should I go to grad school at 49 yrs old, 26 yrs of nursing?

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

Are there any graduate certificates you are interested in? Sometimes the admission criteria for those are looser, and it would give you a chance to get a better GPA (at a grad level.) Not sure if it would make a difference with acceptance, but it wouldn't hurt...

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

One of our frequent posters (meanmaryjean) completed both a BSN and MSN degree in her late 50s after having been an associate degree nurse for 30+ years. She recently earned a DNP degree at age 60.

So, yes, your plan is feasible depending on how much longer you wish to work. Also, I advise you to select schools with affordable tuition to avoid massive student loan debt in middle age.

dalainey · Jun 10, 2016

I was advised to take a class at community college, undergrad to increase by gpa. Do you think I should take a related class like A&P ?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

I was advised to take a class at community college, undergrad to increase by gpa. Do you think I should take a related class like A&P ?

I would only take A&P if you are sure you could earn an 'A' grade. A&P is not a course people typically take to boost their GPAs.

People usually take fluffy humanities courses (e.g. art history, abnormal psychology, theater appreciation, human relations) to earn easy 'A' grades and raise the GPA.

sailornurse · Jun 10, 2016

Can you take something such as Epidemiology (Public Health ) or grad level statistics course to prove you can do grad level work? I would advise against taking any fluff course or undergrad courses as this may not be viewed as serious attempt.

Boomer MS, RN · Jun 10, 2016

I am struggling with the decision to fight to get into a Midwifery or NNP program. I have 26 yrs of experience. But my GPA was a 2.97. I don't even remember getting a bad grade, or what happened back then. But apparently I did. There it is on my transcript.
I have applied to 2 programs and gotten rejected because its not a 3.0. I'm so angry and so confused. I year has gone by already and the clock is ticking.
What do you guys think I should do?

Oh geez... 2.97? That is splitting hairs, IMO. You may have to do a bit of investigating, but some outstanding programs will consider less than a 3.0 GPA. It can depend on how competitive the programs are. And the NP programs seem to fall into that category. I'm sorry to tell you that, but I would say keep trying. I went back at age 48 (27 years after my BSN) and received my MSN at age 50. I was a much better student later in life. If you could do any networking in your area, that might help. There may be other factors that could help you. I wish I had some magic advice. Good luck.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

At your young age, and I mean that, I would pursue...

im 67yr, if I was your age, I would do what ever it took to reach my goal.

Sage611 · Jun 10, 2016

If you makes you feel any better, I'm 49 and going back to school this fall...to be a nurse. í ½í¸„ At least you've had a lengthy career! I was a hygienist and now am starting over. I say to go for it! You'll feel so accomplished after you've done it!

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

Go to the school of your choice and speak with admission adviser. Take it as seriously as a job interview. They will, probably, let you know what exactly you need to take.

Then:

1). if at all possible, take the class in the same college

2) take only as many of them as you can manage to get A or A- as the worst

3) if possible, take something you can transfer or at least use for good. Epidemiology, statistics, pharm, pathophys. If you want, you can take English (it is easy enough, common enough, and you will write a helluva lot of papers in grad school, so recent English course will help)

4). If you have some money to burn, get into Study Abroad for undergrad nurses program (virtually every BSN program has one). It is, basically, a nice, although kinda expensive exotic vacation with slight nursing overtones. The kick is, it usually worths 6 or so credits with guaranteed A, which is probably enough to get your GPA where it needs to be.

5). take GRE and do it good

6). ask midlevels of your specialty's choice to write you some really great letters. Ask them for connections as well, they may know somebody in school.

7). Keep in mind that specialty schools are more competitive and may want experience in the area as a "must". Mid-range FNP/ACNP/Primary Adults NP programs may be more accessible.

8). Do NOT shop around for programs with GPA below 3. They either cater to academically weaker students whom they "give a chance" (read: take muneys for poor quality education and bad job prospects), or have high internal cutoff to collect those $50 per hopeful's application.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jun 10, 2016

I would consider this: Enroll in Online University | Online Degree Programs | WGU in either the Leadership or Education MSN program. They do not decline students who are RNs based on ancient GPAs! Complete this degree (you can do it in a year if you work really hard - for under $7K). THEN you'll have the 3.0 GPA- AND -a MSN and getting into a post-master's certificate will be easier, cheaper and faster.

Boomer MS, RN · Jun 11, 2016

Do NOT shop around for programs with GPA below 3. They either cater to academically weaker students whom they "give a chance" (read: take muneys for poor quality education and bad job prospects), or have high internal cutoff to collect those $50 per hopeful's application.

"Shopping around" may not be prudent, but looking into programs is. The #2 rated graduate nursing program in the US will consider less than a 3.0 GPA. It is on their information website, and I know it for a fact. Don't give up. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there, only that you get here. It is possible. Again, best wishes.