Can I get into graduate school for NP with a low GPA?

[zolow]

I accidentally posted this in the wrong section (sorry, I'm new here), so I'm copying and pasting my question:

I'm currently attending a very good undergraduate nursing school. I am a senior and I have one more semester left after this one. I want to go to a good graduate school to be a nurse practitioner but I am afraid I wont be able to because of my low GPA. I expect to graduate with a 2.8 GPA. My science classes are also the ones I received the lowest grades in. My grades have slowly been improving (I had less than a 2.0 at the end of freshman year and was placed on probation. Sophomore year I barely ended with a 2.4, I finished junior year with a 2.5 and I expect to bring up my grade to a 2.6 after this semester).

I know that graduate schools look at the whole package, but all of the schools I have looked at require a 3.0 minimum. Even if I get a 4.0 next sememester, I will end up graduating with no more than a 2.9. Is there any chance of getting into a good Nurse Practitioner program? I know I should take the GRE, but realistically, I shouldn't expect to get an AMAZING score. Does anyone have any advice on how to increase my GPA and increase my chances of getting into a good nursing graduate school? Being a nurse practitioner has always been my dream and I would have to see it crushed because of my immaturity in the first couple of years of college.

[foxyhill21]

University of texas-arlington and Texas Woman University, yes they are good schools.

[MrCookieMonster]

Hi all, Just found this post. I am in a similar position. I'm interested in psych np programs, and have a low gpa (2.7) for my bachelors, but I do have a master's in psychology (3.7 gpa). I have been accepted to an associates nursing program, which I was thinking I'd pursue to strengthen my app, but I was wondering what my chances are for a direct entry psy np program. I expect to have strong references, but I'm concerned about the gpa. Any ideas?

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Kudos to doing a search. I am not aware of a direct entry NP program with a concentration in mental health. I know a handful for FNP. It will be competitive most likely.

[whitemage, MSN, RN]

I currently have my BA in Psychology, and am starting on my last semester of my ADN-RN program before taking the NCLEX. I have been doing a lot of research about graduate schools for PMHNP and FNP programs in my state and seem to find a common GPA theme of around 3.2-3.3 minimum, and some of the Universities say that you can be admitted on probationary status if you have a lesser GPA (get a 3.0 in their program or higher first semester to be taken off that list), you can submit a GRE score to balance a lower GPA, or sometimes even just having a good interview/appeal or essay submitted with the application can help make your application still have a good chance for acceptance. I am sure it mostly depends on the competitiveness of the specific institution.

But like you were specifically asking, I am pretty sure there are almost if not any, PsychNP programs that would direct admit you without already having your RN because RN is the foundation for any NP track. I have yet to come across an NP program anywhere that would let you be able to sit for NCLEX-RN while still completing said NP program. I know your post was from a while ago, but hopefully this helps. Good luck!

[elkpark]

Kudos to doing a search. I am not aware of a direct entry NP program with a concentration in mental health. I know a handful for FNP. It will be competitive most likely.

But like you were specifically asking, I am pretty sure there are almost if not any, PsychNP programs that would direct admit you without already having your RN because RN is the foundation for any NP track. I have yet to come across an NP program anywhere that would let you be able to sit for NCLEX-RN while still completing said NP program. I know your post was from a while ago, but hopefully this helps. Good luck!

Actually, there are a bunch of direct-entry PMHNP programs. Not saying I think that's a good idea, but there are plenty of them around.