Is there any hope in me becoming an RN?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I've completed 4 semesters at a community college and I currently have a 2.1 It's going to take almost 4 more semesters (taking 4 classes per semester) for me to even raise my GPA to a 3.0. That's like the minimum to even apply to a lot of nursing schools and I know they usually accept GPA's of 3.5+. Has anyone else on here been in a similar situation?

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Specializes in Infusion.

What is going on to cause you to get a C average in your classes? Have you been taking difficult classes? Too many classes? Family or work commitments that are preventing you from studying? If you plan on retaking classes, I would figure out what the cause of the low grades was and take them at a completely different comm college and not forward the transcripts. Not everybody is meant to go into nursing but if you have the ability to do better and a strong motivator, maybe you'll do better. I've seen people take classes over and make it and others who simply can't pull it together.

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What is going on to cause you to get a C average in your classes? Have you been taking difficult classes? Too many classes? Family or work commitments that are preventing you from studying? If you plan on retaking classes, I would figure out what the cause of the low grades was and take them at a completely different comm college and not forward the transcripts. Not everybody is meant to go into nursing but if you have the ability to do better and a strong motivator, maybe you'll do better. I've seen people take classes over and make it and others who simply can't pull it together.

My first two semesters, I did pretty good (All B's and maybe 2 C's), but I was going through a lot my last 2 semesters, ESPECIALLY the 4th semester, and my grades definitely reflected that. I do know that I can pull things back together this time around. Is not forwarding my transcript from my old college possible? I always thought that that was against the rules at most colleges, but that'd be awesome if I can only forward grades from my new community college.

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Specializes in Infusion.

You know what, I didn't fully research the idea of simply not sending a transcript. I've heard it recommended before so not really sure if it is a good idea. I will look into that and you should too.

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I'd look into programs that look at more than just the GPA. A 3.0 will be an uphill battle for a program that solely looks at GPA. If I were in your shoes I'd probably apply to programs that look at the total person. I know some programs give points for health care experience so perhaps doing a CNA course and working as a CNA or tech might help your case. Getting a high score on your entrance exam might help as well, whether its the TEAS or HESI or whatever test they require. Volunteer, get letters of recommendations.

You can also try private universities. I'm not talking about questionable schools. State schools are extremely competitive due to the numerous people that apply. I know people that did not get into my program ( A state school) that got into private universities. These are fine schools with great reputations. They tend not to be as competitive as state schools though because of their high tuition. Note, I'm not saying that they are easy to get into. - But if you have a 3.0, around here you could get into one of those schools whereas its nearly impossible to get into a state school with a 3.0. Just be ready to pay 5-10 times what it costs at a state school.

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I would definitely do some research about requirements for schools in your area. Where I go half of the spots go to those with the best gpa, teas, and grades in a&P the other half is a lotto. If this is what you want, dont give up!

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Specializes in CNA II.

Some community college nursing programs will accept courses that have been taken more than once to raise GPA so you may want to find out if your school does that.

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Maybe you are taking to many classes at one time and not able to put as much into each class as you would like. Try fewer classes so you can study because just the pre-reqs for nursing will require studying. I am returning to school after being out for 7 years. I completed my undergrad with a 2.45 so keep trying and it is not a race.

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I think that there is definitely hope, especially if your community colleges work like they do here and the program is just a waiting list that is not competitive. However, just as a word of advice if you do get into a nursing program, you NEED to take every opportunity with tutoring and improve study habits because nursing school is difficult, and at least in the program that I'm in you have to maintain a 76% just to pass any class or test.

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You should forget about your past existence in community college and start fresh. Take the courses you need at a new college and only forward your transcripts from your new college. It is important not to tell or send anything to new college in the form of transcripts. They might include that in your new academic record at your new institution.

While it might not be status quo to do this sort of thing, you do what you have to do. Make sure you do better the second time around. Never mention about your first community college experience on any application to any nursing school. Pretend like you never took classes.

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You should forget about your past existence in community college and start fresh. Take the courses you need at a new college and only forward your transcripts from your new college. It is important not to tell or send anything to new college in the form of transcripts. They might include that in your new academic record at your new institution.

While it might not be status quo to do this sort of thing, you do what you have to do. Make sure you do better the second time around. Never mention about your first community college experience on any application to any nursing school. Pretend like you never took classes.

What about with stuff like FAFSA though? I applied for that my first four semesters of school and I thought that the schools could find my information that way?

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I would be honest (I believe integrity and honesty are traits one needs for nursing) and maybe speak to an advisor, or someone in the nursing department to see what you can do to get in. If you do have other grades from a different school then use those grades also to pull up your GPA. Hang in there! You can do it!;)

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