low gpa, can i still become an RN?

U.S.A. California

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hey everyone, im new here BUT i literally come here almost every single day! i love this website and im so glad that there are so many others out there hoping to accomplish their dream.

that being said, im in a situation where i almost feel like giving up. i cant imagine myself not becoming an RN. its the only thing ive ever wanted to do. i love hospitals and i really want to help others (sounds cliche but i cant help it). last semester i thankfully finished all of my prereqs for nursing BUT unfortunately i received C's in Anatomy, Physiology and Micro. im devastated but believe it or not i gave it my all in these classes.

im so down to retake atleast micro and anatomy but most (if not all) colleges dont accept retakes and if they do, every time you retake something, you'll get points deducted. if this helps im also going to take a CNA training course this summer offered through the Red Cross and hopefully gain some experience and some points for next years nursing school applications.

i live in the san fernando valley and im just wondering if anyone here can give me some sort of advice. i would really appreciate it. i know i have what it takes to become a great nurse. :nurse:

Hey McFrito, did you end up getting in anywhere? If not, are you applying again for Spring 2013?

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Hey McFrito, did you end up getting in anywhere? If not, are you applying again for Spring 2013?

here there! no i didnt get into LAVC :( but i am applying to Glendale and maybe County in the next couple of weeks since their application period already started.

i am also applying in the spring to valley, moorpark, city etc......:)

i hope that the fact that i just became a CNA helps me out.

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I got into Glendale and County's program but decided to go to County. You should definitely go to both school's information sessions if you haven't gone yet. They give you a lot of information about the program and how they choose students.

Good luck!

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Hi illsince83,

Congratulations on graduating!!! What nursing school did you attend?

I was curious which schools that you found that replaced grades for classes retaken because I'm in the same boat with a low undergrad gpa. Please help!

Thank you!

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Im in the same boat with a Low GPA.. Im looking at private programs, as they are easier to get into (although steep Pricetag) I have a C in Anatomy and B's in both Physio and Micro

I applied to Saddleback, but i really am not holding my breath to get into any of these CC programs, because there are always a bunch of people who have a higher GPA than me applying

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Music EMT, you should also look at CC programs that pick students based on a lottery. A C in Anatomy and B's in Physio and Micro are good enough to be considered as long as you have the minimum overall GPA and you've taken other required pre-req's. Yes, there are a lot of people that apply to those programs but you have an equal chance of being picked as someone with a 4.0. It doesn't hurt to apply.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I would look into programs that don't just focus on GPA. I had all Bs in my pre reqs except for a C in Micro and a 3.4 cumulative GPA. I had been on the waiting list (when they had one) at Moorpark but had my application withdrawn due to not taking the TEAS V in time (took the TEAS 4.0 in 09). I applied to CSU Channel Islands (for the 2nd time) and was initially denied but then a spot opened up after a student declined and chose another program. I was able to get a competitive score despite my low pre req GPA because I did well on the TEAS V (once I finally took it), earned a non nursing Bachelor's, work in the health care field, spoke Spanish (my bachelor's was in Spanish), and am a resident of Ventura County. Do what you gotta do to make yourself more competitive and don't give up!

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hey everyone, im new here BUT i literally come here almost every single day! i love this website and im so glad that there are so many others out there hoping to accomplish their dream.

that being said, im in a situation where i almost feel like giving up. i cant imagine myself not becoming an RN. its the only thing ive ever wanted to do. i love hospitals and i really want to help others (sounds cliche but i cant help it). last semester i thankfully finished all of my prereqs for nursing BUT unfortunately i received C's in Anatomy, Physiology and Micro. im devastated but believe it or not i gave it my all in these classes.

im so down to retake atleast micro and anatomy but most (if not all) colleges dont accept retakes and if they do, every time you retake something, you'll get points deducted. if this helps im also going to take a CNA training course this summer offered through the Red Cross and hopefully gain some experience and some points for next years nursing school applications.

i live in the san fernando valley and im just wondering if anyone here can give me some sort of advice. i would really appreciate it. i know i have what it takes to become a great nurse. :nurse:

If you log onto, " rate my professors.com " and read carefully the comments as well as looking at the number of comments ( the first one is usually left by the instructor ), you can improve your chances of passing. Remember, the instructors themselves, as well as biology students are a very good resource for the information you are looking for, which is, who gives multiple choice exams? there is a new program with no wait list for ultrasound techs. Interview the faculty and hospital staff before dismissing it. If you decide you must be an R.N. consider the LVN to RN track. Realize you must work two years as an LVN before going to school to become an RN. If you go to the Ca. nursing program website, the column at the far right will denote schools that offer LVN to RN. I could give you tips on finding easy Nursing Programs, instead I will caution you not to be tempted to pay good money for easy nursing schools with no wait list since you must still pass your NCLEX before you will be registered by the board of nursing. Start volunteering at a hospital. They will likely hire you as a CNA at three times the rate of pay as a convalescence hospital. Good luck to you!
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There are a few schools in the state that have waitlists: Shasta College; Cabrillo College and College of the Redwoods. All are in nor cal though. There are two LVN programs that admit first come first serve basis so there isn't really a waitlist but if you have their minimum you are admitted if you mail your application in on time, I almost don't want to say what these programs are as it might double their applicant pool for next year, lol.

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Hi McFrito, etal...

Just a couple of thoughts on the whole GPA thing. It stands to reason that if you are just out of school and applying for a nursing program the most logical way of assessing your ability to do well in nursing school is GPA and perhaps some other activities you are involved in. I would suggest that you thoroughly review the admission criteria for schools that you are interested in and take the time to contact admissions and discuss with them your situation. If there are information sessions for the schools you are interested in, definitely attended them. What you need to avoid doing is getting down on yourself, as it only leads you down a dark alley of despair which isn't necessary. It will take some thought and gathering yourself both personally and academically. I hope this helps.

2daag

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Please do tell. I'm wanting to apply next year and desperately want to get into a program.

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