I need some encouragement :(

[lullaby]

Hi,

I am a 29 year old woman who has a BA in interior architecture/design. I live in NYC and over the past year I have decided I want to become a nurse. I feel SO great about this decision and I have never wanted anything more in my life. I have been researching heavily for the past 8 months and I am currently on the path to taking all my pre-reqs at a community college in nyc starting this summer. Once all my pre-reqs are completed I will be applying to several accelerated BSN programs throughout the country, but mostly in nyc. I will go anywhere that will accept me!!!

but lately I have been feeling pretty discouraged I know how hard it is to get into nursing school and how important your gpa is. I'm scared that it will be really hard for me to get into an accelerated bsn program because my gpa from my BA is only a 2.8

BUT the program I was in was VERY hard to get into and is so competitive [the top ranked interior architecture program in the country] and it was also a 5 year program. our PORTFOLIOS were what were most important NOT our gpa's and I was one of the top students in my class! just making it through that program with anything above a 2.5 was considered a huge accomplishment.

I guess what i'm looking for are any stories of people who got into programs relatively quickly, despite lower gpa's. I have some really great recommendation letters, my personal essay will be great, I'm doing volunteer work in a hospital, and I will HOPEFULLY get a 4.0 on all my pre-reqs as I know how important all A's will be!

I don't mind waiting a while to get into a program but i'm hoping i don't have to wait more than 2 years after i'm done with all my pre-reqs.

my other question is do you think schools will finally give you a chance if you apply like 4 times?! do they finally let you in if you meet all of their requirements and continue to apply for years?!

I need some encouragement. I really have never wanted anything more in my life and am willing to do whatever it takes to become a nurse!

:)

[shippoRN]

HI fellow NYer, I actually just found this thread (see link) the other night , it is my beacon of hope. I have a BS myself and my GPA when I graduated was laugable at best, i had some of the prereqs when i graduated and i am currently taking some more while I am waiting to hear if I have been apcepted. The link is of a student who applied last year to the ADN program I applied too (i hope he or she doesn't mind me showing you this)

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/please-help-me-regarding-my-bad-grades-nursing-program-171044.html#post1760762

(read post # 6 on the thread)

While she didn't apply to a BSN program, I still think it will give you some encouragement, I know it sure keeps my spirits up when ever i read it, that maybe someone at the school I applied too will be willing to take a chance on me.

With that said if this is what you want, then by my all means go after it guns blazing and remember the schools are going to focus on the prereqs that matter to them and the GPA of the prereqs that matter to them ( i hope that made sense)

Good luck with everything, and don't discount the ADN programs, its another avenue to explore.

I hope this helps :)

[Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would say just do well in your pre-req's, that will boost your GPA and you won't have to worry so much. Also, find out if the school you are planning on applying to looks at other things such as your references and entrance exam scores. It sounds like you have already done some research so you know what you need to do. I don't know if applying 4x's will help, but finding out what you can do to improve yourself for re-applying certainly wouldn't hurt. Don't be discouraged, take the next steps and you will be fine!

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

Make sure you've checked with your local colleges to see what their admission standards are....the CC I attend only required biology and chemistry with a "C" to apply to the program, as well as a passing grade on a dosage calculations test, and then you were put on a waitlist -- period. They did not use a weighted scale to determine admission.

Once you know for sure what YOU are dealing with, you can go about attacking any known obstacles and plan how to get where you want to go. You can relax and do what you need to do to get in. Knowledge is power.

Best wishes!

[UNCNurseWannaB]

This would be great information to include in your essay. At my school, we get an "open topic" essay were we can talk about anything "lacking" on our application. Ex, not much community service, but you have worked full time to support family while going to school. If you explain the nature of your program, they will be impressed that you went to that school, and graduated - and may look over the GPA. Just do REALLY well on your pre reqs!

[lullaby]

thanks for all the feedback everyone! i do feel better, i'm just focusing on getting the best grades i can in the pre-reqs, and then i will be applying to as many programs as i can in NYC, chicago and cleveland. i will also apply to ADN programs but it's my understanding that it's actually easier for me to get into an accelerated BSN program.

hopefully it won't take too long to get into a program, good luck to everyone who is also trying to get into nursing!