I'm seeking some honest feedback from LPN's or RN's about the requirements for getting into Nursing programs in universities. I'm a 30-year-old male, and I'm planning on applying for the first time to the Nursing program at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. I also plan on applying to a number of technology and community colleges that offer LPN and RN programs that are accredited and will allow me to transfer back to Weber State to pursue my BSN. Basically, I would like to get into any program that will get me on my way, but will also be accredited to allow me to go to graduate school.
My question is: I've heard a number of horror stories from other people trying to get into nursing school about how they had stellar grades (4.0's, 3.9's) but were rejected multiple times. This seems a little ridiculous to me, since the programs all state that their requirements are at least a 3.0. But not 4.0's!
When I spoke to an academic advisor at Weber State, she broke down the point system by which they qualify all of their candidates, and she showed that if I managed to do well in the classes I'm taking this summer and fall, I should have nearly 14 points, which gives me a good chance of getting in, according to her.
So what's the truth? Do you really need a 3.9 or a 4.0 to get into nursing school? If this is the truth, then why don't these people just apply to med school???
I have a decent GPA (3.55). I have just taken A & P and gotten A's in both. I have completed my CNA and am planning on getting a job in a few weeks to have experience for the application deadline of January 15th. By the year's end I'll have all of my sciences and generals done, save my Maths (which my counselor claims I can complete next year before the nursing program begins in the fall).
Another question I had was if it is recommended to retake classes in which I received C's or B minuses. Does this really help? Does it raise your GPA? Or is it frowned upon? I have a C in one Chemistry class that I thought about retaking.
I realize that the criteria is different all across the country. But I would like to hear from anyone who has been accepted to a nursing program recently about what grades they had and what they did that helped them get in. I love nursing and I'm going to do this if it takes me 5 years to get in! Any advice is appreciated.
So what's the truth? Do you really need a 3.9 or a 4.0 to get into nursing school? If this is the truth, then why don't these people just apply to med school???
I would hope that people applying to NS truly want to be a nurse, not a MD. They are two very different fields.
Competition to get into NS is pretty fierce right now. With that being said, I did not have a 3.9 or 4.0 and managed to get into a BSN program. It all depends on the school, how many applicants at the time, and how stringent the criteria are.
There's no secret formula for getting into nursing school. Just keep your grades as high as you can, and adhere to the admission requirements for your program. It's out of your hands after that point.
Also, if you plan on taking a few classes here, a few there, at whatever program you can get into, and then plan on completing a major somewhere else, be careful. Some schools (like mine) give priority to students based on when they started the school.
I was a transfer student. I have a 3.7 gpa, have completed all pre-reqs, was a cna for 3 years, blah-blah-blah...
But because I transferred into the school (instead of starting as a freshman) a bunch of people with lower grades and less experience than me got into the program, simply because of the priority system. Which, in my opinion is really lame, because, at this point, I have just as many in-house credits as those who started as freshman, because I have picked up a psych minor as well.
The school did not tell me this up front, and this year, there were about 100 really ****** off transfer students that had no chance in h*ll of getting in, but the school led us on anyhow.
My school accepts 100 students twice a year and it is quiote competitive. ALL prereqs MUST be completed prior to application. They allow you to apply but make it quite clear that you really don't stand a chance unless they are all finished.
My overall GPA was a 3.795 at application. I was told by counselor that I needed a 3.8 to be competitive and I worked really hard to keep my grades up. Made a B in Chem and a B in A&P I...but decided to apply anyway before attempting to retake these classes. I got in first time.
We are told that our class had the highest average GPA's in a while...and that it was more competitive this particular semester. It is not always that way...just depends on the qualifications of the applicant pool. It changes each semester.
I would apply and see if you get in...likely you may...and if not...then while waiting for the next application period you could retake any classes you think might help you out.
Unless it is ridiculously expensive to apply...what can it hurt?
My school also uses a point system. They accept about 40 students our of 300 applicants twice year. The point system includes your GPA, points for having finished co reqs, and Hesi entrance test score. The first time I applied I had a 3.8 GPA, 81 on Hesi, and had finished all but two of my co reqs (one of which I was taking), and I was rejected.
I retook chem to turn an B to an A, and a 3.8 into a 4.0. I retook the Hesi entrance exam to turn the 81 into a 91, and finished all co reqs except one. I applied again and was accepted, but came in about 20 out of 40.
This means that even with a perfect 4.0, a 91 on my Hesi, and having completed all but one of about 15 co reqs I still had 19 people who applied who did better.
They couldn't have made a higher GPA. They must have finished that last class, and made somewhere between a 92-100 on the Hesi.
Ah! The urban folklore of nursing school admissions! I heard the same exact nonsense when I started taking the prereqs for the nursing programs here in Georgia.
I have had the opportunity to observe 3 different admissions cycles (in other words, watching friends) and have been admitted to two different programs here. There is no big secret to nursing school admissions when there is a point system. You accumulate points, write an essay, take a test or get recs, whatever is required and viola! I have never been surprised to hear what decision a person received and quite frankly, I have seen someone be surprised at the decision either.
The numbers here go something like this:
400 applicants for: 40 accelerated spots and 32 traditional spots. (Twice a year admissions)
600 applicants for: 25 accelerated spots and 50 traditional spots (three times a year admissions)
Frankly, I choose not to listen to the "I have a friend who has a such and such GPA who didn't get in and a such and such score on the test didn't help my other friend..." Whatever. Keep your head down and focus on your goal.
Finally, I took some offense to your comment about med school. I already have a bachelors from a seven sister school (Smith). I don't think that being a doctor is all about being smart or performing well in school.
I think the smart people already know that nursing is where its at. The career field is much more flexible, the care provided is much more holistic, the patient time is much larger and the hours are much more agreeable. Add to that the uncertain future of "doctor" type medicine, the rosy outlook for a future where nurses are the key players and I am pretty good with nursing school.
Scratch that! I couldn't MORE EXCITED to be a student nurse!!
I live in North Texas and the school that I am applying to uses a point system. It is based on your A&P 1 and 2 classes and Microbiology to make up the majority of points. You then also get points for other pre-reqs like English, Sociology, Dev Psych etc. After that you get points for the HESI exam, and then finally you get 2 points if you are a County resident.
So really your GPA doesn't matter as long as you have a 2.5 cumulative GPA. I spoke with the admissions lady the other day and she said that most people get in with between 20 - 23 points out of a total of 30.
I got a B in A&P 1 lecture and an A in the lab. I have already taken all of the pre-reqs beside A&P 2 and Mirco, which I am taking this fall. If I just barely pass the HESI and then make just a B in both A&P2 and Micro then I would have 23 points. Now I definitely plan to do better than a B in both classes and I should do very well on the HESI since I am one who tests well. Honestly, I am not too worried. Now of course deep down I am still sweating this and the wait to apply is agonizing, but I know that eventually I will make it in.
I have heard alot of scary stories about getting and I believe most of them are true, but I also don't believe everything that I hear. I know it is very comptetive to get into NS but I also think it really depends on where you are.
As a side note to your comment about med school - I did think about going that route but that takes tremendous dedication and time away from your family. NS alone is difficult and I want to be a nurse more than anything and I know that it will be very demanding, but let's face it it is not as demanding as going to medical school and having to do an internship and on top of that the school loans!!!! I want a career in the medical field but I also want a family life too. I am not saying that doctor's don't have a life, but they do sacrafice alot and sometimes that includes family time. I hope that makes sense.
Well at my school, you declared your major as pre-nursing, then you have your freshman and sophomore years to complete your pre-reqs and at the end of your sophomore year you apply (but you must, MUST complete ALL your pre-reqs and general ed). You had to have atleast a 3.3 gpa and our advisors stressed that everytime I went to see her. Well my gpa was 3.4, I had a C in Chem part 1 and an A in chem part 2 and I had a C+ in Anatomy and a B in physiology and I still got in. I had faith and I knew that I was going to get in ( I even signed a lease before I recieved my admittance letter). It's different at every school, my only advice is to have faith and believe in yourself. NS look at a lot, not just your grades, but your essays, community service, experience, character, etc. If it's really what you want to do, stick to it, have faith, and you will get in!
At my school, it seemed to help to apply early. The earlier you applied, the earlier you interviewed, and the more likely you were to get in if they liked you because slots were still open. This is more like a rolling admissions style, but the school doesn't officially do rolling admissions- they have a solid admission deadline. Misleading, no?
My intention wasn't to offend anyone. It wasn't even really meant as a serious comment. The significance of that statement was more like, "Geez, if it's this impossible to get into Nursing School, maybe I could have a better chance at getting into Med School". I had even heard more folklore of people who tried to get into Nursing School but never did, so they applied to Med School and got in.
I realize that they're two totally different professions, and I'm fully aware of the sacrifice and toll it takes on one's family (my father and uncle are physicians).
I'm also not attempting to discount the mental capacities of anyone in the nursing field. I don't believe doctors are any smarter or capable in nurses, it's just a completely different scope of practice. I honestly believe that most nurses, if they felt like it, would be completely capable of excelling in med school.
Anyway, my intention was not to offend anyone. If you did, I apologize. And remember, I'm right alongside with you. If I felt like it, I'd make the push to go to Med School. But like all of you, I enjoy the interaction, care and scope of practice that nursing provides. I will be a nurse, by hook or by crook.
Thank you for all of your input. From what I gather, there is a lot of "folklore" that is no clear indicator of one's chances to get in. My plan is to just keep trying my best, be patient, persistent and work hard.
RhodyGirl, RN
823 Posts
I would hope that people applying to NS truly want to be a nurse, not a MD. They are two very different fields.
Competition to get into NS is pretty fierce right now. With that being said, I did not have a 3.9 or 4.0 and managed to get into a BSN program. It all depends on the school, how many applicants at the time, and how stringent the criteria are.
There's no secret formula for getting into nursing school. Just keep your grades as high as you can, and adhere to the admission requirements for your program. It's out of your hands after that point.
Good luck to you!