How much does my first degree matter?

[gohokies]

I recently graduated with a business degree and I hate it. I don't want to go into detail about why I continued with it but I have reasons as to why my grades sucked! I really want to get into an accelerated nursing program somewhere anywhere really but it's hard to stay positive when I feel like everything relies on my undergrad degree. I graduated with less than a 2.5....it's really hard to stay motivated and do well when it's something you absolutely hate. Please give me some feedback!! I have done a lot of research but every program requires a minimum of 2.5 or 3.0 and sometimes I feel like I shouldn't even bother applying.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

ABSN's are highly competitive and you're realistic in thinking a

I'm 2nd career and couldn't get into a absn with my 2.7gpa from my 1st degree. I opted to go to a diploma program instead. All said and done (including redoing all science pre-reqs), it took me 2 1/2 years to complete (1st pre-req to passing nclex).

Look at local programs to see what you can transfer from your prior degree. It very well could lessen the number of classes needed.

I'm in a rn-bsn now and the only non-nursing class I needed was stats.

[PVCCHoo]

Well your pre-reqs can raise your GPA a little bit. You may need as many as 30 credits just to apply. I took 28 credits prior to actually starting nursing school - A+P 1,2, Dev Psych, Micro, PreCalc, Chm 1+2, and a computer class. Got straight A's, but that only raised the GPA from a 3.1 to a 3.3!

An accelerated program is not the only option though. I am getting my ADN at community college and doing an online program for BSN at the same time through ODU. Will take two more years since I just started. I don't think that is much slower than the accelerated programs I looked at for George Mason or VCU.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

Some programs look at your prerequisite GPA separately from your combined GPA or even perhaps just your GPA from your most recent 60 units, or whatever... You have to look at their admissions process/standards and see how they break all that down.