Worried about not getting into a nursing program

[301589]

Hi! To cut to the chase, I am a fourth year student at a CSU and am majoring in Biology with a minor in chemistry. I am concerned that I won't get into a nursing program (absn, elmsn, adn, second bachelors...)

I feel like my story is quite different. I actually started my bachelor's degree as a pre-nursing major. I was fresh out of high school, knew I wanted to go into healthcare, but honestly I don't know why I specifically decided to become a nurse at the time. I had bad study habits and no motivation to do well in school. Long story short, I got B's in all of my science pre-reqs (except I didn't take micro yet bc I knew I wasn't getting into the program) and mostly B's and a couple of A's in my non science pre-reqs. My pre-req GPA is probably a 3.2 without micro.

I switched my major to biology 1.5 semesters into college. This is also the time where I started volunteering at a hospital and talking/shadowing many nurses and doctors. I finally found my passion for healthcare. I contemplated the different professions in healthcare and after shadowing different people and getting an idea of what kind of life each profession lives and what each profession does, I knew I wanted to become a nurse. I got straight A's with an exception of a B after switching my major and up to this point I was able to raise my GPA to 3.65. If I keep this up, my overall GPA should be about 3.75.

Sorry this was was a long explanation, but I felt like it's necessary to explain why I'm so worried. It hasn't been very long since I've taken my pre-reqs so those are the grades I will have to use for my applications. I'm worried that I ruined my chances of getting into a nursing program with such a low pre-req GPA. It sucks that I didn't have my stuff together when I entered into college. I still have microbiology to take but if I did get an A it would probably only raise my pre-req GPA to 3.25-3.3. I feel like this will really hurt my chances at universities that do the point system. I would preferably like to get into an ABSN program or second bachelor's rather than an ELMSN or an ADN program. I don't want to go to ELMSN because I would like the option to go to CRNA or NP School and I read that you need a BSN to apply. Many nurses that I've talked to regret going to ADN programs and bridging to BSN and tell me that it is a waste of time. And one last small note, I would really prefer to go to a school in California but I know that my pre-req GPA will limit me.

Any thoughts and advice would be much appreciated! Again, sorry for the very long post!

[301589]

I had the same issue as you a few years (went to UCSD, bio degree, chem & sociology minors), but GPA in the low 3's. If you can, take some classes to help boost your GPA, especially science ones. Otherwise, definitely check out CSU San Marcos. I ended up at Creighton University in Nebraska, along with a few other people from California. Pros: one year program, low cost of living. Cons: intense program, very difficult to work during, and of course the weather. Don't discount going out of state, just be realistic and acknowledge that while it might take a few years you will make it back to California if you want. Good luck!

At this point, I'm definitely not counting out out of state schools. Of course, 1 yr programs would be best because I don't want to be away from home for too long. It's nice to know someone who was in the same situation as me made it! Congrats by the way. I also found out one of the private in SoCal take the highest grade class if I've taken two courses that could fulfill a prerequisite requirement, so this definitely helps.

[outriton]

If you're open to moving out of state, I would suggest looking into the ABSN program at the University of Oklahoma. It's relatively cheap and fast and not nearly as competitive to get into as in CA. In fact, I went to school with somebody from SoCal who moved specifically for the program because she was having trouble getting into any kind of nursing program there. I felt like the program prepared me well to pass the NCLEX (my class had a 100% pass rate) and to be a safe RN upon graduation as I learned more and built my skill set.

There were also several people I worked with at the medical center associated with the university who were having trouble getting into the job market in CA and IL and ended up moving to work in their preferred units sooner. A lot of those people moved to be able to get into trauma ICUs and surgical ICUs so they could get the experience to either move home and find a job more easily or go to CRNA school. Going to school at the university really does give you a leg up on getting a job at the associated hospital if you're willing to spend a year or two after graduation working there and getting experience too.