Help! I have multiple W's and an F in my science prereqs!

[Beatriz429]

So long story short... I was in a not so great relationship that ended up in divorce and left me questioning everything in my life. I have on my transcript a W, D & F for Microbiology and a W & F in Human Anatomy. Everything else, I have A's & B's. I am great student who tried to go to school and distract myself from my "at-home" problems. I made some STUPID choices. I have since moved to a new city and started taking A&P and I'm doing well this go around. I really want nothing more than to be a nurse.I don't have a plan B to be anything else. I am having trouble finding any nursing programs that allow more than one W or repetition. It's hard for me to believe that this is the "end" so to speak about hoping to go to a regular nursing program... I know I can go to a vocational school but would rather not if I don't have to. How do I fix this and make myself a good candidate again?! Are there any schools out there that are more forgiving?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Sorry you find yourself in such a pickle. But the truth is, with the ongoing stampede into nursing school that has been going on for the last several years, nursing schools are dealing with an oversupply of "qualified" applicants - so there is absolutely no incentive for them to lower the bar for anyone.

You may have better luck with a commercial (for profit) school because increasing revenue is their primary mission (not education)... so they DO have an incentive to push enrollments to the max. If you choose this route, be very careful not to overextend yourself financially in order to pay their uber-high tuition. And be alert to their financial situation because you don't want to be caught short if they suddenly cease operations (like Corinthian & ITT) leaving their students without any options.

[LunaTunaPineapple]

Look into a LPN RN route. It may be easier to go LPN first, then work tonight our way up. Best of luck

[Buyer beware, BSN]

OP: The one-way ticket to hell for you is to go to a for-profit loan mill.

Education Management Corporation owner of South University or University of Phoenix will gladly enroll you. They go through students like scat through a goose because that's the apparent "business" plan. (collegescorecard.ed.gov)

In fact, you are just what they are looking for; desperate with possibly low self-esteem who must be a nurse, nothing else, or die.

They are known to use a psychological technique in recruiting called "the pain funnel" to make you feel like they are the only ones who understand your situation and problems and, of course, they have just the solution.

A big part of the solution always involves getting you "loaned-up." ( "The Harkin Report")

They specialize in minorities both black and brown. They like the desperate who feel they have no options and any atypical students, usually older, who are just trying to put food on the table.

Now except for the withdrawal Fs, your grades are OK. Take the courses over, one at a time, and do well.

Why people are stuck on nursing and none of the other less non-scatlogical jobs in healthcare is beyond comprehension.

But like a moth to a flame, so be it.

But do look at all your options and don't take out ridiculous mad-hatter loans that will ruin your young life.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

LPN program is your best bet. I started there, lots of AN members did.