Do I have a good chance at all to get into a good nursing program?

[dizzyfeet94]

Currently, im 16 and a sophomore in highschool. Right now, I have a C in Biology, a D in Honors English and a C in Geometry (geometry is super hard for me, while algebra is really easy). Ive missed a bunch of assignments because I recently got surgery on 3 herniated disks I had, this is why my grades are so low. Im really not a bad student at all. Its only the beginning of the new semester and I plan on bringing Biology and English up at least two grade letters. The grading quarter ends in about two weeks. I was in tears when I found out my current grades, because im not used to failure and I was super ashamed of my grades. I ultimately want to become a doctor, but I decided I wasnt smart enough. Last semester my gpa was 3.4 (It was a 3.8 during my Freshman year). This year I plan on getting at least a 3.4 or 3.5.I plan on taking advanced science classes such as College Prep Chemistry and AP Biology and Ill be taking a nursing class in 11th grade plus an anatomy class. I will also be taking Honors English, Ap English, Ap U.S History, and AP Government classes, too.I really want to become a pediatric oncology nurse. Will my grades in math keep me from getting into a good nursing program? Will any of the information above keep me from becoming a nurse? Please, help me. Im very desperate for answers.

Extra curricular activities: 80+ hours of volunteer work at a local hospital, im vice president of a club that helps to feed the hungry, ive been figure skating for eight years and have been coaching for 2, every year i volunteer for the special olympics that is held at my skating rink, and i have been ballroom dancing for 3 years.

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

It depends on the school, but most nursing programs do not look at your high school grades. You most likely will be doing nursing prerequisite classes and these are what will determine if you get in or not, perhaps along with some entrance exams. But first, in your heart, do you want to be a nurse or a doctor? Do not sell yourself short and always strive for the best. The only person that is stopping what you want to be is yourself. And you are sixteen, you have plenty of time to think it through and look at different universities and programs. Do your best in your classes now and educate yourself of the opportunities out there.

[afox]

girl don't stress!

I agree with the above poster----if you really want to be a doctor, GO FOR IT! I think you'd just need to apply to your college and then the college counselor could sign you up for pre-med classes. Once you got your bachelors you'd go to med school.

If nursing is really what you want to do, then no I do not think your math grades will detour you!

Your high school grades will get you into a college. Your college grades get you into nursing school. Many private nursing schools don't even accept you to "nursing" school until your "junior year" (or after 32 credit hours) of college.

If you choose a state school, most of them you can apply to the nursing major as a freshman (and I think you'd have a good chance) and you just take pre-reqs your first 2 years. Otherwise you take your pre-reqs as a general student & then apply your sophomore year for their nursing program. Because you are taking Advanced classes, and maybe if you even took some @ a community college during the summers, you could possibly get accepted so that you'd start nursing classes as a sophomore. It all depends on your school.

You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders! Take your advanced classes, and figure out what colleges you want to go to. Apply for them at the very beginning of your senior year(or whenever they start accepting applications) & then talk to your college counselor and they will be able to point you in the right direction!

Just an FYI: I got into nursing school with a 3.2 college GPA.

Also-----you are still in high school....don't worry too much about your future that you forget to HAVE FUN! Nursing School & College in general (as well as the rest of life) can be stressful enough, you don't want to spend the next 4-6 years in misery :)

[MammaNurse2Be]

I think it is great you are thinking about your career goals at such a young age. You have plenty of time to turn things around. If you need it, get a bit of math tutoring to catch up and get you through until you are feeling better.

[ejm99]

Honestly they ask for a transcript of your high school grades but that's it. They won't count against you to gain admission to the Nursing program BUT....to get into the college you want to attend that's a different story.

My son is really really smart but an underachiever. He excels in science. Took him awhile to decide that he wants to go to A&M. He completed one semester of college now...just began his second. But his first grades were dissapointing and he cannot get in w/ his HS grades and first semester of college grades.

We have high hopes for him this semester now that he understands what it takes to really do well in college....even community college.

[TheCareerStudent]

Wow you are motivated! I wish I had been this smart when I was your age! Good luck and don't worry if you want it bad enough you will get it!