Low gpa but want to get into nursing

bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN · Mar 20, 2018

Typically nursing admissions only look at the gpa of the required pre-reqs of their specific program. Nursing school is highly competitive and people with 4.0s don't even always get in. Different programs have different requirements so you will need to look into the requirements for your specific program.

Just FYI they won't care that the courses you took were "harder" than another person's course. That's like saying I took the harder professor for Chemistry and got a B but Sally took the easy professor and got an A. It doesn't matter, I still have a B and she still has an A.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Mar 20, 2018

As dishhearting as it may sound you may need to apply to a community college, ADN program....

Sour Lemon · Mar 20, 2018

As dishhearting as it may sound you may need to apply to a community college, ADN program....

Umm, I got into my community college nursing program only as an alternate. My GPA was 3.7

andrea3434 · Mar 20, 2018

Meanwhile I got into a highly competitive BSN program in my area with a 3.2. It all depends on the school, the area, even the semester you are applying for. Me getting accepted was a mix of luck (the semester just happened to have less qualified applicants than usual) and getting a great score on my entrance hesi.

Misteighbloo, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2018

As the above poster said, it depends on where you are and the competitiveness of spots but I've known of people who have gotten in with similar grade to accelerated programs. I would apply to both BSN and ADN programs at the same time (no harm in increasing your chances) and go with the best you get accepted at. Best of luck!

subee, MSN, CRNA · Mar 21, 2018

You will be fine. Do not bother with ADN unless you are financially strapped. Neuroscience major counts. The person who compared neuroscience major to a someone complaining they had a more difficult professor is a meaningless analogy. Nuraing needs you. Your major will bring a lot to your practice and may provide you a real edge. 3.0 with a hard science major is good enough. Go for the accelerated degree if you can afford it. You can handle it and you can get to work faster. I wouldn't say this to an English major:)

Rachaelfc · Mar 21, 2018

i don't think that logic applies, for example, ochem is an entirely different course from the chemistry for nursing majors, I was the TA for the nursing chemistry class which is where my interests started to develope. I was curious if they gave me an advantage because I have gone into much more depth in the subjects required for nursing as well as other sciences/maths. But I will be sure to keep a good GPA in the prereqs if that's what they're mostly looking at!

Rachaelfc · Mar 21, 2018

As the above poster said, it depends on where you are and the competitiveness of spots but I've known of people who have gotten in with similar grade to accelerated programs. I would apply to both BSN and ADN programs at the same time (no harm in increasing your chances) and go with the best you get accepted at. Best of luck!

Thank you!

Rachaelfc · Mar 21, 2018

You will be fine. Do not bother with ADN unless you are financially strapped. Neuroscience major counts. The person who compared neuroscience major to a someone complaining they had a more difficult professor is a meaningless analogy. Nuraing needs you. Your major will bring a lot to your practice and may provide you a real edge. 3.0 with a hard science major is good enough. Go for the accelerated degree if you can afford it. You can handle it and you can get to work faster. I wouldn't say this to an English major:)

Thank you!

futurenurse2905 · Mar 21, 2018

You'll get in . I graduated with a 3.0 and got in to 3 of the 5 schools I applied to so far. I felt the same way as you did, but just have faith you'll get in. Good luck.

scenario · Mar 21, 2018

Hi Rachaelfc, I was in the same boat as you when I applied. I majored in bio physio and unfortunately due to a lot of family health and person issues I graduated with a 2.97 GPA. This killed me. My transcripts look like a parabola, up down and back up. I was so discouraged to apply anywhere and I was still debating if I wanted to do PA or RN/NP. My last semester of undergrad I got all A's in my upper div/major classes - pharmacology, cardiores physio, biochem 2, etc. After 2.5 years (I graduated May 2015), I applied for nursing school this cycle and I have already been accepted to TWO SCHOOLS - Samuel Merritt's ABSN and Georgetown University's MSN program. I was SHOCKED! I interviewed at WesternU's, so I'm waiting to hear from them and USF. Although my grades weren't all that great, my pre-reqs were A's and B's. After graduating, I also took some classes through a local junior college - med term, micro, psych classes - all the pre-reqs for nursing school that I didn't take during my undergrad. Some schools that post-undergrad classes into count for your GPA, a 'cumulative GPA'. But other programs like CSULA and CSULB, you must have a 3.0 GPA for your undergraduate degree. I applied but obviously did not get in. I think what also really helped is the volunteering and extra activities I did. I volunteered a lot of various clinic sites - 1.5 years at trauma 1 emergency department, I went to Central America twice for a medical brigade, I've done monthly shifts at a homeless shelter serving food and for the past two years I've been working as a medical assistant at a free clinic in SF, specializing in transgender care and addiction medicine. Don't think of it as all grades. A lot of schools take a holistic approach on their applications. They're not just looking for amazing grades, but the fact that you are truly interesting in helping others. It was volunteer/work experience and my personal statement, I think, that boosted my chances. It's also not too late to start volunteering. If you can't make a weekly commitment, try biweekly or monthly. I hope this information helps towards your RN journey.