Second Bachelors degree???

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Just finished searching the forums for answers but still puzzled on what I should do. I graduated from Ohio State last year with a B.S. in Microbiology, but my 2.3 gpa has hindered me from even being competitive for Masters/Post-bacc. I'm interested in becoming a CRNA and was wondering how I should go about pursuing my goal. I know BSN is necessary, so would it be wise to go back and get a second bachelors degree in Nursing. How do I even apply for schools with such a low gpa, is their a program that allows graduates a chance to get a another degree without a gpa requirement. Would love to hear some feedback. Thanks!!!

Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Yeah, as people have mentioned, most ABSN or entry-level MSN programs require a minimum of 3.0 or as little as 2.5 GPA. If you are going to pursue your ADN, then you don't need to get the BSN, there are programs for RN-to-MSN. I would take that route after the couple of years of experience in ICU.

I have a friend who is a CRNA. She told me that CRNA programs are extremely competitive. 1-2 years of experience may not be enough as you will be up against people with 5+ years.

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Specializes in Rehab,Cardiac and PICU.

I would apply to an accelerated program, maybe they would consider you since your degree is in Microbiology. ASN programs have a 2 yr wait list and are difficult to get into- they do not have lower requirements for admission. I did this 20 yrs ago, they didn't have 2nd degree accelerated programs. I went the community college route because of the low tuition. If you can afford the tuition on accelerated-why not just apply.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Just a word of caution: It's very hard to get into a CRNA program and very hard to make it through -- there's a reason why those CRNAs get paid the serious cash that they do.

Your undergrad GPA is abysmally low and you're facing an uphill battle to get into any CRNA program and - without some major changes in aptitude, attitude, or effort - an uphill battle to graduate.

I would advise you to decide first if you would be interested in a nursing career - even without the possibility of becoming a CRNA. If not, you might reconsider in order to avoid investing several years of your life and many thousands of dollars to wind up in a position you don't like. I've seen a lot of people who view "nursing" as a stepping stone to quasi-medical practice... there's not room for all of them and some of them become quite bitter.

I'm of the belief that advanced-practice nursing should be a natural outgrowth and development of a nursing career and that bedside nursing shouldn't be just another prerequisite along the way.

Whatever you decide for yourself, best of luck and much success to you.

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As of now I am helpless and my only focus is being academically active as I feel my microbiology major is not enough. I'm done making excuses I just need a second chance to prove myself.

The only thing I am still perplexed by is the idea of how one enters school after having already finished a bachelors degree. Is it possible to take all the prereq courses for ADN/BSN with a stellar gpa and be admitted to nursing school. Say I do become a RN via ADN/BSN would the CRNA MSN program look at my gpa from nursing school or also my BS degree in Microbiology. How does that work??? I just need some encouragement and appreciate everyone's input, thanks.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
As of now I am helpless and my only focus is being academically active as I feel my microbiology major is not enough. I'm done making excuses I just need a second chance to prove myself.

The only thing I am still perplexed by is the idea of how one enters school after having already finished a bachelors degree. Is it possible to take all the prereq courses for ADN/BSN with a stellar gpa and be admitted to nursing school. Say I do become a RN via ADN/BSN would the CRNA MSN program look at my gpa from nursing school or also my BS degree in Microbiology. How does that work??? I just need some encouragement and appreciate everyone's input, thanks.

They will almost certainly include your original grades in any GPA calculations but many schools will weight more heavily recent work in pursuit of a second degree. You must, however, be prepared to explain why your original grades were so poor and be able to convince them that they were an aberration.

Regarding nursing school, I think your only real shot at this point is (a) a high-priced private school with less competition or (b) an ADN program which admits via a waiting list or a lottery. I don't see how a few prerequisite classes will sufficiently compensate for an entire BS degree of marginal grades.

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Some nursing programs will give more "points" for having a BS degree in another field, along with points for pre-req grades, and ACT/SAT scores. I know Eastern Kentucky University does this, they were my back up school. I would start off by taking and pre-reqs you are missing now at a community college and try to get your GPA up, take any non-nursing classes required for a nursing degree now.

I graduated with a 2.8 GPA, but managed to get into a competitive CC program after getting A's in classes once I returned to school.

I would work on getting that GPA up, maybe work as a nursing tech to get some practical experience, and narrow down where you might go to school and look at their entrance requirements. Not to a downer, but focus on getting your RN first, work a few years and then look at CRNA school.

I know I want to be an advanced practice nurse too, but I am taking small steps towards it, working on an ADN right now. I know of several people who thought they wanted to be nurses but after a few clinicals and learning what nurses actually do, they changed their minds.

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Specializes in public health.

I got rejected from a nursing school due to my low science GPA. Their advice: re-take those courses. You can't really do much about changing your overall GPA, but at least get all A's in your science courses. Good luck!

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Thanks everyone!!! I've decided that the best option as of now would be go back to Ohio State through continuing education program and retake all the science courses I performed poorly in. From there I will reevaluate my options, hopefully shadow a few CRNAs and see if I'm capable or interested in pursuing it in the future. PEACE

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Sounds like a great idea, good luck!

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I did not read all of the posts in reply to yours but my first thought was to take the necessary prerequisites like A and P, chem, etc. to raise your GPA however, most programs look at the two GPAs ie the overall and the science. I have looked at sooo many schools and have found most all req a min of 3.0 for overall. But I have seen others like USA and ISU are lower. The lowest i have seen is 2.5. I would get a hold of the most up to date Petersons Guide to Nursing Programs and start with the ones in your state. Just filp through the pages and sort through the GPA requirements sections of all the schools. I wouldnt hurt to just call the program director or admissions directors of the programs and ask them for direction or an exception. Its too bad there isn't a database that you could go to to find the min GPA of all the programs!

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maybe they would consider you since your degree is in Microbiology.

This is a key point. I know years ago when I was taking pre nursing courses at college, it was suggested

it would be better to take it in the summer with no other course. The course was beyond challenging,

many people dropped out and those of us who remained fastened out seat belt and continued.

I passed but of all the courses this was one of the most difficult I had ever taken.The grade did not reflect all the work and studying involved.

You could still talk with second degree programs, but suggest taking some pre nursing courses to

bring up your GPA. You already have the difficult science courses done.

Good luck..

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I have two BS degrees. First degree in chem with crap GPA, discovered anesthesia, got BSN with 3.9, started anethesia and had to withdraw for personal situation that was not going to resolve right away. Now, I am back in ICU, 100K in debt, cant pay my loans and more or less screwed. Think really hard about what you are doing.

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