Low gpa and chance of getting into nursing schools

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 9, 2015

First of all, I would advise you against attempting an accelerated BSN. ABSN programs generally utilize cumulative GPA for admissions - and you're not even close to their requirements. I intend no disrespect... but if you have been unable to make higher grades on pre-requisites, it is very unlikely that you will be able to maintain the required B average at the very intense pace required for an accelerated program. Instead, take a look at generic BSN programs. There is a wide variance in how they compute GPA and this may be to your advantage.

The reason that nursing programs have set the entry level requirements so high is ... this is what it takes to be successful. If you look around her on AN, you'll see that even students with highly competitive admission GPAs frequently have difficulties keeping up.

Lidochka · Mar 9, 2015

First of all, I would advise you against attempting an accelerated BSN. ABSN programs generally utilize cumulative GPA for admissions - and you're not even close to their requirements. I intend no disrespect... but if you have been unable to make higher grades on pre-requisites, it is very unlikely that you will be able to maintain the required B average at the very intense pace required for an accelerated program. Instead, take a look at generic BSN programs. There is a wide variance in how they compute GPA and this may be to your advantage.
The reason that nursing programs have set the entry level requirements so high is ... this is what it takes to be successful. If you look around her on AN, you'll see that even students with highly competitive admission GPAs frequently have difficulties keeping up.

Hi, this is ANnie again. I could not get the other account to open thus i created a new one.

Thank you for your advise. I very appreciate it :).

As you mentioned, I did thought about the traditional track however, it would take another 3 years at least for me to get them all done if I ever get accepted to any program. In addition, since i spent most of my finance in 4 year degree, I am not sure doing another three-year program is financially possible right now.

I do understand the intensity of the program and I think I will can do it considering majoring in chemistry and minoring in biology for the last 4 four years.

Although there are lots I am struggling, I really wish I can enter any accelerate BSN program to finally come out and do what i like the most which is to take care of other.

Please let me know what perspectives I need to improve to get in one of ABSN program other than my gpa

Thanks alot.

Annie

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Mar 9, 2015

You need A's & high B's in prerequisite courses as nursing actually uses the background knowledge in A&P, psych, statistics, microbiology, chemistry etc to move forward in nursing theory & clinical. If you don't have a strong academic background you will have no chance at success in an ABSN program. B/3.0 is the minimum not a suggestion. Most successful applicants have 3.75 or higher GPA's. You need a strong background to be able to safely "take care of others"

You may not be able to repeat classes with a C or better.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 9, 2015

Hi, this is ANnie again. I could not get the other account to open thus i created a new one.
Thank you for your advise. I very appreciate it :).
As you mentioned, I did thought about the traditional track however, it would take another 3 years at least for me to get them all done if I ever get accepted to any program. In addition, since i spent most of my finance in 4 year degree, I am not sure doing another three-year program is financially possible right now.
I do understand the intensity of the program and I think I will can do it considering majoring in chemistry and minoring in biology for the last 4 four years.
Although there are lots I am struggling, I really wish I can enter any accelerate BSN program to finally come out and do what i like the most which is to take care of other.
Please let me know what perspectives I need to improve to get in one of ABSN program other than my gpa
Thanks alot.
Annie

HouTX already gave you some very good advice, although it's pretty clear you don't want to hear it. You did major in chemistry and minor in biology, as you pointed out, BUT you came out of that standard-paced curriculum with a less than stellar 2.95 GPA. This doesn't indicate you'd do well in an accelerated program, despite your intentions. Perhaps you are the rarity who goes from mediocre grades to excellent ones, but....well, it's a rarity. There's a reason there's a minimum-GPA entry requirement. Those with less than that just aren't seen as viable students, considering the competition.

You are concerned about the finances of going for additional time in a traditional BSN program; how would you feel if you wasted money because you did not pass an accelerated one? Surely that wouldn't be a good financial bet, correct?

Lastly, you asked about what you might do to improve your chances; I'd say improving your English skills might help. While you are obviously doing better than many others for whom English is a second language, it's also clear that it not your native tongue. This might also hinder your ability to keep up at the pace that would be required of you in such a program.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do; the job market is quite tight for nurses, especially new ones, so be prepared to have a sound financial plan in place for the year or two following graduation if you do not find employment easily.

Ambiguphobia · Mar 9, 2015

I understand how badly you want to become a nurse, I really do. But I think it is a much better idea to raise your grades up a bit, then go onto a standard route instead of an intensive accelerated route. Getting high grades on your prerequisites are a standard for a reason - you need to be able to handle the rigorous coursework that is ahead of you.

I had a double major of Chemistry and Physics. These classes were like taking a nap compared to nursing courses. I entered my program with a 4.0, and ended up with a 3.5 GPA when I graduated. It is really tough stuff that you're coming up against. If nursing is something you are serious about, you will take the safest route there - both for the safety of your license and for your patients!

SierraBravo · Mar 9, 2015

Hi, this is ANnie again. I could not get the other account to open thus i created a new one.
Thank you for your advise. I very appreciate it :).
As you mentioned, I did thought about the traditional track however, it would take another 3 years at least for me to get them all done if I ever get accepted to any program. In addition, since i spent most of my finance in 4 year degree, I am not sure doing another three-year program is financially possible right now.
I do understand the intensity of the program and I think I will can do it considering majoring in chemistry and minoring in biology for the last 4 four years.
Although there are lots I am struggling, I really wish I can enter any accelerate BSN program to finally come out and do what i like the most which is to take care of other.
Please let me know what perspectives I need to improve to get in one of ABSN program other than my gpa
Thanks alot.
Annie

RNsRWe gave you spot on advice. While there may be other obstacles holding you back, your GPA is clearly front and center. Keep in mind that programs will list the "minimum" GPA required for entrance, but in reality the actual GPA required is much, much higher. I attended an accelerated BSN program and I carried a 4.0 undergrad GPA. Most of my cohort also had 3.75+ GPA's coming into the program.

Your biology and chemistry background would certainly help you in nursing school. But unless you can get around this GPA issue, it's a non-issue. Your odds of getting into an accelerated BSN program are slim right now. It really comes down to who you are competing with for a seat in a particular program. Think about who applies to accelerated BSN programs... Obviously people with a prior Bachelors degree, possibly with some work/life experience, possibly with advanced degrees, etc... Now if the people you are competing with at a given time all have a low GPA (highly unlikely) then you might have a chance at getting accepted, assuming all other factors being equal.

If you really want to pursue an accelerated BSN program, go and speak with the admissions people and discuss your situation. Ask them what you would need to do in order to be considered for acceptance. It may mean going back and taking more classes and getting all A's to prove that you have what it takes right now to be successful in nursing school.

So, unless you can improve your GPA, other things to improve your odds of getting accepted are a non-issue. Work on the issue at hand, which is your GPA. Once you have that under control, then you can start focusing on other things such as extracurricular and volunteer experiences, etc...

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Mar 9, 2015

There are private schools that don't have wait lists. Just be sure to double check their accreditations prior to enrolling.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2015

I had a double major of Chemistry and Physics. These classes were like taking a nap compared to nursing courses.

I suppose my experiences are unique because, while I found the science prerequisite coursework difficult and baffling, my nursing courses were not that rigorous. My nursing coursework challenged me somewhat, although overall I felt that nursing school was much easier than many people make it out to be.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Mar 9, 2015

I agree with what others have said. An accelerated program is very fast paced and requires you to comprehend the subject matter rather quickly. I had a lower GPA than you did prior to my ABSN program, but my first degree was many years ago and I am not the same person I was back then. If you are committed to going through an ABSN program, you might want to consider Indiana State. They started their ABSN program 4 years ago and isn't highly advertised. They have a 30 student limit per cohort for their program. I was in their 3rd cohort and we did not have 30 students. The 4th cohort that started last summer also had less than 30 students. Their GPA requirement for your first degree is 2.75. All nursing pre-reqs must have been completed in the last 5 yrs. Half of my cohort, including myself, passed NCLEX at 75 questions. The deadline to apply for next summer's cohort is March 15 (next Sunday).

Indiana State University : Department of Baccalaureate Nursing : Accelerated 2nd Degree Nursing

futurenaijaRN, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2015

Hey have you tried applying to Miami dade college? Is an accelerated ADN program for 12months. My friend with a gpa almost like yours got in. Also I would advice you have experience with direct patient care. I had a hard time getting accepted to an accelerated program with a gpa of 3.1, but with God everything is possible. I'm starting an accelerated program in May. Dont lose hope. Apply to MDC....goodluck

Lidochka · Mar 10, 2015

Thank you all for all the advices. I truly appreciate it!!

I will seriously consider two options of retaking my prerequisites at some community college or taking a chance in the traditional track.

Anyhow, I will certainly update my situation after trying those options you all have recommended me above.

Thanks again,

Have a great day everybody.