Applying for nursing schools!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 10, 2016

I wish I could provide more optimistic information, but there is a very important reason for the higher GPA requirement. It's because that's what it takes to be successful in nursing school. It simply isn't possible to succeed with a poor academic background. Those pre-requisites are the foundation for your subsequent nursing classes. If you don't have the foundational knowledge, you won't be able to keep up with nursing courses.

Have you considered any career pathways that may require less academic groundwork?

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · May 10, 2016

Unfortunately, practically every public university, CC, and private universities are extremely competitive and have the luxury of accepting students with high GPAs. The only alternative are the less desirable schools (mostly for-profit) that have horrendous NCLEX pass rates (40-70% range). The NCLEX forum is full of the "I have taken NCLEX XX times, I need help". I was lucky to get into an ABSN program that had not been advertised very much and had no competition and at the time required a 2.5 GPA. My prior BS degree GPA was 2.68. I had to use my complete supply of "Good Karma" to get into nursing school, complete my BSN, and get my dream job. https://allnurses.com/nicu-nursing-neonatal/nicu-new-grad-960306.html#post8230704

Unless you have a box of Good Karma in your closet, it will be a long road to retake all classes below a B to make your GPA competitive.

augurey · May 10, 2016

I think I / my school may be the exception. Or perhaps like Guy in Babyland, I used up my box of Good Karma.

I think my program requires a 2.5 or a 2.7 minimum to get in. Well, yes and no. They make exceptions. I had less than a 2.7 (maybe even less than a 2.5 - I honestly don't know!). I'm 31 now, but back when I was 19 I started at a 4 year school and only was there for a semester and a half. I withdrew the middle of my second semester (after completely blowing off the first half - there were personal reasons involved, not it really makes that much of a difference). I attempted to go back (to a community college) at 22. Same thing. Dropped out the middle of my second semester. I didn't even go through the proper process and just stopped going full out.

I didn't think I'd ever be able to go back to school or imagine I'd ever get into one again, all things considered. I got accepted into a for profit school at 29. They didn't give a hoot about my previous grades. All they cared was that I passed the TEAS and gave them money (oh and had some kind of "medical" experience which in my case, medical billing was enough :laugh: - otherwise they were going to put me their their MA program first (more $$$ for them)). I only went there as it was really my only option. The program I'm in now is the one I wanted in all along but never dreamed it was ever a possibility.

I began looking into my program more and spoke with an admission rep for a few months. She told me that all hope wasn't lost. She recommended that I write a personal statement explaining everything. They didn't want to read / hear excuses, and they wanted to know what my goals were. I ended up withdrawing (properly) in the middle of the second semester after completing the first 2 courses (8 week classes - earned approx 3.6 GPA in that program in a semester and a half) in pursuit of my current program.

I had 3 pre-reqs to take and earned As in them (I'm taking the rest of the pre-reqs as co-reqs alongside my nursing courses). In my personal statement I explained, briefly, my history, and even more why I was leaving another school for the 3rd time in the middle of the second semester (as I felt that reflected even more poorly on me and perhaps looked like I really hadn't changed all that much). I explained my goals and what I had done different to ensure that I succeed (ie quitting my job so I can focus on school). They were impressed by both my personal statement and by my GPA at the other school (even though the GPA didn't count because they were not accredited).

I am about to start my 3rd semester in a couple of weeks with a 4.0. I feel like I got in by shear dumb luck, to be honest. I was truly shocked when I had been accepted. I really feel like I have a lot to prove to them to show them that they made a good choice by accepting me (not that I think they are even watching lol).

I think my program is the exception, and not the rule. It's a private, accredited program and seems to have a good reputation. I think it's possible that you could get in somewhere, but it may require a lot of digging and talking to admissions to see if there are exceptions and if so, what do you need to do to increase your chances of getting in. It still may require retaking some classes to boost your GPA.

Futurenurse2323 · Jun 5, 2016

Thank you so much for your amazing story!!! What school did you go to which you think may be the exception? I will at least try and see what I can do the most to get into this program. It won't hurt to try!