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Okay, everyone, just a warning.... this might be long!

I have finally decided after almost nine years out of high school that nursing is what I want to do.

Background: I attended college for a year and a half at one of the best schools in our state, and due to some personal issues - mostly immaturity and naivete - I failed the last semester that I attended. I was in a really bad place and literally packed up and moved home without withdrawing from my courses (I know. So dumb.). I left with a cGPA of 1.27. My major was Pre-Med, Bio. A few years ago, I decided that I still wanted to pursue a career in one of the health professions, and so I began to take classes part time at a local CC to raise my GPA. I have gotten a 4.0 in 18 credit hours, and this semester I am attending full-time and plan to keep that 4.0 going.

So, now we're back in present-time: I have done pretty much everything to get into my local CC's ADN program for 2011. I met with my advisor again, and as she was looking through my checklist, she decided to calculate my GPA. Well, as it turns out.... I have a 2.4477 cGPA, just short of the 2.5 minimum required for admission to the ADN program. From previous meetings, I was under the impression that my GPA was in good shape, but all of a sudden found out that it's not good enough. This is partly my fault because I didn't ask enough questions and I assumed that the CC did GPA's the same way my University did - only counting credits taken at their institution in the cGPA. Obviously, I was wrong. The worst part of it is that I would have at least a 2.75 if I could apply after this semester is finished, but the deadline is before grades are posted. :( I just re-took the ACT and got a 30, I have only 3 hours left for an AA, I have nearly all of my optional pre-reqs done (with A's in all except for 2 classes). In our application packet, we are given a score sheet for the application process, with all students above a score of 26 automatically enrolled and students with scores below are admitted with highest scores first and so on. Without the GPA requirement I have a score of 23, which would get me in, easy-peasy. This all just sucks so badly because it's all due to something that happened over seven years ago, and is obviously not a characteristic of who I am as a student. I am taking accountability for this, but I am so discouraged and I don't know what to do!

I am eligible for the LPN program, beginning this fall, and would be a shoo-in for the ADN program beginning in 2012. Here is my question - should I wait to apply for the ADN program and finish up my pre-reqs? Should I apply to LPN school? Should I go ahead and apply to the ADN program for this fall and see what happens?

I would appreciate any advice!

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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:

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Specializes in Long Term Care,Cardiac Care,Pediatric..

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!! :)

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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?

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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.

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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).

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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!:D

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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. :(

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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.

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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.

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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.

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