Familiarize yourself with the several ways bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs handle admission and progression:
- Direct admission as frosh to BSN program. Usually highly competitive, at least compared to the school overall. Be careful to check for high weed-out college GPAs (found in the academic progression section of the nursing handbook – can range from the low 2.something to the high 3.something).
- Secondary admission to the BSN program. Often requires applying to pre-nursing as a frosh, which is often more competitive than the school overall. Secondary admission after the first few semesters is typically competitive with college GPA being one of the main (but not necessarily the only) factors. Some may be so competitive that only those with 3.9+ college GPA have a chance at secondary admission. There may be some that automatically admit with a high enough college GPA – these would be equivalent to direct frosh admit programs with the same college GPA as the weed-out GPA.
- ADN / RN → BSN program. Typically for those who have an associates degree in nursing (ADN / RN), often from a community college. Note that ADN programs at community colleges are often competitive admission, unlike other community college programs. Typically two years after completion of the ADN / RN, for a total of four years of school.
- Second bachelor’s degree or accelerated BSN program, for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject. Typically two years, for a total of six years of school including the first bachelor’s degree. This is a path into nursing if you do some other bachelor’s degree first.