Low GPA but got into ADN program, would like some advice.

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Hi there, I am starting an ADN program in the fall. I'm really nervous but excited. I've always wanted to be a nurse and I feel like I've always worked towards it. I got my CNA certificate in high school which got me a job as a medication technician in an assisted living facility. I stuck with this job for 4 years despite the stress because I wanted the experience.I learned a lot from work and school...but I'm not too proud of my science gpa. I have 2 Bs and one C in my science pre-req. My physiology professor used to say to the class that if we were struggling in that class then we wouldn't survive nursing. i took physio and micro in one semester

I'm now going starting nursing... I'm scared I won't survive. I feel so average compared to the straight A students. But I know I have the commitment and work ethic to be a nurse. Any advice?

The difference I know about now... Is that I'm ready and more mature. No more partying, less hangs out with friends who aren't good influence, less dedication to work (and more on school) and no more settling for less than an A (cross my fingers).

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What entrance exam did you have to take? If the score was high enough, many colleges will take you! Congrats on getting in a program, that is the hardest part. :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You already know what to do. :) Work hard and do your best! You know that just getting in is half the battle, and you've done that. Congrats and good luck!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

Well, nursing school requires a lot of memorization, and that typically means a lot of time spent studying (repetition breeds memory). So, if your grades in the past reflect poor study habits, then you might do fine if you're able to buckle down. Changing habits is difficult, and it's not enough to affirm that you will... you have to make changes in your life that encourage the better behavior. Nothing changes if nothing changes, know what I mean?

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Specializes in Critical care.

I completed both A&P I and II over the summer in two 6 week sessions. I later found out the Univeristy I took them at was notoriously hard for those classes, much harder than other local universities and community colleges (which is why I was able to enroll last minute and couldn't find a spot at another school). Over half the class was repeating and we lost a good many students from I to II (because they didn't pass I). I didn't do as well as I would have liked (think I earned B's), but everyone pointed out I passed my first time around. I got into a really good ABSN program with no issues and thrived. In my program we had no less than 20+ credits a grading period. I earned some type of A in every course but one, which I earned a B+ in (just barely missing the A-). Don't let others drag you down before you even begin! Good luck!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Doesn't matter so long as you pass. I took A&P I & II at the same time in one summer through NVCC online. I earned a C in both. Hardest class ever especially online. Today, I have a DNP. Hasn't held me back in any capacity.

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Specializes in ER.

One major component that I saw was that for most students, the more they dedicated to their school work and less time to other activities, the better they did. The ones that studied and worked hard did better than the ones that had other obligations such as working. Viewing nursing as your job will be better and try to limit how you live so you can afford to work the minimum.

I was a slacker and I worked 48-60 hours a week. I could have did better if I didn't do that. However, I'm an exception and I remember a lot of weird stuff. I had to convince my sister she couldn't work like I did during nursing school because she would call me crying about how she was getting a C.

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Congrats on your acceptance! I was in your spot last summer and I'll tell you one year passed by so fast. Coming in I wasn't a superstar, but I can say I worked hard during my prereqs. I find myself still working hard and staying ontop of things. There are times where you may feel like this is too much and you feel burnt out I have felt that here and there. So when the going does get tough, you double down and get tougher. I did screw up quite bad on one exam but I learned and haven't seen that score since.Hang on tight, be positive, and keep studying pretty much whenever you can. Don't try to pull an all nighter and get very little sleep, it does great cost on exam day. Relax a bit this summer and get your books ahead of time. If you do want to study and you have your syllabus before class starts jump in your book. For now you can also review physio if you'd like. I know you can do this ;)

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My grades were not the best for my pre- reqs but I made it thru nursing school with all A's & B's and did not have trouble. For me nursing school was something I really wanted and needed to get thru so I was really motivated - more so than when taking the pre-reqs.

I think we all have taken a class or two where the teacher uses the scare tactic of "purpose of my class is to weed out those students not good enough for nursing school" mentality. Just ignore them - do your best & study hard, and if you are a "c" student - so what...nobody looks at your grades once you have RN behind your name. I know plenty of "C" students that passed thru the RN program by the skin of their teeth who have actually turned out to be great nurses.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to our Student forums for more responses.

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How do I do that?

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

I too got a B in micro, a B in anatomy, and a C in physiology and made it through nursing school with only 1 C and the rest A's and B's. General education classes/grades won't define how well you will do in nursing school. Nursing school testing is completely different and on a different level. You will learn in nursing school how to take these tests and how to prep for them. Don't let your pre-req score put you down. When I started nursing school, I had the same mind prep as you did. Less of everything, more focus on school. I made the effort to read each chapter 3 times or more, do notes, and join study groups and that helped me through nursing school. Keep in mind, pre-nursing, I was the complete opposite.

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