What are my chances of getting to RN program with multiple "W" and 2 fails?

Question

When I was young, I screwed up in my community college and got multiple Ws and 1 Fail. My gpa was of 1.00 sad to admit. I had a wake up call and decided to attend a profit private college and got my bachelors degree in computer science with a 3.2 gpa. Got a great job with great pay, but after 10 yeas I want to change my career to nursing. I would love to be an RN and don't want to attend a private college anymore.. too much money. I want to do things right and go to a community college so I can be full accredited BUT, wouldn't my gpa from 12 years ago affect me(1.00gpa)? I am attending the same college district and my gpa still shows.. which means I would have to attend school longer like 3 years for prereqs and make ups.. so I am risking time and I can possibly not get in to the RN program at a community college. If I do get in it may take me up tp 5 years just to get in to RN program. My computer science degree is looking pretty good instead of starting over again! Should I even risk my self, when I heard that some RN programs only take 1 W and 1 D and No fails... if you know about some or your RN program do you think they would give me a chance?? How would they feel about my 1.00 gpa and even if i make the classes up with a better grade, wouldn't it still affect my admission to a nursing program??Please serious answers only.. thank you!

Answer 1

First of alI, you should call the admissions department and ask someone before worrying yourself over potentially (and hopefully) nothing.  I would have a list of questions prepared before calling:

1.  If a student attended unsuccessfully 10 years ago, what is your policy regarding re-admittance?

2.  Would a GPA on file from 10 years ago affect a student's current plan of study?

3.  If yes, are there any steps to remedy such a GPA?

4.  Will courses from _____ University (whatever for-profit college you attended) be allowed to count for pre-req credit?

I would also enourage you to apply to the community college as though you're a first time student since it's been so long.  Be honest, of course, but also write a statement explaining how much you have learned since your first college experience, how you were successful at your second attempt at schooling, how you are now dedicated to beginning a new career, and how you have made plans to be a successful student (and nurse) this time around.  I am quite sure that there are compassionate people out there who didn't ace college the first go-around.  GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

To be an RN you need a bachelor's degree in nursing except maybe in states where they desperately need nurses even if they are not educated. A BSRN is going to take you four years! Anyways, mistakes from so long ago really shouldn't hurt your chances of becoming a nurse. h**l, there are people out there with MDs who never graduated high school! If you want, you can explain your situation and what is driving you to succeed as opposed to the past or you can simply expect that community college and second chances go hand and hand ie. community college programs are easy to get into and administration is quite forgiving.