Low GPA, ABSN Programs in NY??? PLEASE HELP!

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Ive had a VERY rocky road since enrolling in College. I currently go to Long Island University and I just finished my 3 year of Nursing Pre-reqs. My highschool Gpa was too low to enter as a declared nursing student so I had to enter as an undeclared/liberal Arts Student and take the pre reqs required to enter the BSN program. Unfortunately, with horrible study habits, I had a very rough time and had to retake multiple classes as well as 2 UW's (withdrawls). To date, not only am I a year behind, but my gpa is a 2.6 (still shy of the 2.75 i need to be accepted). My science gpa is about the same, even after taking 2 of them over. My parents are at thier wits end becuase i cannot afford to retake anymore. And of course im behind on credits for this reason. So.... Ive switched my major to my second choice, Psychology. In hopes of graduating with a Improved gpa in order to get into an ABSN program. Im very disapointed in my college expireince so far and Im soooo angry at myself for having such a bad gpa. I used my schools gpa calculator to estimate the grades needed for me to graduate with ATLEAST a 3.0 since that seems to be the general requirement . and it doesnt even seem possible! I have about 3 semesters worth of classes left but the fact that Ive taken so many credits, it seems so hard to improve the gpa! Being a nurse is what I want to do with my life. Ive been dreaming of this since I was a Kid. I feel like I want to throw in the towel but something wont let me. Does ANYONE know of any ABSN programs in NY that are flexible in the Gpa requirement?

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Hi jema427 !

I know just what you are going through. I've wanted to be a nurse since I was a kid and my GPA was only a bit higher than yours when I graduated from College. Sometimes... timing isn't right and things might not go as planned... you know? However don't let that get you down. Have you considered just trying to do your best those last 3 semesters to really boost your GPA and than trying to go into an associate program for nursing? They are a bit more flexible. If not, all I can suggest is busting your butt to raise your GPA, ending on a high note, and make sure your pre-reqs GPA is higher than what it is now. It was a good idea you switched your major!!! (Nursing schools really look at pre-reqs grades) Also just a heads up, private schools are a bit more flexible when it comes to GPA so check out NYU or maybe somewhere upstate or on long island, if you're willing to travel? Good luck, and don't lose hope. Just keep going!

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Hey BTW I read this in one of the posts, hope it helps

Dominican College:

The requirements for the ABSN program are the following prerequisites:

Chemistry 1, Biochemistry, A&P I & II, Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Introductory Sociology, General Psychology, Lifespan Psychology, and Statistics. You'll need to earn a minimum grade of C+ in all prereqs.

You also need a bachelor's degree with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7.

2.7 isnt too far from your current GPA :D

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Wow thanks. That's Definetly an option. And it's not too far from where I live :)

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And to answer ur question, yes, I'm willing to bust my butttt now. I'm trying to take summer classes to make up for the lost time I've created by all the repeating. And I was researching and came to the conclusion that doing an ADN Program after my BA could be one of my best bets... DO U KNOW HOW LONG IT COULD TAKE FOR ME TO COMPLETE AN ADN PROGRAM? given the fact that I'm done with the pre reqs needed?

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Specializes in Ambulatory care.

Well the gpa listed is not the number they accept at in my school its * that its minimum to be considered and that its competitive so they start filling form 4.0 until all seats are filled. Therefore 2.6 doesn't have a chance because by 3.8 there's no more seats.

solution to low GPA is transfer out of your school, and into a community college (tuitions cheaper) that has nursing, redo any or all of prerequisits that are A- or lower and then apply to that school's nursing program AND bsn places when prereqs are done. this way you have choices. They only consider the prereq classes and stuff you took there so making your previous low GPA a nonissue. After graduation as associate RN nursing you can if you really really want transfer back to LIU as RN-BSN program

Prerequisites: 1 year = spring/fall and if you really need take winter and summer classes too.

Associates degree: 2 years just spring and fall semesters with short sessions in summer/winter left free for your vacation or take prerequisites needed for transferring to BSN program"

RN-BSN = 2 years

Depending when you graduated from associates you'd have either a 9 months break between schools or just 3 months if you're a june grad.

Anyways good luck. You can do it. I was in similar situation to yours 3 years ago and now i'm a nurse RN.

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As one has said often, the GPA requirments for most programs are the *minimum* to be qualified for entry. It will all come down to the strength of the application pool and their numbers. If there are only 40 slots and 200, or even 100 persons apply the best ne can hope for is the all have

Know no one likes to hear this but there is a strong body of evidence correlating GPAs/academic sucess in nursing programs with passing the NCLEX. Yes one knows (again) no one likes to hear schools are so concerned with their board passing rates, but if a large percentage of graduates cannot pass the boards on their first attempt what good is bothering with the time and effort? Then there is the situation with being accredited by various professional bodies which can and will be taken away if pass rates go low and remain.

Bringing up a low GPA is very difficult, and becomes harder still the more classes one completes. It is simply how averages work. It takes about one and a half "classes" of an "A" to negate the effects of a "C" or "D", and more than that to deal with an "F". All the while the number of credits completed goes up while the average barely moves due to the effects of low grades.

Personally I'd rather deal with a program that was upfront with my chances of not only getting in but being able to handle the course work, graduate, and pass the boards than one that was just happy to take my money and let me twist in the wind post graduation if I cannot pass the NCLEX.

The other fly in the ointment is that many nursing programs are using NursingCAS (Hunter does for their ABSN program) where *all* post high school college work is counted for a GPA.

All this being as it may, I'd try the private schools such as Beth Israel (yes it is a ADN program, but many persons with BS degrees have gone to the program for their RN), or NYU. Often because of the expense private schools can have a lower number of students seeking admission, and or the process is more personal giving one a chance perhaps to explain why one did so poorly and show how how one has changed and is ready for the demanding course work.

That last bit is key. No nursing progam is a walk in the park, and even if one struggles through the program, manages to pass the boards (if not on the first attempt but second, third, fourth....) there is still the job of finding a facility that will hire you. The interview process for today's nurse regardless if she is a new grad or seasoned professional involves testing, lots of testing.

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2 years, but ... and i'm just assuming here, you seem like your fairly young and 2 years isn't so long! I say try an ADN program!

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Hey you should look into St. Paul nursing school

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have you found anywhere that acceped you?

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