Nursing School (bachelors, baccalaureate degree, graduates, credits)

[santafe400]

Hello Everyone,

I have a concern about nursing school that I am hoping someone might be able to answer.

I currently hold a degree from a state flagship college in a field unrelated to nursing. I have decided to enroll at the local community college to pursue a new and exciting career in nursing, as I believe it will be very challenging and rewarding.

However, during my undergrad years I may have had other things on my mind besides studying. When I graduated from my university I finished with a subpar 2.88 GPA. Conversely, I am a few years older now and have held a 4.00 through my community college studies that I have found to be at many times more challenging than at the university level.

Even though the community college GPA when combined with my undergraduate degree will place my GPA well over a 3.0 I was worried how my performance as an undergrad will contribute to me getting into a competitive nursing program to eventually receive my bachelors once my associates degree is obtained. I personally feel that it should make little difference as the courses I completed as an undergrad are 90% unrelated to nursing as well as when I apply I will be about 5 years older and significantly more mature than when I was an undergrad.

In addition, I have had internships at several hospitals as well as have taken time to do volunteer work at several area hospitals. I just want to know if anybody has an opinion in regards to where I stand in getting into a competitive nursing program.

Thank you.

[mm_mary73]

Talk to a nursing advisor at the college you wish to attend. Also, see New Mexico State below: Bachelor of Science in Nursing for students with a non-nursing baccalaureate

This is an accelerated, program designed for students with an undergraduate degree in another field, who wish to become registered nurses and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is designed for students from diverse academic and multicultural backgrounds who want a learning environment that is fast-paced, challenging, and clinically comprehensive.

This program allows for students with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree to receive credit for past academic work, and to focus on their nursing education so that a BSN and registered nurse licensure can be obtained with the student earning 65 credits in 16 months. Successful graduates of the Roadrunner program option would be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Exam (NCLEX) for licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

All prerequisite and requisite course work taken at other institutions will be evaluated in the School of Nursing.

All I did was look at universities in NM!!!! U of NM has similar program, but the 2nd degree page was down. Good Luck....

[anadyr21]

Depending on the program, you are awarded X number of points for GPA, number of As, Bs, etc, and the interview (I know there's more, just can't think of it). If you have a competitive amount of points AND a great interview, you're in. The As and Bs, etc were based on the grades recieved at the CC, especially if you completed a degree and other classes more than 5 years ago. However, nursing programs are EXTREMELY competitive. I've had students with 4.0s not get into programs some years and other years, solid C average students got in. You really should talk to the program director, but if you have a 4.0 with internships, you're competitive.