Willing to move anywhere do anything!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 1, 2013

The investor-owned private for-profit nursing programs (ITT Tech, Chamberlain, Kaplan, Brown Mackie, West Coast University, Platt, etc.) will all accept you with your current grade point average.

However, the tuition is expensive. The reputations are questionable. Employment options may be limited. There are other downfalls that I have not mentioned because they are too numerous to list.

LisaLPN7 · May 1, 2013

Please don't say "just become an LVN" as if it's something to settle for because you can't do better. I've been an LPN for 23 years and I am proud of my license and nursing skills. I didn't settle for being an LPN, I chose to be one, and worked very hard to acquire it.

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · May 1, 2013

Hi ~ I'm not sure what state you live (California)? Samuel Merritt University (Oakland, CA) accepts applications with a cummulative GPA of your last 60 units of 3.0 for ABSN/ELMSN programs and for their standard BSN program I believe it's 2.5. You may wish to review their website; the school has an amazing reputation (although pricey). Also, the school reviews the "entire candidate profile" in determining acceptance into any program. This includes cummulative GPA last 60 units, Sciences GPA, TEAS score, three sample written essays, letters of recommendation, volunteer experience, healthcare experience (work and/or volunteer), other experience or school activities related or beneficial to nursing/application. There are numerous schools; you need to review each school to determine their admissions criteria/review.

Best of luck to you!

jdethman · May 1, 2013

In Colorado there is a Lamar Community College. It has no wait list, it is cheap to live there, but very Rual. It is a great program.

libran1984, ASN, RN · May 1, 2013

Perhaps u should go back to college and retake some of your former classes.

DoGoodThenGo · May 1, 2013

Good news is that low GPAs can be raised. The bad news is depending upon how "low" you are it could mean taking the equal of two, three, or even four years of college/university courses to do so; this is particularly true when taking a "C" GPA up to the "B+" or better "A" average most nursing programs are seeking these days.

It has been years (thank God! *LOL*) since one has had to do the sums, but IIRC for every "C" grade you need about two "A" grades to negate the damage to your average. Case in point, even if you were to take every single pre-nursing pre-req or whatever classes and obtain a 4.0 GPA, your overall average between the two would only be around 3.2 (if one has got the sums correct). While such as average is a solid "B" and in days past would have been no problem for admissions, today in most areas that is the floor with a good percentage of applicants around 3.5 with a decent number at 4.0.

Your best bet would be to follow the advice above and seek out programs that look at a "total" picture of an applicant. Such programs may be easier than those whom merely assign rankings based upon GPAs and often test (HESI, NLN) scores.

Standardised pre-nursing admission exams such as the NLN or HESI can give you room to shine for some but not all programs. If you can knock that ball out of the park with an super great score, coupled with all A's or at least a 3.0 to 3.5 in pre-nursing classes (A&P, Micro, Chem, etc...) you can point to those achievements to show you aren't the same person who graduated university. Again you may have to seek out a NP that gives weight to personal interviews, essays, and so forth over straight rankings but it could be worth a shot.

Most main line nursing programs are concerned with admitting applicants deemed academically prepared and suited for the difficult road ahead. There are more than a few studies that have proven a link between academic success (measured by GPAs at or over 3.0) in a nursing program and passing the NCLEX on the first attempt. Sadly that last bit is what often concerns many nursing programs.

However make no mistake, nursing school never was a cake walk and today even less. Many persons have the desire to become a nurse but sadly academically it simply is beyond them. Look back over your prior college experience and sort yourself out. Were you "lazy" and or just didn't apply yourself? What will be different this time around? Can you handle the required science and math classes? How are your basic (up to about freshman year high school) math skills?

Getting into a nursing program is half the battle, staying put is often the problem for some. Keep in mind many hospitals are now asking to see new grad's transcripts and seek out those with at least a 3.0 or above if not overall GPA but certainly science and nursing classes.

msteeleart · May 1, 2013

Go to a community college, they will accept your GPA. The CC I went to allowed a 2.5 for entry. You can then do an RN to BSN to bring up your GPA to apply to an MSN program.

squidbillies · May 2, 2013

Private college. They aren't all bad. Look on your state board of nursings website to see which ones are NLNAC accredited and go with one of those. Expensive, yes. Worth it? Yep.

specultr · May 2, 2013

I agree with community college being the best route. It's cheap and of good quality.

MichaelMcKinney · May 3, 2013

Hey guys thanks for your responses. Sorry if my statement about becoming an LVN was offensive. I didnt mean it that way.. I meant it would be the most round about way to become a nurse since I already have a BA degree. I looked at National University today, but they have a minimum GPA of 2.75 to get in, and even if I get a 4.0 on their pre-reqs I would not get my 2.5 up quite high enough. It is looking like a CC would be my best bet unless I can find a cheap private program.

Thanks for your help.