Already discouraged

Leonardsmom,LPN · May 30, 2014

I would say that it probably depends on the school and how they do their admissions to their nursing program, if it is competive based or if they do a waiting list. Have you talked with an advisor from your school who is familiar with the program about how your progress has been? If so what did they say, if not I would recommend sitting down with an advisor to see if you are where you need to be for the program.

As for perfect grades I will share with you something that a patient of mine told me this evening when we were talking about my going back to school and her daughter's experience of going through a nursing program in Texas. My patients daughter while taking her pre-reqs was a 4.0 student. When she got into the program her gpa dropped, what she was told by the instructors in the program is that they expect that you are going to make mistakes, it is part of the learning process and comprehending what you are learning. They told her that they would be concerned if a student was to get perfect grades in the program.

If you need to consider taking some of the classses that you have already taken and maybe didn't get as strong of grades in again. You have been through the material once, hopefully going through it again would be easier and some of the things that you had difficulties grasping the first time around you would be able to get a better understanding of a second go. If you haven't already figure out how you learn best, what methods work for you and use them.

Finally don't let yourself get discouraged and give up if this is something that you truly something that you want to do. You might run into some bumps in the road, but pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. Speaking from experience, if I had done this myself 7 years ago I would have been a lot further along in my career and my life would have been better for it.

vpbernal · May 30, 2014

I would say that it probably depends on the school and how they do their admissions to their nursing program, if it is competive based or if they do a waiting list. Have you talked with an advisor from your school who is familiar with the program about how your progress has been? If so what did they say, if not I would recommend sitting down with an advisor to see if you are where you need to be for the program.
As for perfect grades I will share with you something that a patient of mine told me this evening when we were talking about my going back to school and her daughter's experience of going through a nursing program in Texas. My patients daughter while taking her pre-reqs was a 4.0 student. When she got into the program her gpa dropped, what she was told by the instructors in the program is that they expect that you are going to make mistakes, it is part of the learning process and comprehending what you are learning. They told her that they would be concerned if a student was to get perfect grades in the program.
If you need to consider taking some of the classses that you have already taken and maybe didn't get as strong of grades in again. You have been through the material once, hopefully going through it again would be easier and some of the things that you had difficulties grasping the first time around you would be able to get a better understanding of a second go. If you haven't already figure out how you learn best, what methods work for you and use them.
Finally don't let yourself get discouraged and give up if this is something that you truly something that you want to do. You might run into some bumps in the road, but pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. Speaking from experience, if I had done this myself 7 years ago I would have been a lot further along in my career and my life would have been better for it.[/
QUOTE]
Thank you so much. I have not talked to an advisor. That's on my to do list soon though, I've just been crazy busy with school, work, studying, and volunteering. If I don't get in the first time, I was thinking of either retaking classes that I got B's in to get an A or maybe going for a CNA or medical assistant while I wait. I'm still on the fence about that.

Leonardsmom,LPN · May 30, 2014

Definitely get with an advisor, I didn't realize how close I was to being able to apply for the program until I did so after having put things off for 7 years. I understand the crazy busy that is definitely this upcoming summer for me.

Over the the CNA and MA my suggestion would be the CNA. Not sure how it is where you live but you are more likely to find a job as a CNA.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 30, 2014

I would think you would be fine but it depends on a couple of things. It depends on the competition at your school and what they look at. I agree to speak with an advisor.

Alison92629 · May 30, 2014

Like others have posted, it does depend on the admissions criteria of the schools that you are going to apply at. However, based on my own recent experience (and I have similar grades to yours) stop stressing and apply! Save the stress for when you don't get in :)

I applied to three schools and was offered places at two even though my 'points' for each program were far below what I was told would be needed to get in. I too had planned on retaking classes, and getting a CNA license to increase my chances. I am so glad that I just applied before doing any of that.

vpbernal · May 30, 2014

Like others have posted, it does depend on the admissions criteria of the schools that you are going to apply at. However, based on my own recent experience (and I have similar grades to yours) stop stressing and apply! Save the stress for when you don't get in :)
I applied to three schools and was offered places at two even though my 'points' for each program were far below what I was told would be needed to get in. I too had planned on retaking classes, and getting a CNA license to increase my chances. I am so glad that I just applied before doing any of that.

Thank you! You're making me feel a lot better! Lol

May I ask what state you're in? I'm I'm CA and I've heard it's really hard here that ls why I get so stressed but I will still follow all you're guys' advice :)

vpbernal · May 30, 2014

I'm not applying to the community college I'm currently attending because applications are from the first of May to the end of May because I still need to take my TEAS. I also did not want to study for like a week and take it, I would rather study for a good three months- which is what I'm doing- and then take it. I will however still speak to a nursing advisor at my c.c

Can I also call other nursing advisors from other schools and talk to them over the phone? I don't know if it would be better in person; I want to apply to both community colleges and CSU's

Alison92629 · May 30, 2014

I'm in S. California, and you are right it is very competitive. I really didn't think that I would get in - but I did!

vpbernal · May 30, 2014

I'm in S. California, and you are right it is very competitive. I really didn't think that I would get in - but I did!

Did you get into a CSU or community college?

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · May 30, 2014

If you feel like giving up then what is your question? Yes it it is hard to get into nursing school. However that is the beginning of the challenges. You will have thousands of them. You will hear many negative people in nursing school..in jobs...everywhere. The decision you have to make is what YOU choose to do. You want to "completely give up" and you haven't even applied??? What if you get accepted and then decide to "completely give up" because you "hear" a certain class is hard. Or if you get a bad test grade. I did nursing school almost ten years ago and I am telling you some of my test scores sucked. However I busted my rear to improve and graduated with a 3.4. Not bad for not being the brightest bulb on earth. It came strictly from not accepting failure. I was going to make it. If I had to study every day all day so be it. However...I am not you and you are not me. So you must decide and if you decide to give up it is ok. Life goes on. The world keeps spinning. You have to do what is right for you.

vpbernal · May 30, 2014

If you feel like giving up then what is your question? Yes it it is hard to get into nursing school. However that is the beginning of the challenges. You will have thousands of them. You will hear many negative people in nursing school..in jobs...everywhere. The decision you have to make is what YOU choose to do. You want to "completely give up" and you haven't even applied??? What if you get accepted and then decide to "completely give up" because you "hear" a certain class is hard. Or if you get a bad test grade. I did nursing school almost ten years ago and I am telling you some of my test scores sucked. However I busted my rear to improve and graduated with a 3.4. Not bad for not being the brightest bulb on earth. It came strictly from not accepting failure. I was going to make it. If I had to study every day all day so be it. However...I am not you and you are not me. So you must decide and if you decide to give up it is ok. Life goes on. The world keeps spinning. You have to do what is right for you.

I guess I just have so much pressure, my aunt is an RN so I know it's only going to get tougher; she always tells me. My question was if my grades are even good enough. Ther are days where I am completely negative and tell myself I should have an alternative major but then there are days where I tell myself that I will do whatever it takes cause even though I don't have straight A's with perfect scores,that doesn't determine whether I'll be a good nurse or not, to a certain extent yes it does I guess. I've just been working my butt off, I study study study all day, and I don't mind that but sometimes it does cross my mind like what if I'm working my butt off and I don't even get in the first or second time, you know? I'm not the type to even give up in the first place; I've had times like these where I've wanted to give up lol but I don't and I'm glad I didn't. Maybe I'm just anxious that my time to applying to schools is coming so fast.