Do I Have What it Takes To Be a Nurse?

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Hey there! My name is Melieka and I am a 23 y/o mom to a beautiful 1y/o girl. I really want to become a nurse, but my passion is a new found one. When i had my baby i loved everything about my nurses (shocking, huh? Some ladies complain incessantly about theirs). Everything about the hospital setting excited me, and i had a million and one questions. I've always done well in anatomy classes, and had an interest for anatomy, physiology and biology. Now comes the part where i worry about whether I have what it takes...

First of all, I am a college dropout. I initially went to college for pre-physical therapy. I became nervous when i saw the course load and changed my major to psychology. I did good when i applied myself, problem is i had issues applying myself. I failed two semesters of school causing me to lose financial aid, and that's when i made the painful decision to drop out because i could no longer afford school.

I've been out of school for two years now and am itching to go back. I am a completely different person than that once scared teen who didn't try her hardest, and didn't believe in herself. I constantly worry that if i pursue my dream career as a nurse, that once nursing schools find out that i used to be a not so hot student that i won't get accepted.

I've already applied to community college and begin classes in the fall. I would like to transfer to a four year university and get my RN-BSN, and maybe even my MSN :) I've applied to unit secretary jobs (with no avail) as well as Patient Registrar positions (also, with no avail). I've decided to just volunteer at a local hospital and go for my CNA license while I am in pre-nursing. I know that schools are highly competitive so, how can i offer some steep competition? Will they want to see my old transcripts (even though i have basically restarted my education)? Will two failing semesters cause schools to throw my application straight out of the window. This is what i want, and i am willing to put forth the effort and the time necessary, i just don't want it to be a waste if i'm not a fit candidate. I'll do whatever it takes, and any wisdom from nurses who have been through the struggle would be GREATLY appreciated ! :confused:

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I have a BS in a science that I did not work very hard to get. My grades show that. Now that I am changing careers, I am at a CC starting from scratch. I will not provide my other transcripts, only the ones from my CC where I am doing well.

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I have a BS in a science that I did not work very hard to get. My grades show that. Now that I am changing careers, I am at a CC starting from scratch. I will not provide my other transcripts, only the ones from my CC where I am doing well.

If the CC asks for ALL your college transcripts, you will need to provide ALL of them (whether you did terrible or not). If they find out that you withheld transcripts, you will be dismissed from the program or even the school. You will have a hard time completely hiding your academic background. There is a national student clearinghouse that schools have access to. It will list any schools you were enrolled at. As a rule, academic dishonesty is not something schools will take lightly. If the omission is discovered after you get your license, your license will be rescinded. Is that something you really want to chance?

You did not do well when you got your bachelors. There are many people in that same situation. However it's up to you to own up to your mistakes.

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K Girl is right. You will be required to submit all records. I was in a similar situation though and know many others who have been also. There are programs with different requirements, you just need to find one that can work for you. I wasn't motivated years ago and did poorly. Then I took classes after I'd matured and did well. 5 years ago, I had a miscarriage and stopped going to classes all together resulting in all F's and Academic probation. I live in a college town with a great University but direct admission into their nursing program wasn't an option because of my GPA. Instead I started taking the science classes I needed at CC. It has a competitive ADN program but admission is based on points coming mostly from TEAs scores, and science grades. GPA only has to meet a minimum requirement on the last 24 credit hours. So I took a few extra classes in order to get those 24 hours done, worked like crazy and I'm in! I start next month : ) After I get my ADN, I'm going to apply for University bridge programs to get my BS, and then maybe MS. Once you have your ADN, and a little experience and recommendations, Universities aren't as concerned about your old GPA. You have proven to them that you have changed and are capable now.

If this is what you want, and you are committed then you can do it. You are obviously bright enough or you wouldn't have been accepted to school the first time.

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I also just wanted to add that a friend of mine made mistakes when in college the first time around. Then she got her ADN from community college. Now, a few years later, she has already been accepted to the local University's bridge program to get her BS. The same University where you must have a GPA of 3.9 to be accepted directly into their nursing program. And even if it takes you a little longer and you must do ADN, then bridge to your BS. Your diploma will be the same in the end. You will have a BS in Nursing from the university you attend just as you would have if you had entered their program from the beginning.

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Specializes in Student.

I am a year older than u, and I can tell u I made the same mistake u made when I was young. I do not know if your school does this, but all I had to do was pay that financial aid back and I was accept back into the school I'm going to now. If that your dream to b a nurse then u r going to do it no matter what stand in your way. u may have to pay for a couple of class b4 u apply for financial aid I had to do it. I know spring semester I will apply for FAD. GOOD LUCK TO U A YOUR FAMILY!!!!!:yeah:

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@iguss266 Yes, my previous university does allow for second chances which is great, and i do owe them quite a bit of money that I am paying back now. Hopefully I will have it paid off by the time I apply to NS because i will need to get my transcripts released (Even though they are quite embarrasing :crying2: ). But i'm so happy to hear that everything is going in your favor! It gives a girl like me a lot of hope!

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I was in your position (sort of) not too long ago. I was a scared young student who didn't care too much about college, flunked a few classes, wound up preggers, dropped out. Got married, and two kids later, I was finally ready for school. I'm convinced that college is a mind set, you have to really want it, or it's not going to work. I started back to school, I had 3 F's on my record. I was able to retake two of the classes that I failed that I needed and have the failing grade removed from my GPA (not transcript). The third I waited 5 years from the time it had been posted on my record, filled out an academic renewal form, and had it removed from my GPA also.

I believe the best thing you can do, is go to your school counselor and find out what you need to do. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to pursue nursing. Your failing grades are obviously old and don't reflect your current ambitions. You CAN do it!!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical-Oncology.

Don't provide your old transcripts. That's the past and now you are a different woman. I have a friend who went through the same exact thing. She didn't provide her past transcripts ( of when she did badly in school) and is now working at a hospital as a medical assistant (with no medical assistant degree) and she even got into a good 4 year college for her BSN. What I am trying to tell you is not to give up! You will be a nurse one day, just pass all your science classes and get a really high GPA. Also, do the CNA program (which is what I am also going to do) because it gives you an edge and makes you more competitive. Good luck to you!

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