low gpa, looking into masters program

[Kahle]

I think that I might have shot myself in the foot with a master's program, and I am frustrated. Undergrad and me were not friends, and I squeaked by with a 2.37 for my BSN. I am wanting to prove to myself that I have what it takes to get my masters, but most schools want a 3.0. I have been a pediatrics nurse for almost 6 years, and have obtained by CPN and I am APHON certified. I know that I have what it takes to study and to do well, I just need a school to have the same faith. Does anyone know if schools ever look at experience, or is it all about the GPA (or my lack of one). I am wanting my masters to get off of working the floor, and steer more into research/logistics. Should I be looking into GRE/GMAT at this point? Any help would be nice. Thanks in advance.

[shibaowner, MSN, RN, NP]

It will be hard for you to get into a good master's program with less than a 3.0 GPA in your BSN. However, it's not impossible. You can try calling people at some of the schools you are interested in and talking to them about your options. There are also some schools that will accept almost anyone. I am not trying to be hurtful, but just want to be direct.

[verene, MSN]

Some schools may allow you to take graduate level coursework as a non-matriculated student, and use good scores in a few graduate level classes to prove you are capable of the work even with a less than stellar undergrad gpa (particularly if undergrad was many years ago). You will have to look at programs you are interested and talk to them directly to find out if this is an option.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Also- it depends on what type of MSN you want. A clinical/ APRN MSN might be problematic, but education/ leadership/ informatics not so much.