How to increase my chances of getting into a BSN program

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Hi, I am looking for advice on how to get accepted to a BSN second degree program. I have given it much thought and I am passionate about nursing and I truly feel like this is my calling as a profession. I already have a BA in Psychology so all I have to do is take my pre-requisites for a second degree BSN program. The problem is that my GPA from my BA is pretty low (under a 3.0) and all the programs that I spoke to so far said they wouldn't even consider anyone with under a 3.3 GPA from their BA. I really didn't try very hard in undergrad and I know that if I put my mind to it, I can get straight A's (and I plan to do really well in my pre-requisites to prove it). I am getting so discouraged, is it even worthwhile for me to go ahead and take my pre-requisites when most programs aren't even interested in considering someone with my GPA? Please help if you have any advice on the matter. I really want to do this but I can't pursue a path unless I know its worthwhile for me being that I have little kids at home and going to school means time and money for me. I live in the NY/NJ area. Has anyone been in my situation? Thanks.

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It may take a bit longer, but focus on the classes listed as prerequisites for your program. Even if you may have some core classes already under your belt, maybe retake to improve your GPA. As you get As, your cumulative GPA will improve. I don't know what the requirements are for the schools in your area, but some schools only look at your prerequisite GPA for consideration. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

All of the 'second-degree' (accelerated) ABSN programs that I am familiar with place a lot of weight on cumulative GPA from the previous degree. As you have already discovered, they have very high entrance requirements. Those requirements are based on an analysis of what it takes to be successful in one of those very intense programs.

On the other hand, you can opt for a generic BSN program. It is not unusual at all for students to have previous degrees/career experience. These programs are less competitive & less expensive than the ABSN programs and may be a much better fit for you. You'll still have to have a very good GPA, but as PP said, some of them may give higher consideration to your pre-requisite GPA rather than cumulative.

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HouTx, when you say generic BSN program, what do you mean by that? Do you mean a program that offers a BSN but at a less accelerated rate? Sorry I'm at the beginning of all this so just trying to figure everything out :) Thanks

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It may take a bit longer, but focus on the classes listed as prerequisites for your program. Even if you may have some core classes already under your belt, maybe retake to improve your GPA. As you get As, your cumulative GPA will improve. I don't know what the requirements are for the schools in your area, but some schools only look at your prerequisite GPA for consideration. Good Luck!

I'm okay with this taking a little longer then expected (even though of course I can't afford to be in school for so long) but I just want to make sure that if I'm going to put in the time and effort, that some schools out there would even consider me a candidate. It would suck to take classes, study hard and do well and still be told "sorry, your GPA is too low". I specifically asked the schools if they look at my cumulative GPA or my Bachelor GPA and they said they focus mostly on the GPA from my Bachelor's degree so even if I got A+'s in all my pre-requisites, it still wouldn't bring up my previous GPA. I still have more schools to call and look into, maybe there are others that are more open in looking into all factors but that's what I've heard so far.

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I was just accepted into an accelerated BSN program that takes 35 students of over 700 that apply. My cumulative GPA was 3.1 (I slacked badly in my sophomore and junior years). But I had straight A's in my prerequsites and in my last 60 hours of coursework.

Meet with an academic counselor at the school(s) you're interested in and get their advice. Then ace your prereqs and do anything else they recommend.

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I'm looking at acc BSNs also. My top choice right now is UNLV, but I'm looking at a few other schools also (mostly back east/mid atlantic or southern area, where i'm from). It seems to depend slightly on the program. It sucks that you have a low GPA, but you can't change that now. Some programs are only looking at the courses they want- so it doesn't matter if overall you have a low GPA, if you have high courses in the classes they are actually looking at (for example, I have a C in Organic Chem, but UNLV School of Nursing only looks at Chem 108 or its equivalent) whether or not they're from your previous college. Other schools will weigh your science GPA more than your overall GPA. I got a C in my first pre req (my whole group failed. It was pretty much the worst group) and I'll be retaking some courses just to get my GPA up. Yes, it's a lot of money, I'm adding to my previous debt, and it's a lot of time (I'm still an "out of state" student, and I work two jobs, but neither add up to a career). But ultimately that seems like what I'll need to do to achieve my goal.

My plan is to take the pre reqs I can't get in without, and I've been taking them part-time to save money. Then, as I'm closer to being ready to apply, to take the rest full time (I have about a year left of pre req schooling with this plan). If I don't get in the first time, then I'll consider retaking classes I already have in order to improve my GPA.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

How far below 3.0 are you talking? You could just basically start college over and do a traditional BSN program. I did an ABSN program in 06 and the lowest GPA I ever saw accepted was a 2.8. Usually 3.0 or 3.2. The thing is that is all I found..there may be schools who accept lower GPAs. When I did it I applied all over the place…if you live light you can move and find something somewhere. North Dakota…Wyoming…anything to get where you want to be career wise.

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