Do I even have any chance of getting into a nursing program?

[em123em]

First, I will begin the first part of my story..

So I started school at a 4-year university with intentions of pursuing a degree in Forensic Chemistry, which was eventually switched to pre-nursing my second semester. I had a very tough time my first year of college. I battled depression and an anxiety disorder which consumed me. I could't sit in classes without feeling like I was suffocating. Not only was I home sick but I felt like I was alone every single day. As a result of this, my grades suffered tremendously. My first year of college ended with a 1.8 GPA...

Second part of my story..

I decided my second year of college I would go back home, get the help I needed and raise my GPA. First semester of sophomore year I received a 3.7 GPA at a community college. My 2nd semester GPA is projected to be between 3.4 - 3.7. Not only do I plan on raising my GPA, but I have also been volunteering at a local hospital (EMERGENCY ROOM) for the past five months and I plan on continuing this for a while.

Most nursing schools I have researched require a C for all pre-requististe, including sciences,but a few require B's for all sciences. The classes that I failed are: inorganic chem, college algebra and statistics. The rest of my nursing prerequisites were passed with C's and above. I am aware that you are able to redo some of these classes which I am doing for inorganic chem and statistics this upcoming semester.

Point is, sometimes I feel like giving up and switching my major again because I failed so badly my first year of college. I really do want to pursue a career in nursing. Volunteering at the hospital has brought so much determination into my life to become successful, but that first year of college is always in the back of my mind.

So the question here is, is there any chance of me even being admitted into any nursing programs??

[akg713, CNA]

Nooo don't feel bad.!!! You are doing great and don't give up!! If it makes you feel better I wasted 6 yrs of college, I graduated from HS in 05' I went to Brooks Institute until 06' then I decided I wanted to switch careers, so I started in my local community college wanting to do something with Criminal Justice, deep in my heart I knew i really wanted to do something in the medical field.. so between the years of 06' and 12' I took random classes, failed pretty much ALL of them!! I ended up with a 1.79. Now after having my baby in 13' I felt that I needed to try it once again and this time do it for my baby to give her a better life. I started in Summer 14' finished the semester with a strong 4.0 and Fall 14 I'm finishing up with 3 A's and unfortunately 1 C .. so that damm C is bringing my 4.0 down I don't even know how much it will lower it.. but if you could, maybe retake the classes you failed.. the universities I want to transfer to they ask A/B in all sciences classes.. and other non sciences a minimum of a "C" grade.. but try to aim for the A's and B's from now on.. you can do it!! and don't give up you're doing great!

[RunBabyRN]

It happens, but it's not impossible to overcome. First, forgive yourself. Take a deep breath. Have you conquered the demons that haunted you that first semester?

I had a horrible semester where I took anatomy, physiology and micro all in one semester while working two jobs. Needless to say, I had to repeat all 3 (I earned 2 Fs and a D respectively). I had to do my research to find schools that I was eligible for, and I had to work to pull up my GPA (on top of that semester, my early college experience wasn't top-notch). Now I have my BSN. :)

If you need to, slow down and take the time you need in order to earn As moving forward. You can do this!

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I very much have to agree with the above posters. It's entirely possible to fail some courses, repeat them, bring your effective GPA up and still get into nursing school. You're human. They know you're human. Failure sometimes happens... so the bigger thing isn't that you failed, it's how you recover from failure. Just make sure that you have worked through your 1st year demons, forgiven yourself for having such a horrible year (we all have those at some point) and are capable of moving forward.

Another tip is that you really probably can slow things down a little bit if that helps. Most schools that I'm familiar with that have prerequisite recency issues typically go back 5 years. This means you should be able to get through your prereqs and still have plenty of time to apply and reapply a few times as necessary. Some programs do not have any recency issues, so once you've passed the class, even if it's 30 years ago, you're good to go!

Incidentally, you describe what happens quite a bit in a person's first year "away" from home when they attend University that's some distance from home. It's easy to become homesick, then get depressed and anxious... It's just part of being human. Some of us are just more resilient than others when it comes to battling this.

Develop a plan to move forward that allows for an occasional side-track or setback and you'll soon realize that you're really ready for the challenge of nursing school or any other endeavor you choose!

All the best!

[dorkypanda]

Chem isn't an easy major at all when it comes to the sciences major.

Try to do good on your prereqs. as for retakes you'll need to find out the policies programs have about how many and what retakes you have for what courses when it comes to applying.

it is great that you are volunteering. some programs when you apply will ask if you have volunteered or not.

[em123em]

Actually ended the semester with a 4.0. Really hoping that i do the same next semester and HOPEFULLY be in nursing school by spring of 2016:snurse: Thanks everybody for the advice. I feel extremely motivated!! If you can dream it you can do it, right?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Congrats! Forgive yourself...now prove that you have found your place. Sounds to me like you have a great admittance letter showing you can overcome adversity and be successful.