Nervous about my chances of getting into nursing

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello everybody.

I have been reading a lot of the comments on here. I just wanted to speak a little about myself.

I was a good student in high school, but I had a lot of issues with anxiety and depression. For a long time I didn't even think I would go to college because I was so scared and sad. Luckily I was able to push through that and now I'm a freshman in college. To be honest I never really thought about nursing, but the past few months I can't get it out of my head.

Anyways, I'm scared that I'm not smart enough to pursue nursing. I didn't take Anatomy in high school and I didn't take AP classes in science. I hear about all these people having high GPAs of 4.0 or around there and I feel I might not achieve that high of a GPA.

And I know everyone says if you are determined you will go far, but I get nervous and depressed a lot and I fear that will get in the way of doing well in school. I'm just not sure. And I just feel really lost. Let me know what you think. Thank you.

Maybe I am prematurely assuming this, if so I'm sorry, but why are you just "pushing through"? There are therapy techniques that can help you, besides speaking to a therapist.

What kind of therapy techniques?

I am taking medication and speaking with a therapist to handle these issues but sometimes I am just not able to really handle these issues. I know I just have to do what I need to do everyday and work hard. I try eating healthy, exercising, and breathing techniques. But I know that these are just feelings and I need to push through them. I mean that I need to push through the hard times mentally and academically to keep going.

I studied REBT therapy a little. At its basic level it's about changing negative thoughts to positive ones. IMMEDIATELY! Don't give any time to nurturing the negative thinking (ie: "I'm not smart enough to pursue nursing") It's about how you react to the negative thinking, feeling, or situation. It's about training your brain. You might not believe it at first when you change your thinking, but if you really keep at it you will in a faster time than you might think.

Honestly, you shouldn't really evaluate yourself until after you finish a semester or two. I decided to start college in Spring of 2014 expecting that I most likely would not succeed. I did not attend high school and I dropped out of the 6th grade and didn't go back until the age of 29. I had my doubts about my future and my ability to get into a nursing program especially with how impacted and competitive southern California nursing programs are. I am now completing my final semester with my prerequisites with a 4.0 GPA, I have been honored in several classes. Been asked to be a tutor by instructors for Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology.

I suffer from social anxiety, I constantly feel like I am going to fail, and that I'm not good enough. I have been prescribed medications but I honestly am not a real fan of drugs so I don't take them. All I know is that I do the best of my ability, and am honest with myself in studying like I am supposed to, and ignore those feelings to the best of my ability and push forward.

I looked up REBT. Thank you. It is informative.

Thank you for sharing your story with me. That's an incredible story. I never thought I would make it this far, but I have. I will do my best and see what happens. Thank you.

Specializes in NICU.

Watch this Ted Talks with Amy Curry about how to change your way of thinking to get rid of the "I am not suppose to be here" mentality.

I hardly think I am the most intelligent of people, but I decided to go for it anyways.

Hey if it's what you want go for it, if you can get, and maintain above a 3.0 in college you should be able to get into a program.

I have a 3.25 Collge GPA, and I am terrified I am a middling candidate despite the counselor telling me I am a good candidate. I apply this February.

If it's what you want you will find a way to get it done, consider community college not only do they have LPN, and ADN programs that could launch your career, but they are good stepping stones to a BSN.

They are also a good way to build your confidence, and show that you can handle the college load.

I didn't take any sciences (at least not Bio or Chem) in high school, either. I had an average, not impressive 3.2 in undergrad. I didn't think about science or math being anything I'd enjoy or nursing something I wanted to do.

I now have a 4.0 in my prerequisites. I love science and wish I had tried sooner. I'm telling you this not to Pat myself on the back, but to tell you you can do it, too. Try it, kick some tail, and you might surprise yourself.

I understand anxiety. You will find your own ways to get through. You take it at a pace you can handle.

I have similar issues than you, I too didn't think I was clever enough to do stuff but guess what I am in my final year at university doing my bachelor of science nursing degree, I have passed everything with flying colours mostly got As in my second year. If you believe you are not clever enough you will hold yourself back. It's that self fulfilling prophecy I guess.

If you want to become a nurse you go for it I bet you will surprise yourself. I too have anxiety and depression but my training is actually helping me to become more self-aware and I have learned new coping skills to deal with it. Plus the job is rewarding and makes you feel better inside. I wished I had done my degree years ago I am 34, I too believed I wasn't good enough but look at me I am 9 months from qualifying.

My advice would be to follow your heart and believe in yourself, easier said than done I know but just bite the bullet and go for it, you can only try and if you want something bad enough it's amazing how switched on your brain can become. You want to be a nurse...be a nurse!!

Good luck.

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I graduated high school by a hair, really, like a 2.6 or something. I hold a 4.0 and what is considered a difficult program. I am not a super smart person but I am relentless and work hard when I want something. I have even surprised myself. It has not come easily, I have no life lol (well I have my kids and hubs) but no social life, and study for HOURS a week. Its been rough, hardly any fun time or down time to just relax. But it's worth it. You can do it, it is almost always a matter of how much your willing to give to make it happen and not how much smarts you have. I also have anxiety and recently went through a severe bought of PPD after the birth of my third child. I take it day by day and I stayed in school the whole time, I think that was key. I dont have much advice to reduce anxiety because I am currently looking for ways myself. Trying yoga next.

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