caught up in a dilemma

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Hello everyone I got quite of a situation. This is my junior year and i am currently enrolled at LBCC and i am trying to get into the RN program, but unfortunately my grades stand as A (stats), C (psych), C (microbiology) C (anatomy) and D ( physiology but retaking this fall again for the 3rd time) and sociology (taking it this fall). Just looking at the grades that i currently have my GE's (transferable) average out to a 3.25-3.3, but on the downside a 2.83 gpa overall (including remedial courses) Do you guys suggest that i stay at LBCC hoping to get into the program or transfer on over to a csulb or csula or maybe a private college such as National University, Mount St. Mary's or Biola, so that i can take a shot at getting my BSN?

*Please I need some personal advising. I would gladly appreciate it!

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I would see what the GPA requirements are for the program. That will tell you whether you will be able to be considered for the nursing program or not. And I would not be quick to transfer if in fact with your gpa you wouldn't be able to get into a nursing program, or have to continue to retake courses.

I don't know, but you should have a plan "B". And with an "A" in stats (very well done, by the way) perhaps a math major? Teaching?

Best of luck in your endevours, however, be really cautious and throughly investigate all of your options prior to making a decision about transferring. Also, get a tutor if you need to in an attempt to pass the courses you have to. Speak to your guidance counselor regarding options. I would also see about an accelerated BSN program in your area--meaning that a holder of a Bachelor's degree can obtain an RN with some accelerated nursing courses and clinicals--see if that could apply to you.

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I am totally not meaning to sound snotty or rude in any manner, but I have to ask you...you're about to try a 3rd time for physiology and to date the best grade you got was a D? :(

It sounds like science is your weakness, which is unfortunately the heart of nursing. Getting into a program aside, it's important to be able to do well in these classes because you need to generally be capable of understanding human biology to succeed as a nurse. It's absolutely key and fundamental to everything, especially when it comes to medications. And I hear that some of your first classes that you need to take in nursing school are advanced levels of A&P.

I live in a different state, but my school does not allow more than two attempts for any pre-req (and W's count). If you can't get a B (3.0) or better in each pre-req within those attempts, you're immediately disqualified and will not be considered.

I don't like to be a person to say "this career isn't the right fit for you," but if you're struggling this much just to meet pre-req requirements to apply or to be competitive, you're going to have an especially hard time if you get into a program. My honest opinion is to do some reflection and really consider if this is something you wish to pursue. If it is, take the courses again but really push yourself. I wish you the best.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I would look very carefully at the nursing program requirements for whichever schools you're looking at before you try to transfer. There may be a private school out there that will take you but I can tell you flat out that you will not get into a CSU BSN program with those science grades. Anatomy, physiology and micro or more or less the classes for nursing admissions and as a previous poster pointed out many schools won't even consider your application if you can't pass in two tries. CA nursing programs (both ADN and BSN) are just so impacted at the moment that schools can choose from a huge pool of applicants for a very limited number of seats - I know of several solid A/B students who passed everything on their first try and got nothing but wait listed or outright rejected.

I'm not trying to scare you but I agree with the above posters that it would be a good idea to have a plan B ready to go. Needing three shots at physiology is obviously a bit of a red flag for nursing, so I'd talk to a counselor and give some thought to what major/career you might be best suited for. If you really think nursing is the best fit for you, you could try applying to an LVN/LPN program and then bridging to an ADN (and then potentially to a BSN) or else finish your bachelor's in another major and then look into ABSN programs. Best of luck.

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You live in Cali then you are going to have a difficult time getting accepted somewhere, especially with those grades. Best of luck!

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I would look very carefully at the nursing program requirements for whichever schools you're looking at before you try to transfer. There may be a private school out there that will take you but I can tell you flat out that you will not get into a CSU BSN program with those science grades. Anatomy, physiology and micro or more or less the classes for nursing admissions and as a previous poster pointed out many schools won't even consider your application if you can't pass in two tries. CA nursing programs (both ADN and BSN) are just so impacted at the moment that schools can choose from a huge pool of applicants for a very limited number of seats - I know of several solid A/B students who passed everything on their first try and got nothing but wait listed or outright rejected.

I'm not trying to scare you but I agree with the above posters that it would be a good idea to have a plan B ready to go. Needing three shots at physiology is obviously a bit of a red flag for nursing, so I'd talk to a counselor and give some thought to what major/career you might be best suited for. If you really think nursing is the best fit for you, you could try applying to an LVN/LPN program and then bridging to an ADN (and then potentially to a BSN) or else finish your bachelor's in another major and then look into ABSN programs. Best of luck.

Unfortunetely, with the anatomy grade, and not passing physiology, transferring credits to an LPN program would not be an option either as you would have to take A&P again through the school--at least in my area--and with an LPN program there are no "do overs" you either pass it or not go on in the program. But if you are willing to do that, and check with schools in your area, then you can also see what of your courses would transfer to a bridge program once the LPN is completed.

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Based on what you said, being admitted into a nursing program may be very hard for you. I have heard of people retaking one science pre req but not more than once and definitely not in multiple science classes. I would meet its an advisor at the school you are interested in & see what your options are.

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Dave, have you looked into a private school? They are a lot less strict on pre reqs and the grades you come in with. More expensive, yes, but it I'll get you your degree.

There's also the option of going into an lpn program that doesn't require pre reqs. Then bridge.

Edit: I see others have mentioned the lpn. Some programs don't require any pre reqs and en you only have to take anatomy or human structure while in the program.

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Check your program. Mine doesnt allow more then 2 chances for science.

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I think that you need to do some soul searching. Nursing school is harder than any class you have already taken, and there aren't any do overs. Why are you struggling in your science classes? What plans do you have to change the outcome if you retake A&P? Something you are currently doing is not working for you - you need to change somethings up.

I would never tell someone to abandon their dreams, but you have to make sure your dream is accessible. Like a previous poster said, many schools only allow you to have two shots at taking the nursing science pre-reqs. Also, your GPA may not be realistic. I would check with some advisers, before retaking more classes. You might have some luck with some for-profit schools, but those are going to cost you money.

Good luck!

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You might be more hands on than academically inclined. Have you considered getting your CNA or going for phlebotomy or some other job in healthcare?

Even though a program may say the minimum GPA is 3.0, you are competing against other students. Programs in my area have 300+ applicants for about 32 open positions. The ones who are accepted have 3.8 or higher GPAs, many have 4.0. It's super competetive.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Even if the OP went the for profit or lpn route, the chance of failing out is extremely high. Whether or not you can get into a program should be the least of your worries. It matters little if you are not prepared for the rigors of nursing coursework, which you definitely are not with science grades like that. If this is truly what you want to do, then you need to address whatever it is that is causing you to do poorly in your prereqs.

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