Low gpa, & contemplating on nursing school

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So I graduated with a 2.7 gpa for my undergrad. I applied to 6 nursing schools, 4 are accelerated second degree programs and two are transfer programs. I heard from 3 so far and did not get into those programs. Patiently waiting on the other 3 schools. However, I've be contemplating about nursing school and becoming a nursing. I currently volunteer as a Child Life volunteer at a Children's hospital. I love what I do as a volunteer and want to become a Child Life specialist one day. However, I'm not so interested in what the pediatric nurses do simply because their interactions with the patients are little to none & I want to interact with my patients and make them happy and give them hope even though they're going this rough patch. So I'm not sure if my gpa or volunteering experience is discouraging me. But any advice or tips is apprenticed.

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I also volunteered in child life at a pediatric teaching hospital. And I am just about to graduate and also plan on applying to accelerated programs! 2.7 is a bit low, but if you are super motivated then you can take easier courses to increase your GPA (and do super well in the pre-requisites). Or you can apply to a 4-year program (which will look at your high school grades). If you are missing some high school courses you can take them via correspondence. I did that in order to take some courses in university that I didn't have the right HS courses for.

You mention that you are not so interesting in pediatric nursing because they interact with patients infrequently? I worked in various roles at the children's hospital. One was in child life but I also did several research projects and worked alongside nurses. Although they may only spend a few minutes per child, unfortunately many of the children are ongoing patients and thus the nurses do get to know them quite well and even watch them grow.

But you mention that you want to work in child life as a career. Most child life workers that I interacted with at the hospital did not having nursing degrees. Many actually have a degree in ECE (early childhood education). So that is one route that you can look into. Find ECE programs and see if any of your university courses transfer over so you don't have to do another 4 years.

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Thank you for your advice. I have a B.A in Children and Youth Studies. So I can go into any field that pertains to children. I have taken all my pre-requites for nursing. So I'm not entirely sure on how I can bring up my gpa. But I'm definitely looking into 4 year programs where I can go in as a transfer student and finish before the 4 years. Thank you again !

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Thank you for your advice. I have a B.A in Children and Youth Studies. So I can go into any field that pertains to children. I have taken all my pre-requites for nursing. So I'm not entirely sure on how I can bring up my gpa. But I'm definitely looking into 4 year programs where I can go in as a transfer student and finish before the 4 years. Thank you again !

No problem! Also, you should try applying to some child life specialist jobs right now. With your degree, you stand a good shot. I know it can be competitive. At the children's hospital I worked at, EVERYONE wanted to work there. Just to volunteer required like a one hour interview. But, I would try to apply! Especially since you already have experience at the hospital, that will work in your favour. They would spend less time training you on hospital policies and stuff :)

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Not even private for-profits will take you?

Try ADN programs?

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I have not tried for profit private schools because not all are accredited. I haven't tried ADN programs but I think that will be my next step.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I guess I don't understand why you are trying to get into nursing programs if your goal is to be a child life specialist. Could you explain your thought process a little more?

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My GPA is not high either but I'm keeping my faith up. I'm almost done with my bachelor's in another field and am taking two extra classes in my last semester for Prerequisites. I didn't do well because of personal matters but I am more motivated than ever.

I'm applying to USF, PSC, & UCF.

I'm applying to Polk State College because I assume it will be cheaper to build my GPA and get an ASN. After that I would hope to get into USF AS to MSN program. In the end I want to be a FNP.

At USF or UCF, I would hope to get into ABSN program. UCF is closer to my hometown which I would be going back to. If I attend USF I'd have to find somewhere to live but I'm worried about employment and school. I've considered doing college apartment's again, but the best alternative seems that I should be heading to my hometown.

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I want to get into nursing because I want pursue a career as a pediatric nurse. I only mentioned child life because I currently volunteer for them at a children's hospital. I see what the nurses do and like I said before there is little to no interaction. Which is turning me off a little because I want to be interactive with my patients. Is that a bit more clearer for you?

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That's really awesome. I wish you all the best. I'm definitely going to apply to some associate programs. I live in NYC and I know off I was in another state the gpa requirement may have been a little different. I wish you all the best.

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Don't rule out working with peds patients in extended care home health. Spend an eight or twelve hour shift with a kiddo, (with varying levels of ability), and you can spend a lot of time interacting with the child. It can be very fulfilling. This can be a good outlet for your experience. I would also recommend considering continuing your volunteer activities with kids.

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Don't rule out working with peds patients in extended care home health. Spend an eight or twelve hour shift with a kiddo, (with varying levels of ability), and you can spend a lot of time interacting with the child. It can be very fulfilling. This can be a good outlet for your experience. I would also recommend considering continuing your volunteer activities with kids.

I definitely will not rule it out, thank you again

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