Greetings! New To Nursing - Some Advice?

[mmiranda25]

Hi Everyone!

This is my first post; I am a non-traditional undergrad student attending Fordham University full-time; I was a former undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill from 2006-2009 but took 3 years off to be my Grandmother's caregiver (I've also been a caregiver from my late Grandfather at a young age - been a caregiver since the age of 11 - I am 25 now). I was formerly pre-med but after my recent caregiving experience, I realized that Nursing matches more with what I want to do in the healthcare field (I want to be involved in the geriatric field).

I am concerned about my GPA; before officially withdrawing from UNC, I was doing long-distance caregiving (traveling back and forth from UNC to NY) - my GPA took a hit: 2.929 when I withdrew in 2009; I did take classes that are nursing pre-reqs at UNC; here are the grades:

Microbiology - C

Microbiology Lab - C

Anatomy and Physiology (one semester course) - A (taken in 2007)

Anatomy and Physiology Lab - A (taken in 2007)

General Chem I - D (retook it at Fordham and got an A in lecture and lab; also took Gen Chem II and got a B+ in the lecture and lab)

Right now at Fordham, I have a 3.68 (A's and 2 B+'s except for a C+ in Organic Chem I and a B in Organic Chem I Lab).

I know I have to re-take Microbiology Lecture and Lab and have a few more pre-reqs to do, but I am concerned since I want to apply to the accelerated programs and I want to go to schools that have strong programs in geriatric nursing - but the ones that I researched are all very good (NYU, UPenn, Duke, University of Rochester, Drexel, etc.) and even if I get all A's from this point forward, I don't know if it will be enough to be competitive.

I know this is a long post - but any advice or encouragement would be helpful. Thank you!

[Lexicon]

I don't want to overwhelm you, but you will have to retake anatomy and physiology as well because most nursing schools don't take grades if it's been over 5 years since you took the class. :/ I think that if you can get As in everything from now on, you will probably be fine. :) good luck!

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, mmiranda25:

Welcome!

Some schools don't count certain courses if they are x years old where "x" can vary by the school. I.e. there is at least two schools in my area where the hard science prerequisites need to be taken within past 5 years to carry forward; at least one of those two schools do give the opportunity to test out of retaking the course.

If you transfer, and classes are accepted, only the credits follow you, not the grades / GPA. So that's one way to have a fresh start. You are among many other non traditional students; if you put your heart and mind into it, stay focused and disciplined, you will do well.

I've shared the following in the past as I've found them helpful when I started going back to school for the first time this past June:

Here are some links that may be useful in terms of improving overall study skills, taking notes, reading text books, etc.

Note Taking Systems - Academic Skills Center: Study Skills Library - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Cornell Notetaking System Explained--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Google Image Result for http://kenpitts.net/images/cornell_note_how_to.jpg

The SQ3R Reading Method

Time management

Reading University Level Materials--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read Effectively in the Sciences--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read and Study Medical Texts--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

More About Effective Textbook Study--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

An Effective Textbook Study Strategy--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Mark a Section of a Textbook Chapter--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Also, https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html is an excellent article that needs a sticky.

Thank you.

[mmiranda25]

Hi!

1.) Lexicon - Yes, I am aware of the possibility of having to retake Anatomy and Physiology; It is annoying, but I do enjoy learning about the subject, so I will not mind it if I have to take it again. The only problem is that both classes are full right now for Spring 2014 (Fordham separates Anatomy and Physiology into two classes, each with a lab), I am constantly checking to see if someone drops the classes. The same is true for Microbiology and its Lab Section.

2.) pmabraham - Wow! Thanks so much for the resources! This is what I've been looking for!

Thanks again to you both!

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Are you getting an ABSN? I did mine at Marymount University in VA. For a BSN does it really make a difference regarding strong "geriatric" programs or are you planning to go straight to a masters? BSN from any accredited university is good for any type of nursing. If you are competitive I mean that depends on the school. Maybe contact them to get a real sense of whether you are? If you are able to move anywhere you really can open up options. If you need a big "name" school then figure out what makes the most sense to you. No one has ever asked me where I went to college. I earned really good grades on both my bachelors, but no one really seems to care. I just wanted to do well I suppose. When applying for jobs all they wanted to know was BSN or ADN and active nursing license. Most patients on a med surg unit are geriatric. Do you want to work in a nursing home? Best of luck.

[Peak Curiosity]

Congradulations! Are you in the nursing program now?

[RunBabyRN]

You may have to forgo the ABSN plan, honestly. Be open to other possibilities, and look at the average acceptance GPAs where you're applying. Cast a wide net when it comes to application time.

In the meantime, focus on getting As in everything you can to bring up your GPA. Also study hard for the TEAS when it comes time to take it, so that you get as high a score as possible the first time around (as many schools don't like to see repeated attempts).