BS with low gpa, interested in nursing school

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi! I'm new here and after reading thread after thread, I've gotten so much helpful information! This is actually my first post and I've come here to get some advice...

I'm currently an undergrad graduating with a BS (not BSN) this Spring. My plan is to take the nursing school pre-reqs, which would take about a year for me at a community college and then apply. The problem is that I'm really concerned with my low gpa which is at 2.7. People say that if I do well in community college pre-reqs then my gpa will go up. While that is true, I've taken a ton of units these past four years, so my cumulative undergrad gpa would hardly budge! If my calculation are correct, my cumulative undergrad would be just a little over a 3.0.

I want to stay in Cali and I'm looking into entry level MSN programs only because they do not look at the cumulative undergrad gpa; most look at the last 90 units or so. If I were to take that route, my gpa would look much better rather than applying to an accelerated BSN program that looks at cumulative undergrad gpa. I am also very invloved with extracirrulars on campus (health-related) and also have hospital volunteering experience.

So aside from all that info...I was wondering if you can help me out, please?!

Are there any cons with entry level MSN programs?

What are my chances of being admitted to an accelerated BSN program with just being a little over the minimum gpa requirement?

Any other advice? :)

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I got into USD MSN direct program starting this August with a 3.2, the average they said they were looking for is 3.5 or higher, they do look because they brought it up at my interview...i think one of the reasons I got in was diversity of my application, military reserves, volunteering, good essay, did really well interviewing etc...they luckily for me took everything in to account, as I hope most schools would...so knock out the pre-req and if possible maybe take a few classes you know you can get A's to bump it up. Like this semester I am taking Pysio but also a Health class which essentially is advanced CPR, easy A and 3 credit class.

Can't tell you about the program other that what I've read and asked about at my interviews, but looks like a good fit for me. Great school and faculty, but it is expensive. Also I think most MSN direct programs look at the last 60 credits..least from what I have seen. If you need somewhere to volunteer I recommend any VA near you...best of luck to you!

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Just a side note...the application for the school is 3.0 or higher just not to be confusing...at info session someone asked the average GPA, thats where 3.5 is coming from....

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Thank you for the advice and congratz on getting into USD! Did you apply to any public schools by any chance?

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I would like to see others chime in here on this subject. The reason to apply to the MSN doesnt't seem entirely rational. Masters programs are going to be teaching at an even higher academic level than the BSN programs. Are you understanng what the difference is and are you prepared for that? There are BSN programs that will look at the entire picture not just undergrad GPA. I understand your desire to stay in California but what is your highest desire, becoming a nurse or living in CA?

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Not in Cali but there is a school in Oklahoma that accepts EVERYONE as long as they meet the requirements. Its called Oklahoma City University (http://www.okcu.edu). They have some type of agreement with the government to decrease the nursing shortage. They have BSN, ABSN, MSN, and doctoral programs. They only turn people away for the doctoral programs. Of course its pricier than community colleges but if youre really discouraged then you should give it a try. I looked at their ABSN program and its around $43,000. Im in the same boat youre in. I have a 3.37 and thats not good enough to get me into any schools in MI, so Ive been applying to schools in Ohio and Indiana instead. If I dont get accepted into any of those programs then Oklahoma will be my LAST resort. But when you want something bad enough you have to do whatever it takes to get it. If I do have to end up going there the only thing I wouldnt like is the lack of diversity I hear the state has especially since Im black and in MI we have people of all the colors of the rainbow here

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I got into USD MSN direct program starting this August with a 3.2, the average they said they were looking for is 3.5 or higher, they do look because they brought it up at my interview...i think one of the reasons I got in was diversity of my application, military reserves, volunteering, good essay, did really well interviewing etc...they luckily for me took everything in to account

Can't tell you about the program other that what I've read and asked about at my interviews,

OnMyWay2MSN, if you dont mind me asking, how was the interview? what questions did they ask? what questions did you ask? any help is mucho appreciated! i actually just applied to usd for the 2010 entry. thanks!

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