Low Overall GPA

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Is it possible to get into nursing school with a low overall college gpa? When I was younger I didn't take college too seriously. With that, my grades were in the gutter. I was a biology major and I did not have the mindset that should have. I did however get a BS in healthcare administration with a concentration in long-term care and I'm a licensed nursing home administrator for the State of Florida. Managing a SNF I realized I wanted to get away from the whole politics of administration. I wanted a role that concentrated on helping people on a more personal level.

So, is there is anyone that was in the same situation as me and got into nursing school. The mistakes of my past are catching up with me and I'd hate to think I couldn't get into a nursing program.

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I was in a sort of similar situation. After 2 years of college, I decided I wanted to apply to my school's nursing program. Unfortunately, I did not really take the first two years of college seriously (partly because I had no idea what I wanted to do). I think I had around a 2.5 cumulative GPA when I applied to the nursing program, and upon meeting with the director of nursing was told I had very little chance as the program was extremely competitive. I was definitely worried, because I finally knew what I wanted to do and regretted my poor grades. I was accepted into the program, passed all my classes with A's and B's, and was able to raise my cumulative GPA to 3.1. So, it is possible. Don't give up!

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My overall GPA is below the 2.5 minimum required. That is what worries me. With the exception of Nutrition and Microbiology, which I took this past summer, the rest of the prerequisites for nursing were taken back when I was in that "not caring" attitude. I passed those courses but the grades could have been higher. I'm 32 years old now and I'm not the same person I was in my late teens/early twenties. It's just killing me right now.

I've already emailed my school of interest to see if there's anything that can be done on my part.

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I know what you mean..it can be very frustrating because programs are so competitive. I was told the minimum GPA was a 3.0 at my school. Somehow I managed to make it. I did talk to the director of nursing though, and explained myself and my prereqs (like nutrition, micro, a & p) were all A's and B's. The best thing you can do is talk to someone at your school of interest about it. After talking to you and seeing the improvement in your most recent grades along with your determination and matured mindset, they may consider you regardless of your past. I have heard of some colleges just requiring students with past low GPAs to "prove themselves" by taking their prereqs with good grades.

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Thanks for your words of encouragement. I would gladly accept a probationary period to prove myself. The only thing all my prereqs are complete and I have nothing else to take. The only thing left for me is the TEAS.

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Umm, seeing as you are 32 and you did poorly "back then" it is very likely that your pre reqs are too old to be used. In that case you will be given a good chance to prove your motivation.

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My two schools of interest have no expiration on pre-requisite courses.

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School seem to require different things. The two schools in my area have two totally different criteria. One is a ranking system and the other is lottery. I have also hear that some schools chose students soley on a first come, first serve!

So, select a school that chooses students based on minimum requirement and then select by lottery or first come, first served.

Good luck to you!

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