Frustrated Prospective Nursing Student

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I have been a longtime reader of these message boards, and finally decided that this would be the best place to get feedback on what I should do next, because who better to get advice from than people who have/are going through the same thing!

I have been actively pursuing my nursing degree for about 4 years. I switched from OCC, to OU, back to OCC for financial reasons. I got a job as a NA in a hospital, and have worked there full time for about 2 years. My GPA, although improved, is still roughly a 3.3, which is not good enough to be considered for a lot of schools. My biggest issue, is that between all of the schools, there are different pre-reqs, and entrance exams. I was hoping I could gain some advice from people who have applied to multiple schools in hopes of getting in. I would prefer a community college, in hopes of getting in faster, and joining the work force sooner. I have looked all over Michigan, as well as Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana (and a few random states that I wanted to live in - haha), and have also considered going back to a 4 year university to get a random Bachelors, and doing a 2 year accelerated program. I'm currently considering applying for the LPN program, and doing the transitional program.

I just want to be accepted! I'm very good at what I do, and I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing with my life, although my grades in micro (ugh!), doesn't reflect that! My manager has basically told me I have a job whenever I graduate, and every single nurse I work with has offered to write a letter of recommendation. If only I could use that as admission leverage!

I would ideally love to stay in SE Michigan, so I can live at home & still work, since I pay for everything. However, I won't mind driving if that is the case. Just wondering if there's anyone who knows of a school where having a 4.0 isn't basically a requirement, and I might have a CHANCE of getting into!

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Specializes in Surgical, Emerg, Medical, Community.

I wish I knew. A brother and sister I know were trying to upgrade their marks to get into the nursing program. The sister got a 4.0 and got into the program, and her little brother had a 3.8 and didn't get into the program (it's an associate degree program). His lowest mark was a B+. Have you tried calling the schools you're interested in and asked what this years average was for acceptance into the program?

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Specializes in Surgical, Emerg, Medical, Community.

and by the way, he went back to school to upgrade is micro mark.. he had the B+ in Micro.

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Ugh, I have a 4.0 GPA in my required classes, taking micro right now and it is the WORST class I have taken yet. I am driving myself crazy:banghead: trying to maintain/improve the low A I have in the class at this point. HATE Micro.

I don't have any information on other schools, I am finishing up my pre-reqs in the fall semster at OCC. However, if you retake a class to improve your GPA the better score takes priority over your last score. There are 11 class that your GPA is based on to get into the OCC program. Look at those and see what you can improve. Commit and study HARD. The reason the GPA is so competetive to get into these programs is because so many students retake classes to improve their GPA following a rejection. I like that OCC bases their admissions soley on pre-reqs and not in combination with a standardized test, such as MCC which weights A+P, Micro and the HESI exam I think.

My personal opinion is that completing a random Bachelors to find an accelerated program or trying LPN to transitional (if what you really want in the end is an RN position) is just as much school as retaking the classes that are keeping you from gaining entry. If you find that the classes you scored lower in are extremely difficult than I would suggest pairing them with an easier pre-req. This semester I took Micro with Psych. I knew I could do well in a Pysch class and it was a breeze for me - that way I could focus more of my attention on Micro. Or just take the classes that are more difficult for you on their own.

I am 27...went to college after high school but wasn't serious about it. After I had my first daughter 2 1/2 years ago I went back to school, somehow I am maintaining a 4.0 between my toddler and now a 5 mo. old infant and holding a full time job...I'm sure you can do this. A 3.3 isn't a bad GPA, it just isn't a GPA that will get you admission to the Nursing Program..but you can fix it. JMO...good luck!

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I don't know if you have perhaps considered any of the private colleges or even a for profit school. I'm currently in the nursing program at ITT and my process was a tough one as well. My gpa was the same as yours and I had a terrible time trying to get in anywhere. I think my best chance that I had before finding itt was at u of d mercy. But with itt, They solely base your entrance off an entrance exam. The top 30 scores are admitted ever september and march. I am about to enter my third quarter with then in september and so far I couldn't be happier. It did cost me more than an average community college but with loans and grants this far I haven't had to come out of my picket with any up front cost. They build the pre reqs into the program and you are able to transfer classes in if you have already taken them as well. This is a good thing because then you can also lower your over all costs.just something I thought maybe you would like to consider. Good luck!!

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Hi!

My best advice to you is to retake your micro class for an A and re apply! Also check rate my professor and talk to whoever you can about the teachers you have to choose from when registering- the teacher makes all the difference. Don't give up, good luck to you!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, dementia, hospice.

Considering that you've been actively pursuing a path in nursing for several years, it's unlikely that getting parked on a lengthy ADN program waiting list sounds very desirable. However, have you considered schools like HFCC and Schoolcraft, where you are guaranteed admission after completing certain prereqs and entrance tests at a reasonable level?

Despite reported waiting times of up to four years till program start, it's possible that you could be moved up to an earlier spot, should others drop off the waiting list for various reasons. At the very least, you could secure a spot on these waiting lists while you retake some classes to increase your GPA and/or pursue BSN prereqs, since it sounds like that's your ultimate goal. That way, when you finish your ADN, you'll be ready to enter a BSN program with minimal hassle. Meanwhile, as your GPA increases, you'll be able to compete for spots in other programs.

Best of luck to you! You sound very committed to a career in nursing. You'll find a way to make it happen.

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If your heart is in it, I would retake the classes over and use the LPN route to get started at OCC. I think the cutoff was a 3.6 last year for the LPN. They only calculate gpa of 6 classes to get into the LPN program. Its only 12 more months after that to finish with an RN.

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