So, I would like to get my DNP but...

[ePerfect]

Hello, my name is Elizabeth and I have been a nurse for a little under a year now. I have been thinking long and hard for months now about what I want to do from here, debating between getting an MD or a DNP degree.

My aunt is a nurse practitioner with her PhD and has recently helped me make the decision I needed to make as to what I want to do now. After a long process of looking at my options, the years and money required, and availability of programs, I have decided to go on and get my DNP.

I have graduated with my BSN in December of 2012 (an extremely proud moment for me, if I may add.) Unfortunately, due to a string of unfortunate events that occurred while I was in school (including the death of a family member, a car accident and a couple of severe family illnesses), I graduated with only a 3.25.

Does anyone have any advice for a green nurse looking for a move forward? Schools that would be preferable, programs that are good and how I would be able t get in with that kind of GPA? I don't plan on going back to school right away, there is too much going on in my life at the moment to be considering additional expenses (ie. planning a wedding, welcoming a new family member and finding a home) but I would like to begin school again next year or the following year if at all possible.

Any positive advice would be appreciated.

Thank you all for your time!

[Palliative Care, DNP]

Apply, Apply, Apply! GPA is not everything. Use your stories about life to show you had a lot going on. I did that and was accepted. They were actually impressed that I had 4 kids, worked full time, & obtained my BSN at the same time.

[ePerfect]

I'll definitely keep that in mind! Even I'm pretty impressed with myself after all that! hahaha. There were so many times that I didn't think I would pass because I just didn't have time to study as much as I needed. But now that things are settling down I'm hoping things will go much more smoothly with school. :)

[sadiemae1123]

Grades are important but they aren't everything. A good GRE score would probably be helpful. You could also add to your eligibility by being active in any nurses associations, joining committees at work, taking on leadership roles in your community or work, or volunteering as a nurse. You could also consider taking some classes as a non-matriculating student to pump up your GPA and decrease your workload when you get into a program. These things would also allow you to network with people who could write stellar recommendation letters for you when you apply to school. Good luck!

[ePerfect]

Grades are important but they aren't everything. A good GRE score would probably be helpful. You could also add to your eligibility by being active in any nurses associations, joining committees at work, taking on leadership roles in your community or work, or volunteering as a nurse. You could also consider taking some classes as a non-matriculating student to pump up your GPA and decrease your workload when you get into a program. These things would also allow you to network with people who could write stellar recommendation letters for you when you apply to school. Good luck!

I'm just worried that any classes I take won't count. For instance, when I got into the nursing program at EMU they only counted the pre-requisite classes when calculating your GPA. All other classes were excluded so this GPA was different than the overall GPA I had.

[sadiemae1123]

It does seem like every school calculates GPA differently. You may have to look at the schools you are considering applying to and see what they consider most important in an applicant.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

I think that is so helpful that you have your PhD/NP aunt who could help you hone in on what you want to do, knowing you and your situation well along with the academic side of things. It sounds like you know what you want to do. Yes, by all means go ahead and apply...take the GRE if you haven't already...a statistics class as well, if you have not already done so.

Best wishes!

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

The best way to get started on this process is to................................. Get started!

By that I mean, if this is really what you want, then go for it, what are they going to do, turn you down? Well, if they do, then you at least get the chance to find out why your application doesn't meet their needs. That will tell you what you need to do to improve. Some will say grades, other schools may want a GPA, or some core classes done, or even references/essays.

In any case, by researching what you want from a program, and what various programs offer/require, you will start to narrow down the literally hundreds of programs to a select few that meet your needs, and that you might be able to get into. Then you can take it to the next step and figure out if you can apply now, or need to obtain additional references/essays/courses/experience/etc.

Good Luck!