Anyone in my predictament? What are your chances of getting in?

U.S.A. New Jersey

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I know everyone at one time or another has felt that they may not get into nursing school. I have been reading some of the posts in the NJ forum where some people didn't get into a BSN program b/c they had a 3.5 GPA. I have to say that I am a tad bit worried.

I graduated Rutgers in 2003 with a BA in Economics and I had a 2.0 GPA. From there I landed a really good job in the corporate world where I was promoted and always commended by upper mgmt. The problem is I never really liked this job and do not see myself being in a corporate setting for the lifetime of my career.

Knowing that admissions into nursing school is highly competitive, are there other people out there that got into nursing school with a "not-so-good" GPA?

I plan to quit my job in the fall to go back to a community college to do my pre-req's, but this is a very high risk since there is a possibility that I will not get into a BSN program.

If any of you can advise or share your experience it would be greatly appreciated.

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I know the community college I attended (Brookdale) did not care about GPA, but there IS a waiting list. It's a Monmouth County school. I live in Ocean County but went there b/c it was close to my job (I am a computer programmer changing careers at age 51).

I would imagine all the community colleges operate the same way (waiting list, etc.) I would go that route if I were you...it's cheap, classes are (fairly) small. While on the wait list, you take your pre requisites (anat & phys, micro, etc).

Good luck!

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I just wanted to say that I am in the same exact boat as you. I have business degree (2.7 undergrad gpa) and I am pertrified that I won't get into the accelerated BSN programs I want b/c they require a 3.0 gpa! I do have some grad work completed with a much higher gpa and I am sure when I take the pre-recs I will do much better than my previous 2.7...I just hope they will take that into consideration! I am hoping to go to an nterest session for UMDNJ next week so I will def. be asking about my chances!!!

Sorry no help....just wanted to let you know you are not alone!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I worked a couple of decades in corporate America, moved up the ladder, took the buyout and started looking at nursing schools. My GPA from the fun days of my bachelors was 2.4. I spoke to UMDMJ and was told that "we cash your check but you won't get in.". Later for them. I'm currently in my 2nd semester in a diploma program and am loving life. PM me if you want to discuss further.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, transplant..

You people are probably insane. My first degree (BSN) GPA is 3.5 and my 2d degree GPA is 3.68 and what I do?, wipe you know what.

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Hello

I'm new here. I was in corporate America for over 25 years. When my time was done (LAYOFFS), I went to school to be a Medical Assistant to see if I like the field. I have been and MA for a year and I love it! I am taking the test for Nursing school Saturday, yet my office manager as well as other people I know are trying to discourage me from doing this "at my age" (45). I feel this is my calling. Any advice from those of you who have been in my boat?

Thanks:confused:

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I am currently at UMDNJ and there are definetly several people over 50 in my class. Age is nothing but a number, don't let it hold you back. My mother went back to school at 51. She was not computer literate but had to learn as part of her progam. If she can do it at that age...

Goodluck and follow your heart

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Studentat45

I think it's wonderful that you have made up your mind and heart to enter nursing school! I took the same road you did. I worked in marketing for many years, until downsizing took me to an endless jobless search. I wanted to go to nursing school straight away from high school, dare I say, in 86, and watched as my oldest sister was treated like a , "cupcake" by Dr's and administration.(she graduated in 77) WOW have things changed! Nursing is now a profession that commands respect and is still dominated by women like my oldest sister, (now 50), who worked their tails off to exact changes in the profession for all of us now who enter it with the same calling she did. :) Did I mention my sister, at it for 30 years now, still works full time, and still loves her work?! We can grow with this field, we can grow in knowledge and age and still find something in it that gives us fulfillment.

I am almost finished with my certificate program and as I near the end. (I am an LPN now.. yes, I still say LPN), the powers that be where I work, (a medi-center), dangle money in front of me to stay, offer me more time and ask me to stay. When I mention that if they can meet what I expect, I will stay, they default to my age. (40). It is flattering in a sense, and also mean spirited, but it's all good! 40 is the new 20 Studentat40! Keep your ambition and you won't be sorry!

Much Success!

:) Dawn

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Studentat45

I think it's wonderful that you have made up your mind and heart to enter nursing school! I took the same road you did. I worked in marketing for many years, until downsizing took me to an endless jobless search. I wanted to go to nursing school straight away from high school, dare I say, in 86, and watched as my oldest sister was treated like a , "cupcake" by Dr's and administration.(she graduated in 77) WOW have things changed! Nursing is now a profession that commands respect and is still dominated by women like my oldest sister, (now 50), who worked their tails off to exact changes in the profession for all of us now who enter it with the same calling she did. :) Did I mention my sister, at it for 30 years now, still works full time, and still loves her work?! We can grow with this field, we can grow in knowledge and age and still find something in it that gives us fulfillment.

I am almost finished with my certificate program and as I near the end. (I am an LPN now.. yes, I still say LPN), the powers that be where I work, (a medi-center), dangle money in front of me to stay, offer me more time and ask me to stay. When I mention that if they can meet what I expect, I will stay, they default to my age. (40). It is flattering in a sense, and also mean spirited, but it's all good! 40 is the new 20 Studentat40! Keep your ambition and you won't be sorry! (I will receive my RN next year if I keep up working as I am for it)

Much Success!

:) Dawn

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I was the ultimate underacheiver in my undergraduate studies, I did not have a stellar gpa, I was not focused, but I graduated in 4 years with a BS in Community Health . As I got older and I realized that becoming a nurse would fulfill my lifelong goal of serving the underserved I became focused and I did well on all of my prereq's. and preadmissions exams I applied to three nursing schools and got accepted to two. I start my clinical this fall.

You Can do it!

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Specializes in PCICU.

the truth of the matter is that getting into ANY nursing program has become pretty competitive. Because of the large pool of applicants, the schools are allowed to pick and choose who they want in their program.

I went to Bergen Comm College, and you supposedly needed a 3.0 gpa to get in. I can tell you that i dont know of anyone that had less than a 3.5, and even then, all of these folks had to get incredibly high scores on the entrance exams. From what i hear, the entrance exam score cut off is 95%, or something ridiculous like that.

My suggestion is that you scout as many programs as possible. I know Holy Name Hospital has a pretty good RN program, without a waiting list. I'm not sure what their requirements are.

I dont know how it works everywhere else...but in a community college setting (at least at Bergen), the courses you took at a different college are considered "transfer" or "not transferable". Meaning that you do not get a GPA from them. You only get a GPA from taking actual courses at THAT particular college. SO, for example, if you wanted to go to Bergen...with a 2.0 GPA, your classes would transfer. So, in order to make a "new" GPA, you'd have to take some classes at Bergen. It is the Bergen GPA that counts towards your admission into the nursing program, NOT your Rutgers GPA. Just something to think about.

Good luck!

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A lot of what I'm about to say may have already been said. If you already have a bachelor's degree in something else, scout out as many 2nd degree BSN programs as possible. Get your GPA up to at LEAST a 3.0 by taking (and doing well in) as many of the pre-requisites as possible before you apply. ADN and traditional BSN programs aren't necessarily less competitive than 2nd degree BSN programs; it all depends on the reputation and popularity of the individual program. I applied to 3 traditional BSN programs (all state schools in MA) and 4 second degree/non-traditional BSN programs. In a [seemingly] ironic twist of fate, I got rejected by 2 of the traditional BSN programs, waitlisted at another state school, and accepted by 2 very good, reputable 2nd degree BSN programs. I have a 3.0 GPA, and my grades are mostly solid B's (not stellar), so it can be done- especially if you try and get as much experience in a nursing/patient care environment as possible.

Good Luck

The Edogs

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