Pre-nursing...worried

[gudiarani, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Hi, I am going to be a senior at Johns Hopkins, doing my first bachelor's in Neuroscience, and only decided to become a nurse last year.

My grades right now aren't that great... I barely have a 3.0 at Hopkins, but I took Microbio at a diff school and got an A this summer and I haven't taken Nutrition or AP yet. If I work my butt off for those classes and get maybe B or above, would I still be a competitive candidate for the accelerated programs like UMDNJ, Rutgers, Temple, or Drexel??

Some people are saying that these programs get really competitive and I'm getting a bit worried that I won't get into any I'm applying to and that I should probably include some schools that I'll definately get into.

Thanks for any help at all

[DaughterofRuth]

Generally speaking, you'll need As in those two classes to raise your GPA above the 3.0 you have now as Bs will only maintain the 3.0. You'll have to calculate what those two As would do to your GPA depending on the number of credits you already have.

I can't speak to the requirements for the specific programs you mentioned, but the cut-off GPA at my community college's ADN program was 3.7 for the last two years.

[arciedee]

I would definitely work hard to do as well as possible both in your nursing pre-reqs AND whatever classes you have left for your current degree. Showing that you did well in your regular coursework this year will not only boost your GPA but will also show an upward trend in your grades, which would be a positive. Good luck!

[Krankenschwester_2]

If you were to apply at a community college, having a bachelor's degree would set you apart from the field, so even with gpa less than 3.5, you'd probably, but notice I said probably (at a community college!) get in. As for competitive accelerated BSN and MSN programs, I doubt you'd get in with a 3.3 or 3.2 or something. You can always try, but I'd also apply to some community colleges if being a nurse is what you want to do.

[tookewlandy]

If you were to apply at a community college, having a bachelor's degree would set you apart from the field, so even with gpa less than 3.5, you'd probably, but notice I said probably (at a community college!) get in. As for competitive accelerated BSN and MSN programs, I doubt you'd get in with a 3.3 or 3.2 or something. You can always try, but I'd also apply to some community colleges if being a nurse is what you want to do.

thats what my friend thought. She had a BS and thought hat just because she had that that would give her alittle push to get into any nursign school. She applied to 3 community colleges and got rejected. Her GPA was 3.2. And when she called and asked why one school told her that same story 400 people apply 50 spots most had 4.0.

[NaomieRN]

Stop been worried and start working hard. You can do all things you set your mind on doing. Determination is key to success. My GPA was a 2.2 when I started school few years ago. I took most of the classes over and now I have a 3.6 average. First time I took Anantomy, I had a D-, this year I got A-. I came a long way. If I can do it, so can you. Just focus on the prize, not your presence circumstance and you will be ok. Good luck to you.