---
title: Planning Your Pre-Nursing School Route | ThriveAP
description: By ThriveAP Intern Ashley Prince If there’s one phrase that academic advisors should be banned from saying, its “I’m sorry, but you have a lot of work to do.”  What may seem like an honest, objective assessment of your graduate school plans can send a student (AKA me!) into panic mode. Once I decided to … Planning Your Pre-Nursing School Route Read More »
---

# Planning Your Pre-Nursing School Route

By ThriveAP Intern [Ashley Prince](https://thriveap.com/about)

If there’s one phrase that academic advisors should be banned from saying, its “I’m sorry, but you have a lot of work to do.”  What may seem like an honest, objective assessment of your graduate school plans can send a student (AKA me!) into panic mode.

Once I decided to become a nurse practitioner, the next step was figuring out how to get there.  My primary choice was a[ direct entry/bridge NP program](https://thriveap.com/blog/what-are-mepn-programs) like Erin, ThriveAP’s founder, went through.  However, the AACN recommended that the NP role be changed to a DNP prepared role by 2015.  Although it’s looking like this deadline might not be completely feasible, many of these schools I was looking into already abolished their bridge program.

On top of the fewer choices, my boyfriend and I started talking about what we were going to do after he graduates from the Naval Academy and he finishes up his military commitment.  I realized I really wanted to go to a school near one of his possible bases to finally end the long-distance portion of our relationship (California also sounds more appealing the longer I’m stuck in this brutal Ohio winter!).  With these factors, I’ve narrowed my choices down to a handful of Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing (ABSN) schools, and two existing bridge programs.  The ABSN programs last at least a year, sometimes more, and after I can get a MSN and be a nurse practitioner, if it’s still offered, or apply to DNP schools to become an NP.

On paper it sounds like I have it all figured out.  But, all of the [ABSN programs have pre-requisites ](https://thriveap.com/blog/what-prerequisite-courses-will-you-need-your-np-program)that I have to work into my already-slightly-behind-schedule major curriculum.  I need to start working on personal statements and getting letters of recommendation together soon.  I also saw a forum post on how many[ ABSN programs have hundreds of applicants ](https://thriveap.com/blog/how-increase-your-chances-admission-nurse-practitioner-program)for about fifty spots, which really freaked me out about my odds of getting in.  Armed with questions and in need of reassurance, I saw my advisor, and was met with that lovely statement above.

My advisor has a lot of [experience in graduate admissions](https://thriveap.com/blog/sneak-peek-world-np-program-admissions), and I really value his opinion, even if it’s not the one I wanted to hear.  He said I have two things working against me: 1. I’m younger.  Most ABSN applicants are adults seeking a career change, not students fresh off earning a different B.S.  These applicants also have more working experience, which brings me to 2. I don’t have hands-on nursing experience.  While shadowing, volunteering, being a teaching assistant, and staying involved on campus are great, it’s not quite the application gold that job experience is.  On top of these two strikes, I should have already started the [personal essay portion of my application](https://thriveap.com/blog/9-tips-writing-perfect-np-program-application-essay), asked professors for letters of recommendation, and I need to prepare for extra packed semesters to cram all those pre-reqs in.  Yikes!

With so little time between now and application deadlines, what can I do to improve my application?  Now that I’ve calmed down after the meeting, [I’ve turned to action mode](https://thriveap.com/blog/3-ways-np-students-should-plan-ahead).  I can’t change my age.  But I can do something about the hands-on experience.  Lots of places offer Certified Nurse Aid (CNA/STNA) certification classes that are normally just a few weeks long.  I can get certified and, hopefully, find a job as a CNA over the summer.  Even if it doesn’t result in a job, it will teach me some of the basic skills I need, and give me a leg up on those applicants who don’t have it.

As soon as I get back from spring break (I’m [giving my brain a week long break](https://thriveap.com/blog/need-vacay-too-nps-around-globe-link-pack) to fully take in my first trip to Europe!), it’s time to crack down on STNA program research, essay drafts, and admissions fun.  My advisor gave me a mountain to tackle; guess it’s a good thing I learned how to rock climb last weekend!

 

You Might Also Like:[ A Sneak Peek Into the World of NP Program Admissions](https://thriveap.com/blog/sneak-peek-world-np-program-admissions)

 

 

[Nurse Practitioner Students](https://provider.thriveap.com/blog/tag/nurse-practitioner-students)

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