Getting in to a Nursing Program with a 3.0, D in Micro

pmabraham, BSN, RN · May 14, 2014

Good day, kreesh:

D in many schools is considered a fail; typically, you need a minimum of a C for the credits to transfer. Can you retake Microbiology to shoot for a better grade? Is there a reason you didn't withdraw if you were doing that poorly in Microbiology?

Thank you.

kreesh · May 14, 2014

Yes it is a fail for any of the nursing programs I am applying to. I can retake the class for a higher class.

What I am asking is if you think its plausible for me to get in to a nursing program considering my unimpressive GPA.

RunBabyRN · May 14, 2014

Are you sure you took the right anatomy, physiology and micro? Most programs require the 5 unit versions. The good news is that if I'm right, taking those courses won't count as repeats.

If at all possible, try not to load so much on your plate. You need to boost your GPA, and taking 18 units in a semester, especially with those courses, is not the way to do it.

So long as you meet the minimum requirements, you should be able to get into a program that runs on a lottery. You'll do better if you apply to as many as you can, because the odds are better that way.

kreesh · May 14, 2014

Yeah I realized that I genuinely screwed up by taking too many units about 2 weeks into the semester. Do you guys think that a straight to BSN program is unrealistic for me now?

MurseJJ · May 14, 2014

Yes, it is possible. You need to retake Microbiology and get an A, nothing less (It would also be nice if you could retake Chem if it's a pre-requisite course, but the priority is Microbiology, since no school will accept a D). Also, do your best to get As in Speech and Statistics. I think you should apply broadly, to both ADN and BSN programs. Also, it may be helpful to apply to schools that ask for a pre-nursing exam, like the TEAS or NLN-PAX. If you do very well on the exam, that could help demonstrate that you are ready for nursing courses. I don't think BSN is unrealistic, it just depends on your total package (like, do you have experience in a hospital or other clinical setting? good letters of rec?).

So, if you retake Micro and get an A, get As in your summer classes (speech and stats aren't that hard, IMO), apply to both ADN and BSN programs (apply to more than two schools), and apply to schools that ask for a pre-nursing test (provided you do well on it), you should be fine. Even if you only get into an ADN program, start there, then do RN-BSN.

tbbtpeach · May 28, 2014

Nothing is impossible. If you really want this (Like really want to be a nurse more than anything in the world), I would say continue and hit the books like crazy. There is no guarantee that you will get into the program. You should probably be asking newly entered students for their GPAs and test scores. That would give you a more accurate idea of whether you think you'd be able to make it or not. Good luck!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 28, 2014

It did depends on the competition at your school. It wouldn't fly here. I would set an appt. with your advisor and see what you need to do. If there is an entrance exam, I would make sure I knocked it out of the park. You don't have to have straight A's but you need some especially in the sciences.

Medic6758 · May 28, 2014

I would have spoke to the professor and asked for an F, because at my school and I know of a few others here in Florida that offer a 1 time grade forgiveness as long as you get an F and it is not a specialty class.Being you have a D now you have to live with that grade on your transcript.

Go to an adviser and see what can be done or if they offer grade forgiveness.

monilove42 · May 28, 2014

Hi,

You will have to re-take the science course and do really well. If I could offer a little advice...maybe you should take it alone so that you can dedicate your full attention to the course.