First time looking into nursing

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I am a biology major with a GPA of 2.7 and I am in my third year. I recently started to look into nursing because I like the idea of helping people on a more personal level and I also like working in busy/hectic environments. But after reading a few threads here, I am feeling a little discourage because of my GPA. Is there any way of "making up" my GPA without having to retake classes? Like, what sort of extracurricular activities do you guys recommend? I've never failed anything; I'm just an overall B- student :sniff: The reason why I don't want to retake classes is because my major requires a lot from me and there's a chance I won't graduate in time if I retake classes.

If someone can quickly explain what I'm suppose to do to get into nursing school, it would be great. I'm reading about nursing and it's a lot of information being throw at me. Is there an entry level exam to get into nursing school (like nursing version of GREs)? What's the difference between all the different licenses (LPN, RN, BSN)? I'm so confused. :crying2:

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Specializes in PCU, LTAC, Corrections.

In most cases you will have to retake classes because getting into a program is so competitive. Due to the amount of applicants to programs GPA becomes very important. I would advise you to contact program you are interested in and contact admissions so you can ask about your situation. But most likely you are going to have to retake classes in order to improve your GPA.

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What would your suggested min GPA be?

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Specializes in PCU, LTAC, Corrections.

That really depends on the program. Some school want a 3.0 minimum but accept way higher on the scale. The school I will be starting clincals with in Spring 2011 requires a 2.75 in both the sciences and the overall GPA however that is just the minimum. I have 3.0+ in both the sciences and my overall GPA. You would have the contact the program(s) that you are interested and ask about what they require for admission.

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A BSN is not a licence, that just stands for a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing which you get to be an RN. You can also become an RN with a ADN (Associate's Degree in Nursing). LPN is a different type of nurse and they don't have as much responsibilities as an RN. I personally wouldn't waste my time becoming an LPN because they typically don't work in hospitals here in NY.

Most nursing programs have nursing entrance exams, there are four main kinds. the NET, TEAS, HESI A2 and Pax RN. They all include math, reading comprehension, vocab or medical terminology and sciences. Schools require a certain minimum score. on these exams and they all vary.

Whether you have to retake classes, that depends. It depends on how many pre-reqs you have completed for the nursing program. You say you're a bio major so you might have A&P and Micro? It would depend on your grades in those classes. Also are you planning on going to a different school for your nursing program because GPA does not carry over.

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A&P and microbiology aren't required but it's required for the nursing track in my school which I plan to take or took already. I don't plan on going to the nursing school from my school. These entrance exams, are they like the nursing version of MCATs?

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Try to get an A in A&P 1&2 and Micro and if your liberal arts class grades are B- you might have a shot

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A&P and microbiology aren't required but it's required for the nursing track in my school which I plan to take or took already. I don't plan on going to the nursing school from my school. These entrance exams, are they like the nursing version of MCATs?

They're not as difficult as the MCATs, I only took the HESI A2 and I thought it was very easy, it's nothing specific to nursing on it as with the other tests. The math and reading comp were pretty SAT stylish.

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