Is anyone getting into nursing programs with a realistic GPA?

margritamix · Jun 30, 2011

I totally sympathize. I have 3.6 GPA and some places have told me flat out that my GPA might be too low to get into their program. Hearing news like this can be truly disheartening sometimes.

But have you looked into applying to nursing programs where they are looking for students with more rounded experiences? Some places give you extra admission points if you've worked as a CNA or have volunteered a certain number of hours at a healthcare facility

Era324 · Jun 30, 2011

Oh wow, thats tough.

What schools have told you that?

And to think my sister got into a competitive admission nursing program 7 years ago with a 3.0 and a bunch of retakes.. And shes an excellent nurse now. Its so hard now.

grownuprosie · Jun 30, 2011

Bellevue College goes off of TEAS score. I got in with a 3.0. I think they added an interview and essay portion for next year, but it is still primarily TEAS.

margritamix · Jul 8, 2011

I just heard someone who has a 4.0 GPA and had gotten a 95% on their entrance exam....so that should give us all an idea as to how hard it will be to get into nursing school

Loloberry · Aug 4, 2011

I have a 3.8, a previous bachelors degree, and I work as a CNA in a hospital. I have been waitlisted by every CC I've applied to. It is so completely frustrating, but it does seem easier to get into BSN programs if you want to go that route.

NNP-2018 · Aug 4, 2011

TCC does a lottery system for their program and Pierce does more of a point system. At Pierce you need to write a personal statement based off some questions they give you, have a professional and personal recommendations, and functional resume. You get points for each of those and you also get extra points for taking organic chem, foreign languages, stats and developmental psych. The students with the most points get an interview and the accepted students are chosen from there.

Miss_Piggy.RN · Aug 6, 2011

Looks like with each year it's getting harder and harder. I got accepted to program where all nursing students have a previous degree and the lowest GPA is 3.85....

Cynnie89 · Aug 8, 2011

what schools rejected such high gpas? this is ridiculous..

also.. im in my first year of prereqs and graduated high school one yr ago. im quite alarmed by this high gpa talk.

i dont understand why people with previous degrees get a leg up over people who get it right the first time and dive into nursing fresh out of high school, people who have wanted to be nurses all their life and nothing else. I guess passion doesnt matter anymore? sorry, just venting. i feel there should be points for people who are like us and are passionate all our lives... can anyone tell me if there are schools that are fair around here? thank you everyone

wazeout · Aug 13, 2011

what schools rejected such high gpas? this is ridiculous..
also.. im in my first year of prereqs and graduated high school one yr ago. im quite alarmed by this high gpa talk.
i dont understand why people with previous degrees get a leg up over people who get it right the first time and dive into nursing fresh out of high school, people who have wanted to be nurses all their life and nothing else. I guess passion doesnt matter anymore? sorry, just venting. i feel there should be points for people who are like us and are passionate all our lives... can anyone tell me if there are schools that are fair around here? thank you everyone

Not to sound snarky, but if you just graduated high school, then you probably haven't lived long enough to know the difference between passion and desire. However, deciding on a career path at a young age is a good thing and should be applauded, but now you are getting a taste of the real world where everybody in these times are desperate to make and keep a standard of living, so the competition is stiff for nursing school and nursing jobs. Heck, teenagers at McDonalds are fighting senior citizens that have had to come out of retirement for them positions. Good luck to you. I'm sure you will get into a program.

Mr Wright · Aug 14, 2011

I recently got accepted into WSU's nursing program and it was crazy competitive getting in. My GPA was 3.95 and I still felt the process of getting an interview was hard. With so many applicants these days schools can afford to be super picky. Some schools weigh GPA heavily while some take more of a whole-person approach as was touched on in previous posts. It was crazy being in college anatomy and chemistry classes with people retaking the class because they needed to get higher than a 3.4-3.5 to be competitive.

mamayogibear · Aug 16, 2011

Since nursing is a profession and there are all ready so many new grads that can't find jobs I think it is apt that programs have high standards for admissions. Although I dont' start nursing school for another month I feel proud of having earned a spot in nursing school, while parenting and working to support my family. I think there are a few schools that don't look at GPA when admitting students though. TCC is a lottery and both Clover park and Bates admit to waitlists so there are numerous routes to become a nurse even if you don't make the highest grades.