Is Nursing school totally out of the picture for me?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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For starters, I'm new to this site and forum for that matter, so I apologize in advance if I'm doing this all wrong.

I started off my college career pursuing pre-pharmacy and stayed on this path for 3 years --retaking multiple classes almost 3 times just because I didn't know what to do out of this path.

Fastforward, after working with nurses for a certain time frame within a military service, I've realized nursing is something I'd love to pursue and see myself doing this long-term. I've gained experience through this life experience as well.

Problem is those past classes from my pre-pharmacy phase was severely detrimental to my overall cumulative GPA.

I'm in the process of applying to nursing schools now, managed to bring my overall cumulative GPA up to a 3.2 with core pre-requisite classes (natural sciences - AP, Chemistry ; Nutrition; etc.) specific to these nursing programs in my state to a cumulative GPA of 3.56.

What are my chances to getting into programs? Also, would my associates of pre-nursing GPA follow me into nursing school? Or would nursing school be like a blank slate in terms of GPA

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Whether you go for an associates or a BSN the schools will all be very competitive, as nursing is a popular major. You may need to take some other classes that pertain to nursing that you have not yet taken. Find a university or college you want to attend and look at the list of non-nursing required classes and take them. You may also need to retake A&P.

Good luck

Annie

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For A&P I, I scored a 4.0 -taking it one time.

A&P II, I got a 3.6 -taking it twice.

I feel like a failure

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For A&P I, I scored a 4.0 -taking it one time.

A&P II, I got a 3.6 -taking it twice.

I feel like a failure

You really need to find a school (or schools) of interest and look at their way of calculating admission criteria. It varies WIDELY. Some won't recognize retaken classes for GPA purposes ...and some will average the grades together instead of taking the highest one.

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Specializes in ICU/UM.

Research programs and get some apps out. Your GPA won't reset with nursing school but I had ver similar stats 3.6 prereq 3.2 overall. Got into a good ADN program that only looked at prereq gpa. You haven't failed until you try.

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Highly suggest you make the effort to speak with a nursing advisor at any of the schools whose nursing program you are considering.

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Specializes in Critical care, Trauma.
For A&P I, I scored a 4.0 -taking it one time.

A&P II, I got a 3.6 -taking it twice.

I feel like a failure

Don't despair, OP, you may have more options than you realize.

There are a lot of variables in programs so you're going to need to do some leg work in looking at specific options in your area. But here are some things to consider.

1. Some programs only really care about the GPA from the required pre-requisite classes. Some only care about your last 60 hours.

2. Midwest schools tend to be less competitive than those on the coasts, and community colleges/trade schools tend to be less competitive than 4-year colleges.

I totally screwed up my GPA the first time I went to school. I think it was a 1.9 or something when I finally jumped ship. I got a few years of the real world and found both the direction in which I wanted to go (nursing) and the motivation with which to pursue it (which was sorely lacking my first time around). I aced my pre-reqs, and got into the 1 LPN program to which I applied. Because I was a little older and was not receiving parental support, it was important to me to start getting an increased salary as soon as possible so I bridged each step of the way -- CNA, CMA, LPN, ADN, BSN. After my LPN I was able to work FT while going for the ADN and BSN bridge programs. Because I did well in my LPN program, I never had difficulty getting into the subsequent programs to which I applied.

My story is not an unusual one, I've read SO many people on here talk about how they did not do well in school the first time. I have heard from various program directors that seeing someone come back after a few years of absence makes them more likely to take a chance on someone than if they only had, say, a semester off and are now trying to present themselves as changed and motivated. Work experience in the medical field doesn't hurt, either.

If you're not around programs that are within your reach, then consider moving if at all possible. It's better to move and get in to a state school or community college than to stay in one place and get into a sketchy for-profit school that's going to cost tens of thousands of dollars to complete. This forum is a great place to ask about people's experiences at different programs and the job market in your area.

The first step is to find the programs in your area, learn about their requirements, and reach out to representatives to ask questions about how competitive you are as an applicant. There's too much variability to paint all schools with a broad brush, you'll need to take the time to research each different program to find the best option.

Good luck with your search.

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I've been a high school English teacher. My pre-reqs came out to just a smooch below yours. I applied to two RN schools-- (Associates degree at community colleges). I was rejected by the closer one but accepted to one that is a bit of a drive.

People that get an 88 in Mircro are retaking it to get a 90. Ridiculous. I remember meeting with the adviser and saying, "I'm an English teacher. I busted my ass for that 'B' in Microbiology."

I started RN school last week and it turns out, of course, I'm not the only one commuting to that school because of not getting into the local one.

I think you've got a good chance if you spread out your applications some.

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My first time in college, I did absolutely horrible. Years later I went to community college did all my nursing pre-reqs applied to several programs and got in. I wouldn't give up. I would keep trying and I would explain that nursing is what you want vs. pharmacy and explain why. I am sure they will consider that you were a pharmacy major vs the english major who also applies. Nursing school is competitive but it there's a will there is def a way. Apply to all programs and write a cover letter. Keep your grades up and do volunteer work also. Don't give up. If I can do it, so can you!

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Specializes in SRNA.

If you apply wisely and widely, you should be able to get in somewhere.

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Don't bother with a cover letter. They don't care. They don't care about letters of recommendation, either, and won't even look at them.

The programs I applied to had hard metrics that were 90% based on the GPA of the prereqs and that's it. I received some extra points for having a previous degree. One school required that you be a CNA because they had too many people quit the first time they had to wipe an ass. The other school gave me points for being a CNA but didn't require it. One school counted your TEAS toward the admission score, the other one just required a minimum score.

Besides teaching, I've been a volunteer EMT in an ambulance company and even did 5 months with the Red Cross in a Mexican Ambulance. Neither school cared about that. It's GPA. . GPA . GPA and then you have 10--20% to wiggle with due to TEAS score or being a CNA or having a previous degree.

A cover letter is a waste of time. The schools have hard metrics and they aren't going to say "This guy wrote a nice cover letter so we'll let him in over the girl whose application is higher on our metrics."

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Hey, I was able to get accepted into a competitive ABSN program with a 3.2 overall GPA. Nothing is impossible. Make sure you do well on TEAS or HESI, apply to several schools, and write a strong personal statement.

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