Doubts on becoming an RN because i don't think i am smart enough..

[cardenas_a]

I need some advice and motivation from you all..

I'm a rising senior who wants to become a Registered Nurse with a BSN. I'm applying to Cal State Universities in the Fall. I have a UC/CSU GPA of 3.72, my SAT score is a 910, and my ACT score is a 16. I went on College Confidential to ask what my chances are of being accepted as a nursing major and I keep hearing that my stats are too low. I'm starting to doubt myself and if I should become a Nurse at all.

I dream of being a Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse. I've always been interested in how cancer works and the different types of cancers. When I learn about it, it just sticks to me and I love to learn about it; Cancer fascinates me. I have never volunteered in a hospital (but I want to after I graduate high school since I'm so busy with school right now), worked with cancer patients or have even met a pediatric cancer patient but somehow, that's what I want to do. I know it's an overwhelming and emotionally draining job and I may not understand how much it really is, but I am very interested in it. I want to not only help children by administering chemotherapy and all these other medicines they need, but I want to make a difference in their lives and in their family's lives, even if it means to just make them smile or laugh. I've always had a passion for children. When I was little, I wanted to be an elementary school teacher (preferably kindergarten) or a middle school English teacher, then I wanted to be a doctor but I realized that it is the nurses who spend the most time with the patients, so that is when I decided that being a Pediatric Hem/Onc Nurse can be for me. I just don't know if I'm smart enough to do it...

What also contributes to me doubting myself is that i don't have great communication skills. Im a very nervous person and I'm shy and nurses need to be great communicators to be Great Nurses. But i still would like to be a Nurse...

What advice would you give me?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Have you spoken with admissions counselors and the nursing department/school at your chosen universities? They would give you the most realistic prospects at gaining admission to their programs. Start there before worrying about everything else.

[Vegas Volt]

Just work on getting admitted to the CSU of your choice. Worry about nursing later; at most, if not all CSUs, admission to the nursing program is a entirely separate process that will happen after you've completed all the pre-requisite classes, typically two years into your college education. Your high school GPA and SAT/ACT scores have ZERO bearing on getting into the nursing major. Focus on getting into a university and the rest will come later.

I've been out of high school too long and I don't know what a "good" SAT/ACT score is anymore, but it sounds like you have a good high school GPA. Definitely speak to the admissions department at your prospective schools to see how you fare.

If, for whatever reason, you can't get into a CSU, you can always transfer in to a CSU nursing program from community college.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Nursing education in the US is designed to produce generalists. Educational specialization does not occur until graduate (MSN) school.

I'm very glad you are considering a career in nursing, but please make an informed choice. Working with children - particularly those who are dealing with cancer - is not sunshine and unicorns. Cancer is cruel and unfair. Treatments are scary, unpleasant and painful. Patients die - even children. Please be aware that there are other 'child oriented' healthcare professions such as Child Life Specialist that are far less stressful than nursing.

[cardenas_a]

I will take your information into consideration and I will do more research on Child Life Specialists, I am liking what I am seeing, thanks for helping me!