Advice on Nursing School

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I just read the thread "It's not so bad" relating to NS and I enjoyed a lot of the positive comments. Now, my question is for all of you nursing students that are currently in the program! I have only ever wanted two things out of life and that was to be a stay at home mom and a nurse! Considering I have been a SAHM for the past 11 years, I am working on my second goal. :nurse:

My concern for NS is that I will not be smart enough. :o Now, I am not going to sit here and call myself dumb, but I see so many of you had 4.0 in your prereqs and here I sit with a 3.2 in my prereqs and that is honestly my best! I am married and have 4 children and I do not work so I study everyday for about 4-5 hours. It could be less or more depending if I have a test coming up. I sit here and get sad because I know that 3.2 is my absolute best. So far, I have about 3 A's, 3 B's and 1 C. If someone told me right now to change careers, I couldn't because I have wanted to be a nurse for over 25 years and I have NEVER EVER had a change of heart when it came to nursing.

I am trying for the ADN program and we only have 2 ADN programs in my area, because most of them are BSN programs. I am able to apply for the fall 2011 program at the college I am now attending. However, this past spring I found out the other ADN program in my area except students twice a year and it's a hospital based program. They use a ranking system and I just applied last week and I will have a decision by next week.

So could anyone give me any advice because I am feeling as of right now, my best still will not be good enough!

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Your best is all you can do. I think those grades are perfectly fine for NS. You see a lot of 4.0's (myself included) on this site because nursing draws in over-acheivers. The most important thing to ask yourself is can you think critically? If you got your 3.2 by memorizing then you will have a VERY hard time in NS. But if you can take a crap load of imformation, weed out the stuff you don't need, and form a plan on the info you have left then you will do just fine. Speaking as a SAHM myself, critical thinking is what you do everyday with your kids/family/household. What has to be done? When does it have to be done? In what order? What do I need to do it? Are there any complications that might occur with this plan? etc...

Sound familiar? You've got this. :)

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Samantha, the critical thinking does have me a little concerned, I won't lie! Being that I have never been put into a nursing critical thinking situation, I am not sure how I will do. As far as memorizing goes, sadly that is one of my best features! Last fall of 09 was when I first decided to go back to school, the advisor thought it would be best to just jump into science and so I took a college biology class. I would rewrite all of my notes on index cards and would memorize all 300 cards for each test. I realize NS is not about memorization, but more of critical thinking and I am just now sure how I will do and that makes me a little nervous.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

Hi! Please know that you are not alone! i could have written a similar post except I am only about halfway through my prereqs.

Are you sure that none of the programs in your area have wait lists/lottteries? That is my "backup plan" in case I don't get into my 1st choice competitive BSN program.

Also, maybe there are other schools not very far from you. I spoke with another parent at my kids school who was able to tell me about 2 other community college based nursing schools within 45 mins of my house I'd never heard of.

You might also retake the class you received a "C" in.

You might also consider private nursing schools.

It is hard to do, but you just have to keep going towards your goal, knowing that if you continue, you will make it.

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Being able to memorize a text book doesn't make someone a great nurse, there's a lot more to it than that! I wouldn't worry too much because first of all its not like those are bad grades and second since nursing school classes are much smaller you get more one on one attention. Its a lot more personal, you really get to know your teachers and they are there to help you every step of the way. They want you to succeed and are there for you, just use them if you need to. We all struggle in certain areas, you wont be alone. Just do your best as you already have been and use all the resources that will be available to you. Good luck!

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Hi, First, I wish you the best of luck and hope you get the school of your choice! Congrats on achieving the SAHM position ... that is something I always wanted and just wasn't in the cards.

As for your ability ... I have the same worry as you. My GPA was 3.67 leaving pre-reqs and this has me concerned as we can't remain in the nursing program with a grade under a B-. I think just knowing there is a bar not to fall below is a psych out for me sort of. The saving grace here I believe is that the method of teaching, learning, studying and testing are all different than in pre-reqs. This is critical thinking, to some it's common sense with some learned skills. This may come easier to you than it was to memorize bones or hormones or the theories in Human Growth and Development.

It's a different beast as they say ... also your personal drive/motivation may change and gear up as you are just that much closer to your goal. this is just my humble opinion :o)

good luck to you! and to all!~

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