Want to pursue nursing in S. FL, have a BA but poor grades in undergrad. Need suggestions

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About me:

  • I call Florida home and would like to attend a nursing program in this large state. Currently location in Northern Miami area.
  • I would like to attend a public school for financial reasons. Although I have a Bachelors degree and I be pursuing accelerated options, I am unable to because my under graduate GPA was 2.99.
  • Most of my perquisites are completed: Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2, Microbiology, General Chemistry, Chemistry for Health Science, and other miscellaneous courses.
  • Another obstacle I now face is that my A&P 1 & 2 courses are over 10 years old so I have to retake them. This could strengthen my MDC AO ASN application. They've reinstated an entrance exam which could work in my favor.

Programs:

  • I recently applied to MDC's accelerated ASN but was not admitted since they took the admission test away, admissions decisions relied only in grades which I'm lacking. To follow with FIU's ASN to BSN online program. (2 year duration)
  • I've considered Broward's ASN program to follow with a BSN program. (3 years) My issue with broward is that it's an almost 3 year track!
  • FIU's accelerated option is very strict about their 3.0 undergrad requirement so that too was a no go for me. (1 year)
  • Started considering LPN programs. Cannot find LPN to BSN programs. (Duration?)

SUGGESTIONS PLEASE

Moving forward, I think I will retake A&P and reapply to MDC, and apply to Broward.

If you were in my situation, what route would you take? Keeping in mind that I don't want to break the bank for school and would like something in South Florida. I would love to start school ASAP and a shorter program would be ideal. I would really appreciate any feedback even if it's not what I want to hear or if I need to change my expectations.

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If I'm understanding your situation correctly, you really aren't looking to choose from multiple options, you have ONE option: Broward's ASN program (if you are accepted) and then continuing to do a BSN. The other programs you mentioned.....it looks like you were rejected by them already, so....what is it you are trying to decide?

If you aren't interested in moving, and your grades will allow you entry into only one program.....what is it you need help with?

FWIW, EVERYONE wants a shorter program, EVERYONE wants an inexpensive school. Competition, therefore, reflects that and you wouldn't be able to get into the ones you would certainly prefer.

If you can get a nursing school placement with less than a 3.0, you should take it. Most schools require significantly higher, because of the aforementioned steep competition.

Maybe you could clarify something: you said that you'd need to re-take at least one pre-requisite course as it's more than 10 years old. Do you have other courses that would also "expire" prior to your acceptance into a nursing program? If so...what is your plan for retaking them?

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Hi zmperez,

I would look into Western Governors University (WGU). It is a non-profit, private college. They have a BSN program, for non RN's, in California, Indiana, Texas, and Florida and it is Regionally and CCNE accredited. It's a 2.5 year program leading to a BSN. Tution is about $4,250 per semester (there are 5 semesters).

I just recently started the Indiana program and like you I did not have the best grades as an undergrad. WGU only looked at the pre-reqs (Anatomy I/II, Microbiology) in calculating your GPA and also the TEAS V exam. I was so happy when I found out that they only looked at the pre-req science classes because I had a 3.8 GPA in those classes. However, there are other courses you must complete before you can apply such as Psychology, but it is not factored in the GPA. If you re-take any of the science pre-reqs, they will take the highest grade.

They have the program in different parts of Florida, I am not sure where. I read one in Daytona, but I know they have others. I am assuming they have it in Miami too since it is a larger city, but I would call the school if you are interested to know exactly.

Here is a thread started by another poster on this forum about the program in Florida - https://allnurses.com/western-governors-university/prelicensure-bsn-program-956929.html

Good luck to you! There are programs out there that just looks at the pre-reqs and that is what you should be looking for.

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I wasn't aware that WGU had such a program (bricks-and-mortar based). Was only aware of the online version. Good info to know :)

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Hi RNsRWe,

Yea! WGU has a prelicensure program that is a hybrid. So you do your didactic/theory classes online, but clinicals, labs, and assessments are done in person (mostly on weekends). However, the clinicals vary it can be night/day shift or weekday/weekend. They will let you know ahead of time what your schedule will be.

In my cohort, clinicals will mostly be held at the VA hospital in Indianapolis and different community based clinics. However, there are different cohorts and each cohort has a main hospital associated with it. The programs are not nationwide and are only limited to Southern CA, Utah, Florida, and Indiana for now. It is a great option for those who need to work and complete a prelicensure-bsn at the simultaneously.

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Well, good to know. I like to keep up on what's happening, what's available. Thanks :)

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I'm sorry I forgot to mention that MDC had removed the admissions test for the semester that I applied. They now require the HESI entrance exam as does Broward.

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