Do you have a GED?????

[nurse4theplanet]

During class, a fellow student stated that she had a GED instead of a High School Diploma. Many students in the class were shocked because she is an "A" student. I also have a GED, make exceptional grades, and found that many people seem to be in disbelief when I tell them that I dropped out of highschool. I understand the stigma...but my question is:

How many of you have a GED? AND...have you ever been passed over for a position in nursing because you do not have a diploma?

:mortarboard:

[peds4now, RN]

I dropped out of high school in CA when I was 16 and took the high school proficiency exam, which is less than the GED. I had doubled up on English classes my last year, gone to summer school, was ahead in math, and used my time for science and language by doing P.E. privately via aerobics and therefore not having to take it in school. I started UC Berkeley the next fall at 16. They didn't care that I just had the test, because I had the requirements, the SATs, and recommendations. I went on to drop out of law school, but that's another story...

Now I'm in and AA nursing program and getting As and Bs, Bs now that I'm working. In my honest opinion, public high school is a waste of time for most people. If you are motivated, there are much better things to do, and if you waste those years playing hooky, it need not hurt you that much.

Now, I wish I had had more guidance once I got to college and got that worthless degree in History and German!

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I have a GED and I found out years ago when I went to nursing school that the high school I went to had me as graduating because I only had 3 weeks left when I ran off to get married

[sherry730]

I also have a GED. I am also a LPN! Graduated nursing school with a 3.7 GPA and took the NCLEX and passed 1st try!

[romie]

I didn't graduate from highschool but got my GED a few weeks after the end of my junior year. A week or so later I scored a 31 on the ACT and got a scholarship to a four year university. I got my GED so that I could start college early. I now have a masters degree and will be going back to school for a second masters.

I find it amusing when people are shocked that I didn't graduate from highschool and act like I cheated the system. I think they are resentful because they too were miserable in highschool and realize they wasted so many years of their lives.

Go GED!

[Midwest4me]

I have a high school diploma. Like other posters, the nursing school completion and subsequent license is what truly matters, NOT the high school preparation.

[louloubell1]

What about continuing education? Any APRNs or CRNAs out there with GEDs?

I have my GED, and will graduate nurse anesthesia school on December 16!

Lou

[Holly27]

I have my GED. Got it at 17. I also graduated 2nd in class in nursing. I don't think it matters one way or another what you have. I've never had problems with it. Accept maybe applying for certain scholarships.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

This is exactly how I feel about high school. It is worthless, nothing but a fashion show. I just pulled my daughter out of school because there is more drama than learning.I HATE the thought that schools here in Texas teach to some dumb state test. Every year there are thousands of students held back in high school because they come a few points short of passing some dumb test required before graduation.. all the work they put in all thoses years ...is now nothing . I have always said those students should take a stand get their GED and go to college. I got my GED at 18 and my daughter probably will get her as well.

In my honest opinion, public high school is a waste of time for most people. If you are motivated, there are much better things to do, and if you waste those years playing hooky, it need not hurt you that much.

Now, I wish I had had more guidance once I got to college and got that worthless degree in History and German!

[SaraO'Hara]

I dropped out of high school in CA when I was 16 and took the high school proficiency exam, which is less than the GED.

It's not less. I have the CHSPE also, and the certificate says that it is to be considered equal to a high school diploma, which is as much as the GED will get anybody

[RNin'08]

I also got a GED. High school was too much of a popularity contest for me. I decided to leave, take the GED exam and move on with my life...Of course at the time, moving on just meant getting a crappy job that paid enough that I didn't have to live with my parents any longer. However when I did decide to go back to college I finished my pre-reqs with a 3.9 GPA and got accepted to one of the most competetive nursing schools in the state.

It's a stigma that some of us are just stuck with (in other people's eyes anyway) I don't have a problem telling people that I have a GED. I'm proud of how I got to where I am in life :)

And I'm planning to continue on to a graduate degree, I don't foresee a GED standing in the way of that.

RNin'08

~my reality check bounced~

[romie]

It is great to read all these post about sucessful people who took alternative routes to get their education and training. Thanks guys!