Less than 2.5 GPA. HELP!!

NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2016

See if your school has a grade forgiveness process. Basically, you can petition the school to remove those class grades from your transcripts. The rules at my school are 1. Only classes with Ds and Fs can be removed. 2. Once removed, you cannot use that course to meet any requirements. 3. The class must be over 5 years old. 4. You must have returned to school and taken xx many units (can't remember exact amount) and proven that you are now capable of achieving good grades. You also have to write an essay explaining why you did poorly in the past, how you have changed, and your current goals and how you plan to successfully attain those goals.

BrendanO, MSN, RN · Sep 24, 2016

Also, see if your school will let you re-take the courses you got Fs in (and maybe the Ds, too), if you can't get them forgiven. And check with the nursing programs you're looking at to see how they will calculate them if you can re-take. Replacing an F with an A will raise your GPA more than getting an A in a new course.

Keep in mind that a 3.0 GPA is the MINIMUM required for most nursing programs. Depending on how competitive the applicant pool is, you may not get in anywhere with a 3.0, unless you have other things in your favor (test scores? clinical experience?). Everyone else in the pool will have a better GPA than you, or at worst will be tied with you. Aim for a 3.3 or better!

I was in a similar situation; my freshman year GPA was terrible. It can take a few semesters to recover, but you can do it!

bellakat · Oct 1, 2016

If you get in the ADN program just do that. Being a nurse is better than not being one. I was in a similar situation when my grades were not competitive for my BSN program. I am now attending a community college with a great ADN program. after you get your associates, the bachelor program will only be one year. I feel like the time it takes to improve your gpa, you can be nurse.

also checking out the grade forgiveness is a good idea, if you qualify. sounds like that could boost you up quite a bit. Good luck on whatever you decide.

crazydoglady89 · Oct 3, 2016

I don't have anything to add to the already great advice, but I just wanted to say that I am really impressed that you are pulling yourself out of your rut. A lot of people would just sit around and say "it's too late for me!".

Best of luck to you!