any of you have a bad past?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 31, 2005

I graduated high school in 1992 and went straight to college. I was not interested in attending at all and basically goofed off for one year. I do not think that I past even one class!
I went back to school in the fall of 04 and have been doing excellent. My biggest fear is that this will kill my chances of nursing school even though it was 13+ years ago. Were any of you in the same situation? How did it turn out?

Did your school specify that they take your HS GPA into account? I am just curious because my school does but surprisingly there are many in your boat and although they did not have a great GPA in HS, they still got in with no problem. I also know a few who won't dare step foot in college because of the fear of rejection, which is sad because I am certain that they would make it too.

Good luck. :)

GirlCalledJack · Aug 31, 2005

I wouldn't worry to much about it! While they take your high school into account, if you are doing amazing in college courses several years later, then I'm sure that shows that you have matured and that you are a "fast learner" if nothing else, hard worker!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

I did very poorly at one college very, early in my quest to go back for my BSN. I just never report it when applications ask about other schools attended. I don't want them seeing that transcript and there's no way they could know about it unless I tell about it. It was only a few units of work that I had to eventually take over again at another college.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

Yeah, I goofed off, took courses and didn't drop (didn't go to class either), etc. This happened three times. It didn't keep me from getting into nursing school when I applied, but it did interfere with my financial aid. Got in on my first application, but I had to rebuild that GPA. Worked my tushie off.

KNL6/25/05 · Aug 31, 2005

Same here! My NS school went all the way back to high school grades.

I graduated in 1990. I found this out at an information session prior to applying and prior to starting my pre-reqs. They told me straight out they accept people based on a cummlative GPA (and other stuff) and that I will probably need to take additional electives to raise my GPA and get mostly A's.

Well, I did that. I took courses that I needed and courses I needed to boost my GPA. I finally raised my cummlative to a 3.7 and my college GPA was a 4.0. Just to be on the safe side, I kinda over did my application. I submitted an essay, did extra volunteer work, got extra letters of reference and requested a meeting with there Director. I never got the meeting but I did get in!! Good luck!

tyler · Aug 31, 2005

My biggest fear is that this will kill my chances of nursing school even though it was 13+ years ago. Were any of you in the same situation? How did it turn out?

Did you already report that your were in school that long ago? The reason I ask is that may schools have a policy that they will not accept/transfer prior credit from more than 5 or 10 years ago. If your school has a similar policy, turn the tables and refuse to report classes taken beyond a similar timeframe (should that be hyphenated?). If you have already reported it, you could ask that they review and/or remove those grades from your transcript or from consideration during the admissions process. Never hurts to ask, right? Seems to me that, since nursing schools have become increasingly competetive, they may be less apt to compromise so your best bet may be to never tell them (how would they know?).

ty

KNL6/25/05 · Aug 31, 2005

Seems to me that, since nursing schools have become increasingly competetive, they may be less apt to compromise so your best bet may be to never tell them (how would they know?).
ty

I was told that failure to report schools/transcripts would result in expulsion no matter how far along you are in the program. How would the know? I don't know. Could they find that out on the background check based on a Social Security number, tax returns...i have no idea but I would hate to be expelled because of it.

tyler · Sep 1, 2005

I was told that failure to report schools/transcripts would result in expulsion no matter how far along you are in the program. How would the know? I don't know. Could they find that out on the background check based on a Social Security number, tax returns...i have no idea but I would hate to be expelled because of it.

Good point...question is, if you want to be a nurse, do you take the chance or do you risk not getting in at all. I'd guess that if he/she got in, got a 4.0, and then was "exposed," the school would let it slide rather than lose an excellent, mature, and motivated student.

ty

nikkif · Sep 1, 2005

Thanks to everyone who replied. It's nice to know that there are other people out there that made the same mistakes I did. When I returned my application I did not list that college on my transcripts since I did not take ant pre-reqs there, but I recieved a card yesterday saying that my app was incomplete and they needed those trans. Oh well I guess that I will just hope for the best!!!

ENP-wanna-be · Sep 1, 2005

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one with a bad past! However, my horrible first year of college, back in 2000, has become a major motivator as I begin nursing school! I had way too much fun my first year and the fun didn't include classes or homework, so as you can imagine, I came out of my first year with a 1.2 GPA!!! However, I've grown up alot since then and my recent college transcript shows that. I worked my butt off for the past two years and managed to get a 3.9, which brought my cumulative GPA to 3.6. Realizing that I wanted to get into one of the two most competitive nursing schools in Houston, I got involved in honor society, community volunteer work, and student government. I really think that I proved to them how bad I wanted to get in and that I was perfectly capable of handling a full load and take care of my family (hubby and 3yo). I wasn't proud of my past, but made them realize that I learned my lesson and have made the commitment to work hard and be successful. I was beside myself when my acceptance letter came in!!! I started class this past Monday and thank God everyday that he gave me the grace and motivation to go to nursing school. I've learned if you are willing to give it your all and prove that to others, there is absolutely nothing that you can't do! Don't let you past bring you down. Instead, use it to build yourself up! Good luck to you!

Blessings,

ENP-wanna-be

Aunt Minnie · Sep 1, 2005

I squeaked through highschool with as many absentee days as legally possible each year and a 2.8 (lower "B") average. Considering this and the fact that I flat out failed Chemistry, my highschool record was far from impressive.

However, when I was 25 I finally got my butt to college and ended up earning a 4.0 for the 10 or so General Ed. and prereq. courses that I took. When I applied for NS I paid every attention to detail possible (I typed out my application, took time to make my letter of intent look really professional etc.). When I was interviewed, I dressed professionally and made certain that I was well prepared. I was asked--once briefly--to explain the disparity between my HS grades and my college GPA and that was that. I was accepted first try.

I think there are a lot of people in the same boat as us. Not everyone who goofs off as a young adult is doomed to end up in the state pen There are a lot of folks who just wanted to do their own thing (something which HS isn't so famous for encouraging) and end up doing their own thing quite well! There are also many, many people who did very poorly for a year or two in college when they were young.

I think as long as you take the time and care to show that you have matured as a person and are truly prepared and able to give nursing school 100%, then you should have no problem :)

GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT! :)