Former Nursing student needs advice!

[Jeweled]

Hello all,

I have a very convoluted story, but it all boils down to the following.

I graduated with honors from HS in 1998. Scored about 1260 on SATs, received numerous scholarships and ended up enrolling at a 4-yr University that fall.

To put it mildly...I screwed around. I was there for 4 semesters (not consecutive) and for various reasons, either failed due to absences, or failure to withdraw properly, and ended my tenure at that school with a 1.026 GPA.

2 years past (Spring 2002) and I think I have my head on straight and decide to go to a CC to pursue nursing and I get in and bypass the waiting list based on my HS credentials alone (I was accepted into the program over a few of my friends who had already been there and taking pre-req's). My first semester of clinicals and other classes, we got to about week 3 or 4 and come to find out, my hep C (I think) vaccine wasn't correct in time enough for me to actually go to the hospital and start my clinicals, so I was forced to withdraw. I lost all momentum and withdrew from all of my classes (I properly withdrew this time, so no penalties). Fall semester rolls around and I took some classes (Med Term, Algebra, Philosopy and Human G&D) and earned 2 A's, B and C. I thought I was back on track so I registered for Clinicals again in Spring 2003, only to have to withdraw due to family issues (no penalty).

I was doing well in my nursing courses both times, and I actually had an A average in my Nursing 101 clinical, but I just couldn't remain in school. My Cum GPA for my last college (includes the transfer credits from the first one) is right at a 3.0.

When I look over my transcrips, I only have about 10 classes that would even count for anything:

Engl 1 & 2

French 1 & 2

Psyc 101

Music

Med Term

Algebra

Philosophy

Human G&D

My quandry is whether it's worth it to try to transfer credits in or if I should just start over. The only classes that would be relevant in most programs are English, Psych, Human G&D and one of my humanities. I rec'd a C in Algebra, so I would prefer to take a math class to receive another grade.

What do you guys think? In your experience, how will my past be looked upon? It wasn't a lack of knowledge or ability on my part, it was a lack of motivation and outside negative issues. I'm almost 30 years old and though I've run from it for quite a while, I don't think the desire to be a nurse will ever leave me. Even after leaving school, I was always in the healthcare field, mostly working for hospitals as scheduling coordinators or recruiter/staffing manager for healthcare staffing agencies.

I just get discouraged because of my transcripts, because I know that those grades don't reflect who I am.

Any words of advice or just encouragement would be greatly appreciated. :)

(My former schools was in SC, I currently live in MD.)

[caliotter3]

You will get two trains of thought on this. Include everything because if you are found out, you would probably be booted. Or start over fresh with a clean slate and never mention the previous attempts. If you avoid the financial aid office where your SSN could give you away, you might be able to pull off starting over again. People on this board have said they did this successfully. You would have to take the chance.

[misspotsandpans]

You could be honest and still retake the courses. I would probably go that route since I would not want to jeopardize anything.

[Jeweled]

Thanks for the quick replies, I look forward to hearing more responses and personal experiences if possible!!! :)

[caliotter3]

I vividly remember one person posting who had messed up the first time around with a GPA less than 2.0. That person started over and pulled off a 4.0. But the catch there is that they did not get caught. There is no guarantee.

[Jeweled]

Let me add another detail. I still owe one of the schools over $1000. I haven't paid it yet because 1) I haven't had the extra money (lump sum) and 2) I wasn't in school, so it wasn't a priority.

Of course you all know that schools will not release your official transcript if you owe a debt to the school. How does that even work? Will they force me to get my official transcript? Or is that another way I can avoid having them count those classes and just start over?

[misspotsandpans]

You should talk to an advisor about this situation. Do you know if you qualify for an academic fresh start. I understand after a certain amount of time you can apply for an academic fresh start status.

[caliotter3]

Yes, your transcript will not be released until you pay the debt. You can petition any school to admit you with the transcripts missing but that doesn't mean they will do so.

[Jeweled]

Thanks MissP&P...I will check into it. I think I'm going to take a day off in the next week or 2 and go to a few of the CC's that I'm interested in and see what their Advisors say. It's just all so daunting when I look at my transcripts.

I wouldn't even mind starting over from scratch (even having to re-take English), I would just consider it a "tax" for screwing up years ago, lol. *sigh*

[caliotter3]

In reality, you can only be helping yourself academically if you start over. I doubt you will mess up this time around. But be careful with your personal life. It doesn't matter if your problems are academic or personal, either can screw you up. Good luck with your decision.

[Jeweled]

Thanks Caliotter!!

[Jeweled]

I just realized that I registered with this site way back in 2004. I used to LIVE on these boards, but I don't know why I never posted! Maybe I was scared, lol.