I could really use some advice and opinions

[mandie77]

Hello everyone! This is my story.I went to school several years ago.I failed out due to personal and medical reasons.I was academically dismissed from the school.My husband is an electrician and he travels.He had a job a few years back that he was going to be there for 15 to 18 months.I went with him.They had a state technical school that had an LPN program.They didn't really care about your old college performance.I went through the program and passed with flying colors.I'm now back here doing PRN at one of the hospitals.I'm in an area that is slowly phasing out LPN's.Then the places that still use LPN's have very little turnover.So now I'm wanting to become an RN.I decided to contact my old school.They do have an academic restart program if you've been dismissed.However they have a rule that you can't have attended any other institutions in the past five years.So I still would have two more years to wait before I could even take my prereqs there.Then there's another school that would accept me to take prereqs.However they could not give me a restart on my GPA.It's a 2.4 with earning A's and B's in LPN school.My GPA from the first school was like a 0.8.I know that's horrible but I've learned from past mistakes and have paid for them dearly.The school has expressed concerned that I may never raise my GPA high enough to get into an RN program.They may say that only a 2.5 or a 2.7 is required to apply.However I need more like a 3.0 to a 3.5 to be a competitive applicant.That's a lot of straight A's that I need to make.I was just wondering if I should wait to attend the school that will restart my GPA or should I keep going with my GPA now.Then see what happens.Thanks for the help and advice.

[xInspiredx]

I would wait the two years to go to the school that will re-start your GPA. If you continue with your GPA now, it will probably take you the same amount to raise it to a competitive level. Plus, you can have a fresh start. You've learned from your past experiences, and can now be fully motivated to earn all A's in your new classes. I don't know how many units you already have, but I know (from experience) just how hard it is to raise one's GPA. It's very stressful to worry about what grades you need to have each semester just to barely bump up your GPA by 0.2, or another small number. By having a fresh start, you can relieve this stress. In the meantime, you can start studying for the TEAS exam, or any other necessary exams.

Good luck with whichever path you choose! :)

[Rooskenator]

xinspiredx said verbatim what i was going to write, so i won't re-state it.... i would wait it out, study your buns off for that teas & jump on it in two years. it'll be a real bummer if you don't get the gpa up enough and then end up right back where you are now, needing to wait even longer to re-start. you've already shown that you can handle the work, academically and professionally, and you will do just fine. the hard part is having the patience. (so hard!!) i would honestly wait & take the "safe" road if i was you. best of luck!!!!

[Feistn]

Check all area admissions guidelines. I found some that only count your last 30 credits if you get a bachelor's, for example. And I for one think that past failures are what make us strong. You got through your LPN. Maybe a program will see that and accept you.

[mandie77]

Thank you all so much for the advice and support.

[noahsmama]

Aren't there LPN to RN bridge programs, and can't you do one of those, instead of trying to restart at the school you were going to before you were an LPN? Maybe one of those would be a better bet for you.

[Saysfaa]

If you tripled your gpa in a year... from .8 at the first school to 2.4 at the end of LPN school, with some B's at the LPN school... I think you could have a reasonable gpa by the time your are done with prereqs and ready to apply to RN school... the first gpa is bad but looks like it wasn't over so many credits that it is too immovable. I'd take a closer look at each of the schools in your area. It might not matter if the other schools are super highly competetive and look only at gpa. It might matter if the school factors in any or all of the following: test scores, interviews, experience, and residency. Some schools will even factor in the obvious changes one makes as one gets serious about school (or has recovered from their health issues or whatever). Then there is cost, reputation and various other factors.