Discouraged pre-nursing student

Shinnichi, ADN, RN · Apr 23, 2014

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of system does your nursing program use to determine entrance? Points system, percentage of GPA and a test score, only your GPA..?

My current school uses A&P1, 2, and Micro grades along with the TEAS test. My previous school used 60% TEAS/ 40% Science GPA as criteria.

Edit: I ask because depending on the admittance criteria, the one grade may not weigh as heavily if you can succeed in the other components.

cttucker · Apr 23, 2014

They don't use the points system. They factor up your GPA with science being worth 60% and everything else is 40%. The science classes are A&P 1,2, Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology. Here you can be admitted to the program after your second semester, if you've been accepted.

Ash1121 · Apr 24, 2014

Does your school interview as part of the admission process? I know of some schools in my area that are now doing that. I know this is easier said than done, but do not become discouraged...you can do this! Study hard in A&P 2 because out of all your pre reqs, A&P derived material is what you will use most in nursing school.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Apr 24, 2014

You don't have to take the Hesi? Most BSN programs do the Hesi for entrance also. What worries me is you don't have a good foundation of how the human body works. That would be why I would retake the class. Anymore ADN programs are more competitive than BSN programs so I am not even going to suggest that route. Here things like physical therapy assistant, respiratory therapist, and radiology are all limited enrollment programs and are also hard to get into but I would look into them if possible. That would at least keep you in the medical field. Or you could do a LPN program and bridge to a BSN later but I would still try to make sure you understand A&P.

w292737 · Apr 24, 2014

double check with the school on your figuring, most schools if you retake the class and get a higher grade the first grade is dropped, so if you get a C and then retake it and get and A the C is tossed out.

RunBabyRN · Apr 24, 2014

What about getting your CNA license in the meantime, and working as one if you have to wait 2 years to get in?

You should really consider getting your ADN, and bridging to BSN while you work, especially if you're in a hurry to become a nurse. Plenty of people do it.

Shinnichi, ADN, RN · Apr 24, 2014

They don't use the points system. They factor up your GPA with science being worth 60% and everything else is 40%. The science classes are A&P 1,2, Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology. Here you can be admitted to the program after your second semester, if you've been accepted.

You mentioned in your first post that you were taking Chemistry and the other cores such as Humanities. I'm curious, have you performed well in your Biology and Psychology? I just wonder about the advisor commenting based on your A&P1...

Now that I'm rereading your OP, have you already applied? Otherwise, if you have until March of next year, I would suggest splitting up your prereqs in order to focus on them more, or if you don't have too many left, you could also work on getting your CNA as RunBabyRun suggested. I would also do as w292737 suggested and double check your school's policy on retakes.

As an aside, A&P2 is less about memorizing all the parts and functions of the parts and more about how the systems of the human body work together with each other. I enjoyed it more and learned more in A&P2 than in A&P1.

And to answer your last question about other healthcare field options... I don't know what programs are available in your area, so I'll list what I know of in general... radiology, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, nuclear medicine, physician assistant, paramedic, histotechnology, or nutrition and dietetics. I actually know someone who has a Bachelor's in nutrition/dietetics and his MBA; he works for one of the big dialysis companies now as some kind of director over 30+ RNs.