When Previewing Pre Nursing Students For Admission Into Nursing School

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Does a solid GPA in my second language courses boost my value as a potential nurse?

After completing my first quarter, my grades are as follow:

American Sign Language = A

Introduction to Psychology = C

Writing 121 = C

Math Refresher Course = F

To be fair, my interpretor quit midway into my math course. I showed a lot of potential untill I was thrust back into oblivion. I managed to get two Cs and an A without any means of understanding my lecturers (aside from ASL). To think that I could do that well without an interpretor present in my classes, imagine how well I could do with one.

Does that mean anything to the nursing school admission team?

I struggle so hard trying to overcome the barriers of communication God placed upon me, I work twice as hard as most students, and yet I get what lazy people with no motivation whatsoever get. Is that fair? I don't think so. But I'm flattered God believes in me enough to challenge me at such lengths. I believe I'll make for an exceptional nurse.

P.S. I think I'll take Spanish next year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Most schools that I know of use your science grades and admission test score to determine entrance into the program. I know of maybe a couple that consider your overall gpa as well. Again, most schools that I know of you must have a minimum gpa of 2.0 or higher science and an overall gpa of 2.0 or higher. Once in the program you must maintain an overall gpa of 2.0 and any science or nursing related classes need to stay above 2.0 as well.

I wouldn't think that your language will have much of an impact on entrance into the program. However, I do believe that it certainly can't hurt with perspective employers once finished school. Having command over various language's is an asset. : )

Finally, I would like to add "Good for you!!!" Keep up the effort and it will all payoff in the end. Many people give up when it starts getting tough.

I want to share with you a very important piece of information. Most people that are considered "smart" are the people that put the extra effort into things. They work smarter, but often the work harder too. They are the people that spend the extra time studying. They are they people that spend the extra time to prepare. They are the people that realize sacrifice often equals reward. The greater the risk and sacrifice = greater the reward (usually)

A kid in my biology class called me the "Johnny Unitas" of biology, and my chemistry classmates often came to me for tutoring. I ended the semester with a 4.0 gpa. Did I get the 4.0 because I am smarter than those around me? Nope, I got the 4.0 because I put the effort and time in.

I am "smart" because I work for it. Please don't ever think less of yourself because what you may perceive others to believe. Actually, don't even pay any attention to it. Set your mind on a worthy goal and stay the course.

Is it fair to be placed in the ranks of the lazy and unmotivated? I would say no it isn't! However, you have to realize that in order to live outside that box you have to work exponentially harder. Success isn't attracted to the efforts of the average. Ordinary results are the reward for the average. Extraordinary results are the results for those that offer up the "extra".

Ok, I am done now. : ) I just want t wish you the best! Keep up the effort!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

RB2000 is absolutely correct. The fact that you are trying and giving it all you got is what matters. There will be future chances to change things so learn from what you went through and carry it with you for future reference. There are times when in life we work out butts off and do the best that we can do to make a difference or get ahead, but life throws a curve ball. During that ride with the curve ball we will cry, hate, scream, and at the end when it passes we will feel joy and happiness. I know because life has thrown me that curve ball, and times get tough, just keep in mind what you are fighting for and never give up. God does love you and this may be a challenge to see how bad you really want this. Everything is for a reason we cannot explain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Those that are wiser are the ones who never stop working their hardest.

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Take independent courses that are NOT dependent on an instructor or assistant.

You need high science and math grades.

That C in Psych isn't good either. Find alternatives to your way of studying (i.e. no interpreter).

There may be other ways.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't give up there! From viewing your post, it does seem like you do have good English writing skills. For the math class, I would advise that you take a basic math class, and then take a college level math course in the summer that will count as a pre-req for your nursing program. Even though I am prety bad at math, I did make an "A" in my college algebra class as I did it over a summer session without doing other classes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

It really depends on how the admission process works. In the program I graduated from, the only classes that counted were the prerequisites for the nursing program, and points were allocated according to the grades received in those classes. Acceptance was so competitive, that nothing less than an A in every single prerequisite would get you in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

At my school you have to have at least a 2.5 gpa total, with a c in all the pre-reqs to get in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in nursing school now and am friends with a student who cannot read. She visited with the program director and faculty long before the program and explained her situation and they worked out a way to get around it. She receives enough help from the program to get the grades she deserves and even receives all of the text books online and has a program that reads it to her. Our application gave us an opportunity to write something additional about ourselves, if yours has such a thing then I would write your unique situation there, and yes, it will make a difference to most schools if the are informed. If it doesn't, then my advice is to find another school and file a complaint on the other, it is there job to help everyone have the tools they need to succeed.

Good luck and God Bless

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Shouldn't that school be trying to teach her to read? What happens to her when she graduates and can't read to take the NCLEX? Can't read a chart?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Shouldn't that school be trying to teach her to read? What happens to her when she graduates and can't read to take the NCLEX? Can't read a chart?

No, actually, the NCLEX has a specific department dedicated to meeting any special needs a test taker may have, but they must contact them within a certain time frame before the exam. You can find some good information in the Saunders NCLEX book in the beginning pages. And yes, she has went through much tutoring for her condition but this may be as good as it gets for her, she cannot read because she has some form of dyslexia, she can identify some words but definitely not long medical terms. I am not sure what this is going to mean to her future or how many other cases there has been, but I'm sure if there is a NCLEX department for it then it has happened before. I do not know her to well, but I am her note taker in school and she is very sharp despite her inability to read. I would trust her as my nurse as long as someone could read her my chart and help her document correctly, much more than I can say for most of the students in the program that I would never let lay a finger on me or someone I know, lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.
No, actually, the NCLEX has a specific department dedicated to meeting any special needs a test taker may have, but they must contact them within a certain time frame before the exam. You can find some good information in the Saunders NCLEX book in the beginning pages. And yes, she has went through much tutoring for her condition but this may be as good as it gets for her, she cannot read because she has some form of dyslexia, she can identify some words but definitely not long medical terms. I am not sure what this is going to mean to her future or how many other cases there has been, but I'm sure if there is a NCLEX department for it then it has happened before. I do not know her to well, but I am her note taker in school and she is very sharp despite her inability to read. I would trust her as my nurse as long as someone could read her my chart and help her document correctly, much more than I can say for most of the students in the program that I would never let lay a finger on me or someone I know, lol.

I feel sorry for this student who can't read and I'm sure she works twice as hard as everyone else but realistically I don't know how she will get a job in nursing. In the real world no one will have time to read her charts, lab values, MD notes, vital signs, is someone going to give meds for her since she can't read the order or med name, who's going to write orders for her? I think your college should have helped her train for a job that she can confidently perform. It is going to be a terrible blow to her self esteem when she can't find a job.

To the OP, kudos to you, fluency in more than 1 language is very desirable to employers. For specific questions about your grades I suggest you talk with your schools advisor as they can answer questions specific to the program you're applying for (all program have different requirements).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment