Are my chances lower or higher with a Bachelor of Science in NURSING?

[beDevoted33]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello Everyone! I will graduate this spring with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I was recently offered an RN position on an Intensive Care Unit, which I will begin this spring after passing boards. My overall GPA is 3.5, however, my prereq GPA including science courses is much higher.

I feel very honored to have this position, especially as a graduate nurse. However, I am still not satisfied. I want something more...more autonomy, respect, achievement, status, etc. (**I am in no way dissing nursing. It is a wonderful profession with amazing opportunities.)

I chose nursing because it was the "safe" way to go... it is something I can always fall back on. At times I regret this decision. It has taken me 4 years to realize that I am not cut out to be an RN. I have a personality that desires autonomy and freedom. I am fully capable of working as a nurse, and I have been very successful so far, but I want "more." Now that graduation is near, I am seriously considering dental school. I understand that I will still need complete the required prereq courses and take the DAT.

Do you think applying to dental school with a bachelor of science in nursing will help or hurt my chances of being accepted? Do you think working in the ICU fresh out of college will show that I am dedicated and have strong work ethic?

Basically, will this be a turn-off (Do I appear indecisive? or incapable?), or will this make me appear unique and valuable?

I walked into nursing school desiring to eventually become a nurse anesthetist (CRNA). This requires at least 1-2 years of ICU experience + 3 additional years of school. I have attained this goal throughout my first 4 years of college, and I am still right on track. However, the thought of dental school is becoming more and more appealing.

If you have taken the time to read all of this...thank you!
Any input or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[wizi]

It will NOT hurt your chance of getting into dental schools. It will make you unique and all the upper level biology courses you took also help you.

With a 3.5 GPA, i would say you have a good chance.

1. Do more volunteer, shadowing at a General Dentist.
2. Take your DAT before June.
3. Apply in JUNE.

 

[Double Bonded]

The degree you get doesn't matter (mine is psychology) but a BS in Nursing is definitely something unique that will help. It's a healthcare field and as long as you can word why dentistry and not why not nursing in a positive way I think ADCOMS will love your application.

Stay with this kind of mentality and figure out some more stuff you like about dentistry by getting 100+ hours of shadowing in:

I feel very honored to have this position, especially as a graduate nurse. However, I am still not satisfied. I want something more...more autonomy, respect, achievement, status, etc. (**I am in no way dissing nursing. It is a wonderful profession with amazing opportunities.)

Good GPA (you already have) + Good DAT + Good ECs + Good life experiences = DMD/DDS.

Go get 'em!

 

[CleverThought]

Speaking as someone who started out on the nursing path, your degree won't matter. However, I'm going to say it's safe to assume that you won't have the pre-reqs completed, nor be prepared for the DAT.

Most nursing schools require a general bio class (no lab), microbiology, a basic chem for allied health, and A&P.

A general rule of thumb for dental schools, though not always true, is 8 hrs bio (2 being lab), 16 hours chemistry (8 gen chem, 8 organic - 4 total being lab), biochemistry (this is a big IF), and physics (8 hrs, 2 being lab).

You may have taken some of these in preparation to be a CRNA, but likely not all.

Also, although degree doesn't matter it may be a red flag to your change of heart. If I were an Adcom I may be thinking " If they change their mind after completing a nursing degree, why am I so sure they won't do the same in dentistry?" I think you really need to come up with a good reason as to why you have the change of heart. Also as an adcom, if you were to give me the reason of autonomy as your change of heart I would question why you aren't looking into the NP or CRNA role. Many of the reasons you listed in the reasons to switch can all be found in an advanced nursing role.

I hope I'm not coming off as harsh or discouraging, I just want to you be prepared to explain yourself and think of what dentistry offers that an advanced nursing role won't. I wholeheartedly believe that with your solid GPA, a solid DAT, and some shadowing schools will be willing to listen to your reasoning, it just comes down to some thoughtful and strategic reasoning.

 

[wired202808]

Hello Everyone! I will graduate this spring with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I was recently offered an RN position on an Intensive Care Unit, which I will begin this spring after passing boards. My overall GPA is 3.5, however, my prereq GPA including science courses is much higher.

I feel very honored to have this position, especially as a graduate nurse. However, I am still not satisfied. I want something more...more autonomy, respect, achievement, status, etc. (**I am in no way dissing nursing. It is a wonderful profession with amazing opportunities.)

I chose nursing because it was the "safe" way to go... it is something I can always fall back on. At times I regret this decision. It has taken me 4 years to realize that I am not cut out to be an RN. I have a personality that desires autonomy and freedom. I am fully capable of working as a nurse, and I have been very successful so far, but I want "more." Now that graduation is near, I am seriously considering dental school. I understand that I will still need complete the required prereq courses and take the DAT.

Do you think applying to dental school with a bachelor of science in nursing will help or hurt my chances of being accepted? Do you think working in the ICU fresh out of college will show that I am dedicated and have strong work ethic?

Basically, will this be a turn-off (Do I appear indecisive? or incapable?), or will this make me appear unique and valuable?

I walked into nursing school desiring to eventually become a nurse anesthetist (CRNA). This requires at least 1-2 years of ICU experience + 3 additional years of school. I have attained this goal throughout my first 4 years of college, and I am still right on track. However, the thought of dental school is becoming more and more appealing.

If you have taken the time to read all of this...thank you!
Any input or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Your GPA, sGPA and DAT score are the only factors that will make or break you. Your nursing degree is not increase or decrease your chances of admission.

 

[breeqt84]

We have similar stories, graduated nursing w/ 3.9 gpa and went straight into the icu at a level 1 trauma center w/ the intent of becoming a crna....and realized that wasn't for me and wanted more. I started looking into dentistry and fell in love.I now have 3 yrs nursing experience and will be done with prereqs for dental school may 2013, I can't wait!

You may not realize it now, but nursing is a very good career. I work one day a week and make enough to pay my mortgage and all my other bills.You have ALOT of flexibility when it comes to nursing. I might even consider working 1-3 days a month while in dental school if my grades don't suffer. I cant think of another profession that pays as much and allows as much flexibility.

 

[wired202808]

We have similar stories, graduated nursing w/ 3.9 gpa and went straight into the icu at a level 1 trauma center w/ the intent of becoming a crna....and realized that wasn't for me and wanted more. I started looking into dentistry and fell in love.I now have 3 yrs nursing experience and will be done with prereqs for dental school may 2013, I can't wait!

You may not realize it now, but nursing is a very good career. I work one day a week and make enough to pay my mortgage and all my other bills.You have ALOT of flexibility when it comes to nursing. I might even consider working 1-3 days a month while in dental school if my grades don't suffer. I cant think of another profession that pays as much and allows as much flexibility.

well hygienist is better imo. they have a less stressful job and make a ton of cash out on the east coast.