Almost 25 and Just starting school! Share with me your experiences and fears!

Mr. Skittles · Sep 4, 2013

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”

He also said : “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

I think both of these apply.......

Elizabeth Renee · Sep 4, 2013

Sounds like you know what to do, which is to buckle down and discipline yourself to get your classes started and finished with the best grades you can personally make. Nursing school is rigorous and there is no special thing you can do other than put the doubt to rest and rise to the occassion. For both nursing school and the pre-reqs, you need to do the readings, take the notes, pay attention at the lectures, show up every class day, meet with a tutor and do all the studying involved.

In your pre-reqs you need to try and shoot to get mostly A's (or at least a B or better) the first time around. Some schools are fine with you failing A&P the first time and retaking it again so long as you do well the second time, but others notice that first failed attempt and deem you a weaker, less competitive candidate (UW Seattle is like that here).

Grades are not everything. The most competitive candidate in my area is one that has at least a 3.5 GPA, has volunteered in the community, has their CNA license and healthcare experience (be it volunteered or paid). The nursing program I got into required you to have your CNA anyway. I would recommend doing some of these extra things to really set your application apart when you do apply to nursing schools. Basically, even when doing your pre-reqs, you will be very busy!

In short, you don't have much room for failure. You need to decide if this is what you really want. Once you truly decide that, you'll work however hard you have to to make it happen.

When you choose the nursing route, you don't get many opportunities for do-overs. It's far too competitive for that. I think it's fitting as the job itself does not allow for many do-overs either. You make one simple med error and you can put your patient at risk.

dtaleton88 · Sep 4, 2013

Hey there I see in your post you have a lot of anxiety about the nursing process put you came to the right site to get some encouragement. If this is really what you want then go balls in like my wife says. To address your concerns about the 3 F's that you receive just think of this as your second chance to get exactly what you want. Retake those classes that you failed and if you need encouragement when you feel overwhelmed there's support thread, post like you did and you will get the support that you need. Welcome to allnurse's and good luck on your new path.

VampyrSlayer, CNA · Sep 6, 2013

Hi, I am 24 years old and am hoping to start school in Jan 2014. I have tried some college classes but have gotten 2 BIG FAT F's due to lack of discipline for online classes and I also have an F from a class I didnt complete because I joined the Army when I was 18. So I have 3 F's on my record and am now trying to do my pre- req to hopefult get into a Nursing school in the next 2-3 years.
I am extremely excited and yet so afraid that i do not have what it take or the smarts to pursure this career. I am afraid that I will quit like I have done witht he online classes. I am notorious for starting something and not finishing it but I feel like I CAN NOT fail; i KNOW I want more but keep thinking " What if I dont want to work for it", " What if it gets hard and I get stressed and give up", This self doubt is killing me but I have to atleast try. I want a future for my future children, and home to call my own, and I feel i will never have that unless I become my idea of Successful...

I had to double check to see who posted this to make sure it wasn't me as you described me to a T. When I started college I was very undisciplined. I took two semesters and had nothing to show for it. Switched colleges and ended up with a 1.7 GPA. It was a private university so I was going into debt for nothing. I decided to take a year off (everyone warned me not to do this as a lot of people who take a "break" never go back. That wasn't an option for me as I couldn't stand to work in fast food forever and would quit and become homeless). I worked as a nanny 50 hours a week and then decided to go back. I did great on one semester but the next one I had a bit of a breakdown (I had just found my birth family and was very confused) so I withdrew and took Fs. I then waited and started online classes so I could work full time and only take 2 classes and I could do them at work! I got As and then took more classes and got As. I have an anxiety disorder so I cant handle working ft and school ft so I switched it up this semester and I'm taking classes ft and working pt. it's still a major juggling act. This is my last semester before applying and I have a pretty good chance of getting in (we do points, I kicked the HESIs butt, and I have killer letters of recommendation. My GPA isn't considered at all). Maybe try taking a class and seeing how you do. Are you able to stay motivated in that one course? It may indicate that you've "grown" into a better student. Good luck and keep us posted!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 6, 2013

Online classes are not for everyone. Many of us need real-time interaction with fellow students and the instructor, particularly if the subject matter is new or challenging.

ErinMarieRiotutar · Sep 6, 2013

awww so much going on this is my first semester I'm 23 and have never felt so overwhelmed!! :/