What ABSN Programs will accept a low overall GPA of 2.5?

Don't be discouraged with a low GPA. I started off with a 2.25 from my first time through school. Just do well on all your prerequisites, that is what most programs look at. I had my GPA up to a 2.70 by the time I was accepted to nursing school and did very well in my prerequisites.

ABSNs are full-time, incredibly rigorous, year-long programs. They are highly competitive, and you most likely wouldn't be able to work and attend school and clinicals and maintain a decent GPA and be a present parent and girlfriend and stay sane at the same time.

If you have a program near you, I would suggest going the ADN/ASN route. It's a two-year program with more flexibility to work while attending classes and clinicals.

(NOTE: I am saying this as a person who met with advisors of both ABSN and ADN programs. I opted for the ADN, since I have to keep the lights on and mortgage paid and family fed while going to school.)

They are all extremely competitive to get into. You need to find some programs and look at their requirements. Some ASN programs will have a min gpa to apply, but will go off a points system. They assign points to certain prereqs based off of grades and an entrance exam score.

You need more than compassion to become a nurse. You need to make it through the prereqs and programs which are very vigorous. I graduate in a few weeks. I'm 40. I'm also a single mom. I was fortunate that I did not have to work during the prereqs.

Can I ask why you are wanting to make the switch?

Sorry if it seems all of us are providing discouraging feedback, but it's based in reality. Accelerated programs have higher GPA requirements for admission because these programs are best suited for people with very good academic skills - and the best indicator of this ability is cumulative GPA.

Based on your comments, I believe you may not have a realistic understanding of the knowledge & skills required for professional nursing practice. Although "compassion" is certainly an asset when it comes to patient interaction, nurses are first and foremost knowledge workers - whose clinical reasoning is based in a comprehensive grasp of life sciences. Nursing education is based on a cumulative curriculum in which those pesky math and science courses serve as the basis for subsequent courses. Nursing programs generally have more stringent grading policies & very limited options for students who don't meet performance/grade expectations.

On a more positive note, nursing is not the only 'caring' profession. If you are unable to surmount the barriers to a nursing education, there are other options such as social work & counseling that may interest you.

Hello NurseGirl525,

Thanks for replying! Sorry for the delay in my response. I've mostly been studying & working this year.

It's inspiring to hear you're 40 years old, a single mom, and now graduating from a nursing program. How did you juggle it all? How did you pay for school? Which ABSN program did you graduate from? What's your story? I would love to hear it.