Poor GPA :( any RN programs?!

[PixiB]

Hey everyone, this is my first post and I think this is the most appropriate section to post in. Here's my dilemma, I have a current GPA of 1.77. After years of wasted time and money I have pulled through depression and I'm ready to get through school. Last semester I passed A&P with a B and psych 235 with a C. I am willing to move anywhere in the country to get my RN. I place very well of placement tests so the actual course work is not my concern. It's committing to school that has been my problem and I finally am ready to get through it.So the question is, are there any RN programs I can get into?! I have a great resume, hospital work experience but the GPA is holding me back. Any ideas or advice is welcome. Thanks!

[rubato, ASN, RN]

Thanks for the advice, but now my next question is will any nursing school look at me if I have previous F's or withdraws? Even if I retake the classes and get A's the D's or F's will still show

You need to do some legwork and find out what your school's policies are.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

Any ideas or advice is welcome. Thanks!

The day I decided to go to nursing school, I had a crap GPA. My bachelor's degree was 17 years in the past and even taking into account today's grade inflation, it was crappy.

I petitioned my school to exclude my previous transcript and started from scratch. I applied to my ADN nursing program with a 4.0 and graduated with the same. I would echo the advice to talk to counselors at the school you want to attend.

My crap bachelor's GPA still haunts me. I applied to my old university's (the one I have a Bachelor's from) online BSN program, thinking, "Hey he's a legacy lets let him in!"

Nope. They combined my ADN 4.0 with my engineering bachelor's 2.6 and said, "Your overall GPA is too low in comparison to others who are applying. You will never get in to this program."

I got ahold of a counselor and started to squawk about it, but she cut me off. "We recognize we have a problem with our ranking system, especially for people with previous degrees. We are changing our entrance standards to place the most weight on those who finish all the non-nursing classes required for the program."

So I'm taking a couple classes this summer and giving it another go. I'm sure as I move forward in my nursing education, I will have to address the same issues.

Those of us with bad academic records do have options, but we always be held responsible for our screw-ups, which is the way it should be.

[Inori, BSN, RN]

kk realistically with that GPA you cannot get into nursing school. Suggestion transfer to a community college that has a nursing program redo some or all prereqs you got A- or below in and then apply there after you compelete the prereqs. Transfer because taking em at current school is no good they just average em all AND nursing schools have preference in taking students who completed the preqs at thier schools vs. outside ones. Good luck

[Stephalump]

Those of us with bad academic records do have options, but we always be held responsible for our screw-ups, which is the way it should be.

Texas has a state-wide program called "Fresh Start.". You can petition to have any classes 10 years or older wiped from your transcript - but it has to be all of them, no picking or choosing.

Obviously you aren't in Texas, but if anyone is really desperate and willing to become a Texas resident, it's been a help to a lot of people!

[Jen_Jen88]

Depends I had the same problem and in most FL schools if you retook more than two classes you were not qualified. When it came time to apply for nursing school I had a 2.5 and it I could not retake the classes because they were C's. So I decided to get my BA in Sociology since I had taken classes and enjoyed them. My GPA went up to a 2.9 still not enough because remember Nursing is pretty competitive. I am now in Puerto Rico in a Bilingual Nursing program were my gen. ed classes are in spanish (comp. , History of PR, West. Civ. etc) and my Nursing Classes are in english. Its called Universidad Metropolitana in Bayamon (Metropolitan University). There is also La InterAmericana and they also have a english nursing program. Both schools are accredited and you can sit for the NCLEX after graduation.