I have 15 years exp, a CCRN, very strong letters of rec and a kick orifice ( I think, lol) essay. I am not worried about getting in, I applied to 5 programs and I'm sure to get into 1 or 2. I am very worried about getting scholarship $$. I need A LOT of it. How long does it take to start getting responses? I got all my apps in in Nov. for fall '09

Jo Dirt · Dec 13, 2008

I'm going to graduate from a BSN program this spring and I've already applied. I was advised by the school to do so. My GPA is about the same as yours, most of my experience has been in a nursing home, and I feel pretty good about my chances of getting into some kind of NP program. I'm not going to spend a lot of money applying to a bunch of schools, but I understand the concept of keeping more than one fishing line in the water. I'm going to apply to a couple more schools and see what happens. I'm hoping I can take one of those GRE prep courses soon.