Do I have to be an A student to be a nurse? ...there's no hope for me.

This is my concern too.. I am just starting my pre-req's and Im worried that im going to do all this work just to mess up and do crappy in my science classes which determine if i can get into the nursing prog.

how hard is A+P I / II?? how about Micro??

I don't know about Micro yet but...just finished A and P I with a B. I usually get As in my classes but I have to say I was ok with the B. Its not hard but allow yourself alot of time to study because of memorization. I will be starting A and P II next week and I am looking forward to it. Good luck in your classes.

[GenXnurse]

Hard and "easy" classes are a matter of perspective, and sometimes largely dependent upon the instructor. The shape of nursing now (and acceptance to nursing school) has become a bit ridiculous. We are turning away very capable people from the profession simply because we can't train them. This is inflating the GPA needed to get into Nursing School in many areas. However, as mentioned above, there are sometimes bridges around these waiting lists. 1) Become an LPN and see if there is a completion program that you can qualify for. 2) Become a paramedic and complete a paramedic to RN program (yes takes a bit longer, but can give you some awesome experiences- really helpful if you ever want to be a flight nurse)

3) Consider another profession while you are waiting to get into nursing school ie: Maybe become a surgical tech, an echo tech, an utrasonographer, or some other similar situation which will allow you to care for patients. Yes- again a longer path (2+ more years) but at least you will be making progress.

If you want to ultimately be a nurse then KEEP TRYING. Ask, ask, and ask again how you can improve your chances of getting in. Of course this means asking the appropriate individuals at the different schools where you are applying as they will have the information necessary for your success.

Good luck.

I would rather have a "C" nurse with common sense taking care of me than a straight "A" student without common sense taking care of me any day. I say go for it if that is what you really want to do.

I am most definitely not an A student and you can succeed. I find that the A students excel in the health sciences courses and are a little lost when it comes to clinical. And it tends to be the opposite for students like us. Stick with it and I am sure that you will get accepted and will make a terrific nurse!

how hard is A+P I / II?? how about Micro??

I wouldn't really say A&P was hard....just a lot of info to digest. Don't wait until the last minute to study. The info will be jibberish on the first day but as you study all week long, you'll finally get it. My psych teacher use to try to tell us that the brain processes things during sleep...

When I could, I used index cards....I learned best that way. Recording the lecture helped tremendously also. A lot of people don't like recorders b/c they say they can barely hear it, but with mine I grabbed a seat at the front of the class and used ear buds and it worked great. With regular headphones I couldn't hear a thing but with ear buds I could hear her voice wonderfully. I'd listen to the lecture when I was jogging....wonderful combination...while I was freaking out about A&P tests, I was releasing stress.

I hear A&P II is pretty much the same when it comes to difficulty, you just cover different things.

Don't give up now...5 years is a long time. Are you setting aside study time in a quiet environment or are you at home being easily distracted and worrying about what needs to be done...laundry, kids, meals, phone, etc... I've found that having a schedule for study time and sticking to it really helps!! Go to the library at school for 2-4 hours a day if you can. Delegate chores at home so you don't have to do them when you get home from school. I'd really hate to see you give up now!!

This is my concern too.. I am just starting my pre-req's and Im worried that im going to do all this work just to mess up and do crappy in my science classes which determine if i can get into the nursing prog.

how hard is A+P I / II?? how about Micro??

Start ahead of time if you can (esp w/A&P) Get study guides/workbooks...develop good study habits if you don't have them now...you will need them. You need to devote your time to these subjects to do well. I got an A in all of them but it was very hard work (didn't come easy)

When you sit in your first class remember you may become "LAB partners" with whoever you sit next to so choose wisely! lol

[Music in My Heart]

Hello All,

First of all, I just wanted to express how much I look up to all of you nurses and nursing school students! You've all worked so hard to get where you are and on top of that, are giving back by giving care for the people in society. I wish so much to be along side you all.

But, I don't think I really have a chance anymore. As the nursing school impaction in California is rising, the stakes are high. I have finally finished all of my required courses and calculated my final GPA. I ended with a total of 2.75. Barely making the minimum requirement. Through my college career, I have hit bumps of bad advising (setting me back 1 whole year) and then a dip in grades (for a year)...

When it comes down to it, it seems as though straight A students will be able to have a fighting chance as a nursing student. It's making me so depressed! My family, friends, and the nurses at the hospital I volunteer at are all so supportive of me and are all rooting for me. This is what I want so very much. I've worked as hard as I could for 5 years to get here. However, what I want might not even be a figure of attainment.

What should I do? Were all of you high marked students? Am I nursing school material?

Something to consider:

Joining the military and trying to get an MOS that gets you into health care. Even if you can't get into nursing through the military, many colleges and universities offer "veteran's preference" for admission. Often, you must only meet the minimum requirements.

Are you NS material? I can't answer that. The truth is, though, that you need to keep at this in order to make it happen. Your 2.75 GPA is not competitive. Perhaps, though, you can find a school that is simply first-come, first-served with a waiting list.

As to whether I'm a high-mark student: The answer is yes and no. Or, actually, no and then yes. As an undergrad, my GPA was a sub 3. As a post-baccalaureate chemistry/biology student, it was 4.0. The outstanding grades continued through the remainder of the nursing pre-reqs. The point is, I could not have gained admittance with my original grades. It took me another 3+ years to get through my chemistry/biology program and become a competitive candidate. (I didn't do it for that reason, though.)

If you really want to be a nurse then you can still do it. You do need to figure out how to be a more effective student, though.

[cowgrrlRN]

Whether a course is easy or difficult is a very subjective matter. For A&P memorization is a key skill as well as the ability to visualize structures. Microbiology also requires memorization but also the ability to applied learned material to different situations. I never thought I would survive micro but made it through with a B, I think.

As far as getting into nursing school, have any of you with lower GPA's considered community college programs? I don't know if you are dead-set on achieving a BA but I've found that my AAS leaves me with just as many job opportunities and at times an even broader knowlege base. Good luck no matter what your goal is. Keep trying!!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the encouraging words and support! I was really touched that you all have faith in me. I don't want to give up either! I really want to do this. I know I may not be the smartest student, but I really enjoy working in the hospital setting. I look forward to my volunteer job every Friday, and the nurses are so nice and supportive. I don't want to let them down and say that I didn't get accepted into any of the nursing schools I applied to.

I don't know what to do. I am pressing on with my applications and I'm going to send them in and hope for the best. If I don't get accepted into any of them (all 7 schools), what next? I'm still a student at the University...I can't stay there forever. I would like to graduate with a BS degree.

I am reminded of a teacher I had a few years ago. She told me that maybe being a nurse is something that is not for me (because my grade in that class wasn't up to par). From then on, I wanted to prove her wrong, and went on and completed all my classes anyway. I can't help but wonder, though. If she may be right? If I do get rejected from every school. I don't want to believe that nursing is not for me. I've wanted this for so long.

I just feel so lost and discouraged.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I spent 5 years milling about in and out of school with probably about a 3.0 on avg.

I was fortunate to find a nursing program with a lottery system for getting in, so grades didn't matter to get in, but you didn't make it if you didn't work.

I graduated around a 3.2 and I consider myself a very strong nurse, and I am working quickly towards my next level at my current job of four months. I do however, understand that areas of school I didn't do as well in are now the areas I have to research on a consistent basis. I generally keep resource books at work, and I am never afraid to ask.

The goal is attainable my new nursing friend, keep your chin up, work hard and show them you have what it takes. Don't ever let something stop you from attaining your goals. (Unless its the border patrol and you really want to be a can can dancer in Tiajuana)

Best of luck,

Tait

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I guess it depends on where you live, if you are applying for a community college (which usually has less seats) or private, or maybe what the school requirements are.

In my area, most of the colleges are extremely competitive, and most students accepted into the RN programs hold GPAs of no less than 3.8, unless there was a curve downwards. My school had 40 seats (a community college) and they would take the highest 40 GPAs out of the applicants.

I do think this is a shame, because none of this assures the public or caring and competent nurses. I say to continue to look around, or maybe see if an on line program would be an advantage or to apply for an LPN program, where you can then bridge to the RN. Good luck.