Received all C's in science pre requisites

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi everyone,

so I decided to go back to school to get into a nursing program for my associates but sadly received all C's in my science courses (anatomy, micro, physiology). Has anyone gotten into any nursing programs with C's or should I retake all classes again? I'm hoping maybe I can just retake one of these classes and not all of them. I am planning on studying my ass off to get a high score on my TEAS exam.

Any and all advice is welcome! Thanks guys!

Mercedes from California, Orange County

It probably depends on how competitive it is to get into nursing programs in your area. You should talk to an advisor at your school and see what they think. Where I live, the nursing programs are completely saturated with applicants and my advisor told me I would need a 4.0 in my pre-reqs to be a competitive applicant. She was right! I earned As in all my pre-reqs and was accepted into two different programs (ADN and BSN). I know many people who have gotten Bs in A&P and were not offered a seat in any program, despite years of healthcare experience and getting As and Bs in all their classes.

If you decide to retake the classes make sure nursing programs in your area will accept the retake grade. I would also try and identify what caused you to get Cs in so many classes. If you find the material difficult, or are having trouble managing school/life balance, try reducing the amount of credits you take each semester. Reevaluating your studying strategies wouldn't be a bad idea either. Are you reaching out to your instructors as soon as you notice yourself struggling or seeking help from a tutor? All things to consider.

The GPA requirements I've seen are around 2.8 to 3.0, though the average GPA for those accepted tends to be higher. The GPA you need is going to depend on the program. I assume you already have one in mind since you are specifically taking the TEAS? Maybe talk to someone at the nursing college there to get a good idea of what stats you need. I'd say you should at least try to have a 3.5 GPA, but higher is better.

What did the nursing advisor at your school say? As a rule of thumb, most would agree that the highest GPA, especially in the sciences, is going to be the best course of action to be admitted to the nursing class. If I were you, I would check out your school's policy on repeats on C grades and repeat all three. Find a nursing program that will accept repeats or a school where you can retake the courses if your current school won't allow you to repeat them. Good luck.

Specializes in Mental Health.

Have you thought about a nursing school outside of California? You are in the worst location for your situation based on what I've heard.

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