I have a question..

caliotter3 · Mar 11, 2009

Different schools have different requirements, although there is not that much of a difference when it comes to math. Some don't require a math course for the nursing program at all, but a math course might be required to get the degree. Others will want the initial college level math course, whatever that is called. Others, (BSN programs), may or may not also require statistics. You need to look at the requirements of each program that you are interested in to find the answer to your question.

Katnip, RN · Mar 11, 2009

Right now many nursing schools are difficult to get into. They've become very competitive, but some are increasing their class size. A lot depends on where you live. The best thing to do is check the schools you are interested in and ask them what their admission requirements are.

Same thing with the math. Each school may have a different requirement, I've seen some nursing schools require calculus. I'd say the minimum you'd need is at least algebra I to do med calculations. And my school also required statistics. And those were college level.

Nursing schools look at your total GPA, so if you end up with one bad grade it could potentially hurt.

Again, I'd look into schools you may be interested in and see what each requires.

The level of difficulty often has to do with the school as well. Bachelor's programs in my area require higher level of prereqs like chemisty and micro. Some people find the sciences difficult. You have to learn a lot of information in a relatively short amount of time while at the same time learning to apply it in clinics with real live people.

A lot of people who go to nursing school also do so after they've had a family which makes it difficult to find the time to study everything you need, and that may be part of what you're hearing.

Nursing school is very demanding, and usually has very high standards and it adds a lot of stress to people's lives.

whipping girl in 07, RN · Mar 11, 2009

Where I went to school, they wanted minimally college algebra. I had taken algebra and algebra 2 in high school so I took something called finite mathematics. I made a B but to this day I do not know what I was actually doing, lol!

Nursing schools generally look at your college pre-requisite grades (English, algebra, sciences, etc) not so much your high school grades. They do look at all the courses you've taken though, not just the ones that they count as pre-requisites. I know several people who were waitlisted for nursing school that kept going part-time and taking easy electives to boost their GPA. A higher GPA helped the following semester when they applied again.

I did not find nursing school to be too difficult, but I did not make straight As by any means!! My mom is an LPN and she struggled with algebra and chemistry. I think I finally pulled my GPA up to about a 3.3 by the time I graduated, but just barely. And then classes I made a D and F in counted in that too.

Good luck to you.

Curious_53 · Mar 11, 2009

It's like everyone has been saying, it depends on the nursing school. I wish there were a more cut and dry answer, but sadly it does depend. My nursing program at my college, for example, let's in all who apply, but we are a very small school, only about 1100 undergraduates, so they are able to do this.

It is very difficult but nothing is impossible. If it is what you are motivated and passionate about you will succeed, I have no question of that. :)

The main thing is that you won't know if you never try. Ask around, far and wide! Fastweb.com is a good resource for looking for a college that is right with you, and you can limit it to searching for only nursing schools!

I hope this helps!

And remember, stay motivated, even when times get rough. Your passion will get you far!