low GPA

Candyr20 · Sep 5, 2015

Your GPA should calculate around 3.0 with those grades mentioned. If you bring your chemistry up to a B it will be about 3.3 average. So I would suggest going to tutoring in the science lab. Sticking close with the instructor if time permits and getting help from him or her as often as possible to show you really want to pass and retain the information!

Most schools want a 60 on the TEAS in my area, so if you aim to get at least 75 or higher you should be considered competitive enough. I purchased my TEAS book on AMAZON after attempting the test once. And my score increased 15 points.

Now some schools count your GPA of nursing related and pre requisite coursework, while others may include your cumulative GPA including all past coursework. That would be something to consider as well when looking for schools to apply.

Consider junior colleges although you have a great background when entering nursing school the director said in orientation I attended recently you are considered a "nobody" when starting on your career as a nurse! And you would get the best training educationally and hands on with community colleges in my opinion and many others! Hope this helps.

OksQueenC · Sep 11, 2015

I also had a lower GPA when I was contemplating applying to RN schools. I kept hearing about how RN schools were so competitive and you had to practically have a 4.0 GPA to get in. So I applied to an LPN program because I kept hearing LPN-RN programs were less competitive. I got into an LPN program by literally increasing my math entrance exam score by one point when I decided to be anal retentive and retook the test. LPN school is very time consuming. My program was 8am-3pm Monday-Friday, then studying at night for a year. I also worked weekends during that time. It was hard, but it was what I needed. I was so tired of having to take history, government, and all these prerequisites that didn't seem to have anything to do with nursing. Once I got into LPN school and was dealing with actual nursing and things I was interested in my GPA was great. After that I worked on prerequisites for about a year then applied to LPN-RN school. The prerequisites I took after LPN school seemed easier, probably because some of the science theory is introduced in LPN school and because you will need to acquire very good study skills while in the program as well. I was placed on an alternate list for RN school, but wound up getting in. I hate to say it, but RN school seemed easier that LPN school for me. Maybe because I had actual nursing experience going into it, maybe because school/clinical was 1-2 days a week instead of 5. I also liked RN school more because they get more in depth with the pathophysiology of disease processes and integrate more of the psych and cultural needs of patients. Anyways this is a long rant, sorry. I just wanted to say if you really want to be a nurse there are more options for you that just the traditional route. Some colleges/universities will even just factor in your last 60 credit hours in an attempt to better see your current academic performance. This is what I will be using when I apply to a BSN program. It takes a little bit longer to do it this way, but I think some extra years of emotional growth and fine tuning my study skills has helped to make me/my GPA more competitive. One last thing, and this is just my opinion, but don't go to a for-profit private school! They just take tons of money from people when you could've gotten in way cheaper somewhere else. Also they usually have issues with accreditation. I know of some of those schools that are being sued because they take people's money then they can't find jobs. My LPN school was $4,500 while the local private for-profit was $28,000. It was about the same for RN school except the for-profit was $32,000. I always tell people not to pay the bigger amount because what if you get in and decide it's not for you, or you have a family emergency and have to quit and wind up with all that debt. Ok, way-too-long-rant over.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2015

You can give Community colleges a try. Nursing generally needs A's in A and P and Microbiology to even stand a chance. There are some schools dropping the chemistry requirement see if you can find one. However, once you pass chemistry (suggest take tutoring and get an A) , then seriously STUDY for the TEAS (TEAS is normally done prior to applying, surprised you have not taken it already) ...a competitive TEAS score of 85% or higher will make up for the low sciences GPA and give you a better chance of getting in.

Alternative would be to take the route as others suggest..go for LPN, then do LPN to RN, then RN to BSN...I know a few nurses who went that route, which is fine, just takes longer.

Or if you got a lot of cash laying around (Like $20-40,000) any of the private schools will gladly take your money...as to if you will get a good education...I do not know. I much prefer public Universities and community colleges.

futurnurse16 · Oct 7, 2015

thank you so much

futurnurse16 · Oct 7, 2015

I also had a lower GPA when I was contemplating applying to RN schools. I kept hearing about how RN schools were so competitive and you had to practically have a 4.0 GPA to get in. So I applied to an LPN program because I kept hearing LPN-RN programs were less competitive. I got into an LPN program by literally increasing my math entrance exam score by one point when I decided to be anal retentive and retook the test. LPN school is very time consuming. My program was 8am-3pm Monday-Friday, then studying at night for a year. I also worked weekends during that time. It was hard, but it was what I needed. I was so tired of having to take history, government, and all these prerequisites that didn't seem to have anything to do with nursing. Once I got into LPN school and was dealing with actual nursing and things I was interested in my GPA was great. After that I worked on prerequisites for about a year then applied to LPN-RN school. The prerequisites I took after LPN school seemed easier, probably because some of the science theory is introduced in LPN school and because you will need to acquire very good study skills while in the program as well. I was placed on an alternate list for RN school, but wound up getting in. I hate to say it, but RN school seemed easier that LPN school for me. Maybe because I had actual nursing experience going into it, maybe because school/clinical was 1-2 days a week instead of 5. I also liked RN school more because they get more in depth with the pathophysiology of disease processes and integrate more of the psych and cultural needs of patients. Anyways this is a long rant, sorry. I just wanted to say if you really want to be a nurse there are more options for you that just the traditional route. Some colleges/universities will even just factor in your last 60 credit hours in an attempt to better see your current academic performance. This is what I will be using when I apply to a BSN program. It takes a little bit longer to do it this way, but I think some extra years of emotional growth and fine tuning my study skills has helped to make me/my GPA more competitive. One last thing, and this is just my opinion, but don't go to a for-profit private school! They just take tons of money from people when you could've gotten in way cheaper somewhere else. Also they usually have issues with accreditation. I know of some of those schools that are being sued because they take people's money then they can't find jobs. My LPN school was $4,500 while the local private for-profit was $28,000. It was about the same for RN school except the for-profit was $32,000. I always tell people not to pay the bigger amount because what if you get in and decide it's not for you, or you have a family emergency and have to quit and wind up with all that debt. Ok, way-too-long-rant over.

thank you so much i know it too late for me to answer now. I'm retaking chemistry and i also did the CNA, ECG, PHLEBOTOMY and currently looking for a job. i hope after this i can take the teas V and hopefully get in somewhere. if not by next year i will be looking for the LPN route.

futurnurse16 · Oct 7, 2015

I'm sorry I cannot recommend any nursing programs that are 'easy' to get in to or make it through for that matter. My best advice to you is to look at why you aren't doing well. Do you need to get a tutor or extra help in certain subjects? Perhaps you can find some resources at school that can help you address study habits or organization. Figure out a game plan to make yourself as successful as you can.

thank you so much. i know i am not a bad student it all happen when you come to a country and have no body to guide to you. and i have learn my lesson. i also find out i am a visual learner. taking chemistry for the 3 rd time sure getting a 'A'. preparing for the teas V i will do good. like i said if i do not get in, i will go thru the LPN route. "all route will take me to rome". :)

futurnurse16 · Oct 7, 2015

Your GPA should calculate around 3.0 with those grades mentioned. If you bring your chemistry up to a B it will be about 3.3 average. So I would suggest going to tutoring in the science lab. Sticking close with the instructor if time permits and getting help from him or her as often as possible to show you really want to pass and retain the information!
Most schools want a 60 on the TEAS in my area, so if you aim to get at least 75 or higher you should be considered competitive enough. I purchased my TEAS book on AMAZON after attempting the test once. And my score increased 15 points.
Now some schools count your GPA of nursing related and pre requisite coursework, while others may include your cumulative GPA including all past coursework. That would be something to consider as well when looking for schools to apply.
Consider junior colleges although you have a great background when entering nursing school the director said in orientation I attended recently you are considered a "nobody" when starting on your career as a nurse! And you would get the best training educationally and hands on with community colleges in my opinion and many others! Hope this helps.

hi. was school are you in. please?