I want to be a Nurse!

Nurses General Nursing

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i want to be a nurse but i cannot get into school anywhere. i have a bachelors degree with a gpa of 2.7 ( i know that it is low). i have 5 years of cna experiance and a year and a half of research. i have applied to seven bs to bsn programs but cannot get in because of my gpa. if anyone has any advice on a program or school that i should look at or even a different way that i could become a nurse it would be greatly appreciated.

thank you for your help!

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

I am looking into three different universities to pursue my BSN and off the top of my head I know for sure one of the university's requirement is minimum career grade point average (GPA) of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale ... in which case you'd be ok. Sometimes on the college websites they have a nursing program coordinator's email address, you could try and email that person, I know in my experience I have received a reply from each email I sent for more information.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma.

What about a school that only looks at your prerequisite GPA? Many community colleges and universities for a traditional program in my area base admissions off of your GPA in prereq courses only (granted you need a 3.5+ in those courses to have a shot at all- and really a 3.7+). You would not be a competitor for a second degree bachelors though because they do look at your previous degree GPA and honestly yours would be too low to be considered.

You didn't say what your degree with the lower GPA was in. Why not try to find a school that considers prereq GPA only? Take some of these classes (A&P 1 and 2, bio etc) at a local community college since they often have flexible meeting times and are more affordable. Take only one course a semester if you have to in order to make high marks. If you do well in your recent classes many schools will look at your current track record. They will realize you are serious about school now and are willing to put in the work and sacrifice to realize your dream of becoming a nurse.

Also what about a community college ADN program? A few around me have a waiting list and if you meet the minimum requirement (C or higher in prereqs) you will have a seat in the nursing program (though it takes 3-4 years at this time to start nursing courses after you put your name on the list). It's an option to consider because you know you will have a shot at a school even if it takes a while to start. I think the CC programs usually look more at just prereq GPA than overall GPAs (at least the ones around me do). If you have your heart set on a bachelors you could always do a bridge program later after obtaining your ADN.

Good luck and I hope something works out for you.

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My accelerated BSN program takes people with 2.5 and above. I got in with a 2.9 which is not much higher than your GPA. I attend Ursuline College in Ohio, I'm not sure where you are from but you should really consider applying there if you live nearby. It is a wonderful program and in 15 months you will graduate with a BSN. I am graduating in August and am hopefully returning to the Army as a nurse!!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

What is the GPA of your prerequisites?

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The way I'm doing it (because of time and finances) is through my community college that has a great associates program. I will be extending my education to a masters at some point. I already have my bachelors in another area. Alot of masters programs around me have "bridge courses" (1-3 classes) that convert your BS into a BSN before you start thier masters program.

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Hey Buddy, I am totally in the same boat as you :(. In my undergrad I had a 2.75, so when I decided to do Nursing, I knew I would have a limited choice as to schools. I am applying to 2 Community College Progarms, 1- in Pensacola (PJC) that takes people as long as you have a 2.5 GPA on all pre-reqs and college coursework--there is a short waiting list for this. Then the other school, (school 2) is also a community college in Tallahassee, they base admissions on GPA on Pre-Reqs and HESI score. My Pre-Req GPA is now a 3.55--I worked my butt off to try and maintain all A's in my pre-reqs so that I could apply and be a competative canadate. I would suggest going these two routes if Nursing is your dream, I plan on doing a online bride program through UWF while working as a Nurse. I wish I had studied harder during my undergrad--but that has motivated me to do better now. Let me know if you want to know anymore about the schools I mentioned or anything at all.. Good Luck to you!

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My degree was in Molecular Biology. I pretty much just coasted through college paying more attention on working to pay the bills then studying. I mainly received all C's in my science classes. I live in Colorado right now, but would be willing to move to anywhere in the Midwest if I got into a program. I have been looking at possible applying to the four-year BSN program. Would I be able to use my general education credits from my first degree to possibly enter as a junior and start taking nursing courses right away?

Any comments, advice or programs would be of great help to me.

Thank you!

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Some Schools allow you to use previous credits, if they were taken less than 5 years ago and for a lot of the Science classes they have to be passed with a c or better--so I would definetly look into it. I had to only do about 5 pre-req classes because the rest I had already done with my previous degree. Look into schools in your area, call them and ask what the average GPA/Test Scores they accepted last term. This will give you a reality of where you will stand with that shool. At FSU, they have a minimun of a 3.0 on all undergraduate coursework--but when I called they said the average score that they accepted for the Fall was a 3.65 and a 91% on the HESI Evolve. The same with the Communty College I applied to the Minimum was 2.5--but the average score they accepted was a 3.7 gpa and a Hesi of 93. So really do some good research, and apply to as many schools as possible.

As far as jumping right into the program as a Junior--you will have to see what the Pre-Reqs are. I am not sure, but I know most likely A&P1 and A&P2 are probably required, and I don't think in your major you are required to take that--so, you may have to do some classes. Just check some schools out, and ask lots of questions :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I just got into Mount St. Mary's Accelerated BSN program in Los Angeles, and had a terrible GPA (lower than yours) for my first BA. However, my prereq GPA put me at a 3.2 and stand alone at over a 3.8. Be sure to apply to schools that take your essay into consideration and definitely meet with an advisor if possible prior to applying. Make sure your references are strong, as well. My back up plan was the community college route, and was already on the waiting list for one.

Good luck and don't give up!

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cassandraann, don't give up!!! if that is truly your passion, keep going toward your goal. don't let 'em tell ya no. keep applying, keep learning, keep on! :hug:

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Have you thought about going to a community college and getting an ADN degree? You can get a BSN later...

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