Maybe I'm not meant to be a nurse :(

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 27, 2014

I am from the Philly area as well. I'm looking outside of PA for school now because competition is too fierce for seats even on the community college level and the job market is atrocious (overall, not even just for nursing). Around here 3.4 is the minimum but they expect much higher for entrance, as well.

I would look at a variety of programs outside PA as well as in PA. There are people on here that have gotten into nursing school with your GPA.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 27, 2014

You are taking two science courses, which can be daunting.

What helped me with micro was getting a review book, as well as flash cards.

I'm from the Philly area and practice as a nurse in the area; I went to a program that required a 3.5 science and 3.0 general GPA and an NLN score.

I would sit down and talk to a counselor; also look into what schools that are willing to work with you.

You'd be amazed what schools work with students and help ensure success.

You may have to look at other alternatives as well.

I completed by goal of being a BSN prepared nurse; I failed at a ADN program, dusted myself off and became a LPN, and went back to school to get my degree; It will be two years this June, and I have been thriving in this Philly market where there has never really had a nursing shortage; it takes persererence.

Best wishes.

catebsn25 · Mar 27, 2014

Being a bad test taker or having a low GPA does not mean that you aren't cut out to be a nurse. However, it may be difficult to get into nursing school because it is so competitive. I would apply anyway and see what happens. See your professors during office hours and see if they can help you better prepare for your exams. Do you have test anxiety? A lot of people have that problem, which negatively affects their grades. If that is the case, see your PCP about it. If it is your dream to become a nurse, you will do it. Just don't give up! I also knew some people who retook courses to better their GPA. Good luck, you can do it!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 27, 2014

Just a little reality check here, you need to figure out what the problem is. Yes, people can tell you not to give up on your dream but their words mean little if you don't fix the problem and get into nursing school. You can forget about being a nurse. You need to either get tutoring or figure out how you learn to get better grades. No where on my nursing app did it say are you a bad test taker. Nursing school is much harder than the prereqs. I took 2 sciences last semester and did fine in both. At this point you are going to have to retake some classes if you want any hope of getting in. I'm not trying to dash your dreams but you really should not have let it get this far with your GPA. Get together with your advisor or set up some time in the tutoring lab to get your grades up. You have to have a good GPA to get into nursing school.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 28, 2014

Just a quick note. Please don't assume that nursing schools in "the South" are any less competitive or have lower standards. I'm sure you did not mean it that way, but it can be interpreted as very insulting to an entire geographic region.

FYI, some time ago, I received a tweet with a picture of a page from the Guiness Book of World Records 2011... stating that a BSN was the most difficult undergrad degree - as measured by the number of courses, assignments, tests, and required 'lab' hours (clinical?). I was not surprised. I'm continually amazed that so many people underestimate the difficulty of becoming an "angel of mercy"..... :roflmao:

ashieb90 · Mar 28, 2014

I do feel that nursing schools realize that not everyone is amazing at test taking. Maybe look at some different schools but you can do it!!! You'll regret it one day if you don't what you want to do now :)

guest798886 · Mar 29, 2014

Apply to Neumann university!! Most private schools take a lot of people!

Sent from my iPhone using the allnurses app

mrsboots87 · Mar 29, 2014

Just a little reality check here, you need to figure out what the problem is. Yes, people can tell you not to give up on your dream but their words mean little if you don't fix the problem and get into nursing school. You can forget about being a nurse. You need to either get tutoring or figure out how you learn to get better grades. No where on my nursing app did it say are you a bad test taker. Nursing school is much harder than the prereqs. I took 2 sciences last semester and did fine in both. At this point you are going to have to retake some classes if you want any hope of getting in. I'm not trying to dash your dreams but you really should not have let it get this far with your GPA. Get together with your advisor or set up some time in the tutoring lab to get your grades up. You have to have a good GPA to get into nursing school.

THIS!!

People can encourage you to keep going all they want, but honestly it's not looking good. You need to retake some of those C's and get your GPA stellar. Schools are competitive all over the country. Moving South will not help with that. I can say that having low GPA does not equate to being poor nurse. You may make a great nurse one day. It's just getting the chance to try that is tough.

Your options are taking a few more semesters to really get that GPA up, or to go a private school that has lower admission qualifications and easier to get into. The downfall is that they are generally pretty damn expensive, hence the reason their admission criteria is lower. Another possibility is to find waitlist school. I don't have a good excuse, but my GPA was a 3.1 when I applied to schools. Competitive in my area is 3.6 or above. It was my fault, so I applied to a waitlist school. It took 2.5 years to start, and I completed all my co reqs and my rn-bsn pre reqs for a guaranteed bridge program to a popular university. I am currently sitting in the top ten of my class grade wise with an A. So like I said, your GPA now doesn't reflect if you can pass nursing school and do well. But I may be an exception to the rule. My issue was not with understanding. It was with test questions. Science test questions look like a foreign language whether I know the content or not. Nursing tests are NCLEX style and situation based requiring you to know a concept and apply best practice, which works for how I think.

Sorry this is so long, but hopefully you find the advice worthwhile and a bit of encouragement to not give up until you have exhausted all possibilities.

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2014

Just a quick note. Please don't assume that nursing schools in "the South" are any less competitive or have lower standards. I'm sure you did not mean it that way, but it can be interpreted as very insulting to an entire geographic region.
FYI, some time ago, I received a tweet with a picture of a page from the Guiness Book of World Records 2011... stating that a BSN was the most difficult undergrad degree - as measured by the number of courses, assignments, tests, and required 'lab' hours (clinical?). I was not surprised. I'm continually amazed that so many people underestimate the difficulty of becoming an "angel of mercy".....

Agree! Lowest GPA accepted in my program was a 3.5. I do recommend applying to other programs though. I also recommend taking a few addition courses to boost your gpa.

PNW0212 · Mar 30, 2014

Never give up your dreams, first of all! I suggest getting a hold of an adivisor and asking them about Associate Degree in Nursing programs in your area offered at community colleges. This would give you an RN associates degree and you can get your BSN in an RN-BSN program (at least that's how it is where I'm from). Have you retaken any classes? It sounds to me like you take on a large load. Focus on only 1 or 2 classes and retake the ones you didn't get A's in. I am in somewhat of the same boat as you. My GPA is low. I took a step back and decided to retake classes, get A's, and apply to community college nursing programs in my area. I am still waiting to get in. If you want to be a nurse, you WILL be one. You just need to take it slow and realize there's no rush. Retaking classes may take a couple of years but it is worth it. Keep us posted and good luck :-)

RunBabyRN · Mar 30, 2014

Have you looked at ADN programs? I know that here, as long as you meet the minimum requirements, you're in the lottery along with everyone else.

I whole-heartedly agree that some introspection as to what is REALLY holding you back would do you some good. WHY are you a bad test taker? Anxiety? You need to address this stuff, because nursing school will only exacerbate all of those issues, and nursing school exams are like no other exams you've ever taken (you'll develop an understanding of "most correct answer"). If you can't get your test-taking under control, you won't survive nursing school or the NCLEX.

You'll also want to understand micro and your other prereqs. I understand that they can be passed without actually "getting it." But having an understanding about the body and how diseases invade the body and such will keep you from having to learn it all over again. Nursing school is building upon what you learn in your prereqs, and if those baffle you, nursing school will unfortunately go right over your head. Hire a tutor, work with a study group, do whatever it takes to get this stuff down NOW.