Applying to nursing schools

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So my school and work life is pretty hectic. With financial obligations and putting myself through school on my own is difficult and very time consuming. I do not have the best grades possible but all my prereqs are all above a 2.0. I am retaking AP2 though to get a higher grade because I didn't do my best and I am currently taking microbiology. Please help!!! I am open to out of state schools, community colleges, private universities and public universities. I know when I get accepted to a nursing program either ADN or BSN I will put my 100% and will not be working as much. I already have taken an extra year towards my AA in pre nursing and feel like I am behind and not caught up for being 21 years old. I had all these plans and time frames I wanted to get done. But all that matters now for me is just getting it done and being accepted into a program and I don't care how long it takes me. I just want to become a RN and start working. I am so passionate about this field and I am also working as a CNA to gain even more experience in this field. Please recommend schools and even share your stories. Please and thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Reality check. Your pre-requisite GPA needs to be >3.5 to have a good chance of admission to a nursing program. Pretty much everyone with a low GPA has a sad tale of woe that 'caused' this to happen.... very similar to my own excuses for obesity (I dunno, it just happened - undoubtedly due to an evil curse).

If you are unable to do well in pre-requisites - which are much easier than nursing courses - there is very little chance that you can be successful in nursing program. It's nonsense to say "I know that I will do much better when I'm in a nursing program"... will this be a miraculous conversion? Before continuing on this pathway, it may be a good idea to focus on the behaviors that need to change. It's going to take a lot of effort over a long period of time.

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First off, I wouldn't worry so much about your age. I wanted to be a nurse at 21 as well but knew that I was not mature enough to handle the demands of a nursing program. I am now 26, have just graduated with my B.S. in Psychology, and will start nursing school in August.

I am entering an ADN program. My program required a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and as long as they did not have more qualified applicants than available spots, they admitted everyone as long as minimum requirements were met. So, you can get into nursing school with the GPA you have, but you will have to look for ones that accept your GPA as the minimum requirement to apply. My pre-requisite GPA was a 4.0 and my overall GPA was a 3.8 if that will give you some perspective. However, I know for a fact others got in with a GPA as low as 3.0. Whether or not they succeed in the program is yet to be determined.

I am not sure why you are interested in out of state programs because moving will require that you wait some amount of time before you are able to get in-state tuition. I researched programs for months before I found the right fit with the same university I just graduated from.

Do your research, take your time, and plan accordingly. I knew without a doubt if I had entered nursing school when I was 21, I would have failed because I was not adequately prepared. But that was just me. Good luck!

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As of right now my nursing prerequisite is at a 2.9gpa and I am retaking AP2 which will dramatically help me gpa once if I receive a 3.0 or better. But I definitely have been doing my research. What school were talking about that allowed you to get into with a minimum gpa of 2.5 as long as they had room. And I mean I am open to out of states school, because I would like to get into a program by fall 2017, and I do not mind the out of state tutuition. I have been saving for this reason as well.

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Eastern Kentucky University. It is their ADN program!

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So I was looking at their admission and my gpa for this schools meets criteria at a 3.0. Thank you so much for sharing this. So as long as there enough applicants who apply and not over amount of applications I would be guaranteed admissions into their ADN program? I will be applying for the spring 2017 year.

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That is the rumor. I do know several people who got in with a GPA lower than yours. However, I know they tend to shy away from students who did not earn a B or better in their nursing pre-requisites. I should also mention that this program is one of the toughest in the state. Class sizes usually start around 60 for first semester, drop by 10 or so for second semester, then drop by half the third and fourth semesters.

For example, there are 50 enrolled in semester two, about 31 enrolled in semester three, and 16 enrolled in the last semester. Good luck!

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Some programs go by a point system and that may work well for some. Have you taken your teas test? getting a high score can possibly help offset your GPA. I have noticed though that adn programs are pretty competitive and BSN programs are competitive.

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I plan on taking the teas test in August... So that I can have time to study and be very prepared taking it the first time this year. I am open to any ADN or BSN programs and willing to relocate as well.

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