Low BScN GPA, getting into NP

[juliyg]

Hi everyone! I am new to this platform

I am a mental health RN with 1.5 years of experience. I unfortunately have a low BScN GPA (2.89) mainly due to working throughout my time at school, taking care of my sick mother and personal health issues. A lot happened LOL but I genuinely feel like my GPA is not reflective of the nurse I am or the potential I have. I went to Yale for undergrad and struggled due to rigorous courses and personal problems. I was just rejected from the 1 NP Program I applied to (CUNY). I'm nervous that my GPA will haunt me for the rest of my career. I have been passionate regarding the mental health field for YEARS- even my jobs during college were on psych units. 

 

Any advice on how to be a better applicant for next year? I'm heartbroken but mainly want to grow and be the best nurse I can be. Should I take the GRE to supplement my app? My essay and recommendations were strong. For context I live in NYC and would like to stay here-any online programs or general programs I should look into?

 

 

Thank you so much ?

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

I also went to Yale right out of high school and struggled, for the same reasons.  It is understandable your BSN GPA might be lower if you had to work - so explain that in your admissions essay.  I would suggest you take some additional relevant courses to raise your GPA.  Look at the extension programs for universities for health-care and science related courses.  These are open to everyone, they don't care what your GPA is.  UCLA and other UC schools offer many courses online.  Even community college courses may offer some classes that would be relevant.  Try to get your undergrad GPA to a 3.0 minimum.  

Finally, apply to multiple NP programs.  

Best wishes.

[londonflo]

On 3/22/2021 at 4:11 PM, juliyg said:

Should I take the GRE to supplement my app?

I don't know why anyone is so hesitant to take the GRE. You do not have to send your scores to anyone but you. I took it to  apply for scholarships (it was not required for admission) and ended up with a scholarship in my MSN program after I had exhausted other sources (traineeships). Not many nursing students take the GRE but the college has to give out GRE based scholarships across the graduate programs. WIN WIN

[JWEMT]

I had 2.6 BSN, went to university of Phoenix for master of nursing in nursing admin. After 4 classes of As I was admitted to CUNY CSI. Did you try to do Hunter or something?

 

 There’s not many online NP programs in ny

[Raven Sierra, BSN, RN]

On 4/4/2021 at 12:11 PM, londonflo said:

I don't know why anyone is so hesitant to take the GRE. You do not have to send your scores to anyone but you. I took it to  apply for scholarships (it was not required for admission) and ended up with a scholarship in my MSN program after I had exhausted other sources (traineeships). Not many nursing students take the GRE but the college has to give out GRE based scholarships across the graduate programs. WIN WIN

Not to derail the OP's thread, but thank you for this tidbit. I'm going to contact my school and see if this is how it works there. If so, guess I'm sitting for the GRE!

[aok7, NP]

I did poorly my first round of college, too.  I then took the long route LPN to ADN to BSN and was pretty much straight A all through pre-req and nursing courses.  I am now a NP.  You are not alone, but on route to provider role there are no shortcuts and the process is part of the quality.  I was motivated by a story of a physician who went back after story of very low GPA in undergrad round 1, and then GPA like a 3.3 relatively low for med school, that character gave a seat into med school.  

[pro-student]

A 3.0 is the bare minimum GPA for any reputable program. Your best option is to take any college classes (for credit) to increase your GPA. It would be wonderful if you can take something healthcare related or even psych but honestly, any classes that you can get As in. 
 

A 3.0 is also the bare minimum (read- not a competitive applicant) so in the meantime, work on building your overall application. When you’re eligible, get certified in your specialty. See if you can get involved in committees or projects at your workplace. Even doing volunteer work can help you stand out. Since you know your grades are not going to be you strength, do everything else you can to make your application stand out.