HELP!! Other Options

[Jordan1927, ASN, BSN]

So, i didn't get into nursing school, any of the one i applied to, and my GPA is ****. So im going home for the rest of the summer to work, save money, and figure out what i'm gonna do.. Here's my dilemma. I have 3 options, as i see it right now.

1. I can go to Ga State, retake all the classes i got Cs in (along with sum random classes to boost my GPA because who takes 4/5 sciences all together in one semester), get my GPA up to a 3.4 at best, and reapply for nursing school for Spring 2017 or Fall 2017.

2. Change my major (I'm thinking Respiratory Therapy because it sounds interesting, and i want to stay in the medical field), get a Bachelors in whatever i change to, then apply to nursing school at an Accelerated BSN program.

3. Not go to school (well university that is) altogether, go to CNA school, get a job as a CNA, gain experience, then apply for nursing school for Fall 2017 or Spring 2018.

I have no idea what to do, mainly because i'm so frustrated and blind sided by how horrible i've done these past 2 years in college. I'm hoping you guys can give me some advice?

Thanx :-)

[erickz623]

If you're still dedicated to becoming a nurse, I would work on boosting my GPA up to the 3.4 mark. Many nursing schools require a minimum of 3.0 to get in (some more, some less).

[Shagce1]

Have you considered community college for associate degree? Some don't require a minimum gpa. Just a completion of pre-req's. There may be a waiting list to get in, but then you could work on your cna certification and then work as a cna to save money and gain experience?

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

If your ultimate goal is to become an RN then of the 3 you only have 1 choice.

#2 won't work because all the RT schools around here require a certain GPA and while its shows a low min GPA, its also competitive and that low min GPA won't cut it in order to get into the programs. Most colleges/uni show a lower min GPA as a requirement however, they tend to take from higher GPAs than the minimum.

#3 won't work because becoming a CNA won't do anything to change your GPA. If your GPA didn't cut it for this time when you applied, becoming a CNA and reapplying at a later date doesn't change the fact that your GPA is too low.

If you really want to become a nurse you have to get your GPA up. That means going back and redoing classes you did poorly in.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

I don't believe experience as a CNA has any bearing whatsoever with being accepted into nursing school; and when I started at a community college, there was a specified minimum GPA to be allowed into nursing program (associate). Of course, this was a community LPN-RN bridge.

But, if there are associate degree programs who don't have a stated minimum GPA requirement, you can bet your bottom dollar that the lowest GPA student will never be selected, especially when competing against those students who went from kindergarten to valedictorian with the "I have to get an A; the A- is not good enough" mindset.

I agree with the previous poster who suggested working on that GPA because you may need the grades in later no matter what your major is now. If you don't improve those now, later down the line, you will regret it.

[Daisy94]

Get your associates then do the bridge program to become an RN, then get your BSN. The second option sounds good too.

[Jordan1927, ASN, BSN]

So most of you say option 1. That's what i was thinking, because even though I'm horrible at and hate science, it seems like the most direct and logical of the 3. Thank y'all so much!!

[nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

What is your GPA currently? I would apply to associate degree nursing schools. I wasn't accepted to any BSN programs, but was accepted at all ADN programs with from what I remember a 3.19 GPA. I initially didn't even consider ADN programs because I knew I wanted a BSN, but I stand by my decision to attend an ADN. Some schools only accept the original grade or county repeats against you so be careful with retaking courses.

This is the way I see it. You'll probably take 2-3 semesters to retake the science classes plus probably 3 years for the BSN. You can finish an ADN in 2 years and finish an RN-BSN in another year.

[Jordan1927, ASN, BSN]

its currently a 2.92 which isn't good for anywhere

[Shagce1]

My program was a petition process. Not based on gpa. Just completion of pre reqs and space in program. Although the students that finished successfully were the ones who scored highest on pre reqs and Teas exam.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

Keep in mind that depending on where you live, getting into an associates program can be just as hard as getting into a BSN program. All the community colleges near me require a minimum 3.2 GPA, certain pre-reqs, and taking the TEAS test. You wouldn't get into the school I went to with Cs in your science classes.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Great advice from PPs. I just wanted to add - make sure you have figured out why you haven't been more successful in school. Then take steps to fix what's broken. Those courses are easy-peasy in comparison to nursing courses, so you need to build some serious academic muscle power before you get there. IMO, failing out of nursing school could very well be even more devastating than being unable to get into a program.