Coming back to Nursing- Questions/Concerns

[Meesterjojo]

4 years ago I started on a path leading to nursing school. The first year I finished half of my pre-reqs, but then decided I wanted to try for something more. That part, the more, is hard to explain: when I started college, at 36, I didn't believe I would perform very well, and lo, many of my pre-nursing peers were not what I expected from an academic, much less medical, program. After I achieved a 4.0 for my first two semesters, I decided to garner a degree in biology, possibly go pre-med.

Then I found out I had a son. 3 years old. After dealing with the multitude of what-if's I decided to push on, and continued on the pre-med track, and am now a senior with a very high GPA, and in the top 10% of my class, PKP (we don't have PBK), and in an honors program here.

But priorities, revolving around my son, have changed so that the pre-med track is no longer practical, and I have opted to go back to nursing. My downstairs neighbor is a nurse, and he has been very helpful in all but a few areas (thus my reason for being here).

I intend on applying to UT School of Nursing in Houston for the Spring 2015. I am concerned about several aspects of applying: the HESI A2, an interview, and how would I stack up against other applicants as I understand it is extremely competitive.

HESI A2 concerns: I have the study guide from Evolve, the one the school recommends. But it seems deceptively simple. And there are three areas not covered, such as Critical Thinking- can anyone explain/provide examples of the sort of questions in this (or other) section?

Interview: Types of questions I may be fielding, and any personal insight on how you might answer questions such as, "why come back to nursing?"

Competition: Realistically, given I have a 3.75 GPA as a biology major, and having completed all of my difficult courses (organic, biochem, genetics, as well as other courses such as histology, medical micro, cell bio, and up through calculus 2 in math), with a pre-req GPA of 3.94 (presuming I finish my pre-reqs with all A's this Fall)- how likely is it that I will succeed in getting in?

I haven't taken A&P since my first 2 semesters of college, though I have just completed a senior level histology+lab course which was more in-depth. I am concerned, too, that the 5 year requirement is getting close for that class. Thoughts?

Any advice is welcome- thank you!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I think you will most definitely be competitive with your GPA. Also do not stress over the Hesi. It is a test that wants to know your basic knowledge in math and science along with reading and math. So yes, it is that simple. They want to know how much remediation you need to have. The fact that you have been in school a while and have done quite well, you should do fine in the entrance exam. I took the Teas and stressed way too much about it. If I had taken a basic chemistry class before taking it, I would have knocked it out of the park. If your dream though has been to be a doctor, I would go for that. Understand that a nurse's role is very different from a physician's role. Just as long as you understand that going in, you should have no problems getting into nursing school.

[Meesterjojo]

Thank you for the response.

No, I only pursued pre-med as a means to make my intended biology degree worth while. I wanted to push myself, but my reasons for even going to college were, and are, to help people directly. To ease their pain and comfort them in what time I have left. Ultimately I'd have liked to start a clinic in a grossly underserved rural area. I suppose I still could.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I don't know how old you are but I am 38 and going back for my degree. I have been toying with eventually getting my Masters and becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse someday specializing in pediatrics. I really want to work in pediatric oncology someday. My cousins' other grandmother just graduated college at the age of 82. Got her degree from Penn State which I think is awesome. She started school at 75. Don't ever think it is too late to accomplish your dreams. I have a son also and just recently divorced. Today I got my certificate for getting into an honor society. I showed it to him to show him how important good grades are and how you can always pursue your dreams in life. He is 8 and told me he was proud and congratulations.