Work Experience

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

Does anyone know whether work experience helps at all with different program admissions (second degree BSN and master's specifically). I have worked at an answering service for about a year and am currently working in a pharmacy call center, doing prior authorizations. I have two interviews on Friday, one as a pharmacy technician and one as an after school daycare teacher. My major is currently business administration/human resources, but I am switching it to Human Development and Family Sciences and once I am finished with that I plan on getting a second degree in BSN and eventually getting my master's of midwifery and becoming a Nurse Midwife. Would any of the stated work experience make a difference in my endeavors even though none are nurse related?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Is there a reason you aren't just pursuing your BSN now? If nursing is your goal, it isn't very efficient or cost effective to continue with a degree that you don't actually want or need. You don't want to burn up all your financial aid on that additional degree. Students with one bachelor's degree, are unlikely to receive any aid to obtain an another one.

Each program has its own admission process, including the criteria that are used and how those criteria are prioritized. If a program does give consideration for previous clinical work experience, it would probably be limited to jobs related to patient care - such as CNA.

IMO, in order to improve your chance for admission, it would be far more important to make sure that you have a top-notch GPA than trying to gain work experience.

Best of luck to you on your educational journey.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I would get your BSN now. It seems like a lot of wasted time, effort, and money for a degree you don't want. Most schools don't look at work experience. I myself have tons of pharmacy experience along with a host of other jobs through out my life. Like HouTX said, you need a stellar GPA, especially for a masters program.

You will use all of your financial aid once you complete that first degree. And since accelerated BSN programs are pricey, unless you have a lot don't count on getting any help. Masters programs can also be pricey.

My advice is to go and talk to an advisor to see what is in your best interest. I think you are going the long way to get what you need.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I can't get my BSN now because of my grades. I've read a lot of posts here and people have had horrible grades when starting out with college and then drop out and end up going years later, but I don't want to do that. My school isn't very flexible when it comes to grades so I can't retake the class I failed and make up for it. I'm trying to build up my gpa with this bachelor's degree, and I do want it, but I also want to be a nurse, so I feel like it's my only option right now. The community college offers an ADN but the wait would be way too long.