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

Music in My Heart · Jan 8, 2008

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.

What next?

You might consider getting a degree in a health related field or a biological/chemical science of some sort.
You might consider getting an LVN, working awhile, and then doing an LVN->RN bridge
You might consider the military in a health related role
You might try to find a school who admits either with a lottery or with minimum requirements by waiting.

Just a little story: I recently met with some folks who will be starting with me in 3 weeks. One of them had been trying to get into a program for 3 years. She was wait-listed at our program as #3. After awhile, #1 & #2 went elsewhere and she moved to #1. She was there for several months but kept finishing off the requirements, just in case. She finally went to the director to ask how long she could hang with us once the program started and to see if there was anything to be done. The director sent us all a mail just to make sure we were all committed. Well, it turns out that someone decided to pull out and, voila -- she's in after three years and numerous rejection letters.

cowgrrlRN · Jan 8, 2008

Keep trying!! You will make to being a nurse if that is really what you want. In the meantime you might want to consider a job as a CNA. I worked as a CNA before and during college and it was invaluable to my education. I was able to learn alot of things that were necessary for nursing school and learned a lot about what the nurses around me knew. They were very suportive during that time. Again, good luck!!

BunnyJ · Feb 21, 2010

2 years later...an update!

Hello All,

It's been so long since I've last logged onto this forum. A few years ago, I wrote on here questioning myself if i really am cut out to be a nursing student. I wrote about how my grades weren't as stellar as my competitors and maybe only smart people can get into nursing school. The members on here wrote back and told me to keep pushing myself and do whatever it took to get myself there. Book smarts isn't the only way to get into nursing school.

Well, I'm about to finish my first year of nursing school!! :) It still boggles my mind that I actually got to the place I thought I'd never make it to. I have a year left to go and the journey has definitely been a difficult one. But, I am so grateful and humble about where I am now.

I want to thank you all for all the support you've given me when I wrote that first post. It was you all that really kept me going and I didn't give up because this is what I really want to do. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

moonchildLPN82 · Feb 21, 2010

I was a B/C student before I got into my LPN program, so there's hope for you. (And I finished in December with a 2.8 GPA)

DirtyBlackSocks · Feb 21, 2010

2 years later...an update!
Hello All,
It's been so long since I've last logged onto this forum. A few years ago, I wrote on here questioning myself if i really am cut out to be a nursing student. I wrote about how my grades weren't as stellar as my competitors and maybe only smart people can get into nursing school. The members on here wrote back and told me to keep pushing myself and do whatever it took to get myself there. Book smarts isn't the only way to get into nursing school.
Well, I'm about to finish my first year of nursing school!! :) It still boggles my mind that I actually got to the place I thought I'd never make it to. I have a year left to go and the journey has definitely been a difficult one. But, I am so grateful and humble about where I am now.
I want to thank you all for all the support you've given me when I wrote that first post. It was you all that really kept me going and I didn't give up because this is what I really want to do. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good to hear - what was your final GPA before getting accepted into an RN program? What do you think got you accepted into the RN program?

ExPharmaGirl, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

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?

Minimum requirement for National University is 2.75. They look at your prereqs heavily (mainly sciences), so you should retake A&P and Micro if you don't have a B in them, but that + a good TEAS score would probably get you in.

ExPharmaGirl, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

Minimum requirement for National University is 2.75. They look at your prereqs heavily (mainly sciences), so you should retake A&P and Micro if you don't have a B in them, but that + a good TEAS score would probably get you in.

Sorry, I didn't read all the way through!

Congratulations on your acheivements!

IHeartPeds87 · Feb 21, 2010

You really need to look at the requirements for specific programs. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE if this is what you REALLY want to do.

Many programs exist that care only about the grades in their prerequisite classes. If this is the case, all hope is DEFINITELY not lost. You can ALWAYS take those classes at a community college (even if they are repeats) and apply. Keep in mind that some programs have a limit on repeats, others do not. Everything is very program specific.

DO NOT GIVE UP IF THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT.

For example, oakland community college has a nursing program that looks only at 11 classes and they do not care if you have taken every class fifty times. Granted, your gpa in those eleven classes has to be like above a 3.7ish to get in.

The point is, you will have to BECOME an A student to get into many programs....but your prior less than stellar grades won't keep you from being a nurse (only from specific programs)...unless you let it!

Research research research. I don't know about california schools in particular. Are you willing to move if necessary?