Do I stand a chance at getting into nursing school?

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I am currently a senior in college at a relatively good school majoring in psychology. I currently have a 2.85, which should go up (I'm not sure as to how much) after this and next semester.

I always knew I wanted to go into nursing - I didn't get into nursing school for undergrad so my plan was to major in something else and then go to an accelerated nursing program. I was on this track for my first year or so of college, then had some sort of crisis where I wasn't sure if this was what I wanted to do. I stopped taking nursing pre-reqs, started taking courses in other areas and tried to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.

In this time, I was diagnosed with panic disorder (which I now have under control) and was dealing with quite a few family issues - which have since been resolved. Although I know it's no excuse, my grades did suffer. If I had focused more on school during these times my GPA would likely be around a 3.3, nevertheless one semester I did awful and got 3 C's which brought my GPA down a lot.

After exploring other areas (counseling, law), I decided that nursing truly is what I want to do with my life. I'm looking into programs to apply to and realize I don't think I stand a chance with several of them. Right now I have it narrowed down to 2, one of which I'll be able to apply to in June because it only requires 2 pre-reqs to be completed at time of application. I plan on applying to another in September.

I have very few pre-reqs actually completed (only bio, nutrition, and statistics). I'm taking General Chem at my college next semester and am also planning on taking A&P I at a community college in my area. I have an OK resume... I interned at huge hospital in Boston last summer, and am going to be interning there again next semester in the nursing division. I have also volunteered at a few hospitals since high school. However, much of my other work/circulars aren't medical based as I was trying to look at other things before deciding on nursing. I am now very anxious that I waited too long to do this and wasted my undergrad career and will be spending an extra 3-5k on taking pre-reqs at community colleges the next year or so.

I need some SOUND advice on whether or not I actually stand a chance or if I am wasting my time, please!

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EDIT - I am also planning on taking a CNA course once I graduate come May. I'm not sure if this will help my chances of getting in or not!

Any advice is appreciated!

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I would say based on your grades it would be very difficult to get in and hard if you get in to do well. Take some hard science like A and B and get a good grade and I would revaluate your chances

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

What is the minimum GPA required by the schools you are considering? Keep in mind that while a school's requirements may be one number, if admissions are competitive that even those above the cutoff may be too low. Have you spoken with an admissions advisor at all? That would be a wise path, as we cannot tell you what specific schools are looking for.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

The answer is - it depends. Also remember there are multiple ways into nursing profession. ADN, BSN, ABSN, DEMSN. Explore all options available. And figure out which programs you are able to apply to successfully

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There are a few programs that only look at pre req gpa. Or gpa in the last 60 units. I am in the process of applying right now and now a few students who have gotten in with a 3.0. So if you can bring your gpa up, I think you have a chance. I would also suggest looking at other factors that can make you stand out, such as volunteer work. Good luck!!

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The min. GPA for one is a 2.75, the other does not state what theirs is. I am meeting with an admissions counselor at another school this week as well. Thanks for your advice, I'll look into speaking with more admissions counselors.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

You're asking a bunch of strangers to gauge your admit chances? Over asking a reasonable question of your chosen facility's Admissions Department?

Why?

And why would you believe an Internet forum over your chosen facility's concrete answers? I guess I don't understand your question.

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I'd really be calling/emailing a few different programs admissions offices to see where you stand. The GPA stands out, many programs are competitive. The best advice you'll get is from admissions advisors.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to prenursing forum

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Your grades will limit you, but I know there are associate's degree RN programs you can get into at some community colleges. Also you can qualify for some LVN programs, then bridge to RN, then go for BSN, if that's your goal. It will likely be impossible to get into any kind of accelerated or graduate level program. If you bring your GPA up to a 3.0 you might have a shot at some BSN programs depending on your work experience and how they rank their applicants.

IMHO, you should look carefully at programs offered through community colleges, taking note of exactly how their admissions process works. There are two ADN programs near me that will put you on their waiting list if you meet their minimum requirements, then you just have to wait about two years and you're in. You might even want to consider a private LVN school - they are expensive but they have lower requirements and you will get an LVN license, which is not a bad start really for nursing. Do your homework and learn how the admissions systems work. Good luck!

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You just gotta do your research. There are so many nursing programs available and their requirements vary. Your GPA does seem rather low, but here in California it is super competitive. It just varies so much. I saw someone in the board say the program she applied to accepted everyone that applied. It's not going to be as easy as asking someone online. What I did was lookup schools that I was willing to move to the area to and looked at their requirements. I looked at the applicant statistics and gauged what my chances are by comparing it to those who were admitted. This forum was very helpful in the Nursing Programs area of the forum. I looked at what the previous posters were saying they got in with (pre-req GPA, cumulative, TEAS, etc.).

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