Please help! Trying to get into BSN program!!

[jyyhb5]

I am new to the forum but I wanted to see if I can get some of my questions answered through some of you!

Currently, I am a senior in my undergrad with a Business degree but I have decided to go into nursing after I graduate. However, my GPA is not too great for all the nursing schools that I am looking at around where I live. Most of them say that the minimum cumulative GPA for acceptance is 3.0 or 3.2. My current GPA is around 2.5 but hopefully I can bring that up to 2.8 after this semester (I "pre"calculated from my midterm grade) Also, I have some credits from other colleges (summer courses and such) and was wondering if those count as well toward GPA. Well, here goes some of my questions! It would help me SO MUCH if any of them can be answered or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated :)

-Do nursing schools calculate GPA based on all the cumulative GPA I got from all the universities? Including, pre-reqs? (So, When I apply for nursing school, do I calculate all the GPA that I got from all the universities or from the university that I am currently attending?)

-Since my GPA is not as high for acceptance level, I was planning on applying after I get all the grades for pre req..would this be better for me?

-Or..would it be better for me to go into RN and go through bridge program?

Thanks!!

[bombom]

I'm confused on the last part about taking an RN and doing a bridge program... Did you mean an ADN (the 2-year degree taken at community colleges)? That is definitely an option regardless of gpa or other qualifications. Where I live, it's best to apply to as many schools as you can.

I also think your gpa question would depend on the area you're in. Most of the schools here in California look at your cummulative college gpa (all the courses you've taken in college) and your pre-requisite gpa (only the nursing pre-requisite courses). The pre-req gpa is definitely considered. In applying, the schools always ask for all of your college transcripts. They take into account all of the courses you've taken thus far--not just the university you're at right now.

But, I would advise you to look into the schools you want to apply for, since each school may have different requirements. Nursing schools don't solely look at your gpa too. They may look at volunteer or work experience, test scores, etc. In addition to that, I know many ADN programs here that weed out applicants who aren't qualified for the program, and then do a lottery for those who do qualify. There are so many other things to consider, including the stats of the applicant pool at the time of application. So don't think that just because you have a low gpa, that you won't get in, but you're for sure in a tight spot to begin with in my opinion. Anyway, good luck with your applications!

[newRNstudent02]

First, don't panic. You can still get accepted into a good nursing school. GPA is important, but if you do well on your pre-reqs you should be able to bring up your GPA significantly. There are a few programs you should look into-absn, traditional, and ADN. If I were you, I'd go for the absn. After I graduated with my B.S., I went to a CC to finish up my prereqs. Then I selected absn universities, that based admissions on either the GPA from the last 60 units or on calculated GPA from pre-req courses. I wouldn't apply to nursing school, unless you've done at least 75% of the pre-reqs required.