Struggling with low GPA?

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Hi y'all!

So I made the decision last year to pursue an ADN. I'm finishing up my pre-requisites to apply. But I have an issue.

My cumulative GPA blows. This was a combination of severe depression and anxiety and a horrifically abusive (now ex) spouse. I'm a great student, but I struggled big time when I was trying to scrape my way through school.

My question is, if by the time I finish my pre-reqs and re-take a few classes, I'm still not accepted within the first 1 or 2 attempts, what should I do? Would it make sense to pursue a CNA or LVN in the meantime while I continue to apply? I'm really anxious to get started but I also know I have some major work ahead of me before I'm even able to be considered.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

Go LPN to RN. I graduated high school with a 2.4 something around there, not pretty. I went to LPN school at 19, graduated with a 3.8ish then applied to my bridge program. The nursing program wanted my HS transcripts but only to validate I graduated, the only thing that really matters for them is my LPN GPA and my pre-req GPA for their program. Even at that, the LPN GPA is only take into account if all the pre-req GPAs are high and they need a tie breaker for clinical admittance.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

What's your prereq GPA like? Around here (Oregon) every school I've looked at only takes in effect your prereq GPA, with the exception of accelerated BSN/MSN programs.

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Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.
Go LPN to RN. I graduated high school with a 2.4 something around there, not pretty. I went to LPN school at 19, graduated with a 3.8ish then applied to my bridge program. The nursing program wanted my HS transcripts but only to validate I graduated, the only thing that really matters for them is my LPN GPA and my pre-req GPA for their program. Even at that, the LPN GPA is only take into account if all the pre-req GPAs are high and they need a tie breaker for clinical admittance.

Or become a paramedic and go through a program like excelsiors to bridge to RN.

[emoji22]medics are people too.

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
Or become a paramedic and go through a program like excelsiors to bridge to RN.

[emoji22]medics are people too.

I wanted to be a paramedic originally! But we had kids young, daycare was too expensive, and my husband works bizarre shifts so the crazy schedule wasn't doable. I would love to be a paramedic when my kids are out of the house but I wouldn't want to go back to school after trudging through the torture that is RN school. I am totally jealous you get to do it.

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Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.

When you get your RN you can actually take a test and get your PHRN- PreHospital Registered Nurse. Basically get to play paramedic without going through the schooling.

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What's your prereq GPA like? Around here (Oregon) every school I've looked at only takes in effect your prereq GPA, with the exception of accelerated BSN/MSN programs.

So far for the classes I've taken to satisfy my pre-reqs I've got all As. So I really hope they take that into account and see I've gotten my butt into gear, hahaha

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Or become a paramedic and go through a program like excelsiors to bridge to RN.

[emoji22]medics are people too.

As I understand it, here in CA to be a paramedic you need to go through fire academy, since our paramedics are through the fire department. My brother lives in Florida and he's able to bridge EMT to medic apparently without anything to do with the fire academy. Otherwise I would love this option

Then again that could be totally incorrect information that I haven't gotten around to researching admittedly...

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Cardiology.

Unfortunately this is a cut throat society, the way you make it seem is that your ex tore up your homework every time you tried to do it. If you want a goal stay committed and do what you have to do. That being said... retake those courses and get better grades, if you are not emotionally stable RN school is the last thing you want to do.

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It really depends if your school even considers your cumulative GPA for admission purposes. I know a lot of programs (including mine) only consider prerequisite GPA. Perhaps find out from your school what they use in consideration?

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Unfortunately this is a cut throat society, the way you make it seem is that your ex tore up your homework every time you tried to do it. If you want a goal stay committed and do what you have to do. That being said... retake those courses and get better grades, if you are not emotionally stable RN school is the last thing you want to do.

Well truth be told, as far as the ex thing goes, you're not really that far off the mark, but I don't need to justify that.

However I feel like discouraging someone from pursuing nursing because of depression is kind of ridiculous. There are plenty of nurses out there with any host of disabilities and illnesses and they do just fine. If I wasn't in a stable position I wouldn't be considering this anyway.

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Congrats on sticking with your dream and making great grades in your pre-req's! As others have said, it completely depends on the admission requirements for the school(s) you are applying to. The one I'm applying to only looks at your pre-req GPA. Depending on your options you may be able to find a school that works the same way. Good luck!

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