man, going back is a waste of time...

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 25, 2004

I have a couple of responses to the original post:

1. If nursing is something you REALLY want, you will find a way to do it. There are programs that are not all that hard to get into, that don't require an exceptionally high GPA. They just might not be located right down the road from your current house. You might have to move to another geographic location. You know, that's not such a bad thing. People used to have to move all the time to go to college.

2. What criteria would you suggest the schools use? When they have more applicants than available places, they need to select those students who have the best chances of graduating and passing NCLEX. Of course they are going to look at previous GPA as one of the big indicators of that. If you did not work up to your potential in the past, it's not fair to blame the school for that. Acknowledge your previous mistakes and take that chip off your shoulder.

3. You can show your current motivation and ability to do better in the future by taking a few classes (before applying to a nursing school) and acing them. Many schools will consider recent grades to be a greater indicator of your potential nursing success than old grades from years ago.

In summary ... The fact that you performed poorly in the past is not the fault of the nursing school that you would like to attend. You need to stop blaming them and take responsibility for the consequences of your past decisions. If you really want a nursing career, you need to identify those schools that are a realistic option for you now (even if they are not the most convenient for you) and do what it takes to get in. If that means moving ... or spending a little time and money on some extra classes ... so be it. That's the price you may have to pay for your past decisions.

Good luck,

llg

MryRose · Feb 25, 2004

I think that if there is a will, there is a way.

In our area, you can go into the nursing program if you first bcome an LVN AND also take and pass the prequisites for the RN program. It takes a lot longer, but can be done.

Once you gets your LVN and the pre-req's you will qualify for the placement in the ADN program and will already have some of the classes covered for RN (basically the 1st year). Though it will take considerably longer to get there, it can be done.

I wish you the best.

Hugs,

MaryRose

tiredfeetED · Feb 25, 2004

My understanding was that they selected those who had all there prereqs completed (stats,chem,bio, anatomy...etc.) usually must be above 2.5 and must have a PULSE! :chuckle

I think all most anyone can get into nursing school...But believe me those instructors WILL weed out those who are weak! I have seen that happen! Nursing school will be your life! **Shivers** But well worth the Headaches! :coollook:

rollingstone · Feb 25, 2004

IIg, great points. I agree.

RNKITTY04 · Feb 25, 2004

When I read the original post at first I kinda felt sorry for the guy, second career, bad decisions in the past etc etc.. I felt I could relate, than I did a second reading and saw that the age is only 22? PLEASE give me break, my son is your age, you have all the time in the world to get into nursing school. Like some of the other posters said, look for alternative means, if you really want it you will get it. I was number 12 on the waiting list last year, 38 years old, with not a great GPA but I kept trying and knocking on doors and now I am looking forward to graduating this summer. DO NOT GIVE UP! This is just one of the millions of doors that will slam in your face as you get older, learn to deal with them and not run away. Sorry if I sound like a Mom but just wanted to give my 2 cents worth.

AnnaN5 · Feb 25, 2004

from what i've gathered, going back to school for nursing is the biggest waste of time if you've got anything lower than a 3.0 from your previous degree. its sad to realize that nursing schools dont recognize the hard work and effort of a "second chance on a career" because pulling off a 4.0 in prereqs wont help you at all.
i should have majored in some joke degree like "physical education".. that way i could have gotten a 4.0 and not had to worry about going back

I can relate to how you feel. I am currently finishing up my bachelors in Human Biology and am looking into accelerated/2nd degree BSN and ADN programs. I have the required grades for the pre-reqs but my overall gpa is not above a 3.0 so the chance that I am going to get in anywhere is pretty slim to none. I wanted to get into a program for this Fall or next Spring cause as soon as 6 months pass without going to school I have to start paying on my $15,000 in loans from my current degree. So I'm not sure what I am going to do.

chuckcamp · Feb 25, 2004

I have a couple of responses to the original post:
1. If nursing is something you REALLY want, you will find a way to do it. There are programs that are not all that hard to get into, that don't require an exceptionally high GPA. They just might not be located right down the road from your current house. You might have to move to another geographic location. You know, that's not such a bad thing. People used to have to move all the time to go to college.
2. What criteria would you suggest the schools use? When they have more applicants than available places, they need to select those students who have the best chances of graduating and passing NCLEX. Of course they are going to look at previous GPA as one of the big indicators of that. If you did not work up to your potential in the past, it's not fair to blame the school for that. Acknowledge your previous mistakes and take that chip off your shoulder.
3. You can show your current motivation and ability to do better in the future by taking a few classes (before applying to a nursing school) and acing them. Many schools will consider recent grades to be a greater indicator of your potential nursing success than old grades from years ago.
In summary ... The fact that you performed poorly in the past is not the fault of the nursing school that you would like to attend. You need to stop blaming them and take responsibility for the consequences of your past decisions. If you really want a nursing career, you need to identify those schools that are a realistic option for you now (even if they are not the most convenient for you) and do what it takes to get in. If that means moving ... or spending a little time and money on some extra classes ... so be it. That's the price you may have to pay for your past decisions.
Good luck,
llg

first of all, i am not blaming anybody for holding such high standards.... i understand that schools need to have some sort of selectivity to them. i am just commenting on the fact that you cant just "start over" if you want to go into nursing... kind of ironic especially if you're coming from something completely unrelated. if you have an example of schools who look at recent grades (especially focusing on prereqs), then name some. i have yet to come across a school that looks at recent grades vs. overall... i have no problem moving across the nation, i just need to know which schools are out there (and trust me, i've been doing research on it and i cant find anything).

chuckcamp · Feb 25, 2004

When I read the original post at first I kinda felt sorry for the guy, second career, bad decisions in the past etc etc.. I felt I could relate, than I did a second reading and saw that the age is only 22? PLEASE give me break, my son is your age, you have all the time in the world to get into nursing school. Like some of the other posters said, look for alternative means, if you really want it you will get it. I was number 12 on the waiting list last year, 38 years old, with not a great GPA but I kept trying and knocking on doors and now I am looking forward to graduating this summer. DO NOT GIVE UP! This is just one of the millions of doors that will slam in your face as you get older, learn to deal with them and not run away. Sorry if I sound like a Mom but just wanted to give my 2 cents worth.

ya, i understand that i've got all the time in the world to change things.. etc. that's not my point. i dont think it matters how old you are because nursing school admissions dont take that into consideration. so if you are questioning if i am "old enough" to be worried about the urgency in this decision then you are wrong. I've finally found something that i've got a passion for and i dont think i need to wait till i'm in my 30s with a kid to worry about achieving it. therefore, i think my concern is legitimized and i have all the right to question any means of getting there.

now if you are worrying if i give up easily-- i dont. unlike some moronic college grads, i'm rather conservative in my decision making and would like to know the path to a goal before taking the first step (and there's nothing wrong with mapping out your journey). i currently work in consulting that pays well and switching to the healthcare field isnt my idea of "hopping across the pond"

i apologize for that misunderstanding, mom.

nurse1day · Feb 25, 2004

I am a second degree student and I did not do so great the first time around. I did however acknowledge this and did excellent in the few pre reqs that I needed. I then applied to an area BSN program and was not accepted. I explored other options and went to a Community College. At the Community College they mostly looked at the pre reqs gpa and the the fact that I had a degree weighed very heavily. They used a point system so you get a certain amount of points just for having a degree. Hope this helps. If you need a list of schools I can give them to you. I am in the Maryland area.

:)

TLC RN · Feb 25, 2004

I can relate to how you feel. I am currently finishing up my bachelors in Human Biology and am looking into accelerated/2nd degree BSN and ADN programs. I have the required grades for the pre-reqs but my overall gpa is not above a 3.0 so the chance that I am going to get in anywhere is pretty slim to none. I wanted to get into a program for this Fall or next Spring cause as soon as 6 months pass without going to school I have to start paying on my $15,000 in loans from my current degree. So I'm not sure what I am going to do.

Apply to Wayne state. I don't think you can get in for this fall because your Bachelors must be done by June 1st. They only consider your GPA in the 10 pre-req classes. They do not look at your first degree GPA, just that you have one. Also, if you go back to school, shouldn't you be able to defer you loans?

Also look at U of D Mercy...they will consider you if your GPA is above a 2.75...

TLC RN · Feb 25, 2004

first of all, i am not blaming anybody for holding such high standards.... i understand that schools need to have some sort of selectivity to them. i am just commenting on the fact that you cant just "start over" if you want to go into nursing... kind of ironic especially if you're coming from something completely unrelated. if you have an example of schools who look at recent grades (especially focusing on prereqs), then name some. i have yet to come across a school that looks at recent grades vs. overall... i have no problem moving across the nation, i just need to know which schools are out there (and trust me, i've been doing research on it and i cant find anything).

Check out Drexel University in Philly. If you have under a 3.0 GPA on your first degree, they will consider you last 60 credits if they are over a 3.0...