Are there any nurses who didn't start off as a nursing major in college?

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 19, 2016

I went in as a rad tech student. Declaring a major doesn't really do anything other than steer you in that direction with the classes you need to take. You won't get into the nursing specific classes until later anyways, so it gives you some time to get your GPA up. I can tell you, my GPA was awful because of my first year of college but I was able to work at getting it back up and was able to get into a great nursing program.

So declare it as your major so they get you with a good advisor, apply yourself and get a good GPA along the way

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2016

My viewpoint might be controversial: you do not need to spend the time and money on a four-year university to become a nurse just yet, especially if your current grades are not that stellar.

You can attend a 12-month program at a trade school or community college to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), then enroll in an LPN-to-BSN bridge program to become an RN. I'm an RN who has never set foot on the campus of a university, and I have no student loan debt because of it.

Some people will say, "You are young! Skip the LPN and go for your RN!" However, if your grades slipped during the past year, some introspection and stair-stepping might be in order. Good luck to you.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 19, 2016

You are a senior in high school. Nursing programs don't care about your sophomore year grades. It's your prereqs in college that matter.

You can declare nursing or some schools call it prenursing. You will do two years of prereqs. Get As in those. You will then take an entrance exam and apply to nursing school midway through your second year. They will look at college GPA, prereq grades, and entrance exam score. Some schools may have an interview or essay process as well.

They look at your high school grades for initial entrance to the college itself. The college will look at your GPA and either SAT or ACT score.

Buyer beware, BSN · Nov 26, 2016

My viewpoint might be controversial: you do not need to spend the time and money on a four-year university to become a nurse just yet, especially if your current grades are not that stellar.
You can attend a 12-month program at a trade school or community college to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), then enroll in an LPN-to-BSN bridge program to become an RN. I'm an RN who has never set foot on the campus of a university, and I have no student loan debt because of it.
Some people will say, "You are young! Skip the LPN and go for your RN!" However, if your grades slipped during the past year, some introspection and stair-stepping might be in order. Good luck to you.

Yes, yes, yes. But you Must ensure you have this bridge program in whatever bohunk you live in.

In reality, and ideally "The Commuter" has nailed it. You must obtain, if you must, The RN status as frugally as possible and with today's inflated tuition prices a 4 year school will kill you financially.

So many better, smarter ways to go but it takes patience and tenacity to succeed. That's the key.

Short answer: tons of nurses with all sorts of degrees.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2016

Moved to the Pre-Nursing Student forum.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 28, 2016

Based on my own exposure to the process of nursing program applications..... OP's High School GPA is not going to be very relevant except for scholarship awards ... entry test scores will be the deciding factor.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Nov 28, 2016

I'd take pre-reqs at a community college, get good grades, and then worry about getting into nursing school. My major in my cc is "Biology, Pre-Nursing". I'll be transferring into a four year for my BSN next year.

Good luck.

WanderingWilder, ASN · Dec 5, 2016

Hello! I am a senior in high school, which means NOW is the time to start my college process. I've known forever that I wanted to be a nurse. I was the kid that rushed home to watch discovery health, instead of Disney channel. I know that without a doubt nursing is what I want to do. However, nursing programs are REALLY hard to get into. Sophomore year I went through some personal struggles, and in result, my grades sunk terribly. I don't feel as though I have the required grades to get accepted into a nursing program. So my question is, what do I major in in college???? Do I just go in undeclared, and try to transfer into nursing after I've built a good GPA. Are there any other majors that have pre reqs similar to those of the nursing program. Are there any other paths to becoming a nurse? I know I could always go to Community college, but I really want to go away next year, rather than stay at home for another 2 years. Any suggestions?? Thank You!

If staying home is a possibility please consider getting your RN at a community college. Imagine being only 20-21 years old with no student loans and a degree that starts you at about 40000 a year. You will be giving yourself a great start at life. I wish that someone had given me this advice at 18. Or you can go to that out of state school have your BSN at 22 but have 40,000+ in student loans to pay back.

I know that at 18 two more years seems like an eternity but it really isn't.

Neywel120 · Dec 5, 2016

I'm sorry, but who cares about your high school grades??? Nobody. Worry about getting good grades in your college pre-reqs instead of fussing over some HS classes that will do nothing but besides admitting you into an expensive university which equals more loans and slaving to pay them off.

I mean, I failed a lot of classes in HS and ended up graduating with a 2.9 and had a 19 on the ACT. But now I have a 4.0 GPA in college because that is all that really matters.

Go to community college until you've racked up at least 25 hours than transfer to a university. You will do fine.