low gpa - bsn or asn?

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Hello everyone,

Next year I'm going to finish a bachelor's degree from a very good school. My major is math, but I've been thinking lately that I'd like to become a nurse, with the final goal of being a nurse in the operating room. So I've gathered that my options are either to apply for an accelerated BSN from a four-year school, or to get an ASN from a community college. Personally I'd rather do the ASN, because it's cheaper and quicker, but I think the BSN would be better for me. The problem is that my GPA is very low (right now it's something like a 2.6), and I don't have very many of the prerequisites. If I take the prerequisites at a community college, I think my prerequisite GPA could definitely be above a 3.0.

Is it possible for me to get into any BSN programs with this background? If not, could I go to a community college and still someday get to work in the operating room? And I know that most programs at four year schools include experience in the real world, do community colleges offer this too?

thanks

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If you graduate from your current school with a BS degree, it is going to take you the same amount of time to earn an ADN as it will to earn a BSN. The ADN in my area looks strictly at one's cumulative GPA in the prerequisites, nothing else. Most BSN programs place a lot of emphasis on the core science prerequisites as well as recommendations and your statement of personal goals; in short, the BSN programs tend to look at the applicant as a whole.

If you want experience, then you need to get your foot in the door in a hospital; and the best way to do this is volunteer. Then use your connections and leverage a CNA position after completion of first semester, then a tech position upon completion of the second. Other than the required clinical hours, your school is not going to offer additional clinical hours, or place you in a part-time job.

I am a second degree BSN student and I didn't have any practical experience in health care and was accepted to all the BSN programs to which I applied. However, I did have strong grades, solid recommendations and included a strong resume from my previous career.

So far as cumulative GPA is concerned, I would try and attain >3.5 to ensure that you will be competitive in the admissions process. Admission into either a ADN or BSN program is extremely competitive and a 3.0 is not a lock by any stretch.

Good luck!

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Thanks for the information. I'm definitely planning on volunteering before I apply to school, and working as a CNA.

I know getting a BSN would make me look better to employers, but if I already have some experience in a hospital is there really a big difference between that and an ASN?

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you will get the same amount of pay for the most part being a new grad with a ADN or BSN. depending on where you go to school, depends on the cost difference. ADN at a good community college is cheaper and actually some times better. around the area I live we have 4 main colleges/universities and the community college is the best place to go for getting you ready for nclex and critical thinking. the main difference is BSN will have classes directed towards management. for the future I think you will be required a BSN eventually.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Honestly a low GPA means not getting accepted to either one. Both are very competitive. If you get an actual job in a hospital, the ASN will probably be ok. But getting those jobs are even harder than getting accepted into school at this point. BSNs are definitely getting hiring preference, especially if you do not have an "in" through an externship or other hospital position.

Tackle your pre-req's, apply for both type of programs and do what you can to get your foot in the door at a hospital. Then attend the school that accepts you. If you are lucky enough to get accepted to more than one, you will have the benefit of choosing whichever fits best into your life at that time.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Since you already know that you are interested in working in a surgical environment, have you considered surgical technology instead of nursing? Of course everything is driven by the supply/demand in your region, but it may be easier to get into a program at this point.

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I agree with the above poster that it may be tough with that GPA, for the BSN program I am in the admissions coordinator had said he had never seen anyone get in with below a 3.6. What about doing a surgical tech program (only a year or so) to get your experience in the OR and finish your pre-reqs getting your GPA up while working....

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Most ADN programs are not less competitive than BSN programs. At this point, due to lower cost, I'd say some are even more competitive due to the massive number of applicants and many of these applicants are pushing GPAs of 3.5 and above.

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I'm in an accelerated BSN program, I got in with a 3.6. They look only at the required classed to get in. My cumulative was a 2.6 (ouch). I worked my butt off to get it up to that.

I am pursuing a BSN program because I'm hoping that it will help with the hiring process when I get out. That, and the fact that many hospitals are going into BSN only hiring. I don't want to have to face any other road blocks in an already difficult market.

I agree that a BSN program will probably take just as long as an ASN program, so look at everything carefully. A local private college near me has a great ASN program, but it takes just as long as a traditional BSN program and costs almost 3x as much.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

My program is strictly GPA based. The minimum GPA accepted by the ABSN program at my school was 3.6 and the regular BSN program was 3.76. The ASN programs around here are talking about going competitive as well, but right now (as of last fall) many were still strictly wait lists (some up to 3 years) with I think a min of C's needed in the pre-reqs.

Look at the requirements of each of the schools around you. It's often either time, grades or luck (in the case of schools that do acceptance lotteries) that you need to get accepted.

Good luck!!

BTW... there are some great threads on ASN vs BSN on this board, they should be able to answer most, if not all, of your questions.

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I was in a similar situation like you..I took all the pre-reqs and got a high GPA and was accepted to a BSN program. If you don't get into an accelerated one, try applying as a transfer student to a 4yr BSN program it might be longer but you can still get a BSN in the end and qualify for financial aid.

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