Want to be a nurse but I am really bad academically

Students Pre-Nursing

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I want to get into nursing because I want to help people and earn an average wage, since I'm struggling financially, but I have a major problem, I am bad academically. I dropped out of high school after 10th grade and got my G.E.D. I have taken no science classes ever and I don't even know basic high school algebra. I was looking into an LPN program where I live and to even qualify for it I need to pass a test called a TEAS exam. It's broken down into four sections.

I tried to do the practice math section and I bombed it. I saw math I never saw before and felt lost, and this is simply the eligibility test to see if I could get into the LPN program. Is Nursing simply an unrealistic goal for someone in my situation? I have no idea where I go or who I talk to, to try to get educated enough to pass this LPN eligibility test. I really want to be a nurse, but have no idea what to do in my situation. Am I simply dreaming too big, or can someone in my academic situation realistically become a nurse?

YUKONrn

105 Posts

If you only have a GED you are going to have a conglomeration of math and science "prerequisites" before a nursing school will even look at you. And they are extremely difficult. If you can't pass the prequisites, chances are it my not be the profession for you.

Kitiger, RN

1,834 Posts

Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

Go to your local community college and speak with an academic advisor. The community college can test you, find your weaknesses, and advise which classes to take to be able to pass TEAS.

If you're seeing math on the TEAS that you haven't seen before, it may be that you simply haven't been taught the basics. The community college can bring you up to speed.

Go for your dream!

Go to your local community college and speak with an academic advisor. The community college can test you, find your weaknesses, and advise which classes to take to be able to pass TEAS.

If you're seeing math on the TEAS that you haven't seen before, it may be that you simply haven't been taught the basics. The community college can bring you up to speed.

Go for your dream!

This exactly. I had to take a remedial math class to prepare for the entrance exams I needed to pass to get into the program. Go for it!

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Just because you are 'bad academically' NOW does not mean it is a forever situation. Get to the community college- they deal with students in your position EVERY DAY. It will take you a couple of years to get up-to-speed, but you CAN do it if you work hard and don't give up.

Do you have someone in your life who can help you in terms of guidance and encouragement?

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN

1 Article; 2,675 Posts

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

TEAS books are available for free in every public library. Get one, copy chapters and go one by one, till you understand the material.

Seeking help in community college is also not a bad idea, although it may or may not be free.

You can take your time, but, ultimately, you'll need this knowledge if you want to become a nurse. Good news, though, that pretty much everyone's brains can be developed if pushed hard enough and long enough. Mental acuity, thinking skills and concentration can be greatly improved at practically any age.There are things which are proven to add to it, doesn't matter what age they are started, if done consistently every day for months: aerobic exercise, stress management by yoga and meditation/prayer, getting enough of natural sleep, getting social by natural means (Facebook doesn't count), learning foreign languages, playing games which require creativity and analytics (chess, checkers), listening of classic music and reading.

Eight Habits that Improve Cognitive Function | Psychology Today

Sour Lemon

5,016 Posts

I want to get into nursing because I want to help people and earn an average wage, since I'm struggling financially, but I have a major problem, I am bad academically. I dropped out of high school after 10th grade and got my G.E.D. I have taken no science classes ever and I don't even know basic high school algebra. I was looking into an LPN program where I live and to even qualify for it I need to pass a test called a TEAS exam. It's broken down into four sections.

I tried to do the practice math section and I bombed it. I saw math I never saw before and felt lost, and this is simply the eligibility test to see if I could get into the LPN program. Is Nursing simply an unrealistic goal for someone in my situation? I have no idea where I go or who I talk to, to try to get educated enough to pass this LPN eligibility test. I really want to be a nurse, but have no idea what to do in my situation. Am I simply dreaming too big, or can someone in my academic situation realistically become a nurse?

I was a horrible student in high school, although I didn't drop out. While other kids were taking Trigonometry and making As, I was barely passing Consumer Math. I had to take two semesters of remedial math to enter my nursing program, but I didn't find them difficult, at all.

In my case, there were significant social issues surrounding my home life that made high school very difficult. By the time I got around to nursing school, those issues were in the distant past.

If you've had an ideal home life with lots of support and still been unable to manage academically, nursing might not be the right fit for you. Most people who drop out of high school don't fit into that box, though.

Raistlin007

6 Posts

My home life was pretty bad. I was taken off my mom when I was 15 and placed into CYS custody and sent to a rather bad juvenile facility for 1 1/2 years then put into an Independent living home in the ghetto. My dad died when I was 12. So You're right my home life wasn't ideal, I'm not complaining since life isn't ideal it is what it is, I'm just worried that I'm too dumb to pass nursing school.

I've tried careers where I needed mechanical aptitude and I found out I have zero mechanical aptitude, so that rules out most blue collar professions. As it stands now I'm in a dead end job making barely enough to even survive with no future. I'm simply trying to set realistic expectations for myself. The fact I am so far behind in math and science courses worries me a lot. I've learned just because you dream something does't mean you can realistically do it, and I was just wondering if it was out of my league or if I should try to pursue it despite my major short comings. I'd like to have a career that's more than just a job and actually help people and I know nurses do that, and I'd like to earn more than a survival wage. I just worry if I have the ability to pursue this dream.

Raistlin007

6 Posts

My mom and my brother have helped me in life and are encouraging. I just worry about being too dumb to pursue this. I'm very realistic with my strengths and weaknesses, and sadly I'm not the best academically, but I've read others have passed nursing school not being the best academically.

I really want to be a nurse, the big question is can I realistically become out given my lack of abilities and talent. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer sadly. I've already found out I am quite bad with careers seeking mechanical aptitude and now I find myself at a crossroads. At the moment I'm working a survival job with no future and I have been doing a lot of thinking about where I am in life and where I want to be. I have no clue if a survival job is all I can hope to achieve or if I can realistically get through nursing school given my lack of abilities. I want to be a nurse, the question is can I. I hope I can I just fear I'm not smart enough, but I really am tired of working a survival job with no hope for the future. I'm just at a loss as to how I pursue this goal given my many limitations and where I am at currently academically.

AceOfHearts<3

916 Posts

Specializes in Critical care.
My mom and my brother have helped me in life and are encouraging. I just worry about being too dumb to pursue this. I'm very realistic with my strengths and weaknesses, and sadly I'm not the best academically, but I've read others have passed nursing school not being the best academically.

I really want to be a nurse, the big question is can I realistically become out given my lack of abilities and talent. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer sadly. I've already found out I am quite bad with careers seeking mechanical aptitude and now I find myself at a crossroads. At the moment I'm working a survival job with no future and I have been doing a lot of thinking about where I am in life and where I want to be. I have no clue if a survival job is all I can hope to achieve or if I can realistically get through nursing school given my lack of abilities. I want to be a nurse, the question is can I. I hope I can I just fear I'm not smart enough, but I really am tired of working a survival job with no hope for the future. I'm just at a loss as to how I pursue this goal given my many limitations and where I am at currently academically.

You'll never know until you try and I have a feeling you'll always be wondering "what if?" if you don't try.

It may be that you never learned study skills, plus it also sounds like you were in survival mode. Study skills and how to learn are things that can be taught and with the proper motivations can make a world of difference.

I think you owe it to yourself to speak with an academic advisor at your local community college and find out what your options are. If it turns out that nursing is not the best fit for you they should also be able to help direct you to another profession (or at least a career counselor).

Best wishes!

JBMmom, MSN, NP

4 Articles; 2,537 Posts

Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

There's a difference between being realistic about abilities and being self-defeating, and I can't tell which side of the line you're on. Can everyone breathing air be a nurse? Realistically, no. However, if you are willing to put in the time and effort you can potentially be successful in the face of many adversities. I second the idea that you should check out your local community college and find the tutoring center. Some of the people that work there are fantastic at helping students find success no matter where they're coming from. Being unfamiliar with material is not the same as being dumb, you may very well find success if you get the right academic guidance. If it's what you really want, work for it and do your best. I wish you the best.

Raistlin007

6 Posts

Thank you for all of your advice I appreciate it. I guess that's why you people are good nurses you're good at helping people. I'll look into talking to someone at Community College. I've just been very discouraged and down lately because I am 32 and stuck working a survival job with no hope or future, and feel like a failure in life. Would you suggest I look into a CNA training program so I can get my foot in the door in the nursing profession, or should I focus on getting up to speed with my education in community college first? I do appreciate all of the advice and encouragement though, you people are really kind and helpful and I'm sure you are good nurses.

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