Distraught college kid

[devonbrower]

Hey all...

I've been freaking out lately because I don't know what to do with school. I'm going to the University of Utah for two years, and I've switched majors a zillion times. I've also taken a ton of science courses (intro to chem, chem lab, biology, physiology) and didn't do great in them because I was a stupid college kid and decided to party, rather than study.

Because of this, my GPA is pretty low (3.1) and I've decided I really, really want to become a nurse. Is it even possible for me? I have C's and B-'s in a ton of the pre-nursing science prerequisites, and my GPA is horrible. And I also have a W.

I had a 4.3 GPA in high school with tons of AP classes and college courses, and I came to college and got involved with the wrong crowd... and now it's taken me MANY mental breakdowns to realize that I've messed up, horribly.

Would I be able to re-take my science classes? I know nursing programs really frown upon re-taken prerequisites. I'm also thinking of wiping the slate clean and transferring to Weber State University, without transferring my credits. I realize I would be behind and I would have to take a few more generals, but having a good looking transcript is far outweighing the negatives (a little extra work since I would be wiping the slate clean).

Any thoughts?

[devonbrower]

Any help, please? I'm desperate!

[bombom]

There are several ways to become a nurse. You don't have to become an RN with a BS degree straight away if you think your transcript won't be palatable to the schools' nursing review. You can definitely try your best to go for a BSN in your area, but always have Plans B, C, and D! You can start off slow and steady by becoming a CNA. Then LVN, ADN, BSN. You can apply for LVN programs and go from there, or even an ADN program and just go through an accelerated BSN program. I highly suggest that you take some time to find nursing schools in your area and their requirements for their nursing program. Start off with the closest ones around you. Email, call, just contact the schools if you have any concerns and they'll be able to better deal with your issues and maybe even help you find your way through the process. It'll be difficult, but if you're really yearning for a degree in nursing, the hard work will all pay off when you get an acceptance into a program

As for your last concern, I'm not entirely sure if you can just wipe your slate clean... Then again, I'm in a different state and, here, you have to transfer all your classes from previous schools to the one that you intend on going to (so of course they'll see the repeats).

Just try to find the programs that can better accomodate what you already have and what you CAN do in the future to get up to where you'll need to be. I wish you the best of luck!

[bombom]

I also forgot to mention that there are some people who have bachelor degrees in a different major wanting to go into nursing. they also have programs for that if you're concerned by your grades. it's a long route as well, but in the end you'll be a nurse just the same

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

Bombom…

That was my thought too. Depending on how far along you are in your first degree, it may be advantageous to complete a degree (General Studies or any major) so that you can apply to an accelerated second degree programs. I also want to let you know that even if you start at a new school, the slate isn’t clean. If in the future you decide to attend graduate school, you will be required to send transcripts from each school attended. Both school’s GPA is calculated as your overall undergraduate GPA. I don’t think a 3.1 is a bad GPA.

You mentioned you attended school for a couple of years. It may serve you well to attend a community college for an ASN. Then transfer back to the university to complete a BSN. Your community college credits will transfer and I am sure the courses you have already taken can fit into the required general education requirements. You might not have to take many courses for a BSN then AND you will already be working as an RN.

Good luck to you!

[Saysfaa]

Some schools count only the latest take of the class, do not care how many times you retake it, and do not freak out over a "w," and as long as the overall gpa is over a 2.5, do not care what it is. All at the same time.

Some count things other than gpa (test scores, interview and/or essay) which dilutes the impact the gpa has.

I would think you'll need to retake at least the sciences you got less than a B in, and that will bring your gpa within reasonable range at some schools. Two years is not really that much to move, one year would conceivably finish off your BSN gen ed classes and/or give you a minor in something (business maybe, or economics or IT or psych or something)... and move your gpa to 3.5. If you could do 4.3 in high school and AP classes, you can get 4 points in college once you are willing to do it. A 3.5 is within range at many schools.

Many schools will understand a bad start. Although, they do tend to be much more understanding after a few semesters of seriousness rather than of "in the future."

One thing you can't do is just start going to another college as if you had never been to college. They always ask on the application and fraud is not looked at favorably by either schools, state boards of nursing, or employers. You might be able to honestly get a clean slate through academic forgiveness but as I understand it, that means losing everything so you'll lose your good grades also.

Good luck