Published Feb 13, 2014
randyramirez
3 Posts
Hello, to all this is my first time ever posting a thread mainly because i have many questions that i do not have answers too and dont know where to begin looking for them i hope this will help in my dream to become a nurse. I am a current 3rd year junior at California state university of Northridge i just recently dicovered nursing is what i want to do as my carrier choice and have 5 semesters under my belt . I have an accumalitive GPA of 2.4 and by the end of this semester should be up to a 2.8. thats not my gpa for my pre-requisites that would probably be higher depending on this semester. i have completed almost all my pre-reqs for most nursing programs except for microbiology and anatomy. I was told to graduate with the highest gpa possible in any subject and then apply for the nursing program here at csun i was wondering if i can transfer my pre-reqs at a comunity colege get by adn and then finish my bsn back at csun hopefully? the counclers here have not been very helpful im hoping i can get information from here. on a side note i have retaken some prereq classes once for a better grade mainly speech and chem i dont know if that will affect me? am i really at a bad start? can i somehow pursue my nurssing career in my current position? should i stay at csun? or should i leave get my adn and come back? will a community college even accept me? what is the smartest choice for an individual in my position any comment that is related to my post is welcomed even criticism someone be real with me tell me where im at what i have to do and i will get it done i just need a little push in the right direction i hope i didn't bore you all too death and thanks for your time and patience with me.
wheeliesurfer
147 Posts
You might be out of luck in transferring to a community college since they typically will only allow attendance up to a certain number of units. I'm not sure what the limit is, but you can certainly look into it. The alternative is to look into a BSN program that has a 2 year RN component (where the gen ed requirements and nursing pre-reqs are the first 2 years of the bachelors, then the nursing program itself is 2 years of just nursing classes) instead of a 4 year nursing program where english, math, etc are mixed in with the nursing classes.
Another possibility is getting your MSN as a direct entry into a nursing program. If you did this, your bachelors would be in whatever you want, and then you enter a masters program and go through the basic nursing program eventually earning your higher level degree.
As far as your GPA, it is on the low side for the competitive entry into CA nursing schools. You would do well to hunker down and really work as hard as you can to get A's in your classes. Most importantly, you want to have high grades in all the foundational science classes. The classes that you have re-taken for a higher grade should have the grades replaced on your transcripts to increase your overall GPA, as if you never got the lower grade to begin with.
Hope that helps some. Good luck in your studies!
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
Your GPA is a huge problem since nursing program admissions are so competitive. However, there are a lot of other health care professions - you may discover that those programs are less competitive. Take a look Healthcare Occupations : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . There are quite a few with Associate Degree entry. Later on, if you still have a burning desire to become a nurse, it is much easier if you are transitioning from another clinical occupation.
Best of luck to you!
Thank you for replying and sorry for the late response. i have 60 units at the moment im just not sure what is the best route for me too take at the moment ? should i stay at csun and try and get the best gpa possible and hope to get into a program after? my main cources in Bio i have only taken Physiology and got an A so im feeling strong in the bio field. my GPA will rise significantly after this semester after my grades are replaced should i stay and graduate with any degree? that sounds a bit unwise dont you think? i just want to start working as soon as possible i know this is what i want to do. at the same time i dont want to continue waisting money at a CSU if there is a better smarter faster way. once again my pre-reqs gpa will be very much higher then my overall gpa do i have any hope? should i stay should i go? your opinion will be very much appreciated and explored hope to hear from you again i will check this blog much more frequently now. also id like to hear more about the msn program you mentioned if possible once again thank you.
You might be out of luck in transferring to a community college since they typically will only allow attendance up to a certain number of units. I'm not sure what the limit is, but you can certainly look into it. The alternative is to look into a BSN program that has a 2 year RN component (where the gen ed requirements and nursing pre-reqs are the first 2 years of the bachelors, then the nursing program itself is 2 years of just nursing classes) instead of a 4 year nursing program where english, math, etc are mixed in with the nursing classes. Another possibility is getting your MSN as a direct entry into a nursing program. If you did this, your bachelors would be in whatever you want, and then you enter a masters program and go through the basic nursing program eventually earning your higher level degree. As far as your GPA, it is on the low side for the competitive entry into CA nursing schools. You would do well to hunker down and really work as hard as you can to get A's in your classes. Most importantly, you want to have high grades in all the foundational science classes. The classes that you have re-taken for a higher grade should have the grades replaced on your transcripts to increase your overall GPA, as if you never got the lower grade to begin with. Hope that helps some. Good luck in your studies!
hey so any other helpful information you might now?
bbmtnbb
74 Posts
First off, community colleges in this area (I'm in Ventura County just North of LA & work in LA) WILL accept you!!I go to Ventura Community Colleges (Moorpark, Oxnard) and have two Associates already. I have 90+ units and because I am gonig for nursing it is NO problem. My husband has a Masters degree but wants to start a new BS program and is taking general courses in the subject at Moorpark. It is NO problem for him either. He has enormous amounts of credits. Community College ADN program is probably your only hope with the low GPA-it is VERY competitive!! Find a 2 yr school with a WAIT LIST and apply & wait. The 2 yr schools with points used to determine eligibility will basically rule you out due to low GPA. I think Valley college & Pierce College in Woodland Hills have wait lists for their ADN programs. Go to the web sites and look at the nursing department home pages. See the requirements and application procedures. I believe as long as you score within the parameters outlined for the cut score on the TEAS & have minimum GPA standards, you are automatically on the wait list.
I'm also interested in the CSUN program but have a 3.47 GPA and 4.0 in prerequisite courses. You would have to compete with me and in all sincerity I am worried that I won't get in. They look mainly at core science GPA to start with and then work experience & volunteer experience and GPA etc. Letters of reference are important too. I have talked to students in the program and that is what they told me. ANYONE else?