Possible to become RN with 2.1 HS GPA?

DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P · Sep 17, 2007

I never completed high school. I won't get into the details as to why not, but I did get my GED when I was 21.

Many nursing programs (at least those around here) do not look at high school grades. What matters is the prerequisite GPA and entrance scores.

Even a local university (and I would also imagine others too) will not look at a high school transcript if you are a transferring student with at least 12 credit hours and a 2.5 GPA. (I know most would not get accepted into a NURSING program with that GPA; I'm just using this as an example that high school grades are not always considered.)

We all know that nursing school isn't easy, but it CAN be done with enough motivation, dedication and hard work.

GilaRRT · Sep 17, 2007

I agree with most of the posts. I barely graduated with a GPA in the 1.8 range. Prior to placing an application to enter the nursing program, I spent a year taking general courses, A&P, and microbiology. I applied with a college GPA of 3.8. I would think your current performance as a college student would be a much more important factor to consider.

Fiona59 · Sep 17, 2007

Sorry but not up here. Some of the local colleges don't care how great you are currently doing in college they want to see your high school marks.

I know three people who were denied entry into the RN programme because their grade 12 marks weren't great, even though they had a gpa's of over 3.5 at that college. When they pointed this out, they merely got a smile from the Dean of Nursing.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

Sorry but not up here. Some of the local colleges don't care how great you are currently doing in college they want to see your high school marks.
I know three people who were denied entry into the RN programme because their grade 12 marks weren't great, even though they had a gpa's of over 3.5 at that college. When they pointed this out, they merely got a smile from the Dean of Nursing.

Schools like that miss out on some fine nurses-to-be. High school GPA means nothing.

TeresaB930, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

Well, that was about my GPA in high school. Course, my head was a bit more in school once I made the commitment to the Nursing program, and I have done fine. Not a straight A student, but mostly B's.

Forgive me, it escapes me who, but someone has a sentiment on the bottom of their replies that goes something like " you can do anything if your heart is into it" or very similar to that. This is so true. If she wants this bad enough, she will make it happen. I didn't think twice about my highschool grades when I went back.

Best of luck to you and her!

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

My husband had a 2.something GPA in high school and became an RN. He didn't apply himself in high school and also may have a reading/writing disability.

My brother did poorly in high school as well. While he's not a nurse, he really took off and excelled when he got to college and was able to study what he was good at and interested in, which was not covered in high school, computer programming.

The Bob · Sep 17, 2007

1.5 GPA in HS. Went on to JC and got 4.0, graduated Cal State biological sciences BS with a 3.2.

I had a mentor. I had someone who believed in me and who was interested in my success as much as I was.

imenid37 · Sep 17, 2007

My husband had a 2.something GPA in high school and became an RN. He didn't apply himself in high school and also may have a reading/writing disability.
My brother did poorly in high school as well. While he's not a nurse, he really took off and excelled when he got to college and was able to study what he was good at and interested in, which was not covered in high school, computer programming.

I think you are very much on target as far as finding your niche. My DD doesn't "love" nursing school per se, but she does get a lot out of interacting w/ the patients. Her passion is pt. care and now she is finally mature enough to realize that she needs to do some things she doesn't always like to get to her her goal of doing something she does like. In high school it was "If I don't much like it, then it's not worth my time." I feel lucky that she has reached this point at age 19, because I know many of us don't get to that point until a number of years later. Good for your hubby for succeeding in nursing school w/ an LD. I can't believe how much reading there is now. Maybe we did it too 20 years ago and I have forgotten (like childbirth).

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

It sounds like she is growing up. Good for her, and good for you for raising her to realize these things at an early age! I wished I was that mature at 19. I'm not terribly older than that (28), but I kick myself for not going through and getting this all done when I was at college the first time. However, she's probably one of the youngest in her class at 19. That is awesome.

I think you are very much on target as far as finding your niche. My DD doesn't "love" nursing school per se, but she does get a lot out of interacting w/ the patients. Her passion is pt. care and now she is finally mature enough to realize that she needs to do some things she doesn't always like to get to her her goal of doing something she does like. In high school it was "If I don't much like it, then it's not worth my time." I feel lucky that she has reached this point at age 19, because I know many of us don't get to that point until a number of years later. Good for your hubby for succeeding in nursing school w/ an LD. I can't believe how much reading there is now. Maybe we did it too 20 years ago and I have forgotten (like childbirth).

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Sep 17, 2007

As long as the 2.1 is due to lack of effort and not lack of academic aptitude, it shouldn't be a problem as long as s/he is willing to rectify the situation.
Here in California, you can go to CC with any grades; it's simply a matter of what remedial classes they'll require. So far as I can tell, college grades are the only ones that matter for getting into the nursing programs. I was not asked anything about HS, not even if I'd graduated.

The same is true here in NYS.

It's my understanding that the "Community College" was created for the masses; to allow people who otherwise wouldn't be able to further their education the chance to do just that. I think that graduation from HS was the only requirement. Then the individual programs would have their prerequisite courses also, but they could all be taken at the CC.

It's not a bad idea for this person to begin taking courses that will help her with understanding the maths and sciences required to succeed in nursing. The school assessment tests will tell her what remediation may be necessary; that will help reinforce study skills and her success there will translate into a more desirable GPA.

Anything is possible if one wants it bad enough!

NursingAgainstdaOdds · Sep 17, 2007

Well, it looks like you've gotten a lot of advice, but I would like to add my story anyway! :lol2:

I actually had to quit high school when I was 16 (problems at home resulted in me having to move out and be on my own early). I got my GED on schedule and then proceeded to goof off in a college sense for the next ohh....5 years. No degree, a fair number of Ws and Fs and so forth (thank you, major depression!). Once I started my family I really got a laser beam focus on my goals - become a nurse and achieve stability for my family, continue my education in the future.

I did exceptionally well in nursing school. I got in by working on pre-reqs at the school where I wanted to attend, and kicking behind in them (As, lots and lots of As :)). For me, the change lay in my motivation. My life revolves around my family, they are the reason for everything I do. Eventually, it wasn't just for my husband and my son anymore, it was for me too. I gained confidence, I realized I had something to offer, and I realized "HEY! I'm good at this!".

I now work med-surg (just 4 months out of school!) and I'm taking pre-reqs for an Accelerated BSN, as well as pre-reqs for med school (please don't hate me, everybody hates me for that! :lol2: ). I've accomplished more than I ever thought possible.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

Agree with most posters that a bad high school transcript can be overcome with hard work in pre-reqs and, if necessary, remedials. Most of my NS classmates were good students, though I wouldn't say most were academically gifted. Intelligence is good, but a good work ethic is more important. A few of my classmates struggled a bit with the academic side, but managed to become solid nurses, anyway, even though some may have had to take NCLEX more than once.