90% of the time I find that i'm learning stuff in clinicals even if it's a slow day. My school is year-round, so no summer break and the longest break we have is at Christmas (spring break is less than a week). It's the fastest possible route to a BSN, because it takes full advantage of your prior education. It's absolutely possible to have a school/life balance. It was an unexpected surprise to me to be accepted into my nursing program due to the same ideas you mention in your post, but here I am. Cuumulative and highmark GPA are usually the determining factors. If you can take the time off from working full-time, I think it is a great option. Can you share what school you went to? Maybe 5%, not including the above 10-15%, fail out of the program completely. Scheduling has been a pretty big negative. APU's ADN-to-BSN online program prepares registered nurses to meet the healthcare industry's growing demands by earning a BSN within as little as 15 months. But there's always a way. Lucky for her (and you), online-based ABSN programs exist, making it possible to earn a B.S. Ready to get moving on your nursing education? Are you able/willing to pay that much out of pocket or through student loans? I'm in a hybrid program so people really need to be self-motivated. Unfortunately they rarely have resources or time to interview everyone and their dog. I personally wish they'd get rid of psych and give us some more exposure to other areas. I got in with a 3.3 GPA and 3.6 in my pre-reqs. Seems rare to find ABSN programs that are only 12 months. As a result, nursing faculty can increase their teaching bandwidth, and nursing schools can increase their enrollment capacities. Without my support system and the finical freedom to not work there would be no way I would be able to have completed an accelerated program (but definitely could have done a traditional paced program). Advanced Anatomy at my school wasn’t just anatomy. If you have competitive GPA in your prereq courses (like 3.5+) and a strong interview you may be able to land a slot. To enter the class, we had to apply, write essays, get recommendation letters, interview, everything, so for my Common App essay (and my other UC essay), I wrote about this experience. There seems to be some iffy ones out there. “National Integrated Cancer Control Act” Still, programs are competitive. The toughest one told me that I didn't have a great GPA from the last time I was in college and I still got in because of my prereqs GPA. Failing that, consider strong state programs with lower tuition. I see all these posts about how you have to have a 4.0 and years of CNA just to even consider applying, is any of this true? The most important considerations in my mind are: Cost. My school doesnt make much of an effort to work with students who are trying to work while in the program. But people on the outside will have a harder time seeing it that way. Look at admissions requirements. My program is easier than I expected. I think an ABSN is called a second-entry nursing program in Canada, so it would typically be a four-semester/Two-year program. There is definitely a "we're all in this together" vibe and our professors encourage that, too. Our whole program is 4 semesters long with the final semester being an immersion. Students can take classes online or at the High Desert, Inland Empire, Monrovia, and San Diego campuses. Some will disagree with me on this point, because there are a number of private schools with good programs, a few of which are located in cities with a thriving publishing culture, such as New York and Boston. How is your program going so far? We had our fair share of bad teachers and general bs that every nursing school has. California State University—Channel Islands (TIE) California State University-Channel Islands was first established in 2002 in Camarillo, California. Last I heard 20 students failed it. Often, it depends on whether a previous bachelor’s degree is required, as is the case with Mercer ABSN, or whether a minimum number of college credits is required. It does feel like we cut a lot of BS busy work out of the classes, which is nice. It's been great. If you demonstrate excellence in an LPN program, you may be able to get into a … Do you think the program is 'easier' or more manageable for people who have that experience? The majority of my professors are great. I did get accepted to a program once, O-O-S, but things happened which made me come back to CA and wrecked a little. graduated with an ABSN as a second degree, first degree in something much easier. Thanks! Do really well on your TEAS or HESI and you'll get in. On this list are 30 online schools in the country that welcome advanced scholars to their easy Ph.D. degree online programs. Edited to ask: are you trying to stay in your area or are you willing to move? No prior healthcare experience, 3.7 in prereqs, no idea what my undergrad GPA was but it wasn't great. Don't psyche yourself out before you try because you're in a somewhat better place than I was, so just go for it. Is there any point to me even applying or am I just wasting my time? No doubt, the most popular aspect of Accelerated BSN programs is that you can earn your BSN in significantly less time than with a traditional program. I would contact the schools you are wanting to apply to and ask if you are a strong candidate, and what you could do to possibly enhance your application. Try to get a fellowship or an assistantship. Hey everyone, I'm a older person(27M) who decided that I don't want to spend the rest of my life sitting in an office all day and I want to become a nurse. I dont know if this is true everywhere, but I've always been told that the first 2 semesters are the hardest. I'm 31 with some healthcare experience (inpatient pharmacy technician) and I applied to two programs this year. I have classmates who work, classmates who are able to put a lot of time into a hobby, people attend concerts etc. Meanwhile, nursing programs screen their applicants carefully: … However, it seems like most ABSN programs are private and so the cost will be more like ~$60-70k. I think you have a pretty good shot, but you might want to discuss this with the admissions offices at the schools you're interested in. I feel like most students in my program are very focused and motivated to become nurses. Thanks! I had classes that would give us tests on the same day. I think). The median age in my program is 26 so you are by no mean "older". We had to get a score of 850 or above to graduate. The majority of my class graduated within the 4 semesters, maybe 10-15% failed a class and got "held back" a semester. If you're confident in your studies and don't really care about enjoying college (cuz nursing school blows, heh) then go for it man. I just finished the first semester of my 15-month ABSN program so I can share some thoughts. I would definitely consider applying. I chose to continue working part time at my ER in order to get tuition reimbursement and scholarships from my hospital because I don't feel like taking on a crap ton more student loans. I just finished my second semester of my ABSN program. You need to stay organized and not leave assignments etc. Some set their limit at a 3.0 GPA. Remember the nursing school classes are actually harder than the prerequisites and only the strong survive! But the camaraderie you get in an ABSN program is really nice - it's all people who have had "past lives" and are making sacrifices to pursue the same goal of becoming a nurse. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Online absn programs; 25. Therefore, the easiest nursing programs to get into tend to be ABSN programs because the majority of them have you complete most (but not all) of the nursing curriculum online. Easiest Nursing Schools to Get Into Even with the economy uncertain and many college graduates struggling to make their loan payments, the field of nursing continues to remain a lucrative career. -Sarah, a 2018 Xavier ABSN program graduate When compared to a Direct Entry MSN program, Accelerated BSN programs take a little less time to complete. Many people in my program are able to work more in the last 2 semesters, which is great for getting your foot in the door at a hospital. As you know, we help thousands of students each year get into medical school and we find that students often ask us for a list of "easiest" or "least competitive" med schools. This in turn will be affected by...the 2) job market in your area. in Nursing on a faster timeline than traditional four-year programs. I expect to see a TEAS at a minimum of 80, A's or B's in A&P depending where they took them, and good story about why you want to be a nurse. Being the fastest, it gets you into the job market soonest, which means you start earning money as early as possible. Mercer’s ABSN program has three starts each year — in spring (January), summer (May), and fall (August) — allowing you to get started sooner. As per my search most of the Universities require 3 GPA or 70% marks. Our Good Senator as Guest Speaker on Polytechnic Univer... Universal Health Care. It really depends on your program. Even if you're not familiar with those in particular, though, what metrics are important to look at / are there any good predictors for employment outcomes and career prospects? Many people disregard that option, but the way I see it, I'd be waiting a year anyways for admittance to the BSN, so why not apply? It's hard, but it goes by really fast. It's a grind but it's only 12-16 months until you have a career for life. Can you share where you went to school? Not sure if it changes between countries but I'm in Canada. I would recommend it if you are able to afford the financial and time commitment and you have a strong science background. Schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated admission counselors today. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. That's the biggest downside IMO, since my 4 years doing my first degree were extremely formative in turning me into an adult. However, my program took the last sixty credits for your cumulative GPA. Check out a quick recap of the easiest medical schools to get into: Conclusion. ), your "low" (In terms of these damn nursing programs) cumulative GPA could possibly be not as important. My area is expensive so maybe that's higher than most, but you get the idea. ABSN programs may require higher GPAs than BSN programs, generally a 3.0 GPA or better. ABSN Coordinator here. I take very good care of my health (I'm a gym fanatic, I eat well) and see friends at least once a month, but I don't have time for much else with work and school. The ABSN program starts in mid-May and concludes the following August. The accelerated second degree BSN (ABSN) is designed for students who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher in another field and wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the StudentNurse community. This is a full-time, 15-month option. Track 1 is a Pre – Licensure Nursing Program. While it may exclude you from some programs others are willing to give students another shot. The worst that happens is you don't get in and you try again, and then get in. I only get concerned with applicants in their late 40s or above. A community for nursing students and nurses who love students. Here are the admissions requirements for the 16-month ABSN program in Pittsburgh: Hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or have completed a minimum of 60 credits from a regionally accredited institution. A few of my classmates held down jobs at the same time but they didn't sleep much. Often their credits are very old and are hard to transfer. I'm young, single, and moved back in with my parents to attend my program. I personally love and always encourage people to sign up for Hospice volunteering. 8 Easiest Jobs to Get in NYC 15 Quick Fun and Easy Team Building Activities for Small Groups 10 Easiest Jack Johnson Songs to Learn 15 Easiest Love Songs to … For me personally, I've gotten mostly A's with a few B's, but I have a background in biology so I find the science-heavy courses are pretty easy for me (though I struggle much more with med-surge!). How can you get into an accelerated nursing program if your GPA is too low? The biggest downside to my program is the cost (my school is private). A lot of programs move you up the list for next year if you miss the cutoff in the first year, so that might help if you're borderline. There's a public university near me that offers one for ~$25k. I admit 36 students per year into our program. Most programs require at least a 2.5 GPA or higher. I just graduated from my one year long ABSN program. Can you clarify the 2-3 hrs of studying per day? Congratulations and thanks for the comment! I should also add that I had no previous nursing experience and have never felt that it impaired my experience. On the other hand you don't really have time to have a "college experience" - your life is pretty much nursing school. It was prob the most rigorous/stressful thing I've experienced and very time consuming at times, but not the absolute hell some people say it is. Can I get into a Canadian University for Masters in Electrical Engineering with a 2.51 GPA 68% marks..... with 2 years of experience and 7 band IELTS. Graduates learn the skills necessary to provide advanced patient care and take on leadership roles. GPA and references seemed to be their main criteria. I've enjoyed my clinicals for the first part, though I've heard people complain about stuff being boring because they didn't get a chance to do certain skills. Keep in mind that the length of these programs can vary considerably — usually between 16 and 21 months, though Mercer’s program can be completed in as few as 12 months. Specifically, my partner is considering the ABSN programs at Winston-Salem State, UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke, and the 'BSN as Second Degree' program at UNC Greensboro. I would prefer to complete an ABSN program, but am willing to do a 2 year pre-licensure program (not sure if it goes by other names in different places) as well. Michigan's programs are exceptionally difficult to get into at the moment. You do nursing classes, and nursing clinicals, and don't spend any time on anything else. Many people with families to take care of are struggling, though definitely not all. Best of luck man. I do think however an accelerated approach to nursing school makes it extremely difficult to pass. Many of my classmates have prior healthcare experience, but just as many don't. Most of my instructors have been really great and helpful. The application fees are way lower than the potential lost opportunity of not being a nurse and having nurse money. I got my college experience with my first degree, but some people were entering my program after 1-2 years at a community college. It gets stressful. I haven't cried over school, I study maybe 2-3 hours a day, the material is challenging but not life ruining. That’s literally my program except it’s a traditional BSN. I just finished the first semester of my 15-month ABSN program so I can share some thoughts. I found the first semester very busy, but manageable and the second semester had a lighter schedule, but a much heavier workload. If there is an essay or interview explain your experience with nursing, and what you hope to do with your career. Absolutely apply. Especially if you have a family or whatever that depends on you for financial support. I think it depends on the program. The cohort ahead of me lost 1/3 of their students in the second semester because they failed at least 1 class. They are extremely flexible (It is a 24/7 service!) By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. References and interviews will ultimately be what they usually base decisions on. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the StudentNurse community. Not exactly an ideal candidate, and I didn't get accepted at first, but after I called and asked how I could improve my application for next year, one school contacted me to extend an offer. My program started with roughly 100 students and by the end of 2nd semester only 60ish remained. The tuition fee here is $10,430, and you can find various programs on campus and online here, such as Pre- RN, RN to BSN, MSN, MSN Practitioner etc. My program is 15 months, but some are even 12 months. Blended ABSN programs, like Madonna’s Accelerated BSN, offer the best of both worlds. Many of my peers are working a few shifts a week on top of clinical and classes as our school makes it so we have at least one day off during the week. I'm just here to give a +1 to not wanting to spend the rest of my life sitting in an office all day and becoming a nurse! I’m not the worlds best student. It will be worth it, of course - if you can pass your classes and the NCLEX, then you have a set career. Some throw in a TEAS score, and weigh that. TL;DR If you can make the finances work, and have your family/support system on board with you, I definitely recommend it. We lost one person from our cohort because they failed a class, but they just get pushed to the cohort behind us. Is this independent study beyond listening/attending lecture, lab, etc? Programs with shorter completion times tend to recruit more widely, as students with better grades or higher qualifications have the option of registering in three- or four-year nursing programs. If you spent time with nurses, worked in a healthcare setting, or had an ill relative for an extended time I will hear if you know what you are getting into. I worked hard to get all As in my community college courses and to get a high TEAS score. I just finished my 4th semester of 6. Other considerations include your family situation. So I guess I should not give up hope yet. Getting into a Nursing Program In the coming years, there is expected to be high demand for registered nurses.