Challenges of applying for nursing schools

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I am about to complete my final year of a BSc, and would like to go to nursing school, preferably Kwantlen (post bacc program) or BCIT. My problem is that my GPA has been dragged down this past year by difficult courses, so its not stellar to say the least. I have solid related experience though- over 100 hours volunteering in a hospital and 160 hours volunteer work in an accident clinic where i spent 8 hours a day working alongside the nurses doing basically all the things they did. Do I have a chance of getting in? Suggestions welcome.

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where i spent 8 hours a day working alongside the nurses doing basically all the things they did..

I'm just curious... what exactly did you do with nurses? I would imagine, as a volunteer, there would be a very limited amount of work you could do.

To address your question, it really depends on the programs you're applying to. In my program, volunteer/work experience was irrelevant to your admission. It was solely based on your TEAS score and your grades in the prerequisite courses.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

We moved your thread to the Canada Nursing programs forum.

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My program did not consider volunteer work either. I'm not sure that I've every heard of a BSN program that does. Most programs require at least a 3.0 to be considered: this is because, statistically speaking, those who can obtain a 3.0 during pre reqs have the best chance of finishing the nursing program and passing NCLEX on the first try. On top of that, many students are applying, so the school is going to take the best out of all the applications. Again, this is because those students have a higher chance of finishing school and passing NCLEX, thus keeping the nursing school's pass rates up, which is something that the state, accrediting organizations, and prospective students consider.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

How did you do nursing skills as a volunteer ?

Volunteer hours will not overcome an inadequate GPA.

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I did a volunteer practicum in Germany, where they are a lot less strict about what a volunteer can do. I changed bandages, removed IV needles, cleaned wounds, removed stitches, helped patients shower, made beds etc.

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