Looking for adn-FNP online program with a low GPA

Specialties NP

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I just graduated with an associates degree in May and have just joined the workforce as an RN. Due to bad self discipline after high school, my GPA isn't very good (2.5). But, once I went back to school (for nursing), about 7 years later, I never failed a class and did much better.

I now would like to pursue becoming a FNP through an online program but they all seem to require a higher GPA. I was wondering if anyone knew of an online ADN to FNP program that my GPA wouldn't keep me out of? Thank you for your time.

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So what was your GPA unpon completion of the ADN in nursing School? Im assuming that since you mentioned you went back to school 7 years after having a 2.5 GPA (and doing better this time around) that your GPA is better? To my knowledge you need at least a 3.0 GPA in all FNP programs... i could be wrong though.

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Sorry, I meant my GPA is up to around a 2.5 or 2.6

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
Sorry I meant my GPA is up to around a 2.5 or 2.6[/quote']

Out of curiosity what was your GPA prior to nursing school? I've rarely heard of anyone getting in to a nursing program with less than a 3.0...at least the people I have talked I anyway.

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I don't remember off the top of my head to be honest. I do know that they mainly looked at the science pre-req's (3 bio's, 1 chem, 1 micro) which I had all A's with 2 B's and the math pre req that I got an A in. While in the nursing program itself, my GPA got hurt by the fact I missed getting a higher grade by less than 1% in over half my classes.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
I don't remember off the top of my head to be honest. I do know that they mainly looked at the science pre-req's (3 bio's 1 chem, 1 micro) which I had all A's with 2 B's and the math pre req that I got an A in. While in the nursing program itself, my GPA got hurt by the fact I missed getting a higher grade by less than 1% in over half my classes.[/quote']

Oh so they basically looked at pre req GPA only? Nice!

Have you considered retaking some of your undergrad classes? I think you can retake up to 3 courses and receive grade forgiveness for it so it wouldn't reflect in your GPA figure.

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I would be willing to try.. But if it only worked for 3 classes it wouldn't do me a whole lot of good. I had a couple years worth of not showing up to class F's back when I first went to school starting 10 years ago.

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If you cant find any program willing to take you with your current GPA you could consider going back and finishing your BSN first... Making sure you get all A's and then applying to an FNP program. That will probably bring you up to at least a 3.0 and the schools you apply to can see that you have all A's for your BSN. That may be a good of going about it! And if you are worried about getting in a FNP program while it is still an MSN vs a DNP, don't worry because you have time... That change wont happen to a lot of programs for a long time.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Each program/school calculates the GPA a bit different. Some schools use the higher grade when someone retakes a class, others do not. That is a school specific issue. I would not retake classes that are no longer of interest to you just to get a better grade. If you have classes that are relevant to your program of study, then you might retake to get the better grade and understand the material better.

ADN-FNP programs are rare, and fairly competitive. I would suggest a two pronged approach. There is no harm (other than a few bucks for applying) to apply to the programs even if your overall GPA does not meet their standards. Who knows, if the rest of your application is steller, they might make an exception for you. However, if it seems unlikely that you will get in, then I would also apply to ADN-BSN programs and take one of those. That way, you can increase your GPA and have many, many more programs to choose from once you have completed your BSN.

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Thank you for all the replies.. Another option that was brought up to me was to get a different nurse practitioner degree (such as psych) that tend to have less applicants. And then go back to get the few classes I would still need for FNP. Have any of you had experience with doing something like that?

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

Nursing Education | Online Graduate Degree Nursing Education | WGU College of Health Online

You could do this RN to MSN education, through Western Governors (rather cheap in price compared to some and self-paced) which means you can get through it faster than a "typical" program, and then apply to post master's cert program for FNP...WGU has the advanced pharm, patho and assessment courses now needed for that! =)

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

Just an FYI, i too went to college and in my first year failed several course...retook those years later and now applying to FNP programs I am being denied because they are calculating in those F's I got way back in 97...and they were BUSINESS courses for goodness sake =( So even though my BSN right now is a 3.8, it's not mattering to places such as Georgetown University for admission even though everything else I have is wonderful! =( That being said I have found a few schools that look more closely at your BSN credits and last 60 credit house for MSN/FNP without weighting me too much on stuff I did as a kid. I would imagine that most RN to MSN/NP programs are still going to want a higher GPA just to get in so doing either an RN-MSN in something else or else RN-BSN to get a higher GPA is probably what you will need to look at.

If I do not get into these other two schools for FNP, I plan on attending then doing a post-masters cert for FNP =)

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