Have BA, want BSN, but GPA is bad - what to do?

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Hi all, this is my first time posting on allnurses, but I've lurked before and found the forums helpful.

My question is this: If I have a BA and want to make a career change to become an RN, but my GPA isn't good enough to get into any accelerated BSN programs, what should I do? I guess I could take more undergrad classes to boost my GPA, but I think this would take me 1-2 years of going to school full-time. Would a better option be to get a 2 year associate's degree in nursing? Because my GPA won't matter for that, right? And then after 2 years I'd have an associate's degree and could become an RN, and could apply to one of those nursing programs specifically geared towards RNs who want to obtain BSNs.

Is that a good plan? I basically want to do whatever I have to do to get a BSN as quickly as possible (I live in NYC and I think BSNs are pretty much required to be competitive in urban areas, right?). I'm able to go to school full time and not work.

Also, regarding those BSN programs geared towards RNs - they are generally available on a part-time basis for working people, right? I only ask because I know the accelerated BSN programs are full-time and very intense and you can't work at the same time.

If anyone has any thoughts/comments/advice/jokes/ideas, I'd really appreciate it. I'm new to all of this and trying to figure out the best path to take. Thanks in advance.

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Hey! So I think you should go to a community college, retake any courses that are required that you didn't do well in, complete any pre reqs and apply for a BSN program. The reason I say this is because you said you want the BSN and that is what is being hired around you... yes retaking courses will take time but wouldn't getting an associates degree in nursing from a community college and then a bridge program from associate's to bachelor's take awhile too? I say why not just aim for the BSN because getting into an ADN program can be just as competitive. I live in MD and do not have any part time BSNs around me.

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Sometimes ADN programs are more competitive than BSN programs and your GPA matters even more. I agree the the PP. Go to a community college and retake courses you need and prereqs for the BSN program (you will need them regardless); but I think you should then apply for both the BSN and ADN programs... Just in case.

Good luck to you!

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Agree as well. Here in the Chicago area the ADN programs are tougher to get into (from my personal experience). They tend to cost much less and therefore are more attractive. How bad is your gpa? The ABSN program I got into allowed as low as 2.75. I'd take pre-reqs, try getting your gpa up with them, and apply to both kinds of programs. Good luck!

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I'm in the same position. I have a good prereq gpa, but my undergrad gpa is below 3.0. There are schools that require 2.5-2.75 to apply, but the likelihood of being accepted is low, but it does happen. Don't be discouraged! You aren't the only one. This forum is helpful, so

don't hestitant to ask for advice to those that have already gone through the process and made it.

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Find out what you need for all the schools, do those pre-recs, get the best grades possible.

Then start applying to all of them, write an amazing essay on why you want to be a Nurse and get medical professionals to write reference letters for you.

Good luck

It's going to be a long, tough road, but worth it!

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Thanks guys. It turned out a lot of schools around me had deadlines this week for Spring 2013, so I ended up applying to both kinds of programs and we'll see what happens. I won't find out if I got in for 2 more months, so in the meantime I'm going to start looking at community colleges where I can do pre-reqs, like y'all suggested. Thanks again.

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