What do you think?

tanelson · Mar 1, 2011

Anyone? I am so confused right now. I know it's ultimately my decision, but I will be the first person in my family to have a college degree and I have no one with experience to give me advice. :confused:

RN2BKS · Mar 1, 2011

Where I am from LPN's are only used in nursing homes and some clinics. It is really up to you. I know for me I ONLY want my RN. In Colorado they are making everyone get their BSN, I'm thinking this will apply everywhere soon. If you are in a hurry and need a job then do the LPN. If you can wait I would do the RN. Hope this helps!! :)

LeO13 · Mar 1, 2011

I was in a similiar situation, I went to a state university majoring in Computer Engineering, and did so horrible that I was on academic disqualification. Then afterwards I pursued in nursing and finished the whole pre-reqs with a total GPA of 3.8 at a local community college. When I submitted my application, I included my state university and community college transcript, I come to find that I had a cumulative gpa of 2.1, which was .65 shy of the cut off. So I emailed one of the Nursing Counselors and told her my story, and she was able to exclude my state university GPA. Did you try talking to one of the higher ups at your institution about this?

3rdgenRN2B · Mar 1, 2011

I would wait and finish up those pre-reqs. That way you could give your nursing courses your undivided attention. Can you retake whatever course it is that's lowering your gpa?

Also, have you looked at bsn programs in your area? If you're so close to getting your AA you might want to consider a bachelor's program instead.

Saysfaa · Mar 1, 2011

Some schools have a way to account for current classes. Either some form of "pending" before the end of the school year or some form of "amending" the application after grades are in. I would ask.

Otherwise, if you have room in your schedule or can make room (even dropping a class you currently have if you can without a "w"), you might pick up independent study class that you could finish before the deadline. You would have to check that the grade would count when you finish the course and not at the end of the next term or else that the school you get it from ends their term before your application deadline.

Or some schools have late start classes that sometimes end before the normal term... again, you would need to check it out thoroughly to make sure it would work (check if they count the grade when you finish, etc).

Taylo040 · Mar 1, 2011

I agree with everyone about the BSN. Here in California, all the hospitals are hiring BSN over RN's. I know the cost difference is huge, but in the end the pay and the hiring pool is much better. Try talking to a some head nurses or the administration personel at your local hospital. You learn a lot about what hospitals are looking for, especially in a "new hire."

If you're anxious to jump in right away in the RN program I would apply and attach notes from your current professors stating your current grade(s) and possibly letter of recommendation for the program. There are a lot more people who have the same issues of lower GPA's from pervious enrollment than you think. Having 4.0 in the last few semesters will prove to them that you are a dedicated student.

Good luck!

tanelson · Mar 1, 2011

Nursesoon - I am the same way! I ultimately want my BSN, and probably a Master's degree, too. My plan keeps getting set back over and over again and I am just trying to find the quickest way there. Thanks for your input!

Asianone - That is my EXACT situation! My Nursing Advisor (also the Coordinator of the Allied Health programs at the CC) is basically telling me no, over and over again. What I don't understand is that there is a specific section outlined in the College Handbook that describes the nursing application process and what happens in the cases of "special circumstances." I feel this falls into that category, but she is unwilling to talk to me about it. I am afraid to go over her head because she is not just an advisor, she is the only advisor, and she is also one of the nurses that teaches clinicals. Plus, I've looked on the faculty list and the only other people listed for the program are the program's DON and her administrative assistant. I don't want to anger anyone and hurt my chances of getting in all. Basically she keeps telling me that I can do LPN and then the LPN to RN, or wait and apply for ADN next year - and that those are my only options. What I don't understand is how she can be so quick to judge me when she hasn't even so much as looked at my transcript! None of the failed classes are nursing-related, my institution GPA is high, I just got a 30 on the ACT. Thanks so much for sharing, its so encouraging to hear that someone in my situation has moved on from it!

3rdGenRN2Be - I could retake the classes, but they are not nursing-related, so my best option in that case would be to go back to my university and apply for academic renewal and enroll there full-time. The only thing is that I was told that IF the academic renewal was accepted that my GPA would still not be good enough for their BSN program (it's in the top 20 in the nation). So that leaves my only option at the university to be this: completing a different bachelor's program, and then applying for the accelerated BSN. This would take me between 3 and 4 years. I would love to do this, but I would have to move an hour and a half from home and my husband (can't leave his job, works with family) for a long time - plus it's extremely expensive. We are pretty low-income as it is, not to mention I just got laid off on Friday from the only decent paying job I have ever had. I would love to do this because I would end up with two bachelor's degrees in four years or less, but I just don't know that it is feasible for us. Thanks so much for your ideas!

Saaysfaa - thanks so much for your input - I have looked into that, and there's nothing that I can take and complete before the application deadline. I so wish there was, because that would really be the best option!

Thanks again, everyone for your comments! I really appreciate them, and any further advice you may have. I am not trying to be depressing or anything, but I keep trying different pathways and all I have gotten are discouraging answers. I am having a really hard time with this, I know what I want, and I know I can do it, but I keep getting held back. It's hurting my confidence to know that I was stupid enough to do this to myself.

Mom/Nurse2b · Mar 1, 2011

It depends on what you want to do in nursing. In my area, LPN's are hired mostly for LTC and Dr's offices. If you are wanting to work in a hospital or have a specific specialty in mind, you'll need the RN. It sounds like that's what you want anyway so wait, take a couple of classes to bump up your GPA and apply next year.

zbb13 · Mar 1, 2011

I think it it's sad that she won't listen and have compassion for you. You have obviously changed your habits and are doing really well, and it wasn't yesterday that you received the bad grades, it was seven years ago. We really don't realize how our grades will follow us everywhere, all the time (especially when we're young). My advice is to find someone above her to appeal to...the Dean? If that doesn't work....BSN sounds like the way to go. I hope whatever you choose, you will succeed.

LeO13 · Mar 2, 2011

I think it it's sad that she won't listen and have compassion for you. You have obviously changed your habits and are doing really well, and it wasn't yesterday that you received the bad grades, it was seven years ago. We really don't realize how our grades will follow us everywhere, all the time (especially when we're young). My advice is to find someone above her to appeal to...the Dean? If that doesn't work....BSN sounds like the way to go. I hope whatever you choose, you will succeed.

Yeah for sure, it doesn't hurt to go and ask someone higher than her. I was very fortunate in my case that she was willing to hear me out and exempt my horrible grades at my other institution.