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

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
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.

Really? Yahoo!!! Way to go, girl.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

You are not too old but there are some things I would advise you not to do under any circumstances though:

1. Do not go to ANY for-profit school. Having been rejected by two schools already may have engendered in you a desperation that for-profits feed-off of. They will see you coming a country mile away. Besides, low to no standards despite what they will tell you.

2. How will you finance school? If it will be with Title IV loan money, that's another reason to stay away from for-profits. They are loan mills and leave the lion's share of even very good students stranded with tons of debt and no degree. Some of the biggest offenders are those schools run by Education Management Corporation and University of Phoenix but there are many others so beware.

3. Your grades are resonable and but a hair away from the vaunted 3.0. But don't overlook or self downplay what you bring to the table in the form of life experience and maturity.

4. Do all the due diligence research you can and be flexible. Ask others, NPs and students what their experiences were in applying.

5. Speak with the directors of various programs for tips on successfully applying to their program.

6. Don't be turned off by the pomposity of some directors if they strike a pose and tell you your not NP material. You are.

7. Make sure the program you get into is well received in the preceptor community. Very important, as there is a lot of competition for these spots and if a school can't substantively help you in this area, they are to be excluded from consideration.

8. Remember NP school is a businees and you are their clientele. You are not at their mercy.

9. There is a lot more to say so PM me if you have specific questions. I would be happy to help.

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Specializes in Nephrology Home Therapies, Wound Care, Foot Care..

If your one bad grade wasn't in nursing school, but as a pre-req, you may be able to retake it and the new grade will wipe out the old grade. Check with the cc to see if it'll work. As far as your age goes, if you're not planning on dying anytime soon, why wouldn't you do it? The next 30 or 50 years are going to go by whether or not you pursue your dreams...

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Go for it! I did my MSN in my mid forties, and more than 20 years out of school. Did one class/semester, took 5 years but I did it. I studied up, took the GRE, (which my school no longer requires)... call and ask if a good GRE score will outweigh an outdated GPA. Can't hust to ask.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Really? Yahoo!!! Way to go, girl.

Really! :yes: I now consider myself an academic badass.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
"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.

So, do the program CONSIDERS students with low GPA, or it ADMITS such students, and, if so, under which condition?

University of Michigan, both campuses, FNP has "application cutoff" of 3.0 and 3.25 (Ann Arbor and Flint, respectively). Classes of 2017 in both campuses have mean GPA of 3,85 plus. They do accidentally accept students with less than that, strictly after finishing their own BSN programs. Everybody else are either told the real standing of things while speaking with admissions, or may feel free to do one-time donation of $50, in form of non-refundable application fee.

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
So, do the program CONSIDERS students with low GPA, or it ADMITS such students, and, if so, under which condition?

University of Michigan, both campuses, FNP has "application cutoff" of 3.0 and 3.25 (Ann Arbor and Flint, respectively). Classes of 2017 in both campuses have mean GPA of 3,85 plus. They do accidentally accept students with less than that, strictly after finishing their own BSN programs. Everybody else are either told the real standing of things while speaking with admissions, or may feel free to do one-time donation of $50, in form of non-refundable application fee.

The program I am talking about both considers and also admits. The admission committee makes the decision. Because I do not sit on that committee, I cannot say exactly what is discussed. There are so many variables involved for admitting candidates that it is impossible to speculate. What I keep in mind is that things change year to year, depending on the applicant pool, size of the program, available faculty, etc. And thank goodness, my program no longer requires the GRE, which has no predictability for student's success in graduate studies. My treasured mentors encouraged me to try, and I will not discourage anyone, even if his/her chances of admission are not stellar. An outstanding undergrad GPA does not guarantee success; it is only one measurement that should be considered. But schools can do as they please. I am grateful that the one I went to considered other variables other than just my GPA, which was not stellar. I thrived in graduate school b/c I was more mature and focused. Not that a very young student can't thrive too!

It appears that you are in graduate school. It is tough but worth it. Best wishes to in you in your studies.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

[quote name=Boomer

It appears that you are in graduate school. It is tough but worth it. Best wishes to in you in your studies.[/quote]

Thanks a lot! :bookworm::writing::drowning:

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Specializes in Utilization Review.

My thoughts are to get in touch with a school advisor of sorts who might know more about the school's programs and perhaps certain courses that will help boost your GPA without looking too much like fluff. Ratemyprofessors website is an awesome resource to find out if a course sounds easy but is going to be a huge pain. Also, I would go for it! If you don't, you might always look back and think "what if?" Either way, best of luck to you!

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Graduate certificates are completed after getting a graduate degree.

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YES YES YES!!!!. Biggest mistake you can make is to say "I will be X years old when I graduate if I go back to school." How old are you gonna be at that time if you don't go back to school? SAME AGE.... DO IT DO IT DO!!!!! This is coming from someone who is doing a similar thing just so you know. DO IT!

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If you can afford it, do it!! :yes:

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