Advice for getting into nursing school?

[MaryK11]

I'm a pre-nursing student and I need some advice. Immediately after graduating high school, I went to college and did really poorly. I didn't want to be there, had no idea what I did want, and no motivation to do well. I took about 2 years off of school, during which time I decided I want to be a nurse. Now, I'm doing well in school, and my current GPA is 3.8, but my cumulative GPA is much lower. I'm not sure what exactly, but my first time in college ended with a 1.7 GPA after 3 semesters. Basically, I'm just trying to find a good nursing program that I have a shot at getting into. I know a lot go off of cummulative GPA and entrance exam scores and nothing else. Anyone know of any programs that will look at my progress or let me explain my GPA? Would it help to become a CNA and gain some work experience? I could also get my associates degree if that would improve my chances? I would ideally like to attend a school in TN or KY, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[HAPPYstudent17]

Hi! I haven't started nursing school yet, but I just got accepted into a DE FNP program as well as an Accelerated BSN. I would say, based on my interview for the DE program and talking to admissions people, they take everything into consideration. Working as a CNA will help tremendously, because not only will it show that you know what you are getting yourself into and already understand that nursing is for you, but will show you are ready to deal with patients--the dean at DE program told me she LOVED getting applicants with CNA background because they are ready to jump into clinicals, focus on nursing, and don't waste time worrying about how to touch a patient. It will also help you make connections, it helps to have an experienced nurse write you a recommendation letter saying how great she/he thinks will be at nursing. =)

Also really invest time in crafting a strong essay, every line counts and this is where you can show them who you are and what you bring to the program and where you prove they are the lucky ones to have you not the other way around. Also, as a CNA you will have patients who will challenge you, make you grow, change you, and start molding you into who you will be as a nurse--and it never hurts to write about them in that essay either.

Hope that helps!