The best advice about how to get into a nursing school is to successfully complete the required prerequisites while in high school, excel with academics and have good answers to interview questions about why nursing. How to Get into Nursing School with a Low GPA. If you have a low GPA right now and are worried about your chances of getting into nursing school, you should know that you have plenty of options and routes you can take. Learning how to deal with test anxiety is not fun. Many people underestimate the power in simply asking for what you want or need; if you need help boosting your GPA, try asking for help — that may look like asking your teacher for extra credit assignments you can do to boost your GPA, or getting some extra tutoring that could help you ace your next test. The caveat is that private schools are expensive. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Considering factors such as types of classes you took, extracurricular activities, and other extenuating circumstances may help point you in the direction of the right college or university for you. Two things I want to say about this: Bad Grades Aren’t the End of the World. Some facilities even offer tuition assistance to CNAs to further their education. If you earned bad grades in high school, getting accepted for nursing school will require innovation and persistence. If you are unable to raise your GPA or cannot afford to take additional classes, it may be beneficial to look into nursing programs that work on a waitlist basis. Otherwise, it will be tougher to get a job. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can be earned at a four-year college or online. Most accelerated nursing programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, with some of these schools factoring prerequisites into your grade point average. Want to be successful as a nurse in college? Before you can find an appropriate institution for your desires and needs, even with bad grades, think about your tenure at school. A good place to begin is by writing your personal statement. The following are ways of getting accepted into nursing school despite the bad grades. You may need to adjust your expectations and use some of the strategies discussed above, but if you’re serious about getting into college and doing the work to make it happen, you can be successful. If you’ve missed the A-Level grades, you should pick up the phone and call the admissions team as soon as possible, so you can explain what’s happened. Use nursing school as a coach to develop good habits – You can see nursing school as an obstacle to get past to become a nurse. If you’re looking to become a nurse but have bad grades or a low grade point average (GPA), you may be concerned about getting into nursing school. Booking an appointment with the Admission’s Advisor Retaking the courses that lowered the GPA Many of the better new graduate jobs are residency programs which often require atleast a 3.3 GPA if not a 3.5+. An easy way to increase your knowledge and gain valuable hands-on experience is to simply get involved in the field more. If you’re committed to raising your GPA, there are educators who will work with you to help you succeed. Admission committees appreciate an honest accounting of low grades. By Kati Kleber, BSN RN CCRN . Use your letter to be honest. Check out community colleges that offer nursing programs. The Test of Essential Academic Skill, or TEAS, is especially recommended for anyone hoping to get accepted into nursing school. (can’t remember but it was a 2. something) and a decent ACT score but this was to get into the university so I could take my pre-requisites so I could apply to nursing school. One more year left on the nursing school, I really want to get As to improve my GPA. How Long Does It Take to Become a Registered Nurse. If you’re still in high school, go to your high school guidance counselor’s office and get assistance on courses that may help boost your GPA, find nursing schools that may accept lower GPAs, or take additional steps you can take to increase your chances of being accepted. Maybe you need some assistance formatting that reference paper, but you can rock a hard IV stick like no one’s business, or maybe you need some extra study time but have the uncanny ability to relate to every patient you meet. So, if your current GPA is just below 3.0, you could raise your average by doing well in the prerequisites, which typically include anatomy, chemistry, microbiology and physiology courses. They can connect you to resources, clearly outline what steps and classes you need to take in order to boost your credentials, and even help you identify your own strengths to help you study more effectively. Gather recommendation letters from your school counselor and teachers who can vouch for your dedicated efforts to improve your grades. So do your research, consider how long the wait will be, and determine if you will lose your financial aid or can re-apply after you get in. That means completing all application requirements, such as: Taking any prerequisite courses; Meeting the minimum GPA For … by jmeurer | Apr 5, 2017 | Nursing Programs | 0 comments. One important note is to make sure that the classes you take are beneficial; some nursing schools will not factor classes that they deem is irrelevant to your GPA. You could also look into becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and working your way through to become an RN. If you have a low GPA right now, here are some options for you to consider to try to boost your chances of getting accepted into nursing school. In it, explain reasons behind your less than stellar academic performance. If you’re looking to become a nurse but have bad grades or a low grade point average (GPA), you may be concerned about getting into nursing school. It’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a counselor at the school you want to attend. 1. I don't know what we can do. Getting a bad grade or two isn’t the end of the world, or the end of your chances at getting in to medical school, but it does mean that you may want to regroup, slow down your academic schedule, probably take a fifth year or at least apply after your fourth year. Don’t be. Less-than-stellar grades can be overcome as long as you have a plan. Many have policies that no student will be rejected. If you can, try to ensure that the community college courses you take transfer to your desired nursing program and/or will count as credits for your prereq classes. Did family matters, such as a death, divorce or serious illness have a negative impact on your studies? Nursing schools deal with potential applicants every single day and they are prepared to help students who want to learn and join their programs. Your email address will not be published. After all, with a little work you can find a number of colleges that accept transfer credits with bad grades. I retook a&p2 for a better grade to increase my chances. Maybe you had a family member get sick and your GPA was impacted; maybe you’re a single mom working around-the-clock; maybe you transferred schools mid-way through the year; maybe you have a learning disability — the point is, tell your story and express your passion for being a nurse, because the admissions team wants to see someone who cares deeply about the nursing profession, no matter what obstacles they may face. I doubt anybody in my class ever get an A in nursing I or II. Take any anatomy, chemistry, physiology or other science- … While gaining more hands-on experience may not raise your GPA right away, the knowledge you gain could help you perform better in the future because you’ll have a real-world education to draw from. But even if they don’t, you may be able to raise your GPA enough in as little as one semester that you can apply to nursing school with a higher GPA on your transcripts — all in a much more affordable way thanks to the lower cost of community college. However, I can tell you from personal experience with my school and how they determine if you can get in based on grades. CNA and LPN programs might not have a minimum GPA, while many associate’s programs require at least a 2.5. I was accepted in February to start nursing school this month. Each school is different, and academic renewal is not always possible, so contact your current school and your prospective school to see what it takes to get renewal approved. Either way you’ll become a nurse. Explain actions you will take/have taken to address the problem. While getting a 4.0 in Nursing School doesn't equate to being a good nurse in practice it now does matter for your first job. John While you may have gotten a 33 on your ACT, the fact that your GPA is only 1.8, shows that you were not consistent in your course work. Your GPA of 3.3 is great and yes I definitely think you can handle nursing school. In it, explain reasons behind your less than stellar academic performance. Graduate from high school. If you were the cause (i.e. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Don’t eschew online nursing schools. Ring up the med school. You can do this — and more importantly, you’ll probably be an even better nurse in the end. For instance, you could become a Medical Assistant or Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and begin working in the medical field. A better bet is to work with your high school or college counselor to find classes that will help increase your chances of acceptance. A good place to begin is by writing your personal statement. If an illness or injury happened, ask your doctor to write a letter of confirmation. Almost all graduate school applications require transcripts. You should also do well in your science coursework. If you’ve only just missed your offer, some medical schools are willing to still offer you a place. How to Deal with Nursing School Test Anxiety. But it’s easy to get accepted into online nursing schools and this could be your ideal match. Copyright © 2020 Full Beaker, Inc | 866-302-3888 | [email protected] | Do Not Sell My Info, Complete List of Common Nursing Certifications, Advantages And Drawbacks Of Getting A Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN), 6 Steps to Becoming a Forensic Nurse | Salary & Programs, For Bachelor in Nursing (BSN) programs the minimum GPA is usually at least 3.0. Wondering how to get started in healthcare fast? If you don’t have the grades to enroll in a competitive nursing program at the moment, explore other educational pathways that will help you get where you want to go. At my school, in order to get into the nursing program you have to make a grade of no less than a C in all of your health care classes (which includes AnP). Get extra help or a tutor if you’re still struggling and poor grades weren’t just in the past. So, if you try to take a semester of just gym classes to pad your GPA, a potential nursing school could throw out all of those classes while reviewing your application. How to get into nursing school with bad grades If you genuinely care about people and wish to become a nurse yet you graduated with a bad grade, you don't need to despair as that isn't the end of the world. Chances are, you wouldn’t thrive in a top-notch, highly competitive nursing school environment, even if you were accepted. Article provided by, Advocate Search Group – a recruiting firm focused exclusively on filling academic nursing program positions throughout the USA, Your email address will not be published. Although, you would still be entitled to apply for scholarships, student loans, etc. If your financial aid depends on you actively being enrolled in school, this can be a problem. How To Get Into Nursing School #1 Judith Fitzgerald Miller, PhD, RN, FAAN – Dean, University of Missouri School of Nursing. The major drawback to waitlist programs, however, is that you can wait a long time — in some cases, even several years — before you are officially accepted into the program. Or, you can see it as an opportunity to develop lifelong habits that will serve you in every area of life. The first two years are spent on general education, which is where you can focus on bringing up your low GPA. Worried that you won’t be able to get into the graduate school of your dreams because your GPA is low? If your grades to get into dental school are weighing on you because they are less than you had hoped or are far below other applicants, then taking quick action can make a big difference in gaining entrance to a top dental school or college. This is frustrating. You’ll find schools that accept students with GPAs around 2.5 – 3.0. Persistence is up to you. Find out in our list of nurse salaries by state. Where can nurses make the most? Though you’re unlikely to be admitted into an Ivy League college with a 2.5 GPA, low grades don’t necessarily mean you won’t get into college. Check out our list of the top gifts for nurses. Nursing school admissions can be very competitive, so it is important that you put your best foot forward when applying. Nursing graduate programs are typically designed for working professionals with clinical experience. **AnP is … partying on school nights, frequent absences) and bad grades were the effect, own responsibility for your mistakes. The best kind of nurse is one who knows how to work hard and problem-solve when faced with a challenge, so simply think of your less-than-ideal GPA right now as your first real-world problem as a nurse. In general, you can expect that any highly competitive nursing program will have a high GPA requirement for applicants. Requirements vary by school and level of degree, but in most cases, you can expect to need an acceptable high school GPA (or equivalent score on the GED) or have good grades from any postsecondary education you’ve already completed. Volunteering at a local nursing home or hospital, Job-shadowing a nurse to learn more about on-the-job requirements, Speaking with unit managers about ways you could get involved. The chances of getting into dental school can depend on many things. The point is, we all have different strengths and it’s important to recognize yours early. Graduating from high school or the equivalent is required to get into any nursing program. A GPA lower than 3.0 in undergraduate work is not ideal but doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker for those looking to get into nursing school. Required fields are marked *. Here are 7 ways. You should try to make very good grades and have a high GPA. Nursing is about knowing your abilities — and asking for help when you need it, including now. You may be required to enroll in a remedial class to get your skills up to the mark, prior to starting your nursing education. There are a variety of ways to get involved in the medical field, even without being an official RN, including. My other two nursing classes, I really worked hard, but still got Bs on both. It’s not just a numbers game. While school is important, it may help you to realize that when it comes to being a great nurse, the perfect GPA is not everything. There may be people out there who can rock a 4.0 writing a paper about nursing, but then get to the floor and flounder their way through field skills. If you earned bad grades in high school, getting accepted for nursing school will require innovation and persistence. In nursing II, I got 93, yet 93 is still counted as B. How to Become a Pharmacy Tech, Pharmacy Assistant or Pharmacist, 20 Healthcare Degrees You Can Earn in 2 Years or Less. The lowest GPA I think they allowed to get into my nursing school was a 3.0. While not every school may require it, a high score will make the applicant shine bright above the others. The kids I mentor are grade-obsessed, but I have a secret: Long before founding and selling my company, I was a terrible student, a shame on my family. No matter where you plan on ultimately attending nursing school, high school graduates with a low GPA can enroll in a local community college for your general education classes. When you apply for nursing school, many schools require that you include your “position statement” or something similar declaring your intentions in becoming a nurse. Here are several innovative ideas to help you make the right match: Private nursing schools are easier to get into, even with bad grades. Sure, you may not boost them enough to get into your top choice, but it will make a difference in whether or not you’re accepted to any school. You’ll likely be required to complete the hands-on portions of training at a local nursing school. Play up your strengths Schools look at more than grades alone. Search for schools that have recently implemented nursing programs. Their acceptance rate will be higher, since they will receive fewer applications. For an Associate Degree the minimum GPA ranges from 2.0 to 2.8. Now you know innovative ways to pursue nursing school acceptance. Experts say gaining work experience is one of the best ways for grad school hopefuls with a low college GPA to improve their admissions profile. Retake courses you did poorly in the first time around, and/or take new courses you can ace (even general education courses like volleyball, nutrition, etc) to bump your GPA back up to 3.0. Waitlist nursing programs do not have competitive minimum GPA requirements but instead allow a certain number of students into the program each year, so essentially you are given your “number” in line until you reach the top of the line. Nursing school admissions can be very competitive, so it is important that you put your best foot forward when applying. I too have a 1.8 GPA but I got a 33 on my ACTs and gosh darnit I want to know if that will help make up for my bad grades in high school. read our reapplying to med school guide 1. Do an online search for “nursing schools with high acceptance rates” or “easiest nursing schools to get into”. Tis the season! Did you suffer an accident or illness, which caused your grades to plummet? Seek out nursing schools that look at GPA in different ways. That means completing all application requirements, such as: GPA requirements vary from school to school, and some early admission nursing programs require an even higher GPA of at least 3.8 or higher (weighted or unweighted). Take note to ensure the private school of your choice is accredited by the CCNE or ACEN, the nursing academic accreditation association. Although you may think that your statement letter is just a formality, it’s actually an opportunity to let your application stand out in the crowd, even with a low GPA. I had bad grades from my previous school, but the nursing program only cared about courses that count towards the program. I am in the same boat ,our school will let you do a fresh start to erase all grades from the past but I hate to do that to because I did not Fail any classes from before just made a lot of c 's which still count but also are not so good to get into nursing school. There is rarely a waiting list. 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