Low GPA Accelerated Nursing Programs

[joaugust]

Hey guys,

I just graduated with a B.A. in psychology, and want to get into an accelerated BSN program. Unfortunately, I had a hiccup during my college career. Halfway through my program, I decided to switch to pre-med which destroyed my GPA. Physics and chemistry were my biggest weak points that inevitably made me decide against the pre-med route.

I worked my butt off retaking the classes I got low grades in, and I got all A's in my nursing pre-req classes. I still only have a 2.8 GPA. I took classes at two other community colleges that I got straight A's at, but I'm not sure if nursing programs will combine my GPA from all of the schools.

Basically, my two questions are:

-Will nursing programs combine my GPA from different schools, or will they only look at the school with the most credits?

-What BSN nursing programs do I have a shot at getting into with a 2.8 GPA?

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Seems like a good option for you would be to find an ABSN that only looks at prerequisite GPA, not cumulative GPA. I would start calling around and asking ASAP.

[joaugust]

know of any off the top of your head?

[statepatrick001]

I agree with Beachy, call around to schools and ask them what they look for in applications. It usually depends upon the college whether or not they combine GPA's from other college's or if they will accept your highest GPA (my guess is it depends on which classes you took at those colleges, usually math and science courses are above others). My current school only transferred my credits but not GPA, however, I had to take some more pre-reqs with them so I was fortunate enough to hold a better GPA with them than my previous school. Hope everything works out!

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

know of any off the top of your head?

Not really, but your best bet would be to start in your immediate area and work your way out. I would start at state schools (cheaper) then to private schools (more expensive). Since you already have a bachelors your ability to get federal funding may be limited, so public schools would most likely be ideal.

[thirdborn333]

This particular school is in Winston-Salem, NC and the minimum GPA is 2.6.

WSSU - Accelerated BSN Option

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

This particular school is in Winston-Salem, NC and the minimum GPA is 2.6.

WSSU - Accelerated BSN Option

Worth keeping in mind that the minimum GPA that schools post is usually not the one for which they accept students. Meaning that competition to get into a limited number of seats usually leaves those with the lowest GPA well out of the running. Schools that advertise a minimum GPA of say, 2.6, will typically have their lowest accepted student GPA at a high 3+.

OP, you'll need to check with each school, no one can really tell you anything more. Find out not just what their minimum acceptance is, but what their minimum acceptance REALISTICALLY is.

Good luck.

[kp2463]

I was in a similar situation. I screwed up my first 2 years of school, then decided on a Kinesiology major with hopes of getting into PA school. After graduating I figured nursing was more the route I wanted to take. I ended up with a 3.2 gpa. I'm not sure if you are willing to relocate but I was just accepted into a great asbn program in Michigan. I'm from here, about 2 hours away from the program located in Detroit suburbs. It's Oakland University. They understand that you may have messed up along the way in your first degree. They give you 3 attempts on the pre-req courses. They don't look at your overall gpa, just your pre-req gpa to get into the program. The total cost is about $23,000. Here's the link if you are interested.

Accelerated Second-Degree BSN - School of Nursing - Oakland University

[thirdborn333]

Worth keeping in mind that the minimum GPA that schools post is usually not the one for which they accept students. Meaning that competition to get into a limited number of seats usually leaves those with the lowest GPA well out of the running. Schools that advertise a minimum GPA of say, 2.6, will typically have their lowest accepted student GPA at a high 3+.

OP, you'll need to check with each school, no one can really tell you anything more. Find out not just what their minimum acceptance is, but what their minimum acceptance REALISTICALLY is.

Good luck.

This is true that they'll first look at individuals with higher GPA's than the minimum required; however, they will use those individual's with the minimum GPA's because everyone that is admitted will not accept a spot in the program. So, I would encourage anyone interested and truly passionate about nursing to go for it; all that they can do is say yes or no.

[kelsonsa, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Hey kp, how is the program going? I start this May.. I had a couple questions - not sure if there is a way to PM on allnurses. I'm on FB though!

~Sarah Kelson

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Start going onto websites and look at admission requirements.

If you do get accepted you must understand you will be taking around 21 hours a semester of HARD classes. A 2.8 isn't going to cut it in nursing school. To remain in a nursing program you need to maintain a 3.0 or higher. Accelerated programs usually want students with higher GPAs on their first degree to prove they can maintain during the program. If you have proven your abilities to earn your first degree it lends to a situation where someone is likely to complete nursing school. If you fail out that is a slot (and money) the school loses.