Looking for some encouragement and advice!

[AshleyDeeee]

Hi all!

I'm closing in on my student career with TCC, I have a few pre requisites to complete and then I plan on applying for nursing college! However, I'm not very confident in my chances of being accepted, well, anywhere. My GPA is barely going to reach a 3.0 by the end of this fall, given I earn all A's. These past three years have been extremely rough, financially and emotionally (and I am by no means someone who loves to give excuses for anything), so I have had some bad marks and have needed to retake classes to get academic forgiveness. I will also be completing my last pre requisites in the spring and summer of 2016.

Does this mean I will have to wait until the Fall of 2017 to go to nursing school? I see where application deadlines are normally in the spring, so my last two sciences won't be completed at that time. Do they let you apply while still completing a few courses?

If I earn all A's from here on out, I'm assuming my GPA will be over 3.0, but I know in reality, nursing prospects are going in with HIGH GPAs.

Also, will they take your letter explaining why your academic career was rough into consideration? I know I'm capable of a 4.0 if not a GPA in the high 3's, but due to some circumstances, I fell short. However, becoming a nurse is a serious, serious DREAM and passion of mine. I want to do this so badly but I feel a bit hopeless.

Has anyone ever gotten accepted with a gpa in the low 3's?

Thanks!!

[babyrnhlw]

Colleges will accept your application while you are still completing prereqs, presuming you will be completely finished by the time it is time for you to start your first semester of nursing school... I am not from OK so idk anything about schools over there. But Our Lady of the Lake College only requires a 2.75. It's in Baton Rouge, LA. It's also private so I don't think you'd have to pay out of state tuition... Goodluck :)

[AshleyDeeee]

A move would be interesting but difficult with a little one and spouse with ESRD.

Thank you for your thoughts! Maybe one of my local schools will "see something" and accept me. I'm certainly hitting these last few semesters hard for the best chances. :)

[sunnyharbor]

Most schools accept an explanation of your academic record. In fact I have never heard of one that did not offer some type of space in the application process to explain any challenging circumstances.

Have you thought of attending community college first for your ADN and then attending University for the last 2 years for a BSN? It often works out cheaper that way (That's what I'm doing to save money). Then after your ADN you can work at a hospital and they often help pay for your BSN. Also some ADN programs accept lower GPAs.

If you are set on going straight to university I would start studying for your entrance HESI now so you can get a high score and demonstrate to admissions you are a good student and prepared to kick butt in their program.

Also most programs like when students have volunteer hours at a hospital or experience working in a care setting. Best wishes to you!

[AshleyDeeee]

I've really considered my community college's ADN program, however, I've been here for nearly three years! I'm so close to being done with my pre requisites that I figured going another two years for my ADN would be pointless if I can spend the same amount of time getting my BSN. I probably have to face the music and just do an ADN. I really wish I had known about the ADN program at my school sooner. I literally had no idea it existed until last year. :/ Ah well.

[nam6e, BSN, RN]

All you can do is apply. No matter what people tell you here is going to change it. If you are really worried apply to OCU they accept everyone with a 3.0 gpa that has taken all the classes. The st. gregory's also has a rolling application. However, I would recommend applying to as many school as you can afford to. Nursing school is hard to get into, but it is not impossible you will be fine.