Frustrated...& seeking advice please!

[mag426, ADN, BSN]

Hi, to make a long story short I have been attending a CC for some time now taking pre-requistes and my goal is to get into a nursing program A.S or transfer for my B.S in Nursing whichever is accessible first. I currently work in a hospital as a PCA and I work with nurses all night long and this just makes me even more anticipated in getting into the Nursing Program and in a couple of years becoming a nurse. I just want to start the program already, I'm starting to give up hope! My issue is that my GPA isn't so great due to overestimating my capacity to take on as many classes as I did in the beginning when I first started and the fact that I wasn't putting my all into them. But I've grown since then and have been able to turn the last two semesters around and improve it a lot. Still my GPA is not up to par with all the other numerous nursing students attempting to apply to the same programs that I am. My question is since I'm only 22 credits away from graduating with an A.S in Natural Science, would it be best if I just focus on finishing this degree and then applying to transfer into a BSN nursing program or just go for the ADN or BSN nursing program and hope that most of my credits transfer over and I get accepted into a school by Spring 2013 with the not the best Gpa?... Just would love some friendly advice =) Thank you!

[leenak]

Generally, an AA/AS doesn't buy you anything except a feel good 'I completed something' type personal accomplishment. If you want an ADN or BSN, then work on getting into a program. There is no reason to complete the AS unless you want to for personal, feel good reasons.

[3rdgenRN2B]

22 credits is still a long way to go. I would focus on whatever you need to do to get into a nursing program. Take whatever pre-reqs you need and just focus on getting the best possible grades. Don't take on too much at once, just focus on a class or two at a time. If you have to retake a couple of classes to get your GPA up then do it.

For now, I would make an appointment to speak to a couselor or nursing advisor. They can go over your transcripts with you and tell you what you can and should do to increase your chances of getting in.

Don't let your past dictate your future. I did HORRIBLE in college when I first attempted it. I was on academic probation. However, I retook some courses and am now on the Dean's list and am awaiting my invite to the honor society. I went from a GPA under 2.0 to a 3.75. It was hard work, and it took a little longer than I would have liked, but it is doable.

And as an aside, I had decided to "just finish" my associates in general studies. Yes, it gave me a sense of accomplishment, but that's about it. It won't help me get into nursing school.

Also, sometimes when you transfer schools, your GPA goes away and you start from scratch. However, I don't think that's the case for nursing school. Even if you transfer, at least at my school, they look at all your courses in the past 5 years and figure them into your NGPA. And any classes that fit into the ADN degree, even if they are 20 years old, get figured in as well....

Sorry if I've bombarded you with info but I want to help! But the first thing I would do if I were you would be to make an appointment to talk to someone at your school about your goals and see what they say. Good luck!!

[mag426, ADN, BSN]

Thank you guys so much this has helped a lot and your right I think I want to feel a sense of accomplishment since I've been at this for awhile and no progress into the nursing program just yet. But I am going into my school on Monday to talk to an advisor about what my options are and what I have to do now to get into their nursing program at least if I have an ADN in Nursing I can start working as a nurse if my job takes me on and if not I would continue on to get my BSN regardless. This has cleared up a lot thank you again.