I struggled with major depression for the first 3 years of my academic journey (I attend a university that offers a 5-year BSN program). Some days I couldn't even bare the thought of getting out of bed because I wanted to just run into traffic and die. It was an awful experience. It took a year and a half of therapy for me to get back to normal and begin to live my life again. By that point my gpa was at a 2.74 and I almost lost my full tuition scholarship. I already had 120 credits and it was so hard for me to try to bring up my gpa. I had been in depression for so long that I hadn't given grad school a thought, and now that I have finally figured out what it is that I want to do with my life, it seems impossible.
For those who might say that I should've taken a leave of absence and not ruin my gpa, I live in the U.S. alone. My entire family lives in Puerto Rico and they do not help me financially or emotionally with anything. I needed to keep my scholarship, I couldn't just take a break. I had nowhere to live but on campus in a dorm paid by loans.
After a year and a half of hard work, my gpa was at a 3.07 and I was so proud. Can I really reach a 3.1 for graduation?! Unfortunately, I guess not. I worked my butt off and still came up short with only a 3.097 and I am so disappointed. I know that the difference isn't great but I thought at least a 3.1 looks better than the 3.09 when applying to grad schools. I was planning on taking 2 graduate level courses un-matriculated, to show that I can achieve greatness. But even so, now I feel that it won't matter because my gpa will still stand in the way of getting into a good NP program. I am heartbroken. I don't know what to do. Has anyone else been in a similar position?
A public forum is not the place to expect "kind and compassionate" responses rather than a free flow of opinions and thoughts. However, personal attacks are way out of line. It's OK to deride ideas -- but not OK to attack character or personality of your fellow posters. OK kids?
Back to the original topic .... Most grad schools place a great deal of emphasis on GRE scores and experience, especially for their clinical programs (NP, CRNA, CNM). So my advice to OP is to dust yourself off and move ahead. You can't change the past but you can certainly chart a new course for your future. Anything is possible.
A public forum is not the place to expect "kind and compassionate" responses rather than a free flow of opinions and thoughts. However, personal attacks are way out of line. It's OK to deride ideas -- but not OK to attack character or personality of your fellow posters. OK kids?QUOTE]
You so right. But thanks for the reminder that I get to be a regular person on public forums rather than some childish idealized version of Florence.
Back to OP. Yep, your more recent work will reflect your readiness for grad school. Quality current experience, good GRE scores and personal references are totally within your control.
Okay everyone, I didn't mean to start any arguments here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if they want vocalize it in a disrespectful/rude way. That is entirely up to them.
I was simply having a bad day and was really upset about not meeting my goal. People have good days and bad days. Today is a good day, and I feel much better as I've passed my exit Hesi with an outstanding score on the first try. It only reinforces the fact that I know what I what I am doing and I WILL be a successful nurse.
As for the "you're not even a nurse" comment.. I might not be a nurse yet, but within a month I will be. What difference does it make? As I said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And I would like to believe that those who decide to pursue nursing as a career, do so because they care about others and love helping people. It may be naive, and of course some do it for the money. But it is simply my opinion. And I am entitled to it.
Who feels sorry for myself? I am a military vet and I am an RN. The poster was reporting the reason for her bad grades was her depression. Here is my question to you. If you work a 12 hour day and you expect your relief nurse to show up and she calls out because she is "depressed" how long do you think she will have her job? Same with grades. A grade is a quantifiable outcome from a semester of work. HOW you get the grade and the effect are not important...or are they? Well it depends if you are into deontology like Kant. However nursing school admission do not ask how stressed out you were when you send your transcripts. So...I am explaning that the WHY is not important as is the outcome when it comes to applying to nursing school. I do not feel sorry for anyone including myself.
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
A public forum is not the place to expect "kind and compassionate" responses rather than a free flow of opinions and thoughts. However, personal attacks are way out of line. It's OK to deride ideas -- but not OK to attack character or personality of your fellow posters. OK kids?
Back to the original topic .... Most grad schools place a great deal of emphasis on GRE scores and experience, especially for their clinical programs (NP, CRNA, CNM). So my advice to OP is to dust yourself off and move ahead. You can't change the past but you can certainly chart a new course for your future. Anything is possible.