Low gpa, need other options if I don't get in the nursing program.

MissRN_Dior, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Nov 2, 2011

i've been researching and trying to find other options. i'm on my 5th semester at a university and like everywhere else, it's very competitive to get into the nursing program. i'm pretty sure that i will not get in the program, but i still plan on applying this january for fall 2012. i plan on applying to other schools as well. however, i still need a back up plan in case none of those works out. i'm mostly done with my prereqs and i'm still trying to finish my sciences. right now, i have a gpa of 3.08 and that's including two spanish classes ( trying to minor in spanish) and that's not including two sciences that i'm taking right now. so by the end of this semester, it will be lower. as of right now, i don't have any plan and i don't have a clue what to do. i really want nursing, but i don't have the money to be in school for a long time. is there any other route i can consider? my advisor suggested cna while i'm trying to boost up my gpa (if i continue to pursue nursing). i also thought about applying for adn, but i'm not really sure how that works. is it pointless to consider adn since i'm almost done with my prereqs? my prereqs are all from the university and i didn't want it to go to waste and not get a bachelor's degree. any suggestions on what other majors my nursing prereqs can cover? what other bachelor's degree i can pursue? i just need some feedback and advice.... to give me some ideas and maybe help me figure out a back up plan in case things don't work out. thank you!!

hello zoey09,

i would still apply to to your university and some other schools, in my view it would not be a waste to go to a two school and earn a adn, if your unable to to begin in an rn program, i would consider and lpn or lvn program. thats always a foot in the door of nursing.

EMT89 · Nov 2, 2011

Also, if you work for a hospital system they will sometimes (but not always) pay for your education. Look into private universities too.

mangopeach · Nov 2, 2011

I don't think its a waste to do an ADN program. You will still be an RN and you can bridge to BSN. HOWEVER - Most ADN programs are just as competitive if not moreso, due to lower cost and time thus leading to more applicants. People tend to believe that lower GPAs can get you into an ADN program but that is far from the truth. They tend to get a lot more applicants which tends to push the GPA higher and higher. Similarly, private universities tend to be less competitive due to the high cost resulting in less applicants. That's not to say that means anyone gets in, its just a numbers game.

If I were in your shoes, I'd apply to programs that consider more than just GPA.

Some programs do give points if you are a CNA, some have interviews, or other criteria that looks at the total person instead of just the GPA. Also, if you have not taken an entrance exam yet, TEAS V, HESI or whatever the school requires, do your best to get a high score. Sometimes getting a really high score can help when you have a lower GPA than other applicants.

Other health care careers - Dietician, Dental Hygienist, Physical/Occupational Therapy. Radiology tech. Clinical lab technologist. - Lab tech was my back up plan if I did not get into nursing school.

Angsturdy · Nov 2, 2011

Have you talked with an advisor at your school about academic forgiveness? Not sure if your school does this....but I was able to retake 3 classes that I didn't do well in and it raised my gpa significantly. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

EMT-newbie · Nov 2, 2011

+1 for talking to an academic counselor! I spent 20 minutes with one when I started down this path and got weeks, if not months, of accumulated questions answered and a summary sheet of what I needed to accomplish.

shawsta · Nov 4, 2011

I am in the same boat as you but my gpa is a little lower at 2.9. I have my bachelors in psychology and I've been an EMT for 2 years as well as phlebotomy certified.

I did a few things this application cycle.

I took my gre and TEAS and scored competitively

I applied to grad entry masters program for NP

I applied to accelerated BSN

I applied to ADN.

It's always good to have backups. And backups for your backup.

I've talked to Ohio State University's Masters Program and what they've told me is that, If i don't get in this application cycle to just do a ADN. I can go straight from my ADN to masters program because I already have a bachelors. The master programs for the RN -> NP are less competitive.

I don't hear from most schools until spring 2012. However I did get into a ADN that starts spring 2012. So my foots in the door so to speak