Ashamed...GPA 2.5. Do I stand a chance to NP anyway???

lvICU · Jun 9, 2011

Don't give up, you might just have to work a little harder to reach your dreams. I had a 2.8 during my ADN schooling but a 3.9 with my BSN when I applied for NP programs. I was still nervous though because of that 2.8. So, I can commiserate :) I have 3 tips:

1.) Do you have any prerequisites that need to be taken? You can take a graduate level class or two and "prove" that you are able to maintain a higher GPA in those classes. It shows that are are capable and going that extra step really proves that you are dedicated to your studies. I had a recruiter for a CRNA give this tip in an information session.

2.) Do you have a purpose or goal statement required for admission? You can talk a little bit about previous experiences and how you have grown and improved, etc. It is a good opportunity to address the low GPA. Just don't dwell on it too much.

3.) Boost up your application with other stuff. For example, you can get certified in your specialty. I had my CCRN and I was told that stands out to the admissions committee.

Good luck!

Wavewave · Jun 9, 2011

thank you very much!

don't give up, you might just have to work a little harder to reach your dreams. i had a 2.8 during my adn schooling but a 3.9 with my bsn when i applied for np programs. i was still nervous though because of that 2.8. so, i can commiserate :) i have 3 tips:
1.) do you have any prerequisites that need to be taken? you can take a graduate level class or two and "prove" that you are able to maintain a higher gpa in those classes. it shows that are are capable and going that extra step really proves that you are dedicated to your studies. i had a recruiter for a crna give this tip in an information session.
i do not mind at all to take some graduate level classes. i am actually dying to do that to "prove" to people that i am a good student now. i am ready to do it first thing in the morning tomorrow! but what classess do i need to do? i am lost... do i need to ask the graduate advisor in those schools i applied and do they usully advice the applicants what classess need to take?
2.) do you have a purpose or goal statement required for admission? you can talk a little bit about previous experiences and how you have grown and improved, etc. it is a good opportunity to address the low gpa. just don't dwell on it too much.
i did have a goal statement written. it seems that the adimissiom committee always first filter the low gpas, and then they will go to your statements, working experience, recommendation letters, gre, etc.
3.) boost up your application with other stuff. for example, you can get certified in your specialty. i had my ccrn and i was told that stands out to the admissions committee.
i am thinking to do my ccrn as well. at least, that's what i can do now...
good luck!

again, appreciated your reply!

lvICU · Jun 9, 2011

I am not sure exactly what classes you should take...the adviser for the CRNA program that suggested this idea said that science classes were the most impressive for their program (i.e. chemistry). Check the curriculum for your schools or call the admissions office and ask what you can do to make yourself a stronger candidate.

DAP AGPC-NP-C · Jun 10, 2011

My undergrad gpa was not great either...2.89. I was accepted imto Loyola's MSN Health Care Sysyems Management program and graduated this May with a 4.0. I applied to 3 schools for ANP/GNPpost masters certificate, and so far have been accepted into 2 programs. The third has not sent out letters yet. I ended up having wonderful faculty recommendation letters that I'm sure helped. I'm glad I did it this way, I knocked out alll the fluff courses, and will only need to take 1 class/semester. So don't give up try getting into another MSN route and you could finish and do a post masters or transfer into an NP program when you get some classes under your belt. Good luck!

Wavewave · Jun 10, 2011

Hi danapjmsn,

First, congrats to your acceptance of NP program!. Great job!

I've been feeling so miserable recently. When all the NP program I applied told me "Sorry, we have no way to consider GPA less than 3.0....". I felt I was in a dark tunnel with no way out no matter how hard I would try. As I mentioned, I have many years work experience and super GRE, but they just simple wouldn't take a glance....

How many credit hours do you need to take for ANP/GNPpost masters certificate? How many credit hours have you been waived for as compared with the traditional NP program?

I will definitely consider this route. Thank you so much for your input!

DAP AGPC-NP-C · Jun 10, 2011

I have to take Patho, Pharm, and Adv. assess for year 1, and health promotion/disease prevention & issues for adult nsg with the first clinical class, and, then it's just the classes with the clinical. It will take me the 2 years b/c I plan on taking Patho, Pharm, and Adv assessment alone. This is the schedule for USA. I know a few people who have been through this program and did well, so I chose to ingnore the negative posts about the school. I also applied to Saint Louis University (was accepted ...but very expensive and not approval by Louisiana's BONis not completed yet), and UAB (still waiting to hear). I think I'm going to go to USA...it's not too far from New Orleans and is approved by our BON. That is another issue b/c of the new federal law passed, schools have to be approved by your BON/state inorder to do the clinical portion of the program. In retrospect I would still do it the same way, in the end if I have to drop out I still have my MSN. Good luck with your choices...check out Loyola's program...it has a 2.8 requirement, but they may give you acceptance with conditions.

Wavewave · Jun 10, 2011

danapjmsn, I think I will talk to the program advisor to ask about MSN to post master NP option. I would need to know after my MSN, how long will take me to get the NP certificate.

canchaser, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2011

Sorry i can't copy/ paste on my phone. But the previous post about the Bon needing to approve the school

For clinicals is valuable info. I've applied to a few schools and don't know if the Bon approves them for clinical. Will the Bon not approve them for clinical but allow me to work. I live On the border of 2 states. So I was thinking of doing clinicals in the other state and then working in another.

DAP AGPC-NP-C · Jun 11, 2011

The information I received from St Louis University's dean of nursing, was that they were in the process of adding Louisiana as an approved state. So far she said 36 states were approved. Of coures, she said Louisiana would take a little longer b/c of our state's red tape...which is soo typical. To get around this you can get a RN license in another approved state and do your clinicals there. After graduation, as long as the school is accreditted and meets your BON requirements to sit for boards, you can apply for a APRN license in your state. This new law just took effect May 1, and has to do with federal grant money. Some schools, not just nursing, were accepting people that were not qualified, they would drop out, the school would then keep the grant money. So this law is all schools in order to protect the consumer. This school was my last choice b/c of the cost/semester hour. I hope this info helps, and good luck to everyone in finding their path.

pennylane18 · Sep 22, 2012

hi Wavewave!I know it's been a year and a half since you posted this but I was wondering how things are? Were you able to get into a NP program? What steps did you take in order to be accepted?

I, myself am interested in becoming a NP. But unfortunately my GPA is 2.58 and I'm a foreign graduate. I lived in NJ and have been a RN for 2 years. I want to become a NP so bad but I get discourage because of my GPA.

Nurseakoto · Nov 6, 2012

Hi I was also wondering how are things with regards to your quest to get in the NP. I am also a foreign graduate and recently found out that my GPA is 2.57, has anyone requested a reevaluation of their GPA? One advisor told me to make sure they didn't make a mistake. What are the chances of an evaluating board to make a mistake?