Do I even have a chance? Pls be honest

[AspiringRN85]

Hi everyone,

So pretty much, I want to apply to some programs this fall that start next spring/fall.

However, I have a very turbulent academic history kind of, so I wanted to share that with everyone and get your honest opinions on my chances of getting accepted to a program.

I know many programs have different requirements, etc, so all I will say is that it is for a few different accelerated 2nd degree programs around the Philadelphia area.

My first two years of college were very solid, almost straight A's, with seven A-'s one B+ and one B- thrown in there. My junior year fall semester, I got 3 A's, 1 A-, 1 B, and 2 B-'s.

Spring semester junior year is where things started to go wrong. I suddenly became very depressed and had to withdraw from all but one of my classes, for which I earned a B.

That summer, I did my internship and got a B.

That next year (senior year), I was extremely depressed the whole year, and when all was said and done, ended up having to retroactively withdraw from the entire year. So, a whole year of "W's"

That summer, got an A- in another class, and withdrew from another.

That fall, got 2 A's, an A-, and a D (in physics...b/c I basically failed my final, b/c I was starting to feel depressed again).

That Spring, had to retroactively withdraw again from Spring semester due to depression.

That summer, got 2 A's, an A-, and a B-. I also took 2 classes online at a community college so I could graduate and got a B (US history) and a C (English)... (was still feeling a little depressed and didn't do all my coursework as well as I could have for those 2..was just feeling a little bogged down and just wanted to finally graduate. I had also withdrawn from the English course I was enrolled in at my main college in order to take to the one online, b/c I didn't like the professor in the one at my main university....so...another W.

After graduating, I worked for about 2 years, before deciding to try for nursing school.

I was enrolled in 2 online classes (sociology and healthcare ethics). Unfortunately, my brother passed away during that semester, and so I had to withdraw from the healthcare ethics course, but did manage to finish sociology and got an A.

The next semester, I retook healthcare ethics and got an A.

I then had a period where I decided nursing wasn't for me and thought I was going to go for Computer Science.

Basically, I took 2 classes (JavaScript and Web Design) and HATED it, and THOUGHT I had withdrawn from the courses, but had NOT actually done so. So I ended up getting two "FS's", which basically means you failed/stopped doing work halfway through the course.

Next, this past spring, I realized nursing truly is what I WANT/HAVE to do.

So I took A&P 1 the first summer session and got an A.

I had actually already taken 1 & 2 in my early college years and gotten A's, but they were too old...have to be within the last 5 years.

Currently taking A&P 2 this second summer session and am confident I will receive an A, easily.

I also took Medical Terminology online this summer to help out my transcript and only got a B, b/c I accidentally fell asleep the night an assignment was due before submitting it, even though it was already done. I woke up at 4am and submitted it right away, but the prof was EXTREMELY strict with his no late work policy. Annoyed b/c I ONLY took it for the easy A and ended up getting a B...

I'm also going to be taking Microbiology this fall and am confident I will receive an A there as well.

So, basically, I have a TON of W's on my transcript, but will have A's in A&P 1&2, A in Micro, a B in Chem (only need Chem 1, not 2, for the program I am applying to), A or C in English (depending on which one they use), A- in Developmental Psych, A- in Stat, and B- in Nutrition.

Overall UG GPA is 3.52.

I mean I feel like I have definitely shown improvement, but then I randomly have these hiccups throughout....I just don't feel very confident...

Looking for honest feedback, even if it is harsh, etc. Thanks to anyone who has actually read this far.

- Anonymous

[goddess9]

I'm in the Philadelphia area, and the people in my classes gunning for BSN programs normally have a higher GPA and no withdrawals or failures. This area is rough when it comes to nursing schools. I'm not saying you will not get in... Your GPA is probably average for the area... Your withdrawals and failures may make you ineligible as a candidate here. The schools have so many applicants.

Also, you don't have to do anything. You want to do nursing, and that's cool. You don't have to do it.

I wish you luck.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I think the overarching concern is for your mental health. You make no mention of ongoing, serious treatment for this. Perhaps you're getting it and didn't mention it for some reason, but you very clearly describe how your mental health has sabotaged your academic progress not just once but often. While the ADA does cover mental health, there are also provisions in it for bona fide job requirements, and relatively stable mental health would seem to be necessary for both nursing students and practicing nurses.

Leaving aside for for the moment how stressful nursing school is, I think it would be really foolish to seek admission to any course of study without effective coping strategies solidly in place beforehand. Otherwise it is quite reasonable to assume that you will have the same experience. Whether you think it's fair or not, a nursing program will likely not be so forgiving of serial crash-and-burn, and that's if they decide to risk using a place in a class for someone with your academic history.

You deserve to get help to get you on a more even keel. It occurs to me that a lot of folks don't know or appreciate the derivation of that metaphor, so indulge me: A sailing vessel will tend to slip sideways in any wind that is not a direct tailwind, that is, not perfect for making a straight, fast run. The keel is the shaped part of the bottom of the boat that helps resist its tendency to slip sideways in crosswinds, i.e., when conditions are not perfect. An uneven keel makes the vessel harder to steer on a true path. So, when I say you deserve a more even keel, it's because I think you need to have everything you need to work smoothly in more than just perfect conditions-- to have a set of coping mechanisms to allow you to progress despite challenges.

Please give this some serious thought. If getting in better shape takes you time, it will be time well-spent and pay dividends you cannot foresee but will be very evident in retrospect.

Good luck, and let us know how you do.

[chiromed0]

Well, there's nothing wrong with that g.p.a. so I don't see why you're worrying unless you have to just apply to local programs only. In that case I'd say take either LPN/LVN or RN school. Whichever takes you b/c if it's LP/LV-N then you can find a program later and bridge over while getting some work experience. If it's RN (associates level) then you still are an RN and still can bridge over at a lot of schools. So apply to everything you can and just take the door that opens. I wouldn't be picky b/c nobody cares what RN program you went to, they only care if you are an RN and do you have experience. As far as the "bad" grades and "w's" go they don't look that bad to me. I've got FAR MORE academic hiccups than you and I'm sitting here in ICU typing this post (slow day). Just apply and go for it and be determined to finish what you start, not "what are my chances?". There is ALWAYS a way.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Apply. Maybe you get in and maybe you do not. If you do not apply I am 100% sure you will not get in.