Low GPA

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I'm worried my low GPA won't get me into nursing programs - especially being in CA. My cumulative GPA is a 3.3 and science is a 3.0. I'm in the process of finishing up my CNA program and will be licensed by December, just in time to include that on my applications. I've had previous volunteer hours but that was in high school (five years ago). Does anyone have any recommendations on how I can improve my chances of getting into a program? Applying to ADN, BSNs including private schools too. Feeling super discouraged at the moment and worried for my future plans. 

Specializes in Behavioral Health.

I am not a scout for Roseman; I just use VegasScout as my name as I had a wonderful cat named Scout. LOL
I can answer the questions for you, though. The curriculum is the same for both schools, just different campuses. Because Roseman's largest student population comes from California, the curriculum is built to be approved by California and I am sure a few other states. I got my California license with no problem, except that it takes at least 3 months.

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Specializes in New grad.
11 hours ago, VegasScout said:

I am not a scout for Roseman; I just use VegasScout as my name as I had a wonderful cat named Scout. LOL
I can answer the questions for you, though. The curriculum is the same for both schools, just different campuses. Because Roseman's largest student population comes from California, the curriculum is built to be approved by California and I am sure a few other states. I got my California license with no problem, except that it takes at least 3 months.

Hi VegasScout LOL,

Great name!  Okay, thank you so much for your clarification!  This really helps. I was trying to see how many Clinical Hours are included in the program.... and I think it was 600?  Not sure if you remember, but if you do let me know!

Also, how do you like behavioral health? I was thinking about going into this field since I love psychiatry and mental health! 

1) Do you find it more stressful than other fields? 

2) Do you find it rewarding? 

3) Has it been easy to get jobs?

4) Do you feel you get an equivalent salary in the specialty? 

5) Is there anything you do not prefer in the specialty?

If feel comfortable answering this would help!  Thank you so much for your help so far!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

Sorry for the delay in responding.

1) Do you find it more stressful than other fields? 

I definitely don't find it more stressful. It's probably less stressful than other nursing jobs once you get used to it. In most places, you perform very few medical tasks, so it's harder to kill someone. LOL.  That is definitely less stressful. But you are surrounded by violent or potentially violent patients each and every shift. I've been punched in the head, kicked in the crotch, kicked in the stomach, etc. But you learn to take a punch with poise and move on to the next patient after calming down in the med room for a minute. I've worked in some really shady hospitals that cram patients together on units and some really nice places. You just need to hop jobs a few times until you find the place you like best.

2) Do you find it rewarding? 

Yes, psych is very rewarding. There are times you feel worthless as you see the same patients over and over again readmitted for meth, heroin, going off their meds, etc. But when you see them when they first come in and then leave once stabilized on meds and in a good space, you see that you do make a difference after all. Plus many patients tend to be easy to talk to. They tell jokes, laugh a lot, and help make the job enjoyable. 

3) Has it been easy to get jobs?

Super frickin easy. Not many want to work psych and the turnover rate is high. I love psych and I tend to be a travel nurse because the pay is much higher. 

4) Do you feel you get an equivalent salary in the specialty? 

Maybe not equivalent to other specialties, but really only a dollar or two less than med surg. Plus if you travel after getting some experience, the pay is very good. A great thing about psych is that you can work your way up the nurse career ladder pretty quickly because the turnover rate is high. If you just stick around, you will become charge, house supervisor, nurse manager, and even DON. I have seen it plenty of times! LOL

5) Is there anything you do not prefer in the specialty?

I prefer not to get hit, but it is what it is. It doesn't happen often but it can happen when you least expect it. I work forensics at time and it can be a little rough. But still worth it. 

What I have learned is that each hospital is so different from another. Many have an LPN med nurse so you as an RN do not do med pass. Others have the RN pass meds. Some hospitals have RNs do smallish medical tasks; others have a med nurse team and the RN never performs anything medical. Some hospitals have a lot of activities for the patients; other hospitals barely have any and the patients are bored. A bored psych patient is not a good thing. Plus, some hospitals have youth and adolescent units (my least favorite by far!!) and others have only adult units. The differences go on and on. Find the combination you like and work there. 

One piece of advice, be an RN that passes meds for a while. That is the ONLY way to really learn medications.

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