Is my Med School goal realistic?

[Daddo1]

So a quick synopsis of me: I'm 29 yrs old, have 2 kids under 4 yrs old, married, currently in the last 2 semesters of an ADN in Nursing at a local community college. Really feeling the itch to work towards getting into medical school, especially after experiencing quite a bit of nursing clinical and feeling like I really want more than this(some will say it's early to make that decision I know..)

Current overall GPA is 3.2, none of the required med school pre-reqs done yet(planning on starting next summer or fall), have volunteered for American Cancer Society in the past and will pursue more volunteering and research after nursing graduation.

All this being said, I would just do my best in the rest of my courses and MCAT, volunteer my butt off and apply. However, when I was younger I had the very bright idea to attend university of phoenix... Yea. Didn't get good grades either.. Has this destroyed any possibility of me getting into Med School in the future? Can I leave that tiny detail off my Med School apps? I'm willing to go MD or DO, just want to be a surgeon(Long road). Any advice in either direction is greatly appreciated. I will be setting up appointments with advisers at 3 or 4 Universities in the Chicago area to finish up a bachelor's to prep for med school and see if they believe I have a shot or if I'm spinning my wheels.

Sorry if this seems all over the place, playing superheroes with my 3 yr old while trying to get this across clearly..

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[mw18]

So a quick synopsis of me: I'm 29 yrs old, have 2 kids under 4 yrs old, married, currently in the last 2 semesters of an ADN in Nursing at a local community college. Really feeling the itch to work towards getting into medical school, especially after experiencing quite a bit of nursing clinical and feeling like I really want more than this(some will say it's early to make that decision I know..)

Current overall GPA is 3.2, none of the required med school pre-reqs done yet(planning on starting next summer or fall), have volunteered for American Cancer Society in the past and will pursue more volunteering and research after nursing graduation.

All this being said, I would just do my best in the rest of my courses and MCAT, volunteer my butt off and apply. However, when I was younger I had the very bright idea to attend university of phoenix... Yea. Didn't get good grades either.. Has this destroyed any possibility of me getting into Med School in the future? Can I leave that tiny detail off my Med School apps? I'm willing to go MD or DO, just want to be a surgeon(Long road). Any advice in either direction is greatly appreciated. I will be setting up appointments with advisers at 3 or 4 Universities in the Chicago area to finish up a bachelor's to prep for med school and see if they believe I have a shot or if I'm spinning my wheels.

Sorry if this seems all over the place, playing superheroes with my 3 yr old while trying to get this across clearly..

So your GPA is a 3.2 without Phoenix? You don't want to leave it off. They'll find out; and even if they didn't, you would be worried that they will find out you had been dishonest on all your applications and pull the rug out from underneath you. How many hours and what GPA at Phoenix?

 

[Daddo1]

Yes, 3.2 without Phoenix. I'll have to dig up my transcripts. It was a bachelor's and gpa was in the 2's. I know that probably doesn't help, I'll find it somewhere.

 

[exacto]

Do it, since you haven't taken any pre reqs yet, you can get A's in all those and a Good Mcat. They like older/ non trad students. But it's going to hard word for at least 9 more years for you...

 

[Daddo1]

Do it, since you haven't taken any pre reqs yet, you can get A's in all those and a Good Mcat. They like older/ non trad students. But it's going to hard word for at least 9 more years for you...

No doubting the hard work. Might be the part I'm looking forward to most. I figure if I do really well on the MCAT, kill the sciences, and get my GPA around 3.5 I should at least stand a chance.. Obviously I'm looking for encouragement lol but really want people to be honest. Of course family and friends are always saying 'Go for it' but they don't truly understand the rigors of getting into med school, let alone once you get in!

 

[mw18]

Yes, 3.2 without Phoenix. I'll have to dig up my transcripts. It was a bachelor's and gpa was in the 2's. I know that probably doesn't help, I'll find it somewhere.

You completed your bachelor's from there? That's a lot of hours GPA-wise and will be tough to make up. You may be looking at an SMP or something to help you. DO schools will let you re-take and replace courses but you can't do that with Phoenix courses. It's going to be very hard and you'll need to get lucky, but it can be done. If you wanted anything but surgery I would recommend the NP route.

 

[Daddo1]

You completed your bachelor's from there? That's a lot of hours GPA-wise and will be tough to make up. You may be looking at an SMP or something to help you. DO schools will let you re-take and replace courses but you can't do that with Phoenix courses. It's going to be very hard and you'll need to get lucky, but it can be done. If you wanted anything but surgery I would recommend the NP route.

NP is what a lot of people say, but I just don't like the curriculum and the job description really. Writing prescriptions isn't really something that makes me giddy. I want to be in there, fixing the problems. Surgery seems like the only specialty I'll really love. Somewhat demoralizing honesty you gave me lol but I like that you said it can be done! I know a lot of people have said med schools really like to see someone with improvement and I can definitely show that.

I think I'll probably get the most insight from advisers when I meet with them in the spring. I really appreciate any advice people have!!

 

[popopopop]

Get a GPA calculator and see if your GPA can break 3.0 in cumulative or the sciences. It might not be possible if you already have a bachelor's with below average GPA.

 

[cyang55]

You can do it! Just ace all of your pre-req classes and get a good MCAT score! If you're worried about grades, I'd apply to for DO, since they do grade replacement. MD might be attainable but idk what grades you have or in what classes. I'm also not sure how the MD schools will average out your gpa. But you definitely have a shot with DO!
Once you are in med school, it all depends on you and how well you do on boards. You can definitely become a surgeon being a DO. 🙂

Also, if you are going to apply to DO schools, I would start shadowing DOs soon. Some schools require a DO lor

 

[MackandBlues]

Do you happen to live in Texas? There is a fresh start program but not sure if that counts for Univ of Phoenix.

Anyways, work on getting your prereqs done and you'll need a bachelor's degree to apply most likely. So work towards your goals and get some advisors to help you along the way

 

[Daddo1]

Get a GPA calculator and see if your GPA can break 3.0 in cumulative or the sciences. It might not be possible if you already have a bachelor's with below average GPA.

Phoenix GPA = 2.63 Current school GPA = 3.20 Combined = 2.75 Science GPA = 3.31 with 17 credit hours. All taken at community college, none at Phoenix. Still need to take all the major pre-reqs.

Do you happen to live in Texas? There is a fresh start program but not sure if that counts for Univ of Phoenix.

Anyways, work on getting your prereqs done and you'll need a bachelor's degree to apply most likely. So work towards your goals and get some advisors to help you along the way

Nope I'm in Illinois.

 

[Law2Doc]

With a combined GPA of 2.75, you are looking at a lengthy postbac, possibly capped with an SMP. And you'll need mostly A's from here on out. A 3.2 wouldn't cut it even if you didn't have the older GPA. Doesn't mean you can't do it eventually, but you probably are still quite a few years away. The good news, I guess, is your kids will be doing full days of school by the time you are ready to start.

 

[Law2Doc]

You can do it! Just ace all of your pre-req classes and get a good MCAT score! If you're worried about grades, I'd apply to for DO, since they do grade replacement. MD might be attainable but idk what grades you have or in what classes. I'm also not sure how the MD schools will average out your gpa. But you definitely have a shot with DO!
Once you are in med school, it all depends on you and how well you do on boards. You can definitely become a surgeon being a DO. 🙂

Also, if you are going to apply to DO schools, I would start shadowing DOs soon. Some schools require a DO lor

I think the whole "you can do it", "you can definitely be a surgeon" cheerleading is exactly what OP doesn't need. This kind of "support" might make OP spend thousands of dollars and put a current career on hold just for what is at most a "maybe". Right now the jury is out. Really out.

OPs current school GPA is only a 3.2 which is NOT good enough for med school and that's ignoring the impact of his prior school. After a multi-year postbac, maybe he can consider the MCAT and an SMP. But he's got a long long road ahead before anyone can confidently say "you can do it".

This is a board for useful productive advice not for blowing smoke up people's bums.

 

[BusinessAndMedicine]

No, it's not realistic. Sorry OP.

I would look into other careers.

 

[Law2Doc]

No, it's not realistic. Sorry OP.

I would look into other careers.

Again, it's a "maybe". You are as bad as the cheerleader above, but the other extreme. OP could conceivably get there, after years of grade rehabilitation, so we can't put nails into the coffin just yet. Just give realistic advice. Which is, if you do a multi-year postbac, getting mostly A's possibly capped by an SMP, and with a solid MCAT, you have a shot. It's not a certainty, and even if you somehow get into med school you might not get to be a surgeon. But we aren't at the point where anyone can tell you "you can do it" or "it's not realistic". The jury is still out.

 

[BusinessAndMedicine]

Again, it's a "maybe". You are as bad as the cheerleader above, but the other extreme. OP could conceivably get there, after years of grade rehabilitation, so we can't put nails into the coffin just yet. Just give realistic advice. Which is, if you do a multi-year postbac, getting mostly A's possibly capped by an SMP, and with a solid MCAT, you have a shot. It's not a certainty, and even if you somehow get into med school you might not get to be a surgeon. But we aren't at the point where anyone can tell you "you can do it" or "it's not realistic". The jury is still out.

The question wasn't "is it possible?", it was "is it realistic?".

My opinion is that it is not realistic. OP has a 3.2 GPA at a community college while pursuing an Associates Degree and a history of poor performance at the University of Phoenix. Pursuing an admission to medical school would be extremely time consuming and expensive for the OP and he/she is unlikely to succeed. I think recognizing that and looking into other careers would be smart.

 

[Law2Doc]

The question wasn't "is it possible?", it was "is it realistic?".

My opinion is that it is not realistic. OP has a 3.2 GPA at a community college while pursuing an Associates Degree and a history of poor performance at the University of Phoenix. Pursuing an admission to medical school would be extremely time consuming and expensive for the OP and he/she is unlikely to succeed. I think recognizing that and looking into other careers would be smart.

Fair enough - it's definitely an uphill battle and OP has a lot to prove before the answer is a resounding "yes it's realistic". But I think you are being premature in saying look into other careers. Lots of people on the nontrad board started in deep holes and yet somehow turned things around and made it. A better approach would be to see if OP can rack up a few semesters of A's from here on out. If yes, then keep it up. If we are still talking 3.2 average or worse, then maybe it's not going to be in the cards.

 

[MackandBlues]

Fair enough - it's definitely an uphill battle and OP has a lot to prove before the answer is a resounding "yes it's realistic". But I think you are being premature in saying look into other careers. Lots of people on the nontrad board started in deep holes and yet somehow turned things around and made it. A better approach would be to see if OP can rack up a few semesters of A's from here on out. If yes, then keep it up. If we are still talking 3.2 average or worse, then maybe it's not going to be in the cards.

I agree - he/she needs to get going on the prereqs and a bachelors degree (pretty sure the bachelor's from Univ of Phoenix will not count for medical school admissions?) which will take several years to begin with most likely. If they can get A's in all those classes then it's more realistic, if not then need to consider other options.

 

[Daddo1]

I appreciate the feedback!! I think to make this a more clear picture I need to just work on improving my GPA at this point. I will still speak with some advisers to get their feedback and guidance, but maybe I will pursue the bachelor's in Nursing since I'm already halfway through that path. I'll grind to get those A's from here on out and see where I stand after that. There are a bunch of post-bac programs in the Chicago area so I'll look at getting into one of those after. I think if I just take it step by step that way, maybe it's possible and maybe I won't be 100 yrs old by the time I'm ready lol.

Really makes me mad at my younger self for not taking college education seriously. I don't know anyone else in my family that went to college so the guidance from family was just 'you have to go to college'. No one guided me to where, told me that your GPA really DOES matter, so a little naivete on my part and just young, dumb BIG mistakes.

I agree - he/she needs to get going on the prereqs and a bachelors degree (pretty sure the bachelor's from Univ of Phoenix will not count for medical school admissions?) which will take several years to begin with most likely. If they can get A's in all those classes then it's more realistic, if not then need to consider other options.

MackandBlues - Are you saying the Phoenix degree won't be taken into consideration for med school admissions? If that would be the case it would be MUCH easier to improve my GPA without that dragging it down.. Unless you're just saying I need to get a bachelor's from somewhere else to be considered, which I planned on.

 

[MackandBlues]

MackandBlues - Are you saying the Phoenix degree won't be taken into consideration for med school admissions? If that would be the case it would be MUCH easier to improve my GPA without that dragging it down.. Unless you're just saying I need to get a bachelor's from somewhere else to be considered, which I planned on.

I'm not saying that - I'm saying it might not be considered an acceptable bachelor's degree for admission standards - you need to do the research.

 

[Daddo1]

I'm not saying that - I'm saying it might not be considered an acceptable bachelor's degree for admission standards - you need to do the research.

That's what I figured. Thanks.

 

[mw18]

MackandBlues - Are you saying the Phoenix degree won't be taken into consideration for med school admissions? If that would be the case it would be MUCH easier to improve my GPA without that dragging it down.. Unless you're just saying I need to get a bachelor's from somewhere else to be considered, which I planned on.

Amcas (and presumably the DO equivalent) are really big on "all transcripts from all post secondary education" so I think they would definitely count it.

I think a BSN is definitely the right move for you. Because you are not in the position to gamble on med school with a bio degree. And that still opens up the opportunity for CRNA school if you want to advance your education and med school proves to be too much of an uphill climb. If you work the next two years in an icu, the prospect of jumping to CRNA school may seem even better than the idea of a few years of post-bac, an SMP, 4 years of med school and 5-7 years of surgical residency.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

Hey @Daddo1 , I'm in a very similar situation as you. RN, with two little ones under 3. Took me last year to realize that medicine is something I really want to do. The problem was, my gpa was just below 3.0 factoring my freshman year (0.06gpa). It's been a little over a year since I've started and now have managed to bump my gpa up to 3.18. By the time I'm done with my prerequisites I'm hoping to get it up to 3.2 at least. Just stay positive, bud and keep going forward.

 

[Goro]

The fastest path for you to become a doctor will be to retake all F/D/C science coursework, do well on MCAT, and apply to DO schools.

IF you're boning for the MD degree, there are MD schools that reward reinvention. You'll need to ace all the classic pre-reqs, and ace either a post-bac (which can be DIY) or a SMP, ideally one given at a med school. Then also ace MCAT (513 or better, 33+ on the old scale).

Do not apply until you have the best possible app. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Med schools aren't going anywhere, and, in fact, by the time you apply, several more schools will have opened their doors.

So a quick synopsis of me: I'm 29 yrs old, have 2 kids under 4 yrs old, married, currently in the last 2 semesters of an ADN in Nursing at a local community college. Really feeling the itch to work towards getting into medical school, especially after experiencing quite a bit of nursing clinical and feeling like I really want more than this(some will say it's early to make that decision I know..)

Current overall GPA is 3.2, none of the required med school pre-reqs done yet(planning on starting next summer or fall), have volunteered for American Cancer Society in the past and will pursue more volunteering and research after nursing graduation.

All this being said, I would just do my best in the rest of my courses and MCAT, volunteer my butt off and apply. However, when I was younger I had the very bright idea to attend university of phoenix... Yea. Didn't get good grades either.. Has this destroyed any possibility of me getting into Med School in the future? Can I leave that tiny detail off my Med School apps? I'm willing to go MD or DO, just want to be a surgeon(Long road). Any advice in either direction is greatly appreciated. I will be setting up appointments with advisers at 3 or 4 Universities in the Chicago area to finish up a bachelor's to prep for med school and see if they believe I have a shot or if I'm spinning my wheels.

Sorry if this seems all over the place, playing superheroes with my 3 yr old while trying to get this across clearly..

 

[mw18]

The fastest path for you to become a doctor will be to retake all F/D/C science coursework, do well on MCAT, and apply to DO schools.

IF you're boning for the MD degree, there are MD schools that reward reinvention. You'll need to ace all the classic pre-reqs, and ace either a post-bac (which can be DIY) or a SMP, ideally one given at a med school. Then also ace MCAT (513 or better, 33+ on the old scale).

Do not apply until you have the best possible app. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Med schools aren't going anywhere, and, in fact, by the time you apply, several more schools will have opened their doors.

I think re-taking the F/D/C stuff at the University of Phoenix will not be easily accomplished.

 

[Goro]

It doesn't gave to be done at U of P. Any CC will do,

I think re-taking the F/D/C stuff at the University of Phoenix will not be easily accomplished.

 

[Daddo1]

Hey @Daddo1 , I'm in a very similar situation as you. RN, with two little ones under 3. Took me last year to realize that medicine is something I really want to do. The problem was, my gpa was just below 3.0 factoring my freshman year (0.06gpa). It's been a little over a year since I've started and now have managed to bump my gpa up to 3.18. By the time I'm done with my prerequisites I'm hoping to get it up to 3.2 at least. Just stay positive, bud and keep going forward.

I look forward to hearing updates on your journey!!

The fastest path for you to become a doctor will be to retake all F/D/C science coursework, do well on MCAT, and apply to DO schools.

IF you're boning for the MD degree, there are MD schools that reward reinvention. You'll need to ace all the classic pre-reqs, and ace either a post-bac (which can be DIY) or a SMP, ideally one given at a med school. Then also ace MCAT (513 or better, 33+ on the old scale).

Do not apply until you have the best possible app. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Med schools aren't going anywhere, and, in fact, by the time you apply, several more schools will have opened their doors.

I have no qualms with DO. In fact, I might prefer it given my general philosophy matches the DO/Holistic approach better. I also don't have any F/D/C coursework as far as Science is concerned, those are A/B up to this point. Who would be the best person/position at a school to talk to about replacing those courses? I know the original and re-take course need to be pretty much identical in every way. I just have to research and see what DO schools I would apply to.

 

[Goro]

So it's just business courses and non-science stuff that's pulling down your cGPA? If so, just do an informal post-bac and take some rigorous sciences classes, like Anatomy, physiology, micro, pharmacology, neuroscience, cell bio, biostats, etc.

I look forward to hearing updates on your journey!!



I have no qualms with DO. In fact, I might prefer it given my general philosophy matches the DO/Holistic approach better. I also don't have any F/D/C coursework as far as Science is concerned, those are A/B up to this point. Who would be the best person/position at a school to talk to about replacing those courses? I know the original and re-take course need to be pretty much identical in every way. I just have to research and see what DO schools I would apply to.

 

[Daddo1]

So it's just business courses and non-science stuff that's pulling down your cGPA? If so, just do an informal post-bac and take some rigorous sciences classes, like Anatomy, physiology, micro, pharmacology, neuroscience, cell bio, biostats, etc.

Yep. business classes, math, writing, etc. So you think I might just need to take a bunch of post-bac science courses, including the normal pre-reqs, (obviously 3.8 or better for those courses) and don't need to focus on bringing up my cGPA so much?

 

[Goro]

Yes. The key thing is reinventing yourself to show that the you of now is not the you of then, and that you can handle a medical school curriculum. Look up the posts by the wise DrMidlife on this.

Yep. business classes, math, writing, etc. So you think I might just need to take a bunch of post-bac science courses, including the normal pre-reqs, (obviously 3.8 or better for those courses) and don't need to focus on bringing up my cGPA so much?

 

[Daddo1]

I have read many posts by DrMidlife. Very, very, very wise individual and with an inspiring story! I will read some more. Placing less focus on the cGPA would be a faster way to get to the goal. Although I may get a BSN anyway considering it will be a requirement for any job I land after graduation. Should help the cGPA as well.

Yes. The key thing is reinventing yourself to show that the you of now is not the you of then, and that you can handle a medical school curriculum. Look up the posts by the wise DrMidlife on this.

 

[Gem91]

I have read many posts by DrMidlife. Very, very, very wise individual and with an inspiring story! I will read some more. Placing less focus on the cGPA would be a faster way to get to the goal. Although I may get a BSN anyway considering it will be a requirement for any job I land after graduation. Should help the cGPA as well.

If you want to be a surgeon more than anything else, consider moving down to Springfield or Carbondale and working as a nurse there to establish Southern Illinois roots. Take a couple of years and do well in science classes at SIU. Convince them that you and your family are committed to the region. 24% of applicants are interviewed and with A level SIU classwork and affiliated hospital employment, I'd guess your odds for an interview would be better at SIU than anywhere else in the country.

 

[Daddo1]

If you want to be a surgeon more than anything else, consider moving down to Springfield or Carbondale and working as a nurse there to establish Southern Illinois roots. Take a couple of years and do well in science classes at SIU. Convince them that you and your family are committed to the region. 24% of applicants are interviewed and with A level SIU classwork and affiliated hospital employment, I'd guess your odds for an interview would be better at SIU than anywhere else in the country.

I will look into this. I've heard good things about SIU. The only hard part about that would be convincing my wife to make the move. I am open to pretty much anything so I'm making a list of possible routes. Are you guys sure I would even be looked at as an MD application if I didn't complete a second bachelor's at a University? Not that taking a bunch of higher level science courses would be easy but much better than taking a bachelor's just for the sake of improve cGPA.

Really appreciate the advice and guidance a lot!!!

 

[pulmoblast]

The question perhaps so not whether OP can do it or not, but rather, is it worth the mental, financial and lifestyle investment this requires. The payoff is likely not monetary given the loans/investments required, but rather a "life goal achievement" issue. All one can do is make the OP aware of the costs involved, and hope that he/she makes the decision "right" decision


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[Daddo1]

The question perhaps so not whether OP can do it or not, but rather, is it worth the mental, financial and lifestyle investment this requires. The payoff is likely not monetary given the loans/investments required, but rather a "life goal achievement" issue. All one can do is make the OP aware of the costs involved, and hope that he/she makes the decision "right" decision


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Good point. I know that I CAN do it. If all were to go to plan I would be 40 after residency. Give or take 2 years.

 

[NUresearcher]

So a quick synopsis of me: I'm 29 yrs old, have 2 kids under 4 yrs old, married, currently in the last 2 semesters of an ADN in Nursing at a local community college. Really feeling the itch to work towards getting into medical school, especially after experiencing quite a bit of nursing clinical and feeling like I really want more than this(some will say it's early to make that decision I know..)

Current overall GPA is 3.2, none of the required med school pre-reqs done yet(planning on starting next summer or fall), have volunteered for American Cancer Society in the past and will pursue more volunteering and research after nursing graduation.

All this being said, I would just do my best in the rest of my courses and MCAT, volunteer my butt off and apply. However, when I was younger I had the very bright idea to attend university of phoenix... Yea. Didn't get good grades either.. Has this destroyed any possibility of me getting into Med School in the future? Can I leave that tiny detail off my Med School apps? I'm willing to go MD or DO, just want to be a surgeon(Long road). Any advice in either direction is greatly appreciated. I will be setting up appointments with advisers at 3 or 4 Universities in the Chicago area to finish up a bachelor's to prep for med school and see if they believe I have a shot or if I'm spinning my wheels.

Sorry if this seems all over the place, playing superheroes with my 3 yr old while trying to get this across clearly..

Look into the post-bacc programs at northwestern. They are really geared towards getting you in to medical school and their anatomy course offers cadaver exposure. I thoroughly enjoyed taking a class there, and I'm considering taking more!

 

[Daddo1]

Look into the post-bacc programs at northwestern. They are really geared towards getting you in to medical school and their anatomy course offers cadaver exposure. I thoroughly enjoyed taking a class there, and I'm considering taking more!

Just took a look at it and that's a ton of science courses. but I like it!! It says on their Pre-Med Post-Bac page 59% of students who take the program are accepted to med school. Also says that is for allopathic schools only, doesn't include osteopathic data.

There are also similar programs at Loyola-Chicago, UIC, Dominican University, Elmhurst College. I know I need to search this in the forum and do my own research, and I will, but does anyone have any experience or insight regarding the Illinois post-bac programs mentioned? These are all within commuting distance of where I live.

 

[FCMike11]

So a quick synopsis of me: I'm 29 yrs old, have 2 kids under 4 yrs old, married, currently in the last 2 semesters of an ADN in Nursing at a local community college. Really feeling the itch to work towards getting into medical school, especially after experiencing quite a bit of nursing clinical and feeling like I really want more than this(some will say it's early to make that decision I know..)

Current overall GPA is 3.2, none of the required med school pre-reqs done yet(planning on starting next summer or fall), have volunteered for American Cancer Society in the past and will pursue more volunteering and research after nursing graduation.

All this being said, I would just do my best in the rest of my courses and MCAT, volunteer my butt off and apply. However, when I was younger I had the very bright idea to attend university of phoenix... Yea. Didn't get good grades either.. Has this destroyed any possibility of me getting into Med School in the future? Can I leave that tiny detail off my Med School apps? I'm willing to go MD or DO, just want to be a surgeon(Long road). Any advice in either direction is greatly appreciated. I will be setting up appointments with advisers at 3 or 4 Universities in the Chicago area to finish up a bachelor's to prep for med school and see if they believe I have a shot or if I'm spinning my wheels.

Sorry if this seems all over the place, playing superheroes with my 3 yr old while trying to get this across clearly..

Very similar path. Applying now (accepted to one school). I have two little ones as well. Have been an RN for ~ 5
years. My gpa was also meh when I recieved my ADN - ~ 2.9. Maintained a 3.8 on all of my classes following to bring my GPAs to around a 3.4.

First thing you need to find out your true cumulative GPA, with your previous bachelor's degree. Then, most likely (from your description) you will need to utilize grade replacement (DO schools allow this).

Edit: looks like you have calculated your GPA already in other posts. Agree with what others have said, it will be a long road.
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[Daddo1]

Thanks for the response FCMike! and FORZA AZZURRI!!!

A long road indeed.. I will try to update as I start on the path.