Anyone dealing with a discouraging advisor?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

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?

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Any other schools an option for you?

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

I think you can make it through the first option if you are really focused. I took 3 classes my first semester, which was summer, then 5 classes my second semester and 6 this semester. I'm managing a 4,0, so yes, it can be done. It's not easy, but it's not the end of the world. I still have a life. I've got no job, supportive hubby and a 12 year old, and I still manage date nights and all sports related child things as well as volunteering at school and hobbies. I can't imagine anyone saying that it can't be done.

On a side note, I'm sorry you have to retake the extra classes. That stinks! Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Repeating Pysch 101 is unusual, they rest are pretty standard for accelerated programs.

Don't be discouraged. Taking your prereq's lets you transition back into school in a forgiving environment. I know from experience (mine were 6 years old and the cutoff was 5) that the delay stinks, but the brush up will put you in a position to excel when you start your nursing classes as the info will be fresh in your mind. Also a great time to meet other people going into the field.

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

You can do it! I am a wife and mother of seven. I also volunteer at the ER and tutor at my school, not to mention my school is about two hours from my house. My first semester I had to retake classes also a&p 1&2 and micro. What I did was sense I started in the fall I took, anatomy with lab psychology, sociology, English comp, and a learning class everyone has to take. Yes I did it and made a 4.0 for the semester the only thing that brought my gpa down was nutrition which I received a B and was one of the only classes that transfer besides algebra, statistics, and history classes I received As in those classes. This semester I am taking chemistry with lab physiology with lab microbiology with lab and a computer class. Is it challenging yes am I making As yes. You just have to study. By the way I applied this semester to get into our program and I got accepted! So if you believe you can do it, just do it. I was told not to do it either but I did it anyway because I didn't want to wait till spring 2013. I believe in you if you took the classes already you know how challenging they were and you made As so you know how to study. Big plus is you know you want it. Only recommendation would be to look at other schools maybe you wouldn't have to take as many classes over! Good luck!!!!

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You can do it IF you are willing to give up everything extra you love doing in lieu of study time. You will have absolutely no life, but you can do it. You must simply be more dedicated to your studies than anything else. Your alternative is to take it a little slower and apply a semester or a year later. It's not a race you know! Have faith in yourself.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
Any other schools an option for you?

There are 2 other schools in the immediate area, but they have the same pre-reqs, so I'd probably be stuck in the same boat there...and they're much more expensive because they're major universities as opposed to a community college.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
I think you can make it through the first option if you are really focused. I took 3 classes my first semester, which was summer, then 5 classes my second semester and 6 this semester. I'm managing a 4,0, so yes, it can be done. It's not easy, but it's not the end of the world. I still have a life. I've got no job, supportive hubby and a 12 year old, and I still manage date nights and all sports related child things as well as volunteering at school and hobbies. I can't imagine anyone saying that it can't be done.

On a side note, I'm sorry you have to retake the extra classes. That stinks! Good luck with whatever you decide.

Excellent!!! You just gave me hope that I can do this :yeah:

My son is 13 and plays hockey...so great to know it's do-able! As far as the advisor being negative, she kept saying "I just don't want to see you set yourself up for so much stress". So, while I think her heart was in the right place, it just came across in a negative way (the way she said it). I wish school was starting already...I'm chomping at the bit to get going on this!!! :D

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Wow, Camwill!!! That's a LOT of work....and with 7 children??? You are Wonder Woman!!!

When are you applying for nursing school? Will you be done at the end of this semester?

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

I applied this semester and I start this fall 2012. I am done with my pre reqs at the end of this semester. Very happy about that! I will tell you I have a million reasons I could fail but I don't let myself use any excuse. I stay ahead in my classes. I found out what teacher everyone recommended for each course. I also treated every class like it was a nursing class instead of a pre req I think that helped. But my number one motivater was I did not want to take a course again. My family doesn't have the time to wait on me so I need get r done....LOL good luck you can do it. If you need a plan plenty of nursing students are here to help!

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I would not take this advisor too seriously. If all of us were successfully discouraged by school advisors, many would never have reached their career goals. Do what you want to do. Good luck.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
I applied this semester and I start this fall 2012. I am done with my pre reqs at the end of this semester. Very happy about that! I will tell you I have a million reasons I could fail but I don't let myself use any excuse. I stay ahead in my classes. I found out what teacher everyone recommended for each course. I also treated every class like it was a nursing class instead of a pre req I think that helped. But my number one motivater was I did not want to take a course again. My family doesn't have the time to wait on me so I need get r done....LOL good luck you can do it. If you need a plan plenty of nursing students are here to help!

Congratulations on getting accepted into Nursing School!!! :w00t:

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