Can stupid people pass nursing school?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm an B, C student :( I know I wont get it in right away, but will I EVER get in? and I feel like I'm way to dumb to pass. I know people who I thought would be AMAZING nurses. They are so talented, hard working, super smart, and have experience and they say they are really struggling.

so... can stupid people pass?

there is no such thing as a stupid person!

If that's the case, there's no such thing as a smart person either. One must have the former in order to have the latter. If we can say "She's really quite bright" then we must also be able to say "He is really quite dumb".

C'est la vie, baby.

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Now as for the original topic...yes, a stupid person can get through a poor nursing program, if allowed. And a stupid person also can have the ability to pass the NCLEX--we'd all love to say that it's this high bar of recognition of nursing talent, but in actuality it's a minimum passing standard as entry to practice. Passing the NCLEX doesn't mean you're an amazing nurse, it means you were able to answer enough questions correctly to *probably* not kill anyone on Day One ;) I always liked the saying "Passing the NCLEX means you got a License to Learn"!

All that aside, the real question isn't whether a stupid person can become a nurse, but whether someone with such a low opinion of themselves should be smacking themselves on the head over whether or not they should be in the program! Instead, maybe that person should be looking for ways to bolster self-confidence, and find comfort in what IS going well (because surely something must be, right?).

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.... Despite having worked in home care for 3 years, this woman had NO IDEA HOW TO TAKE A BLOOD PRESSURE.

This probably says more about our crappy home health system than it does for the woman's intelligence. She may have been stupid, true, but who the heck was looking over her stuff for three years and never noticed she was clueless? Sad.

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This probably says more about our crappy home health system than it does for the woman's intelligence. She may have been stupid, true, but who the heck was looking over her stuff for three years and never noticed she was clueless? Sad.

True.

Is home care even regulated?

My cousin had a stroke last year and he has two caregivers, a Vietnamese immigrant couple that do not speak English. The last time I gave my cousin a hug, I found that they had put on his jeans inside out, as well as his shirt.

God help us if these people are supposed to be giving him medications. :banghead:

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

In my opinion, "stupid" nurses are unsafe, never ask questions, and believe they have all the answers. They don't take criticism as constructive and think everyone else is wrong except them.

That, in my opinion, is a "stupid" nurse.

Has nothing to do with GPA.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
True.

Is home care even regulated?

My cousin had a stroke last year and he has two caregivers, a Vietnamese immigrant couple that do not speak English. The last time I gave my cousin a hug, I found that they had put on his jeans inside out, as well as his shirt.

God help us if these people are supposed to be giving him medications. :banghead:

Of course it's regulated. Sounds like your cousin has unlicensed caregivers taking care of him. That's a bit different from having licensed professionals providing home care nursing. The two are not the same.

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Of course it's regulated. Sounds like your cousin has unlicensed caregivers taking care of him. That's a bit different from having licensed professionals providing home care nursing. The two are not the same.

Kind of what I mean. I know they're different, but these people work for a home care agency, so I was just wondering. It seems kind of under-the-table, so to speak.

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One's attitude or approach to an obstacle or goal can or will define you. If you see yourself as stupid, which you probably aren't, you may start believing it. A change in attitude can change your life. As of this post, I'd be more worried about your self-esteem rather than nursing school at this point. But, I do not judge. :)

Some of the best and brightest students struggle with nursing school, it is fact. Its not always that the material is hard or difficult or they aren't smart enough. Its because nursing school is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining at times. There is a lot to do and there are only so many hours in a day. Its a real commitment which requires a real effort on the students part to make sure school work, studying, and personal life matters are complete and kept in balance.

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I'm new to this site and I actually found it searching for the same question you were asking. I know how you feel as of Dec 18, 2015 i failed by 3 pts my second nursing program at the age of 38.I'm not sure why I made an account because there's a good chance that a goal I have worked on for a decade is over.I can't keep going at this age,one class at a time,working full time in a hospital laboratory. I apply for re-entry today and I'm going to apply to a respiratory therapist program to do something with all the credits I have. I don't want to be one and I'm going to hate it everyday.I wanted to be a nurse.People like me (if there are any)have alot to consider towards quitting. you are young.you can still make it.every college I attend I get in and miss by a one or two questions every time.don't feel so bad.remember someone has it worse.I'm sure no one can top how bad I'm doing and people do "float through it",I've seen it many times" depends on your situation sometimes and how much memory your brain has.I'm going through the stages of loss right now and I'm almost to acceptance.For some of us your best will never be good enough. keep trying your young,YOU can make it.Age means alot.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, CountryGirl:

I'm hoping you are not referring to yourself as student if you get B's and C's. Most nursing students I know are happy to get those grades.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Good day, CountryGirl:

I'm hoping you are not referring to yourself as student if you get B's and C's. Most nursing students I know are happy to get those grades.

This thread is over 3.5 years old and the OP has not been on this site since Feb 2013. Hopefully she has mastered her insecurities regarding her academic potential and moved forward in her educational pursuits .

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

You must define "stupid person". No you won't graduate with Cs. However if you are able to earn a C studying for 10 hours a week you may be able to earn an A or a B if you study 30 hours a week. it is up to you. All I see are excuses for not completing nursing school (I am stupid..thus my reason for not completing school). If you believe you are to "stupid" then find a career with little to no challenge. Good luck.

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