LPN in need of help!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

HI! Here's my story in a nutshell. I started off GREAT! I went to a career academy high school where I graduated at 17 and was able to take the NCLEX-LPN and passed on my first try. That August I started at FSU where I was planning on graduating 4yrs later with my BSN. Well...long story short...I wasn't emotionally prepared for all of the challenges life through at me and well...I ended up changing majors to Psychology since I didn't have the GPA for the nursing program, graduated with a bachelors in psych with a 2.7 GPA, and no desire to pursue graduate school in psychology. My passion just wasn't there...it was with nursing.

So...I did what I thought was best...I went back to nursing. I've been working as an agency nurse for about a year now. I've gotten an insane amount of experience working from everywhere from a prison, to nursing homes, to mental institutes and more. Here's the problem...I can be doing so much more than what I'm doing now. I can't let my dream of having my BSN go. With my GPA at this point I think my only option is go to a community college and then hopefully transfer to a BSN program...but I can't afford not to work and well...being a fulltime student, fulltime employee and wife...I just don't know how I could make that work.

I've looked at online options but I guess this is where I need help. Are all online programs pass or fail? I need something that is going to help my GPA so I can hopefully attend a university for my BSN. That's just a REAL big deal for me. I feel like I failed and I have to make it up by being able to physically attend a university but I have to raise my GPA.

Any help will be welcomed!!

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

My first thought is to get your RN license first. That'll boost your finances, then maybe you can work less while going for your BSN. I worked full time, did my ADN full time, was married and had 2 daughters all at the same time. My GPA was 2.8. I am prouder of all that with a 2.8 GPA than had I done school alone and got a 4.0! Good luck.

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Well...my problem with my 2.7GPA is that in order to get into an accelerated BSN program I have to have a 3.2. If i have to do the whole shabang online...so be it...but it's just a personal goal that I would like to say that I achieved. My current goal is get my ADN online...then BSN...but again...I'm confused on if online programs offer credit hours or if the courses are only pass/fail.

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Not knowing where you live or what classes you've taken: have you thought about doing your science classes or some other generals again to try and up your GPA? Then shouldn't you be able to try again? Just a thought!

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Not knowing where you live or what classes you've taken: have you thought about doing your science classes or some other generals again to try and up your GPA? Then shouldn't you be able to try again? Just a thought!

Sorry...I left out a HUGE part...I did all my nursing pre-reqs at Florida State University. After that is when I changed majors to psychology. So...I'm ready for the next step.

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Have you thought about going to TCC? I know they have a points based system on criteria for admission. You can get in other ways aside from your GPA. If your ACT or SAT scores are good you get so many points and there's quite a few others. At least that's how it used to be..after your ADN you could bridge over at FSU or do the BSN courses online through a university. Once you are employed as an RN with your ADN, your hospital will probably help pay for some of your BSN courses. There were quite a few working mothers/wives in my nursing program, it's tough but will pay off in the end. Good luck! :)

Here's some info if you haven't already looked...they do have a point system, just different. http://www.tcc.fl.edu/about_tcc/academic_affairs/division_of_health_care_professions/areas_of_study/nursing/admission_requirements

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I'm not sure where you live at I'm assuming , but at Daytona State College they have a transition to professional nursing program for LPNs to become RNs. Since you are already an LPN you shouldn't have a problem getting into the program. It's three semesters long, and it will help boost your GPA since you're concerned with that for getting your BSN, it also doesn't hurt considering that you already have a bachelors degree. A lot of the time ADN to BSN programs are less picky about the GPA then traditional BSN programs. Don't be discouraged just because you're GPA isn't as high as you would like it to be. Just take the TEAS test, and start applying to programs that you would be able to go to if you get in.

Here's the link to the Daytona State Program-

http://daytonastate.edu/WebCollegeCatalog/catalog.jsp?major=2271&cat=CC11&major2_no=713&archive=false

Good luck!

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3.2 is the minimum GPA required for ABSN's in your area? That seems kind of high! In my area it's 3.0.

Try talking to admissions in some of these programs. For example, I went to an informational session for an entry level MSN program last summer and they said that even though a 3.0 is required, they have taken people will less depending on circumstances. They just don't advertise it on their website.

Maybe they will be willing to look at your prereq grades and take that into consideration as well? Try retaking some if you didn't do too great to show them you can do it. I'm sure your experience will be a valuable asset that will outshine your GPA. Most schools look at the big picture, not just grades. And I think having experience as an LPN is a lot more indicative of succeeding in a BSN program than having a 4.0 as a psych major.

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