Had a 1.2 GPA now I'm in the RN Program

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So, I want to start out by saying that I'm 25, and that I've just been accepted into the RN program at my school. I just wanted to share my journey, well a brief summary. Lets just say that around this time last year, you wouldn't of thought that I would be a candidate for RN program by a long shot. I had an extremely low GPA, and I was on the subject of dismissal.

How I got there wasn't due to the courses just being hard, it was through lack of confidence and lack of effort. I started out in college in 2010, and I DID NOT take it serious. You see with high school, I just floated through. I made high test scores, without effort, but I didn't make the grade I could have. First year college, needless to say best grade I made was a C, the other grades were Fs and Es due to me just not going. I had this thought in my head, that where I am now is where I meant to be. Well I decided to get a job at a factory because I needed money, lol. In 2013, I tried college again, only to repeat the same mistakes. Horrible I know.

2014 Fall, I tried again. I had some success, but I quickly found out that working 40+ hrs on nightshift doing factory work, then driving to school, then after a long day, driving an hr home, did not mix after many sleepless nights on the road and potential accidents. I left my Spring semester again. But during this time I worked hard and tried to a solution.

Fall 2016, my GPA was crap, but I had a different mindset this time. I had lacked confidence before, because I'd never been the one for change. I don't come from much, so when it came down to the whole college experience and bettering myself, I just felt like i didn't deserve it. But events had happen and I had spend over a year soul searching. Fall semester was hard. I still worked full time nights, I was taking naps in my car between classes, on lunch breaks, when I got home ( i'd dose off in my driveway), I deleted my social life. The only thing I knew was study study study. My car became my house, it was a mess. ( I would change clothes and brush my teeth and etc in my car right before class so they didnt have to smell my nasty factory stench). I manage to pull through with All A's and one B that semester ( was like 1 point from an A, but I'll take it). Spring 2017 semester was time to face the big Anatomy along with the other classes I had failed to pass in my past. Long story short.....all A's that semester. I had manage to bring my GPA from low 1's too a 3.5 on one year. And I also had high enough test scores to get me through the gate.

At the end of my summer semester ( yes I took summer classes...too many, to be honest, but I alto to do in short time ) I got my letter. And here I am. A lot of my stress was self inflicted, there were alot of other things to pop up, but I won't get into detail. Anyways, I'm officially on the path to my dream. I've been helping other students in my spare time now.

Purpose of this story is, If I can make a turn around, then so can anyone. Sometimes you might have to take breaks, sometimes you may need to work on some things within yourself. It's ok. If you have to take a few classes at a time. Life is trail and error, nobody expects for you to have it all right out the gate. Hopefully in a few years from now I can update this with my graduation

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"First year college, needless to say best grade I made was a C, the other grades were Fs and Es due to me just not going" E's? Is that a thing?

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
"First year college, needless to say best grade I made was a C, the other grades were Fs and Es due to me just not going" E's? Is that a thing?

E's are what you get when you stop attending class without actually dropping it.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

This sounds exactly like my story! Started out with a 1.2 GPA my first year of college (straight out of high school) and I'll be starting my second semester of nursing school this coming Fall. If anyone would've told 17 year old me that I'd be a college flunkee, I'd laugh in their face :laugh:

It's nice to finally be on the right path and taking things seriously.

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E's are what you get when you stop attending class without actually dropping it.

Yea, It appears worst on your transcript than an actual F. But luckily, after proving myself I was able to get those years expunged.

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This sounds exactly like my story! Started out with a 1.2 GPA my first year of college (straight out of high school) and I'll be starting my second semester of nursing school this coming Fall. If anyone would've told 17 year old me that I'd be a college flunkee, I'd laugh in their face :laugh:

It's nice to finally be on the right path and taking things seriously.

Congrats!!! I don't start my actual nursing classes till January, right now I'm just taking the rest of the courses that are included in the RN program that I can get out the way right now, like A&P2. And yeah it's nice to be on the right path, I feel ya, but I'm glad I went through it all because I wouldnt be who I am today if I didn't.

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Similar story with me, and I gave the same advice to others in the same boat in prior threads. Gotta get that GPA up, it takes longer to dig yourself out of the hole, but the GPA isn't going to magically fix itself. Take some liberal arts class, get A's, and sprinkle in some math/science courses and make sure to get A's and you'll be on track again.

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Specializes in OR.

That's great!! Thanks for sharing your inspirational story :)

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You sound JUST like myself. I have been enrolled in school since 2013 and I am just now applying to nursing school (meaning I barely have my associates). I truly appreciate your words and I identify fully! Congratulations, I hope to be where you are come spring :)

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Purpose of this story is, If I can make a turn around, then so can anyone.

I really really really hate statements like this. Some people are going to screw up royally and not get into nursing school. Some people are just not cut out for nursing school.

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You sound JUST like myself. I have been enrolled in school since 2013 and I am just now applying to nursing school (meaning I barely have my associates). I truly appreciate your words and I identify fully! Congratulations, I hope to be where you are come spring :)

Best of luck to you. Sometimes it takes us a little longer to achieve certain things, but the great thing in that is, through that long tiring journey you tend to pick up a lot of stuff. Like adding a little seasoning to your plate, lol.

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Thank you for sharing your story!! I was also in college about 13 years ago my gpa is about a 1.5, I lost my father and had to leave the country and to top it off I broke my ankle. I was suppose to be a mortician.

Now that I am very ready I'm starting at a cc. I'm retaking all failed and E classes. I don't care how long it takes but I'll make it. I have been prepping myself even though my classes don't start till next year. I bought a bunch of math, bio, and nursing books. I even started learning pharmacology. I've been a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant for about 15 years. Your story brings hope to me. I know all situations are different but I am still hopeful!! Thank you!

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