is it even possible?

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Would it even be possible for me to get into a nursing program with this as my situation:

My first 3 semesters of college I did horribly in school, very bad grades.

For the past few semesters I have had very good grades (3.5/4.0)... but my gpa is still around 3.0 and i used a gpa calculator and found it will be almost impossible to bring it up to even a 3.5 (like 100+ credit hours would be needed or something)

I will be starting volunteer this month and getting CNA certification after taking the class in the spring, then getting a job at a hospital sometime around March hopefully in the kcmo/johnson county area.

I will have all pre-reqs/core-reqs done for most of the BSN programs and ADN programs by the end of next fall for NS deadlines in janurary of 2010.

With the little experience I have should I apply for any RN nursing programs next fall/winter (09/10) .... or should I wait until the fall/winter after that (10/11)?

will they take into consideration the fact that my grades have improved and been great for atleast 2 years when they go thru applications or will they just look at the overall number?

Let me know, any input you all have is great! Thanks!!

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

Sure, it's possible. A 3.0 is not a terrible GPA, and if you do really well in your science prereqs it will look good on your application. Apply for the very first semester that you will be eligible. It won't matter how much experience you have as a volunteer or CNA (although it will not hurt you in the application process), just start applying to all the nursing schools as soon as you have those prereqs done and/or are eligible. Contrary to popular belief, you CAN get in without a perfect (or near-perfect) GPA. There are plenty of nursing schools in St. Louis to choose from....you may face a bit more competition, but it might not be as bad as you think.

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Lauren, it is definitely possible. I did HORRIBLE right out of high school, getting D's and C's, so my GPA was about 2.5! About 10 years later, finally decided to grow up and started working on pre-req's getting A's and ended up getting my LPN. Although I will say that I was not able to compete in some schools around here because of my terrible grades, and I even tried to explain my situation, but it didn't matter. But there is a way to get what you want! Don't give up! I am now in an RN bridge program and going to graduate May '09.

What area in MO do you live and what schools are you looking at?

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I'm in southern overland park, ks. I go to Johnson County community college right now to get my pre-reqs... and I am pretty interetested in their ADN programs, and LPN too.

The schools I have looked at include, JCCC, KU, Mid-american Nazarene, UMKC, Park University, Penn Valley, Rockhurst, St. Luke's, K-sate, Pitt State.... pretty much every school in the area ... and then some.

My first semesters were at KU and they have an academic forgiveness thing where they will wipe out my bad semesters, but that means I would have to take comp I and II again.... im not 100% sure how that whole process works, but i think that might increase my odds of acceptance into their BSN or RN-BSN program eventually.

What bridge program are you in now? Where were you before? Are you happy taking the LPN route? Are the other students very accepting? Are bridge programs hard to get into?

Sorry for all the questions... I just have so many!!!!

Thanks for all the input!

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I am currently in a bridge program up in Maryville. It was pretty easy to get into, and some people in my class aren't even done with all of their prereq's. The school is allowing them to finish them during intercession or something. Maryville would be a very long drive for you though!

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I'd say your best bet is to make appointments with the nursing counselors or coordinators at the programs you are interested in. Ask them about where you stand and where you want to go and what you need to do to get there.

That will be your best bet and (almost) surest place to get the straight scoop for your planning!

Best wishes!!

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