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

Published

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 (**** outta luck?) What are my options toward getting a BSN using the degree I have now?

All feedback is appreciated. Thanks guys.

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 :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

SiennaGreen, so what did you end up doing? What school did you get accepted to?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It seems like forever since I posted this. I crossed the $80k private school ASBN off my list quickly after learning that while I might gain admission, I would NOT be considered for any institutional scolarships because my total cumulative GPA would never reach 3.75 or above.

I completed my remaining and duplicate pre req's with great grades and applied and was accepted to a major university traditional BSN program. This one only cost $25k for the 4 semesters. I was ready to send in my $500 to hold my spot, and just couldn't do it. I called Financial Aid and was tols my the institution that students are only considered for academic scholarships on their initial admission to the school. No matter how well I did in the nursing courses, I would never be reconsidered for scholarships. So, I had to accept that I would need loans, since we don't qualify for need based scholarships. They also looked at your cumulative GPa for 59 pre req credits-which mine was somewhere around a 3.57 for the application. They only looked at 3.75 and above for scholarships.

I wavered and wavered, and finally chose not to send in my check. I forfeited my spot, and put in my application for my local CC program. In the semester in between, I finished all the pre req's needed for the RN-to-BSN option which fit my situation best. Now, my total RN education will cost me somewhere around $7k and hopefully my employer will be paying for my RN to BSN while I gain the experiance that I need before applying to grad school.

I guess I just decided I did not want to be carrying $30k in debt again and have to either work that off or carry that into Grad school also. Not as a adult returning student with a young family. Having seen what has happened in the economy in the past year has made my really grateful! All those people who told me not to worry about the money, that hospitals offer loan reimbursement and sign on bonuses, et cet...all those things that have dried up dramatically! Plus our house value has fallen through the floor, making that other "pay back" alternative effectively gone.

How about you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What school are you applying to "accelerated program" that will except a 2.5 gpa?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.
What school are you applying to "accelerated program" that will except a 2.5 gpa?

There's a few schools in VA that accept a 2.6 to 2.8 GPA for an accelerated program

There are two HBCU's (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) here in NC that has a 2.5-2.8 undergrad GPA as a minimum requirement.

Here are the links to the programs' admission requirements page

http://www.nccu.edu/Academics/sc/nursing/ABSN.cfm

http://www.wssu.edu/WSSU/UndergraduateStudies/School+of+Health+Sciences/Nursing/Admission+Requirements.htm

http://chhs.gmu.edu/nursing/bsn/2nd-degree

http://www.nsu.edu/nursing/bsdnursingSecondDegree.html

Good luck!

Here is a link to some of the schools around the country that offer an ABSN program. This list hasn't been updated in a few years so you may have to go to a school's website to find out whether or not they've started an ABSN program. I didn't even find out NC Central offered an ABSN degree until like 2 weeks ago and another school that isn't on the list just started their first class this summer. So research schools in whatever area it is you plan to move to or go to school in. You'd be surprised what you may find...

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Everyone! I'm in a similar messed-up-my-gpa-when-I-was-younger situation. I am ust now in the process of applying. I've done a ton or research regarding GPA admissions requirements, and thought I'd share...

My situation regarding my GPA is that I went off to school and totally bombed. I got my act together, and went back to school and did really well. So that leaves me with a GPA from the school I graduated from of 3.86, but only a 3.0001 cumulative GPA. I've done lots of research into various schools and how they calculate, and this is what I've learned...

While my absolute cumulative GPA is a 3.0001, not all schools transfer all credits or +/- grades, so I can't count on that 3.0001. Many schools have absolute minimum GPA requirements. At these schools, they would never see that my first transcript was just a fluke, because my application will go straight in the garbage! Because of this, have to choose carefully. I have found a few schools that only require a 2.5, a few that look at your last 60 credits, and even some that use only your GPA from your degree-granting school. There's even one school that will allow you to send a letter petitioning that they disregard a particular transcript.

I also have checked into whether they care where you complete prerequisites. For example, UC Denver does not accept credits from community colleges, but I didn't run into a problem with other schools. Most said that they don't care either way as they haven't found it to be an indicator of a student's success in their programs.

I have the flexibility to relocate, so I've researched schools coast to coast. If anyone wants specifics, just let me know!

Good luck to everyone!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I find that most universities (at least here) dont care where you get your prereqs done as long as the cc is accredited. They understand that CCs are cheaper financially if you're taking a handfull of courses.

Also check out some traditional programs - a few schools that have the ABSN - the traditional program is just one semester longer and the same work load. Just an option

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi Everyone! I'm in a similar messed-up-my-gpa-when-I-was-younger situation. I am ust now in the process of applying. I've done a ton or research regarding GPA admissions requirements, and thought I'd share...

My situation regarding my GPA is that I went off to school and totally bombed. I got my act together, and went back to school and did really well. So that leaves me with a GPA from the school I graduated from of 3.86, but only a 3.0001 cumulative GPA. I've done lots of research into various schools and how they calculate, and this is what I've learned...

While my absolute cumulative GPA is a 3.0001, not all schools transfer all credits or +/- grades, so I can't count on that 3.0001. Many schools have absolute minimum GPA requirements. At these schools, they would never see that my first transcript was just a fluke, because my application will go straight in the garbage! Because of this, have to choose carefully. I have found a few schools that only require a 2.5, a few that look at your last 60 credits, and even some that use only your GPA from your degree-granting school. There's even one school that will allow you to send a letter petitioning that they disregard a particular transcript.

I also have checked into whether they care where you complete prerequisites. For example, UC Denver does not accept credits from community colleges, but I didn't run into a problem with other schools. Most said that they don't care either way as they haven't found it to be an indicator of a student's success in their programs.

I have the flexibility to relocate, so I've researched schools coast to coast. If anyone wants specifics, just let me know!

Good luck to everyone!

Hi Kebunt,

If you dont mind can you please share the schools with 2.5 gpa requirement or last 60 units. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Off the top of my head, these are some accelerated programs that don't require a cumulative 3.0...

NO MINIMUM

UMASS Boston (considers all applicants that have completed the prerequisites)

MINIMUM 2.5

Auburn University

University of Missouri (main, not SL)

Michigan State

University of Nebraska

3.0 IN LAST 60 HOURS

Drexel

University of Florida

3.0 IN PREREQUISITES ONLY

Idaho State (Set A prereqs only)

University of Arizona

UMASS Amherst

I'm sure there are more... I'll update the list once I've had a chance to take a look at my notes. Also, I don't know if you're only looking at accelerated programs, but if you'll consider traditional then things open up. For example, UNC Chapel Hill wants a 3.0 for their accelerated, but accepts 2.5 for their 24 month program; and University of Wisconsin Madison has a 24 month program requiring 2.75.

Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yikes! but, I still think there is hope! Though City College is not as glamorous of an option as a 4year, its cheap with a manageable work load. What about retaking classes for better grades at city college, earning an RN from city college, then working to earn experience, and then applying to the nursing school of your choice? At that point you will have an outstanding GPA along with quality work experience, and you would have a great chance of being accepted. That's my plan if I can't get a high enough GPA for my bachelors before nursing school...good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Off the top of my head, these are some accelerated programs that don't require a cumulative 3.0...

NO MINIMUM

UMASS Boston (considers all applicants that have completed the prerequisites)

MINIMUM 2.5

Auburn University

University of Missouri (main, not SL)

Michigan State

University of Nebraska

3.0 IN LAST 60 HOURS

Drexel

University of Florida

3.0 IN PREREQUISITES ONLY

Idaho State (Set A prereqs only)

University of Arizona

UMASS Amherst

I'm sure there are more... I'll update the list once I've had a chance to take a look at my notes. Also, I don't know if you're only looking at accelerated programs, but if you'll consider traditional then things open up. For example, UNC Chapel Hill wants a 3.0 for their accelerated, but accepts 2.5 for their 24 month program; and University of Wisconsin Madison has a 24 month program requiring 2.75.

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much! This is very helpful and I will be looking forward to your update and I will also add to it when I discover more schools. I prefer 1yr programs, but anything under 16months is ok with me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi PrincessO! I forgot to add University of Kentucky to the list. They ask for a 2.5 min GPA and 2.75 min science GPA. Also, I am wondering if geography matters to you? I have no idea where you are, and if that matters. Are you planning to travel for school or would you rather be close to home?

I'll keep looking!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion