Can I start over with my grades?

ocean waves · Dec 20, 2010

Hello. Some students do "start over" and eventually earn a degree in nursing, however, it would be good for you to begin with a fresh, honest approach to your education and your financial responsibilites. You asked "could I pretend have'nt been to school" and "do I have to show my old transcripts", and I agree with some of the other writers that the answer is probably no. For example, when one applies to most accredited schools of nursing, the admissions department usually requires official copies of any previous transcripts as hard evidence of the student's previous college credits and grade point average. On a practical note, most students try to transfer previously earned college credits toward requirements for the new nursing program and official transripts are required for this step,too. If I were your college nursing advisor, I would suggest that you break your goal down into specific honest goals: (1)work and pay your $5,000 debt back to the other school; (2)bring in all your transcripts to your desired new school of nursing and learn the steps you need to take to be admitted; (3)take the approach that you will dig in and complete the required classes even if you think some of the classes are "boring". Best wishes!

Jules2113 · Dec 20, 2010

I attended a private DeVry type school for two semesters in 2001. 8 classes, 8 F's. First thing I did when I decided to earn a nursing degree was to talk to the nursing counselor at my school. She told me that my previous grades (would be 10 years later when I apply to the program) would count. She told me "however, don't worry about that right now, just do the best you can, we'll work with you" - based on my calculations I would not meet the 2.5 gpa req to apply to the program if my grades from 10 years ago are averaged in. The counselor also advised me to ask the previous institution for Academic Renewal - which is what someone else already mentioned. I went to the previous school and asked them about it, and they said I couldn't. Luckily they told me the just a few classes transfer over.

My point is that really, anything is possible - just be forthcoming, don't lie, if you do you may be worse off. Work your ass off now, make no excuses - work work work work.

Good luck.

sincerebliss · Dec 20, 2010

I appreciate everyone's response. It prompted me to call my previous school about paying back my debt. I got an answering machine. It's a huge school and I'm basically just a number there, which is why I do not want to re-take classes that at particular school. I'll be expecting a call back from them soon. Hopefully I can get a loan to cover it? I'm not wanting to start schooling until about this time next year for nursing, possibly a little sooner. I have been thinking about going to Galen (there's no pre-reqs but it's $40,000), but if there's a hospital that will help with tuition reimbursement as a result from me working my butt off, I'd go that route and with another school. Galen isn't accepted for tuition reimbursement at hospitals around here. This is why I am seeing if I can up my GPA or start over to enter into the program with a minimum of a 3.25 GPA.

Also, the classes I failed were mostly basics. That was my first time taking online classes and going full-time, too. It was not for me. It was really just one horrible semester that ruined me. I should have dropped the classes when I knew I wasn't interested in them and my job was just too demanding/exhausting with the hours I worked. I did really good in my higher level courses, though. Basics were almost mind-numbing for me so I gave up at the end from pure boredom. I know that isn't an excuse and it ruined me.

Really, I want to do well because I am perfectly capable and I've disappointed myself. I want to prove to myself so I can start over and get straight A's. I also want to go to school full-time with minimal working so I can make school my primary focus.

Again, I really appreciate everyone's response and if you have anymore feedback, I will gladly listen. I don't have anyone around me for guidance who knows about these things. My parents barely finished high school... so needless to say, they are not much help!

Thanks!

Emergency RN · Dec 20, 2010

...Some mistakes we pay for (over) a lifetime.

In a nutshell, very well said. :up:

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2010

I suggest you take Anatomy & Physiology first off, because if you don't do well in that, you won't do well in nursing. That's the first class I took in college.

I'm surprised a school let you take classes without payment first.

And why do you want to go such an expensive school? Nurses arent't rich; I'd hate to have ended up owing tons of money for school. I went to a tech school for my ADN.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2010

I agree with the idea that you can't avoid paying for your mistakes, but having been in similar shoes, this need not be one you pay for your whole life. It can be fixed. However, shortcuts and evasions aren't the way.

I didn't have to deal with the financial debt, but my first attempt at college was a definite problem starting my second attempt. I was lucky to have failed early enough--my second school allowed me to replace grades as long as I had under 60 semester hours, which I did. Otherwise, the replacement grades would be averaged with the original F's for my GPA. Still not insurmountable, but it would have meant taking longer. My original GPA was 0.9. By the time I started nursing school, I was a bit over the required 2.5, and had A's in all my support classes, which counted for more than the non-required ones. Oh, and I graduated with a 3.4.

I think you need to work out a financial arrangement. A personal loan or credit card would be a bit dire, but might ultimately be worth it. Some sort of installment plan and a job, any job, might be better, especially if you can cut your expenses (i.e. sponge off your folks for a bit. It's what they are there for. Well, okay, but a lot of parents would go as far as they were able to help their kid get their act together.)

It's much to your advantage that you are young, because this process will take time. It's a bit to your disadvantage, too, because the young have trouble with patience. Still, if you're serious about being a nurse, this adversity will help you develop skills you will need, like being patient, being honest, being accountable, solving problems. These are things you must have, but can't get from a textbook. Woo-hoo!

I'd also suggest looking into a community college. You can usually see and hear your instructor from anywhere in the room, you'll feel a bit more accountable when the instructor knows your name, and a lot of your classmates will be old geezers, like me. The party life is there, but it isn't usually legendary. Also usually the cheapest way to go, and potentially more creative with financing.

You sound a bit like me: with undiagnosed (or self-diagnosed) ADD. Or, as I prefer to think of it, an utter lack of moral discipline. If that fits, avoid online classes. I am, at present, taking an online review course for neuro certification. And by that, I mean, right now, at this very minute, that's what I turned my computer on for. Well, that, and some Vampire Wars, and maybe a little allnurses.com. Just while the chicken is baking. Then I'll get to work. I mean, I paid good money for this course. Really ought to look at it. After dinner...

ETA: You're not "ruined," just screwed. You'll get screwed and screw yourself many times in the coming years, but don't worry. You'll survive. Well, all but one. And hopefully that will turn out okay, too.

sincerebliss · Dec 21, 2010

I agree with the idea that you can't avoid paying for your mistakes, but having been in similar shoes, this need not be one you pay for your whole life. It can be fixed. However, shortcuts and evasions aren't the way.
I didn't have to deal with the financial debt, but my first attempt at college was a definite problem starting my second attempt. I was lucky to have failed early enough--my second school allowed me to replace grades as long as I had under 60 semester hours, which I did. Otherwise, the replacement grades would be averaged with the original F's for my GPA. Still not insurmountable, but it would have meant taking longer. My original GPA was 0.9. By the time I started nursing school, I was a bit over the required 2.5, and had A's in all my support classes, which counted for more than the non-required ones. Oh, and I graduated with a 3.4.
I think you need to work out a financial arrangement. A personal loan or credit card would be a bit dire, but might ultimately be worth it. Some sort of installment plan and a job, any job, might be better, especially if you can cut your expenses (i.e. sponge off your folks for a bit. It's what they are there for. Well, okay, but a lot of parents would go as far as they were able to help their kid get their act together.)
It's much to your advantage that you are young, because this process will take time. It's a bit to your disadvantage, too, because the young have trouble with patience. Still, if you're serious about being a nurse, this adversity will help you develop skills you will need, like being patient, being honest, being accountable, solving problems. These are things you must have, but can't get from a textbook. Woo-hoo!

Yes, I agree. Everything is a learning process and I've made some financial/career mistakes already. I actually went to massage therapy school right out of high school. I only have to give about 20 more massages and take the exam (and pass) to be a massage therapist. I was 18 and not feeling very confident about my abilities as a massage therapist. The thing is, my teachers thought I was crazy because I was making mostly A's and doing well on all of my finals, but I told them I didn't know if I could do it. Mostly my father didn't "see me as a massage therapist," but instead thought I should be something else. He was the only person that thought that, but I valued his opinion. That lowered my self-confidence without family support and he rubbed it in my face when I didn't finish the last bit, which made it harder for me to finish. I am now older, have lived out on my own, and I'm not that scared teenager anyone who is unrealistic. I know I could do it now if that's what I really wanted. I think I went to school too soon. I needed more life experience. I'm considering making up those hours and taking the test again for the first time then..maybe I could pay my way through school? Right now I am a nanny not making much. lt would be a lot of hard work and I would need to think it through as I don't remember much at all because it has been so long!

I'd also suggest looking into a community college. You can usually see and hear your instructor from anywhere in the room, you'll feel a bit more accountable when the instructor knows your name, and a lot of your classmates will be old geezers, like me. The party life is there, but it isn't usually legendary. Also usually the cheapest way to go, and potentially more creative with financing.
You sound a bit like me: with undiagnosed (or self-diagnosed) ADD. Or, as I prefer to think of it, an utter lack of moral discipline. If that fits, avoid online classes. I am, at present, taking an online review course for neuro certification. And by that, I mean, right now, at this very minute, that's what I turned my computer on for. Well, that, and some Vampire Wars, and maybe a little allnurses.com. Just while the chicken is baking. Then I'll get to work. I mean, I paid good money for this course. Really ought to look at it. After dinner...
ETA: You're not "ruined," just screwed. You'll get screwed and screw yourself many times in the coming years, but don't worry. You'll survive. Well, all but one. And hopefully that will turn out okay, too.

Yes, I do feel like I have ADD sometimes, but only recently with school. Through elementary, middle, and high school I was very disciplined with my grades. When I was little, I couldn't go to sleep without making sure I did all of my homework. My parents didn't really care as much as I did about my school growing up. I NEVER missed a homework assignment until my second semester of college. My ADD self kicked in when I got out of high school. I started making too many spontaneous decisions, started things without finishing them and then had the problems that comes with first loves, life path confusion, missing work, being poor, and living on my own. It all took my mind off of school so I couldn't focus. I went through a lot of little life phases these past 4 years. I was always the "goody" girl/teacher's pet in school and took a turn for a while after school. These forums are very helpful and everyone is encouraging--I really do appreciate the guidance. I've worked on some things--I have great work references now, which is great! I'm always on time and never miss work unless I really cannot be there, which has only been 2 days this year. I am really trying to get things straight now and figure out my life!

Summers_Off · Dec 21, 2010

During our information session, we were told to submit ALL transcripts because they would know everywhere we attended from our FAFSA. I don't know if that was just a spin on the old "permanent record" threat:chair:, but it seems plausible. You could then be turning a simple, bit-off-more-than-I-could-chew situation into a question of character. My school gave us a huge lecture during orientation about character and school dismissal for character issues (and this was just for PRE-nursing :eek: !!). You can do this on the up and up! Where there's a will, there's a way. Best wishes.

backatit2 · Dec 21, 2010

That's a tough life lesson. When I was young and dumb, I had quit going to college for a year and defaulted on my student loans also. It's kind of funny now because I ALWAYS pay everything on time if not early. I was just young, partying, and didn't care. When I realized it was affecting my credit SERIOUSLY, I called and tried to do something. Too late - I offered to pay a huge chunk and they said it would still stick for 7 years. It's just one of those things.

I also made several C's during my first year from again - partying and not caring. I was still able to graduate college with a 3.5, but when I started considering the Accelerated BSN program that wasn't good enough to guarantee a slot. I was kicking myself because if I hadn't screwed up when I was younger - I'd have it (3.7/3.8) no problems. LUCKILY - the nursing director told me they had a waiver for grades that were more than 5 years old so once those grades were dropped, my GPA went up.

Time was the only thing that was able to heal my "wounds."

nursemike, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2010

Yes, I agree. Everything is a learning process and I've made some financial/career mistakes already. I actually went to massage therapy school right out of high school. I only have to give about 20 more massages and take the exam (and pass) to be a massage therapist. I was 18 and not feeling very confident about my abilities as a massage therapist. The thing is, my teachers thought I was crazy because I was making mostly A's and doing well on all of my finals, but I told them I didn't know if I could do it. Mostly my father didn't "see me as a massage therapist," but instead thought I should be something else. He was the only person that thought that, but I valued his opinion. That lowered my self-confidence without family support and he rubbed it in my face when I didn't finish the last bit, which made it harder for me to finish. I am now older, have lived out on my own, and I'm not that scared teenager anyone who is unrealistic. I know I could do it now if that's what I really wanted. I think I went to school too soon. I needed more life experience. I'm considering making up those hours and taking the test again for the first time then..maybe I could pay my way through school? Right now I am a nanny not making much. lt would be a lot of hard work and I would need to think it through as I don't remember much at all because it has been so long!
Yes, I do feel like I have ADD sometimes, but only recently with school. Through elementary, middle, and high school I was very disciplined with my grades. When I was little, I couldn't go to sleep without making sure I did all of my homework. My parents didn't really care as much as I did about my school growing up. I NEVER missed a homework assignment until my second semester of college. My ADD self kicked in when I got out of high school. I started making too many spontaneous decisions, started things without finishing them and then had the problems that comes with first loves, life path confusion, missing work, being poor, and living on my own. It all took my mind off of school so I couldn't focus. I went through a lot of little life phases these past 4 years. I was always the "goody" girl/teacher's pet in school and took a turn for a while after school. These forums are very helpful and everyone is encouraging--I really do appreciate the guidance. I've worked on some things--I have great work references now, which is great! I'm always on time and never miss work unless I really cannot be there, which has only been 2 days this year. I am really trying to get things straight now and figure out my life!

Through nursing school and since, one of the things that has helped me most is life experience. "Life Experience" is a nicer way of saying, "A history of bad decisions, unrealistic goals, irresponsibility, and stupid mistakes." It's almost like I instinctively knew it would all pay off someday. Almost.