Getting into nursing with low gpa, but higher science gpa

[snow1wave]

I know you guys get this question alot, I know because I searched for it, but I haven't seen someone post a background like mine. So I was a surgical tech in the military, did it for 5 years, while in the military I got my BSN in Psyc, my grades weren't great, I worked 60+ hours, and honestly I didn't think I wanted to pursue anything else afterwards, I know schools don't care about that, they just want to see the numbers, but thats my background.

Because of that my gpa struggled, 2.34 gpa, but for some reason I got high science gpa, only science prereq class I have under a B was chem 1, and I never retook any classes. I'm taking micro now, which is the last class I need before applying, and i'm going to do everything I can to get an A.

With you're experiences, how should I go about applying, where and why? I just got out of the military, currently have 2000+ clinical ST hours, living in the Houston area. I won't bother applying to Baylor, a&m, schools like those, but what about the community colleges, or west coast university in Dallas. They don't have a GPA req, but their program is 104k. I really want to do this, but I know my options will be limited.

[Psychcns]

How about a community college or bsn program. Maybe you could start taking classes at the school you want to attend to boost your gpa. Pay as little as possible and go to best school in your area. Sciences only thing count for 5 years usually.

[snow1wave]

But after I finish micro, there is no class I need to take other than retaking classes. All of my classes are all within 5 years.

[SentinelTruth]

Is Texas still ADN for their RNs? Get an associate at a community college, and work your way up. At least talk to the counselors first and see if the grades will transfer, and maybe redo any classes that you need higher grades for.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

What is a "BSN in psych" ? BSN is bachelors of science in nursing.

Because you are a veteran it may help you get accepted to school. I had a 3.4 on my business bachelors and when I went to get my ABSN the fact I was a veteran helped me get in. Contact the schools and see what they say. There is no way to say you "will" or "won't" get accepted. Only the school can determine that.

[nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

Many schools in California give preference to veterans and I'm sure your state will do the same. Your cumulative GPA is rather low but being a veteran may balance it out. The only way to find out for sure is to contact the schools and look at their admission criteria.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Texas is a VERY vet-friendly state. I urge you to follow PP's advice and look for schools that have special programs for military veterans. Have you transitioned to a civilian surgical tech job? If not, I encourage you to do so. This would give you an advantage when it comes to employment. You may discover that salaries for STs are very comparable to those of nurses.

Please - re-think WCU. The cost is ludicrous... there is no way to justify paying $100k for a BSN - especially not with their less-than-stellar NCLEX results.