GPA question. Is there hope?

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Specializes in Emergency, Pediatrics.

I am almost 36 years old and will graduate with my BSN in 10 weeks. When I graduated in 1996 from high school, I did not know what I wanted in life and I screwed up. Over the course of 2 years I tried to do college but failed with a 1.8 gpa. I was going to college for my parents but was discouraged because nothing was interesting and I guess I was not motivated.

I ended up working for a bit, became an EMT and paramedic. Then I went to LPN school. Nursing was in my head but I didn't think I was smart enough. Well, I became an LPN and I was good at it. I was an LPN for 10 years before getting my ADN. I have been an RN since June 2011 in the emergency department and also a charge nurse since July 2013. Nursing is my passion. I hated that 1.8 gpa but I love how I came up from nothing and worked my way through until I found what I love. I want so badly to get the MSN but that 1.8 haunts me. In the last 60 hours of coursework I have earned a cumulative gpa of 3.388. But my overall cumulative gpa is still a 2.65. I am taking the GRE this May.

Is there any hope for me to get into a reputable school? I have been a much better adult learner but it's especially because I love my career choice. I feel I won't be happy til I can continue my move up the ranks. I don't want to have to settle for a school like Walden because of my gpa.

If I do a decent job on the gre do you think I have a shot at somewhere decent?

Thank you for reading.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Yes, there is hope. However, it will be harder for you to find a program that will accept you than it will be for someone who doesn't have this low GPA as an issue. You will want to do really good on your GRE, have impeccable references, and will need to research alot of programs to identify ones that will either look at your most recent GPA only, or look at your other qualifications first. It will take effort on your part, you might need to discuss with the admissions counselors at the schools you are planning on applying at. Some will tell you that you don't stand a chance, they are not the school for you. Others might tell you that you need to take a course or two as a non-matric student, so you can show that you can handle the graduate level courses. Others might have other options for you. In any case, it will take effort on your part, honestly admitting to your mistake and asking for their assistance to get the guidance you need, but there is a program for you if you really want this.

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You definitely have a chance. Admission boards look at the whole picture and if you explain it in the personal statement, they will most likely understand that the low GPA was from all those years ago

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Yes, you're probably going to have to do some legwork to find some programs that only consider your last 60 hours. This is also your opportunity to take that early failure (believe me, I am in the exact same boat!) and turn it into a killer goal statement/application essay.

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Specializes in Emergency, Pediatrics.

I emailed the enrollment advisor at Frontier Nursing University (which is where I wanted to apply for FNP).

I found out they will look at my cumulative GPAs from my BSN and ADN coursework and not the ones from almost 2 decades ago. Combined on those two, my cumulative is 3.347!!!

I will apply by May 27th for the class beginning in November. Feeling much better. I also found some schools that look at last 60 hours GPA as well.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Congratulations!

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That's great news SamRNmedic! Congrats and keep us updated!

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Hooray!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Neuro tele, ER, ICU.

That is great news Sam!!!

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