Florida pre-nursing with 1 -C, but not allowed to retake

[Katie Bang]

I am at a loss at the moment, and wonder if anyone else has a similar problem. After having my daughter 15 months ago I decided my true calling in life was to be a nurse. I started school weeks later, and ended up getting 1- C in a&p 1. I was taking 6 classes that semester and took 6 the next to accumulate 30 credits that are required to apply to the RN program at Hillsborough Community College. I've gotten a mixture of A's and B's, however that 1-C brought my GPA to a 3.2!! I was told I could not retake the class because in the state of Florida, if you get a D or F you can retake the course, but anything better and you are stuck. I tried to take it at another school altogether and was told by the counselor it was a statewide "law" and there was nothing to do about it.

I can start an LPN program but every single one in my area is full time, whereas the RN is only 3 days a week, 2-3hr lectures and 1- 10 hour clinical day. There is no way I can afford to put my daughter in daycare full time, and then NOT work so I can do a LPN program. At least with the RN I can stay home (which I've done since she was born) and not have to pay for full time care.

There is no rolling admission either, and is EXTREMLY competitive. I applied in June and should expect to find out in late Sept. if I was accepted or rejected, but I am not too confident right now.

So has anyone been in this situation and gotten around it? I feel it's unfair that if I fail I get a second chance, but if I get a C in just 1 class while maintaining great grades in other classes I am stuck!