What's next?

Published

I'm currently attending a California community college and slacked off midway through my 2nd and 3rd year, failing general biology twice, and anatomy and physiology twice, but retook them both a third time and got A in both. I ended up finishing my final major pre reqs with 7 A's (gen bio, a&p, paramed bio, gen chem, stats, etc).

Sadly, I'm just now turning my life around and growing up. A 2.8 GPA won't cut it for the majority of the universities im looking at in California, so I'm considering applying to out of state universities for more chances (hopefully).

My goals include an out of state BSN program at a university, but my low GPA of 2.8 will for sure hold me back. I have yet to take the TEAS. I know I will work hard and score well on the teas. I also have no community service, or volunteer hours. I REALLY want to get my BSN at a university.

Edit: after a bit of research, i answered some of my own questions, but opened new ones. My current plan is to take some extra classes to cut my GPA closer to 3.0, and study hard for the TEAS, maybe even get some volunteer hours or work experience in, then research some 2.5 min GPA Universities..

Am i missing anything in the process?

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Be aware some schools do not take repeat classes. Make sure you look into the policies of the schools you are applying to. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCT, RN.

Also, I don't suggest spending/wasting the money on taking the TEAS unless you know the school you're applying to requires it. Some schools use the HESI, some use the TEAS, and some use other things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in BMT.

I haven't heard of schools not accepting repeat courses. I had to retake a couple classes and applied to over 10 schools: none batted an eye about it. I too slacked off in the first couple years of school and didn't have stellar grades . In fact, I almost dropped out at one point. I took a semester off to regroup.

I actually went the non traditional route, and got a BS is something else originally, and discovered nursing later. That being said, I had a 3.2 GPA and still had little chance of getting into a traditional program, especially in California. I started looking at accelerated second bachelor programs, and actually was accepted into a few very competitive ones! Some of these programs are more forgiving of numbers, and actually read your essay and interview, to get to know YOU.

Sometimes, we have growing up to do as young adults, and are simply finding our way. If you REALLY want to be a nurse, you'll work hard and do what it takes to get there. The right program will see that.

It just might take you some time. Look into getting a BS in something else, that will also boost your GPA, and give you time to maybe volunteer, do community service, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you looked into the private universities? I think some of them are a little less picky about retakes and such. I know a lot of the CSUs only allow 1 science and 1 non-science retake, but seeing as you have 4 science retakes, I'm not sure if there are any CSUs where you would qualify to apply for the traditional BSN program (though you still may want to look at each individual campus's policies RE retakes, because I haven't looked at all of them, so there may be one that would allow that many).

Also, some campuses only look at your prereq GPA, not your cumulative GPA, so I don't think that should be TOO much of an issue. I think the hard part for you would be finding a campus that would accept 4 retakes.

So definitely double check the retake policies at the CSUs you would be interested in attending. If you find that you have too many retakes for those programs, check out the private universities in your area. If you still aren't having luck, look into ADN programs. I know that probably isn't what you want to hear, but there's no shame in going that route, then taking an RN-BSN bridge later.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you looked at CSUS? They do not look at your overall GPA, only the GPA for pre-requisite and co-requisite courses. You only mentioned having A's in 7 courses but if you earned A's in the other required courses and you get a good TEAS score you should have a good chance at getting in. Also, you are able to repeat any class one time. If you take any class a third time they take 5 points off of your score. Volunteering is also a great idea. There are also other categories in which you can earn "bonus" points.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology.

I think your only choice is to take classes to bump up your GPA most ADN programs I know wouldn't take that GPA either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for the responses. I will take one extra semester to boost my GPA just a tad over 3.0. That should give me more options hopefully. Yeah, I've learned the retakes are actually what's making it hard to find a univ.

Let's say I get a BS in Health Science then want to pursue nursing, how would that work? Would my GPA after graduating health science be the one I use to apply for BSN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion