Members are discussing the challenges of applying to Nurse Practitioner (NP) schools in Ontario, focusing on GPA requirements, work experience, references, and the competitive nature of the admissions process. Some members are considering taking additional courses to boost their GPA, while others are highlighting the importance of strong references and a well-written letter of intent. There is also a discussion about the shift towards medical diagnoses in NP programs and the difficulty of maintaining an NP license.
Hi I am seeking advice on NP school in Ontario. I really want to become an NP but my GPA is just above 3.0. Final year in nursing was 3.5, but the former year was below 3.0. My transcript looks disastrous...
I know it is a competitive admission process. I am wondering...
1. Should I take some undergrad/grad courses to boost my GPA?
2. Should I look into US NP schools as well? I have US RN license too.
3. Some NP schools are giving preference to a candidate who has "continuous nursing experience". I moved to the US during my carrier and worked in different field. I also did not work while I had babies. I worry that this may add another drawback in my application.
Thank you Kissunshine for the encouraging message. I feel like I should try my best in application for 2017, then if I am not successful I will think about it. For now I will focus on application.
Just curious, did you try to explain your GPA in your letter of intent?
I am thinking about mentioning the reason why my GPA was so low in one of the years of study because I do have a reason. In one of the info sessions at U.S. NP schools, they actually encouraged applicants to talk about reasons for low GPA if we feel necessary. I am not sure if this works for Ontario NP schools admissions too.
GPA isn't everything, I was stressing out about my GPA (3.35) when I was applying to NP schools in Ontario, but I got offers from all the 5 NP programs I applied to. It is a good thing that your final year GPA is better than previous years, it shows that you were progressing and that you would continue to progress in NP school. Make sure to write a strong letter of intent and get good references. Some schools also request interviews so be prepared for that. I think you should at least try to apply as soon as possible and if you don't get in, then you can start taking classes to boost up your GPA. If you have other questions, feel free to ask.
Thank you toronto_nurse for sharing a summary of an information session. Very informative.
#6...good to know. they are not going to look at the application if GPA is below minimum. It is my hope that Canadian NP schools somehow come up with a way to give people who don't qualify for application a chance, such as GRE in the US. High score does not always mean a good nurse.
I recently attended an information session in Toronto that included NP for combined masters and certificate. Key messages were:
1) very competitive (30 seats for all cohorts (combined masters and certificate) for this school);
2) holding a masters degree gives you an edge in the admissions process;
3) shift away from nursing dx to medical dx;
4) half the preceptors are physicians (which I found kind of interesting but made sense from a medical perspective);
5) the program is designed like a mini-medical school;
6) the required GPA is a minimum standard for admissions to look at the application (the speaker stated to save your money if it doesn't meet the minimum requirement);
7) one of the references should be able to evaluate your strong assessments skills;
8) upgrading of courses were not counted into GPA calculations;
9) maintaining the NP license was the most difficult because it is challenging for NPs to practice to their full scope.
Thank you, joanna73. Sounds like you are from a faculty member of a nursing school?
I always wonder how 10+ years experienced nurses provide academic references. It must be difficult for them. One of the professors I worked close with (and the one who evaluated my academic performance highly) passed away years ago. One academic reference is the maximum I can probably provide...
I am confident with my intent for admission though. I just have to write it well.
The school generally requests 2 academic references and one from an employer. Make sure that whoever you have asked to write a reference is able to provide you with a stellar reference.
Also, your letter of intent needs to be strong. That's why GPA isn't everything. A high GPA and a poorly written letter of intent will not gain admission.
Work experience varies. Some students have minimal work experience, some have 3-5 years, others have 10+ years.
I didn't find the space to explain my GPA, if you look at the guideline for the letter of intent, they want to hear more about what are your previous experiences, how those experiences made you want to pursue NP degree and what will you do with your NP degree...you can explain it if you have a really good reason, and it would be even better if that reason can be a motivation for you to purse NP degree.
Don't over think it, the GPA requirement is more about whether you are academically strong enough to complete the program. NP school is REALLY intense, it's been 2+months and i've been feeling overwhelmed since day 1. I personally know classmates who dropped out within 1 months after program started. Me and my other classmates all feel like we can barely keep our nose above the water everyday. Keep in mind that the passing grade is 70.
Thanks Kissunshine. Yes as I am preparing for application, I started realizing there are not much space to insert such comments... haha
My grade is low in only ONE of the years in undergrad, so I wanted to explain the reason in case the admission panels wonder. I guess if I am (luckily) invited for an interview I can explain it there.
And yes, I keep hearing scary stories from NP friends... That's why I want part-time study and concentrate on each course and work minimum. I want to be equipped with solid knowledge when I graduate. It's even more scary to be thrown into an NP position without much knowledge.
I am so determined to do this (if they admit me)...it's been my dream since I was 14 :)
By the way, I personally know an NP who is a single mother of 8 (yes, eight) and did double degree of PHC and Peds simultaneously. I don't even know how she did it or if she ever slept at night!
I didn't find the space to explain my GPA, if you look at the guideline for the letter of intent, they want to hear more about what are your previous experiences, how those experiences made you want to pursue NP degree and what will you do with your NP degree...you can explain it if you have a really good reason, and it would be even better if that reason can be a motivation for you to purse NP degree.
Don't over think it, the GPA requirement is more about whether you are academically strong enough to complete the program. NP school is REALLY intense, it's been 2+months and i've been feeling overwhelmed since day 1. I personally know classmates who dropped out within 1 months after program started. Me and my other classmates all feel like we can barely keep our nose above the water everyday. Keep in mind that the passing grade is 70.
haha
That's why I want part-time study and concentrate on each course and work minimum. I want to be equipped with solid knowledge when I graduate. It's even more scary to be thrown into an NP position without much knowledge.
tiina
17 Posts
Thank you Kissunshine for the encouraging message. I feel like I should try my best in application for 2017, then if I am not successful I will think about it. For now I will focus on application.
Just curious, did you try to explain your GPA in your letter of intent?
I am thinking about mentioning the reason why my GPA was so low in one of the years of study because I do have a reason. In one of the info sessions at U.S. NP schools, they actually encouraged applicants to talk about reasons for low GPA if we feel necessary. I am not sure if this works for Ontario NP schools admissions too.