Anyone dealing with a discouraging advisor?

[SopranoKris]

I'm finally getting the opportunity to pursue my RN/BNS after 18 years. I found out that most of my pre-reqs don't "count" anymore because they're older than 8 years.

I figured, fine...they'll be review classes and I aced them when I took them back in the 90s. Well, after meeting with the nursing advisor on Friday, she was SO discouraging!

I went into the meeting so full of enthusiasm and was so positive and it's like she just wanted to burst my bubble. I'm not trying to be unrealistic about my expectations. I know how competitive it is to get in to nursing school. However, I do have the luxury of not having to work while I'm in school and have no young children at home.

I went from only needing 3 pre-reqs to now needing 8!!! I was so shocked!!! The college wouldn't even accept my Psych 101 class because it was pre-1992. AARRGGHH!!! So now I'm faced with taking 3 classes in the summer and 5 in the fall just to be eligible to apply in January. Otherwise, I'll have to wait another year and won't be able to apply until 2014. I'm just feeling really discouraged right now. I *KNOW* I can take these courses and get A's in them. I did it before and I can do it again. I just hate it when people are so negative & discouraging. She kept saying there was no way I could do 5 classes in the fall and pass all of them, let alone with high enough grades to get into nursing school.

If I'm not working and solely focusing on school, I think it's definitely do-able. Especially since I've already taken these classes before. I wouldn't have to take them at all if it weren't for the 8 year rule. FRUSTRATING!!!

So, I've been mulling 2 different scenarios. Which do you think is best? I've marked all the re-take classes with an asterisk.

Summer 2012

Psychology 101*

Healthly Lifestyles

Anatomy 201*

Fall 2012

Physiology 202*

Microbiology 203*

Microbiology Lab 204*

Human Growth & Development

Pharmacology

Apply to nursing school 2013. Hopefully start nursing school fall 2013.

Or I could spread out the courses over 5 semesters, get my Phlebotomy or CNA and work in the field to gain some extra points on the nursing school application, but can't apply until January 2014.

Decisions, decisions....

Anyone else in the same boat?

[Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP]

Thank you I am very excited! Fall can not come fast enough!!!

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

Can't wait to hear how everything goes in nursing school. Please keep us posted on your progress!

Best of luck to you!!!! :)

[Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP]

I sure will! I was in your shoes last fall so I am confident you will be in your program soon! Be sure to ask other students about professors, it really does help to know what to expect.

[stefanyjoy]

When I decided to go back to school full time, I also worked full time (still do). My then-advisor laughed in my face and told me it was impossible especially because I was a single parent. He said I was making a mistake because I'd end up with a bunch of W's or bad grades if I didn't drop. I switched advisors.

I made straight A's with those 14 credit hours in that Fall semester. I also won several monetary awards at work for working on projects and making a "frequently exceeds" on my end of year evaluation. It wasn't easy, but I did it. My idiot advisor just didn't know me, what I was capable of, and how determined I was. Only you can decide if this is possible for you. You have to be willing to put the work in and not give up no matter how overwhelming it may seem sometimes. Good luck to you.

[melissadavon]

Personally, I think I would request a new advisor....mine was very encouraging. I didn't think I could take Bio & Chem in the same semester, but she encouraged me to (she knows I'm a motivated adult student, I have 2 kids in grade school & work part time) and I ended up taking 20 credit hours that semester and I got a 3.85. 17 credit hours this semester (A's so far including A&P), then Micro & speech over the summer (8 CH)....it can be a lot, but if you are motivated it shouldn't be a problem.

Truthfully, that schedule doesn't sound bad at all, especially since a large chunk of it is re-takes for you. Which does stink, sorry! I'm sitting here (not) patiently waiting for my acceptance letter to the only school I applied to for this fall. Shouldn't be a problem, but still, I would like it to be official.

Your story makes me thankful that I've had great advisors, it really helps!

[NeoNatMom]

Omg were are living the same life right now. I am trying to get into my fall 2013 program but I don't see it happening. I wish wish wish it were doable for me, but I just don't want to risk it. I have been praying for Gods plan, and maybe it is to wait one more year, spread out my courses and do well so I have a high chance of being picked for an interview and test spot. I don't like discouragement which few have had towards me once a became pregnant the moment I got accepted to college. However, I didn't let that stop me and you shouldn't stop, but in 20 years I'm sure information has changed some so I would look at it as you having an advantage. For me personally, I am going to spread out my reqs and co reqs and do well. I hope you do well either way and God bless!

[AmberHopefulRN]

You can do it! I am taking 5 classes this semester while working part time and have a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old. As of midterm, I had 4 A's and a B and I plan on bringing that B up to an A by the end of the semester.

[emcadams]

Yeah you can totally succeed with your option one. Many advisors say those kinds of things, because they see many students who are not dedicated or who do not want to put that much work into school. You get from school what you put in. Work hard, and you WILL succeed. I broke my ankle on my honeymoon. I couldn't work, I could barely leave my apartment because i had to go down steps on my bum. I was signed up for five classes, but had to drop two that were on campus because it was my right ankle and I couldn't drive and didn't have reliable transportation. Plus I didn't want to ask a classmate to help me to the bathroom!!! I ended up taking three classes online, made A's in all. On my last two prereq's this semester, and making A's in those too. You know you want this...now go get it!!!

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement!

[willowita, ADN, RN]

Sometimes you can't take what an advisor says to heart or even personally. I'm sure they see it more often than we think, where someone with good intentions sets themselves up for failure. I've been to so many info meetings where a lot of students have C's or W's in their core science classes. I always thought people were acing classes or getting B's. So I wouldn't hold it against this advisor. Advisors and counselors err on the side of caution. It doesn't mean there aren't exceptions to the rule! So you consider their advice, weigh it against your own judgement and abilities, and make your own decision that's going to work for you! If you think you can do it, then you'll do it. Don't feel discouraged.

[erica990]

Maybe you could CLEP Psych 1 and Human Development?

[carterlee]

Stop letting people tell you that you can not do it. Just laugh and remind them they are not you. I have been there and are still there. I am at my half way point in nursing school. I have a BS in computer science raised six children as I was getting that degree. Always wanted to go into nursing took the classes and of course over the years things happened. Husband had back surgery, a SCA no damage lucky to him or the heart, but in the mean time I ended up retaking classes they were more then 5 yrs old and I may need to retake others in the future. It will not stop me from becoming a nurse! Dive in the waters just fine! By the way I am in my 50's with 6 kids, seven grandchildren and a house at night that is as active as a train station. I do what it takes to move forward you can too.