Non-nursing degree (low GPA/stats) to accelerated BSN program?

I fooled around in school, which brought down my GPA to a 2.65. I have no volunteer/research experience and no letters of recommendation--just a degree in Biological Sciences.

I've made my mind about Nursing and did some research. I found that people like me with a non-nursing degree can get their BSN in about a year through an accelerated BSN program.

With my GPA and low stats, it seems like a hard program for me to get into. I have a bad feeling that I might as well throw my degree down the toilet. AM I SOL (sh*t outta luck?) What are my options toward getting a BSN using the degree I have now?

All feedback is appreciated. Thanks guys.

A BSN in nursing requires a number of specific courses before entering the program. Not all of your previous courses may be utilized. TAke an unofficial transcript with you to talk things over with an advisor at the school at which you want to apply for the BSN. You may even have to take additional classes, for example science classes like Microbiology and or Anatomy & Physiology etc, before you can apply. It all depends what kind of courses you took in the past and which ones you may still have to take.

Good luck.

I am walking a similar path. Don't be discouraged. The above advice is good. Once I realized which classes I needed to retake, for example my science classes were too old to count (and they also were C's) so I am retaking them. I had some down time over the summer, so I signed up for Intro to Soc and Intro to Psych online. I had both the first time in college, but again C's, so retaking them online and getting A's.

I encourage you to get in contact with someone in admissions at your school and discuss the best pathway. Most folks I have talked to at several different local schools have been very encouraging even though my initial gpa was also a 2.6. If my pre req's all turn out to be excellent and I prove myself that way, that can often weigh in your favor. Getting involved in some kind of hospital volunteer work or similar can also weigh in your favor. You may have to go a back door route, even though it isn't the most convenient. I have 5 different options set out for me when I am ready to apply-ranging from Direct Entry Master's options all the way through to applying for an ADN through the local community college. The latter would certainly take longer, but if that's the way I have to go to get where I want, well...so be it.

Honestly, in the beginning I sensed so much negativity and fear mongering about getting into school, I can't imagine how anyone makes it. If you really want to do this and you're committed to doing whatever it takes; step out!

Heh, I am also doing the same thing. 10 years after graduating from state college with a 2.79. I'm also hoping that by taking my pre-reqs that I will be raising my GPA to a 3.0, which seems to be the lowest gpa accepted by a majority of the Acclerated BSN programs. However, the school that I am wanting to get into, will accept a 2.5 so it really all depends on the school that you wish to go to.

Just like many have mentioned here, go to the school that you wish to be accepted in and pester (yes pester, I had to ask 6 times via email and phone calls to see if credits here would transfer there) until they can tell you what you should/need to take. Currently, I'm taking a pre-req to a pre-req that I need to get into the school I want.

Good luck!

It is possible! My undergrad GPA was ~2.6, since my goal at that point was merely to pass the courses, not excel in them.

I was able to get into an accelerated BSN/MSN program by doing very well in the prerequisite courses (4.0 GPA), getting extra letters of recommendation from my professors, and also doing very well on the GRE.

It will be an uphill fight, but if you can convince the college that you're serious about doing this, they will probably tell you what you've got to do to prove yourself.

Good luck!

I'm in a similar situation too. I graduated with my BS degree with a not-so-great GPA and I am now wanting to enter the accelerated BSN program at my school. I will stop at nothing to achieve my goal of going to nursing school..no matter what others may say, I will work my hardest to stay focused on what I want to accomplish. It's encouraging to know there are other people out there in a similar situation as I am and that they're out there too fighting for their dream. Good luck to all of us...WE CAN DO IT!!!!!

I agree with all the posts, and there is another thing to consider. The program I am in will look at your total GPA or the GPA of the last 60 credit hours taken, whichever makes your GPA look the best. In my case, my GPA wasn't great, but my last 60 credits were good, any my prerequisites were almost all "A's". I know other schools do the same also, so check around.

I'm looking into the different tracks to become an RN (AS first, BSN later, or just BSN now?) and I found this useful article, check it out: http://www.nursingprograms.com/RN-to-BSN

Did you guys take your pre-reqs at a community college or university? Do you think that the nursing school cares where you get your pre-reqs done?

Thanks for the information

i am applying for BSN program and my prereq GPA is abt a 3.4 but my general GPA is a 3.1 so it's better for just pre reqs which is all that they base our admissions on =( eek

Did you guys take your pre-reqs at a community college or university? Do you think that the nursing school cares where you get your pre-reqs done?

Thanks for the information

If I had to answer this in one word, I would say YES. Saying that, make sure to check with one or two schools that you are thinking of applying to to make sure that the credits you are about to spend you money on will transfer. I had to hound my school of choice to see if the community college in my area would accept those credits. Luckily they would and here I am taking a pre-req to get into the pre-reqs I need to take haha.

I was wondering is there any school in OC or LA that will take you if your GPA is 2.7? I messed up when I was at CSULB and got a 2.4 GPA, but now I am going great on all my pre req All A's so far but I calculated all the classes that I have to take before I apply and it only comes to a 2.7. I really want to get into an accelerated program or a second degree MSN program, any advice.

Thank you

hi, luckily accelerated bsn programs believe in 2nd chances. i think we all screwed up during undergrad, i didn't catch a clue until senior year i barely graduated with a 3.0 g.p.a. all u have to do is find a program that accepts an undergrad g.p.a of a 2.0-2.5 (which wont b hard to do). accelerated programs base ur admissions on two seperate g.p.a's undergrad & sciences. as long as u meet the minimum requirements for the undergrad g.p.a. thats all it is good for. the major factor after that is ur science prerequisits. just do ur best to maintain well above a 3.5 science pre-reqs & u shouldn't have any problems getting into the program of ur choice. good luck