Can I still become a nurse with a low GPA?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm currently a student at Armstrong State University in Savannah, GA. My original major was pre-nursing (BSN), but I had transportation issues and was not able to finish my classes one semester. I was given four F's, and my current GPA is a 1.79; therefore, I had to change my major to liberal studies-general. When you retake classes at Armstrong they do not replace the old grade with the new, rather they keep both as separate grades. Are there any other schools that would allow me to retake these classes in order to bring up my GPA?

Also, any advice? I hold a current nurse aide certification and work as a hospital unit clerk on a medsurg floor. 21 years old. Male. Thank you in advance. :)

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First, pre-nursing is not a major. Second, having earned 4 Fs is a HUGE problem! I do not mean to scary you, but I just want you to have realistic expectations. However, there are a few things you can do. Since you are only 21, which is very young, you may want to wait out a few years so those courses you got Fs in will most likely expire. This, however, is not the case for ALL the schools. You can apply to RN programs at different schools without providing them with the transcript from your current school where you earned so many Fs. This, however, is risky because some schools may find out through some systems they have in place, some may not. I am sure, though, if you go to a private school it will most likely not learn of your failed courses. Lastly, you can move to a different state to give yourself a brand new start, and a chance for more options in program affordability. The only thing I would not advise is take miscellaneous courses to boost your GPA because it will take a ton of courses to do so, and, I am sure, you do not want to waste your time and money.

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Are you willing to relocate? I know a school that would 100% accept you.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

Have you looked into community colleges?

I had one D and one F on my transcript from my first community college. I was 18, having medical problems, and was completely oblivious to the fact that you had to physically withdraw yourself from a class (and not just speak with your professor). A few years later, I moved and started up at my current school (another community college). They asked for any previous transcripts and I really didn't want to give them my old transcripts because of that reason. I had five or six other classes that I had As and Bs in, but I was still scared.

I was open with my advisor about my concerns and he told me that the school only transfers over passing grades and even then, transfer credits don't count towards my overall GPA. They're listed on my current transcript as *school name* transfer credits: #

I now have a 3.5 GPA and have applied to the nursing program.

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I'm open to the idea. Do tell.

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Are you willing to relocate? I know a school that would 100% accept you.

I'm very open to the idea, yes. Thank you. :)

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I had two Fs, one D, and a few C- in my undergrad. I didn't really care about school in the beginning. But I got my act together and graduated with a ~2.8 GPA and a last 60 semester unit GPA of ~3.9 . I was accepted into an ABSN program and a few community college CC programs. This is in California too where nursing schools are known to be really competitive to get into. My advice to you is to ace all your nursing prerequisites and strive for As from now on. A majority of programs like to see a positive trend in your GPA so having a 4.0 in your last 60 semester units can benefit you.

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I had two Fs, one D, and a few C- in my undergrad. I didn't really care about school in the beginning. But I got my act together and graduated with a ~2.8 GPA and a last 60 semester unit GPA of ~3.9 . I was accepted into an ABSN program and a few community college CC programs. This is in California too where nursing schools are known to be really competitive to get into. My advice to you is to ace all your nursing prerequisites and strive for As from now on. A majority of programs like to see a positive trend in your GPA so having a 4.0 in your last 60 semester units can benefit you.

@imtoonice would you recommend I retake those classes then?

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@imtoonice would you recommend I retake those classes then?

Yes, and ace them this time around. It will contribute to your 'last 60 unit' GPA.

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Yes, and ace them this time around. It will contribute to your 'last 60 unit' GPA.

@imtoonice Thank you so much for your help!

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Are you willing to relocate? I know a school that would 100% accept you.

Hello?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

OP: Not trying to pile on or be snarky- but I see a big red flag in the statement that you say you were 'given' four Fs. One is not 'given' grades in school- one EARNS them. You need to own that semester- do some serious reflection on how you let a transportation issue derail an entire semester. Because otherwise, without a demonstrable plan to improve, you will find it very difficult to become a nurse.

Part of my job is evaluating candidates for admission - what would you tell me about that semester if you were trying to get into my program?

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