Low GPA

Sour Lemon · Sep 1, 2017

Hey guys, so I'm a wannabe nurse and I completed my undergrad with a 2.69 GPA UNFORTUNATELY. So I took a Biochem course at middlesex and a stats course and organic chem course at umass lowell. Although, I did well in these courses. I still feel that I won't get accepted into any ABSN program. I really don't want to start at the associates level and do another 4 years after getting my B.S. in biology from UNH 6 years ago. I also hear mixed reviews about CNA school and don't want to waste time there. What is the best course of action to sell myself to an easy acceptance accelerated program north of the Boston area?
Thank you for your comments/suggestions. All the best.

The associate's level might not want you, either. I had a 3.7 GPA and only got in as an alternate.

*** Your name should be "wannabenursegordon". Don't call yourself a nurse until you are one, please. It's disrespectful.

Strivetothrive · Sep 1, 2017

New England Tech's 4 year Bachelors program only requires a Kaplan entrance test to get accepted, but it's still a lot of money and time. I would love to capitalize off my degree already. If I take a couple more courses, will schools combine that with my undergrad GPA?

roser13, ASN, RN · Sep 1, 2017

New England Tech's 4 year Bachelors program only requires a Kaplan entrance test to get accepted, but it's still a lot of money and time. I would love to capitalize off my degree already. If I take a couple more courses, will schools combine that with my undergrad GPA?

You'd have to ask the schools themselves. Keep in mind that any "easy acceptance" schools (especially when you have a low GPA) may well be for-profit & extremely expensive, and possibly not all that good.

DoGoodThenGo · Sep 1, 2017

New England Tech's 4 year Bachelors program only requires a Kaplan entrance test to get accepted, but it's still a lot of money and time. I would love to capitalize off my degree already. If I take a couple more courses, will schools combine that with my undergrad GPA?

As you already know your undergrad degree is what it is, and was set in stone upon graduation. Different programs have their own ways of looking at course work. However the laws of averaging still mean that it will take a pretty good amount of credits at 4.0 (A) to raise a 2.69 to a 3.0 or even 3.5 GPA. Going down this route could mean taking one, two or more years of courses which at some point you might as well just get another degree, and you'll still not have either an AAS or BSN.

Best thing to do is attend open houses and or otherwise meet with nursing programs in your area and ask their advice.

Personally would suggest applying to all programs qualified be they AAS or ABSN, and see what happens. Yes, know you would rather get the BSN and be done with things; but sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you. That is you've got to deal with things on the ground as they are and look for potential ways around.

Plenty of second career RNs (some with four year and or even post graduate degrees) got their start as AAS grads, then took a bridge course to get their four year or even post graduate degrees in nursing.

Strivetothrive · Sep 1, 2017

Thank you guys for your advice. I was also looking at Radiology Technologist programs. However, they also seem very competitive and stringent about applicants' GPA. It would be ideal to enroll in a one year certification in some technologist position and then apply from there. Sorry if I'm jumping around, I just seem pretty lost and overwhelmed at all these options. I figured I would take advantage of living with my dad and maybe attend some part time program, while working, in order to appeal to school requirements.