Desparate to become an Rn--will my gpa allow it?

[WannabeRN2012]

I'm 18 and in my second semester of community college. Last semester, my GPA was a 2.7, and I'm thinking that the highest my GPA will be this semester is a 3.0. I've always wanted to become a nurse, and am not really interested in any other career. I've begun to look at prospective nursing schools, and am getting discouraged because of the high competitiveness. My community college has a good nursing program, but because you have to apply a year in advanced, and because I don't have the pre-reqs completed yet, I wouldn't be able to enroll until Fall 2010 (which is when I'm supposed to be transferring to a 4 year. So my questions are: Is there any hope that I can get in to a nursing school (even if it's not the best)? And if so, which nursing schools do you know of that don't require as high of a GPA? Or will I have to do 4 years at my community college?

[casi, ASN, RN]

It's definatly possible that you can get in. You just need to kick it up a huge notch and get your GPA up.

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

Make sure you've taken and passed Algebra before you even contemplate the prerequisites. I know this sounds silly, but some nurse wannabees stumble when it comes to the Algebra.

GPA is one factor schools look at during the application process, others vary from community volunteering to acquiring CNA and medical experience. Check with the individual school regarding their standards of choosing applicants.

[ksrose1]

With the number of students wanting to get into a nursing program your GPA will be very important. Sad to say, but all so true. I am currently an LVN at a hospital and trying to finish my RN degree at the same time. I am having an issue with one of my prereq's. Microbiology is giving me a hard time and I will more than likely have to repeat it. My GPA is 3.2 right now and I am sweating it.

[amjowens]

More schools are using point systems, which means that GPA is important. I think it's really good for the profession of nursing that it's competitive...if you think about it, med schools and law schools don't lower standards for students, but instead students have to step UP TO the standards. I guess I'm seeing the respect factor that nursing could use. Plus, nursing school is really tough, and if the pre-reqs are giving you a hard time, well...lots of students who DO get in DON'T make it because of grades. So, either way, it's not easy, and shouldn't be considering the profession we're entering.

So, after that I probably sound like a jerk, but what I want to say is YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO BE GIVING UP BASED ON WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY DONE!!! You have to raise your GPA, and you CAN! It might take a year longer, or you might have to go to a school you or a route you didn't plan, but if you want something badly enough, you'll buckle down, go anywhere, do anything..to get there! It's that kind of nurse we need entering nursing, anyway. Good luck, and start NOW, first by getting over the past, and starting fresh with an "A" student attitude. You can do it.

[WannabeRN2012]

Thanks for the replies everybody! I talked to my adviser today, and she says that I might be able to get in to the nursing program there, but I don't really want to spend 4 years at a community college, so I'm going to work even harder in school, starting tonight! I'm hoping it's not too late to get my overall GPA to a 3.3-3.5 by the time I start applying, and if I don't get in the nursing program but do get in to the 4 year of my choice, I'm going to reapply for the next semester.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

Good luck and stick to it!

[ksrose1]

Keep your chin up and good luck to you. Last day for application to go in was 1 April 09, had mine in 12 Feburary 09. Hope I can make it through Micro, am registering for Micro in the summer just in case. Good luck to us both.