Not a Good GPA and Have to Repeat Some Courses, Want to Get Into an Accelerated BSN

notthereyet0 · Jul 22, 2008

Stephanie, I wish you well in your pursuits and don't want to be discouraging but the accelerated programs are looking for the a specific few that are really select. Don't let it keep you from pursuing it but I would say to apply to a 4 year program too, maybe seek some parttime work in a healthcare situation. I applied to an accelerated program local to my home (no option of going away with family and such) and was turned down. I am glad I had applied to another campus to the BSN 4 year too. So many accelerated programs are so small that there are only so many seats. I'd say get all your prereq's out of the way, maybe get some experience and by all means, apply to the program but don't get discouraged with a rejection. God bless!!

clhRN2b2010 · Jul 22, 2008

hi stephanie. forgive me, but for some reason my caps aren't working....

i would try posting something like this in the md, va, or dc forum under region above.

i am planning on attending university of maryland in the spring as a second degree student. i looked into all the local accelerated bsn program also, and like you my gpa was just too low to be competitive. mine was a 2.69 and all the programs that i saw had a minimum 3.0 and in reality the competition was closer to 3.7 and above.

i spent a year retaking some of the core classes at night. i managed a 4.0 in those classes. at university of md, they have alist of 59 pre req's that you need to have before enrolling. i was able to pick and choose most of the electives from my previous degree and together with the classes that i retook, my gpa for my application was a 3.67. big difference.

the issue with the accelerated bsn programs i looked at was that they always looked at cumulative gpa. i could never escape the poor gpa of my previous degree.

my suggestion would be to go talk to an advisor for the nursing school at towson. that wil give you a good starting place.

Ickles · Jul 26, 2008

Hi Stephanie, I have a situation a little bit like yours, except I got my degree about 8 years ago. I have a B.A in Social Sciences, which means I had three minors of Sociology, Psychology, and History. My gpa isn't very high either, around a 2.65-2.7. Same as you as well, I didn't feel very confident about getting into Nursing and now I feel like it was what I was meant to do.

I did some calling around and investigating when I first decided to pursue this, and the state university closest to me (California State University at Northridge) had an accelerated BSN program. I was told flat out (and I am very grateful for this) there was nothing I could do about my grades now and the only thing I could do was find out what I could do to get an Associates in Nursing and go from there. Meaning, after earning a BA I had to go back to a community college to find out what I could do to get into Nursing School there. So that's what I did. I am taking the pre-req's in the Fall, and I was told by an advisor that I had to get the very best grades possible in those classes (I have to take a Bio Class, A&P I and II, and Microbiology), as well as find an internship or volunteer work to help my chances to get into Nursing School to make up for my poor grades previously. My plan is to put my best foot forward now and accept the fact that I didn't do some of the work I was supposed to do when getting my BA and now I have to make up for it.

After attending Nursing School and becoming an R.N. I plan to pursue my BSN. It's going to be a lot more work and time than an accelerated program, but what matters is getting it accomplished in the end.

Good Luck to you!!

Steph26 · Jul 27, 2008

hi it's me Stephanie again and thanks to all of you who have been supportive of me through this recent news that I will not be able to pursue the accelerated nursing program, but I would rather take the pre-reqs and do the 2 year traditional program and earn my BSN that way or the other alternative is continue with the community college and get my Associates in Nursing and then pursue the BSN later on.

I think I may go the traditional route and take all the pre-reqs and then try and get into a Traditional 2 year program, and pursue my BSN. I know that I can do it. Thanks again .

Stephanie