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

[excbsn]

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.

[ruaalien2]

Ruaalien2 - You know how I said there were a few programs where I couldn't find the info? Well, Pace is one of them and I know they're on your list. Actually, as far as Pace goes, it's not that I couldn't find GPA requirements, I coudn't even find mention of an accelerated program. Weird. I know I looked at it awhile back, so I don't know what the deal is or why I can't find it now, but hopefully they're still an option for you.

Yup, Pace is still on my list. Maybe because it's a BSN/MSN combined program?

Here's the link for it: http://www.pace.edu/academic_psearch/display_program.cfm?School=NUR&Cred=MS&Maj=NCD&Location=NYC

Thank you so much! I know that with my sci pre-reqs I'm going to bring the GPA up but still it worries me.

This probably belongs in a different thread but have you heard of schools not accepting pre-reqs from community colleges?

Thank you SO much!

[kebunt]

Hey Ruaalien2! Yeah, I definitely didn't list any direct-entry MSN programs. The list is strictly BSN, so that explains it! Explains why I would have looked at Pace way back when too, because I was thinking about direct-entry at the time.

You know, the other thing I meant to point out is that while many of the schools not on my list do require a minimum 3.0 cum, some calculate other ways like we talked about earlier in the thread. I mentioned the ones I know about, but it didn't speak to every school, so some programs not mentioned may do that degree-granting-institution thing.

Hang in there! You'll find the right program and all this hard work will have paid off!

[ruaalien2]

It's not a direct entry program, but you do get 6 credits towards your Masters, which is why it's considered a BSN/MSN program.

I'm excited and nervous...I've added a few more schools since I've seen this list and done more research. I need to make a bunch of phone calls and then start visiting schools!

[kebunt]

Are you considering University of Rochester? You wanted NY/NJ/PA, right? I REALLY like their program, and they've been so great- very nice and approachable. They seem to be focused more on the person rather than the numbers, which I really like. I've been very impressed so far...

I know what you mean about being nervous and excited though. It's such a rollercoaster, isn't it?

[ruaalien2]

Are you considering University of Rochester? You wanted NY/NJ/PA, right? I REALLY like their program, and they've been so great- very nice and approachable. They seem to be focused more on the person rather than the numbers, which I really like. I've been very impressed so far...

I know what you mean about being nervous and excited though. It's such a rollercoaster, isn't it?

I have a friend up there (not for nursing) and while talking to her one day looked into it..it looks like a really great program.

Are you in it now? Or are you considering it?

[kebunt]

I am applying to their ABSN program for Fall 2010. They have a personal approach to things, which is really important to me. So far I've dealt with four or so people at the SON including their admissions director, and they've all been amazing! I've never been to Rochester though...Have you visited your friend there? Any thoughts (other than Brrrr....)?

[ruaalien2]

I am applying to their ABSN program for Fall 2010. They have a personal approach to things, which is really important to me. So far I've dealt with four or so people at the SON including their admissions director, and they've all been amazing! I've never been to Rochester though...Have you visited your friend there? Any thoughts (other than Brrrr....)?

I haven't visited my friend...but yes it gets quiet chilly! She has nothing but good things to say about the school overall. Where else are you looking to apply?

I'm thinking about it but I'm not sure I want to go so far away from the city. I'm in the city now and I'm looking for areas semi-close by, even PA it depends the part.

[kebunt]

It's good to know your friend has all nice things to say about Rochester. I'm so impressed with them...

I'm also applying to Duke and University of Florida, but I need to take the GREs for both... I took them years several years ago and did well, but I need to retake them and I'm definitely sweatin' it. I'd love to have a safety school just in case, if there even is such a thing when it comes to nursing! Ha! Where in the city are you? I used to live there too, so I know what you mean when you say parts of PA. There definitely are commutable areas. How about you? You said you had changed you list. Who are you looking at now? Fall 2010?

[ruaalien2]

I'm looking for Fall 2010. I'm in Brooklyn so I'm pretty open to ideas within a few hours away (tops 3-4 really). I'm thinking about apply to U of Miami as my reach school but I really am not sure if I'd get in...but I know if I did with scholarships I'd go in a heartbeat.

As to where I'm looking right now:

Thomas Jefferson U FACT Program in Philly, PA

Thomas Jefferson U Accelarated Program in Philly, PA

Pace in Manhattan

Drexel in Philly, PA

Stonybrook U in Stonybrook, NY

Long Island U in Brooklyn, NY

Molloy in Rockville Centre, NY

Fairfield U in Fairfield, CT

SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, NY

Georgetown in Washington, DC

U of Maryland Baltimore, MD

Stonybrook would be my top choice (or one of them) if I was able to apply to the accelerated program. I won't have most pre-reqs done by the deadline date (I'm in the middle of 4 right now and it's in Nov, and the rest will be done by May), but I'm thinking about apply to the traditional program anyway just in case.

Pace requires the GRE's. Thomas Jefferson both programs are combined BSN/MSN programs.

[GaMommy81]

Hi Ruaalien2! I totally understand. I have a VERY poor GPA from my first college, but I got my act together when I transferred and did well at the school I graduated from. So here's a couple of thoughts for you...

I'm not sure about all the schools on your list, but I do know that Drexel looks only at the last 60 credit hours. That should definitely work in your favor.

The other thing that I have found out is that some schools that require a 3.0 cum don't calculate overall GPA, they just use the GPA from your degree granting institution. So if you applied to one of those schools, those initial bad grades wouldn't count against you at all. Again, I'm not sure about the schools on your list, but I do know of several. It's rarely listed that way on their websites. I just called around to the schools I was interested in and asked them how they calculate GPA... I usually tell them about my GPA situation, because they advise and give suggestions, like writing an addendum, or even a petition to have certain grades or transcripts disregarded altogether.

It was definitely good news for me, so I hope it helps you too! Good luck!

Does this mean that the school will use the gpa and classes that your graduating institution used to determine your gpa, not all of the classes that you have ever taken? I am sorry if this question is a little unclear. What schools offer this option?

[PrincessO, MSN, RN, NP]

Does this mean that the school will use the gpa and classes that your graduating institution used to determine your gpa, not all of the classes that you have ever taken? I am sorry if this question is a little unclear. What schools offer this option?

Yes, this is partially true. They will use your undergrad gpa too as your cum gpa, however they will still consider any prereqs that you may have taken after your degree. For example, my cum GPA is actually higher than a 3.0, but most schools only look at the undergrad GPA, which is lower than a 3.0.

[kebunt]

Does this mean that the school will use the gpa and classes that your graduating institution used to determine your gpa, not all of the classes that you have ever taken? I am sorry if this question is a little unclear. What schools offer this option?

Yes, you are correct. SOME schools use only your GPA as calculated by the school that granted your degree. So far I've avoided posting my numbers, but for clarification, here goes...

I did terribly at my first school (1.8). I left that school and took summer classes elsewhere (3.8), got some community college credits at a third school (3.9), and transferred to yet another college where I got my degree (3.87). Since then, I have taken some prereqs at a local college where I have a (4.0). All of that having been said, my total cum GPA is still only a 3.01. Thankfully though, for some schools I actually have a 3.87 (my GPA as reported by my degree granting institution which was calculated based only on classes taken at that school.)

While I know that many schools calculate several different GPAs, I personally haven't found any schools that specifically use degree-granting GPA and prereq GPA, but they all have minimum grade requirements for prereqs. The majority of programs appear to use a total cumulative GPA, which for me would be the 3.01 I mentioned above, calculated based on all five transcripts and including classes from before and after I received my degree.

GaMommy81 - I sure hope this helps clarify. But the short answer to your question is yes. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions for me... Good luck to you!