A pre-nursing student having a tough time trying to get into a BSN program. HELP?!?!

carebearangie89 · Jan 13, 2013

It is tough being accepted to a nursing school. I had a 2.7 GPA (very bad) while attending my college and majoring in health science. I was going there to take pre-req nursing courses. I applied to a few nursing school's and was turned down because my GPA was not a 4.0. Nursing school's are very competitive and instead of looking at the individual, they compare you to other incoming students.

Luckily, I found an amazing nursing school, locally of course, that does not compare an individual to other students but instead looks at the individual and their true potential. They accepted me despite my low GPA because in my personal statement I explained my reasons for a low GPA: personal life effecting my schooling a few years back and how much that was a big 'no no' and having a lot of credits under my 'belt' does not raise ones GPA by much. They took me in because of my true potential and the fact that I will not allow my past shape my future.

Keep your head up, work hard and DO YOUR RESEARCH when it comes to nursing schools. Try and find one that does not compare you to other incoming students or else you will have to have a 4.0 or higher. :/ Try finding a school that looks at you, the person and does not hold your past against you.

OH and the school that accepted me is top in the Nation compared to the one that turned me down. How awesome is that?!!!

I will be attending Creighton university in May.

lyn92, BSN · Jan 13, 2013

Hey, everyone! I always seem to stumble across this site whenever I have a question about nursing school and I always see great answers, so I figured I would become a member too :)
WELL. Where to begin...
I am currently a pre-nursing student (I have enough credits to be considered a junior) in Georgia with a 3.26 GPA. I took the TEAS for the first time in January 2012 and got a 68.7% as my adjusted individual score (no good). During that same spring semester, I applied to 3 nursing schools so that I could be accepted for the fall. By summer, I had finished all the prerequisites I needed. Unfortunately, I was rejected from 2 and put on a waiting list for one. My problem was that my TEAS score was low and that instead of taking Chemistry, I took Biology as a prerequisite. This is because my advisor had told me to take this freshman year, and she never told me that basically all other nursing programs only accept Chemistry . (I got an apology for that 2 years too late.) So, I basically spent all of fall 2012 doing volunteer work and recuperating from a surgery I had. Now, I am planning to take my Chemistry sequence course during this spring semester and summer. I also retook my TEAS 2 weeks ago and I scored an 82.7% (HUGE improvement). This semester, I am applying to 7 BSN programs (this would be my second time applying to the 3 schools that rejected me last year), but I'm scared that I will face rejection to all of them (not because I don't think I have a chance, but just simply because of the fear that everything will replay like last year).
If this happens to me again this fall, I will LITERALLY have nothing left to do. I have no other classes to take and I have to be careful, because I know these nursing prereqs are only valid for 5 years. Plus, if I go over a certain amount of credit hours, HOPE will no longer pay for me and I do not have the money to pay for school. For now, I am just going to concentrate on applying to these schools, do well in Chemistry and continue to do my volunteer work.
So, what do you guys think my chances of getting into a BSN program are now??

Hey there! Well I think you're chances are quite high, with a much improved TEAS score (congrats btw!) and applications to 7 schools. As for you GPA, maybe think about retaking some classes if that is possible? Certain schools let you retake classes that you did not do so well in and take the more recent grade and factor that into your GPA. Best of luck to you and I hope you get accepted! :up:

eg1014, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 13, 2013

carebearangie89:

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your acceptance! That's awesome!

Also, thank you for the advice :) The problem is that my choices in choosing schools is very limited. I can only choose to go to schools that are near my area to apply to, because I am a commuter and cannot afford to live on campus or move out of my house (I help take care of my sister and have responsibilities at home, and my parents help me out financially while I'm still in school). I'm in a tight spot...I've been trying to find online programs, but it's hard. I'm going to keep searching, though. I am going to be a nurse no matter what. There's no way I'm giving up.

Thank you, though! :)

eg1014, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 13, 2013

lyn92:

Thanks, I was super excited when I saw my score. I couldn't believe it.

As for retaking classes, I went to the office of student retention to talk about that and it won't do anything for me. Like I said, after you exceed a certain amount of credit hours, you can no longer receive the HOPE scholarship. Besides, the advisor there told me that I would have to take about 40 credit hours to get my GPA higher. I don't have the time to do that nor will I have the money if HOPE gets taken away. There would be no point. Would you believe that she asked me if I wanted to change majors? After almost 3 years of school? Get out of here lol.

But thank you for making me feel better. I hope I get accepted into one of these 7. I wonder if me volunteering now and being bilingual (and currently learning a third language) will be of any use?

EireEllada · Jan 14, 2013

I know how you feel: I had a 2.75 from a previous degree, 3.8 in my pre-reqs and was working full time in my old field while interviewing for schools (did not tell my boss until the very end). I got wait listed at 6 schools and thought it was "over" and then received my acceptance from the last school I applied to! Now I have an amazing hospital job and am graduating this summer.

Take your class, keep your attitude positive and apply to all the schools you can! Some schools also offered me to be the first considered for the next year's class when wait listed. Basically - do whatever it takes and you will get there! Good luck.

zoe92 · Jan 14, 2013

I hear you on being scared! I am technically a junior too, graduating this May with an associate's in pre nursing and one in psychology. I have applied to 6 BSN programs, hoping I get at least one acceptance. But it's almost like applying to more makes me feel more hopeless because if I don't get into even one I will feel really horrible. I think for your situation retaking the TEAS, adding volunteer work to your resume and taking Chemistry will definitely make you a more competitive applicant. Good luck!!

4boysmama · Jan 14, 2013

I do think you've gotten yourself into a competitive position with the (much!) improved TEAS score, and I bet you'll have success getting into at least one of those 7. However, I've also got a suggestion...have you considered also applying to any ASN programs?

eg1014, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 15, 2013

4boysmama:

I have considered applying to ASN programs but there are only a few near my area. The prereqs are ridiculous. For example, one school asks that before you can get into their nursing program, you have to take AT LEAST one biology course on their campus, even if you have all of your prereqs completed. Can you believe that??!! And all the other schools with ASN programs ask for Intro to Computers as a prereq. So i would have to spend one whole semester taking one class and still not guaranteed into their program. I don't think it's worth all that trouble for an ASN. BUT, I will do more research to try and find a school that offers that program without any crazy demands. I've already done too much, you know...I wonder if there are any online programs that are accredited and legit?

ADAngel · Jan 15, 2013

I think you stand a fair chance on getting into a program. I am not exactly sure what a TEAS test is, but you have improved greatly on your latest score. I was attending ASU and realized that my scores could not compare to those of my competitors so I decided to transfer universities. I moved back home to Michigan and started to attend a smaller university and was accepted into their program on my 2nd try. My cumulative GPA was a 2.9 but I was able to get that up to a 3.4 after 3 semesters of classes. The program here is based off your GPA, group interview, and the number of classes taken at the university. Are you unable to get financial aid besides the scholarship? Best of luck to your future endeavors and nursing school!

inspiredbynavy · Apr 1, 2014

Did you get into a school? I'm in a similar situation you were in. Except my GPA is lower.