I am very stressed out right now and feel kinda lost. I want to apply to nursing program in one of the community colleges here in Los Angeles but I see that one of their requirements is to have a minimum gpa of 2.5 in your science classes (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology). Unfortunately, my gpa in these classes is less than 2.5. I have Cs in my combined A&P (I,II) and a B in micro. I can't retake anymore classes because I already took my A&P (I) twice and most schools only want you to repeat 1 class. I have completed all the pre-reqs for nursing (out of state) and my gpa is not that bad (3.1) but I know that this isn't very competitive compared to other applicants.
I also know that I can start from the bottom...CNA>LVN>RN but this will require more time and money so I'm not really sure if I want to take this path.
Is this the end of the road for me? (Going straight to ADN program)
Look for programs that are- as long as you meet the minimum requirements, you're in a pool with every other applicant, with the exact same chance of getting in.
But yes, you do have to meet the minimum requirements. Find out what the repeat policy is at some different schools. I had to search around myself, because I was young and dumb at one time, and I had to repeat anatomy and physiology. I'm about to graduate from a BSN program.
Where there's a will, there's a way. Do your research, and see what you come up with.
Good luck!
First of all, congratulations to you! :) I took my A&P during my freshman year so, just like you I was young and dumb back then but I learned my lesson though. Hopefully, it's not too late for me. I will have to attend an info session on Wed so that I can get as much info as I need.
Granted, I don't know what school you are going into, and what area, so what I say is truly relative.
You may be able to get into a LPN program; then bridge over; or depending on the school, do well on the standardized test the proctor, and then they will look at the whole picture, rather than just the grades; it will be depend on the school.
When in doubt, see if you can get an interview with the advisors at the school and find out their process and their requirements.
You never know; you may get in; if not, there are other pathways to be an RN; becoming a LPN is one way many take and go on to becoming an RN.
Best wishes!
Thank you! I will talk to a councilor on Wed, I will ask them all my options. :)
I got into my #1 school with an undergraduate GPA of 3.14 and a pre-req gpa of ~3.56. I suppose it varies, not all programs base their admissions criteria on the exact same things. If your grades aren't up to par, try supplementing with volunteer or clinical work, or retaking your classes if it's possible.
You can apply, but if your minimum GPA doesn't meet the requirements, then you will probably not be accepted.
Think long & hard if this is the appropriate career for you. You need a solid foundation in A&P to get through med-surg in nursing school. Your professors won't spend time reviewing blood flow through the heart, they expect you to already know it, so when you learn about heart failure, you'll be able to distinguish right sided vs. left sided HF because you know the physiology of the heart & circulatory system. You need a good understanding of chemistry to get through acid-base balance, etc.
If you're dead set on being a nurse and want to go the LVN-to-RN bridge route, you should still re-take those courses so you have a solid foundation. There's a reason why they're required classes and there's a reason why you need to have a thorough understanding of the subject with a 2.5 or better. You will have people's lives in your hands.
There is more than just an entrance exam to National University. They require GPA minimum for core sciences, and entrance exam (TEAS), and a timed essay. Everything is based on a point system where how many times you attempted a course count against you, so, if you completed them all once with passing grades, you get full points for that part. It's a private school so it's expensive but similar in cost to a 4 years in half the time. It's extremely accelerated. One course per month aside for Med-Surg and a few other classes.
First of all, congratulations to you! :) I took my A&P during my freshman year so, just like you I was young and dumb back then but I learned my lesson though. Hopefully, it's not too late for me. I will have to attend an info session on Wed so that I can get as much info as I need.
How long ago did you take A&P? Is there any chance of taking them again for grade improvements? Different schools have different policies on this, and same goes for nursing programs. I had limited options, because I had more than one repeat (curses to being young a dumb!). Thankfully the program I am attending only looks at the highest grade. Not all of them have this same policy.
What did they say at the info session? Any encouraging news?
I don't understand why you continued the A and P class if you knew you were getting a "C" That C will follow you every where. I'm not trying to beat you up about it but that is the reality of the situation. Work on your study methods, because even if you do get into a program you might not be able to stay in. You probably do understand the material but knowing which ways to study can help you do great in a program. If you are in LA tough luck.
I am very surprised and disappointed at the number of posters who basically say reapply indiscriminately and "keep the faith." Perseverance is one thing. Willful disregard of minimum expectations is another. Where would a nurse or would-be nurse be if he or she cannot even give careful consideration for basic instructions, whether it be in applying for school or a bedside procedure.
Bottom line is that you can apply but you most likely will be ignored if you do not meet the minimum requirements outlined by the school. You have then wasted the admission staff's time, and you will be out of money because most schools require an application fee, fees for transcripts etc. Yes, a lot of California community colleges do some form of lottery system but you need to meet the minimum requirements in order to be put into the pool.
I suggest taking a good, honest look at what led up to your GPA. Did you truly struggle with the material? Could you have had better study habits or test taking skills? What resources were/are available to help you in your future studies, such as tutoring? Getting into a nursing program is only the beginning of your problems, not the end goal. Nursing school will most likely be harder and more demanding than your prerequisite classes so it behooves you to make progress in improving your academic performance now.
Make an appointment with a counselor to see what your options are from this point on. Some colleges require science prerequisites to be taken within 5 years. Maybe such schools would re-consider if you wait a few years, retake the classes and get great grades. Maybe they will not. But before you plunk down major money for a private school or change your career aspirations, exhaust all the options, be patient and know that anything worth doing takes time and hard work.
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kbL05
8 Posts
First of all, congratulations to you! :) I took my A&P during my freshman year so, just like you I was young and dumb back then but I learned my lesson though. Hopefully, it's not too late for me. I will have to attend an info session on Wed so that I can get as much info as I need.