Help... I feel like I'm not going to get into Nursing School.

RN403, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2014

You are not alone. I was not always a stellar student and I had my doubts about getting into nursing school as well...but I pushed past that rough patch and here I am. Don't let anybody tell you that you need to change your major or you can never be a nurse. As long as you are willing you will find your way.

What do you feel is holding you back if you don't mind my asking?

nurseD1994 · Jul 18, 2014

I think mostly it is me taking my entrance exams and my science pre-reqs. I still have to take the three sciences and then I can apply

Miss.LeoRN · Jul 18, 2014

It seems to be a trend for advisers to look at an aspiring nursing student and go "pick another major". I wouldn't bother with your adviser, especially one that doesn't want to help you find a way to help you achieve your goal but thinks it better to just do something else.

Does the nursing program have it's own adviser? When I enrolled pre-nursing to my campus I was given a nursing department adviser. Even if that isn't an option, start talking to the nursing programs admission people, have them answer your questions and concerns. I learned more from them, and from talking to other students already IN the programs, than I ever did from my academic adviser. Granted, I only went to talk to him once and I hated every second of it and never went again.

Why do you think you won't make it in? Because your behind? Because you got a lower than perfect score in something?

Grab some paper and write down the reasons you think you won't get in. No. Really. Get some paper. It's okay we'll wait.

Okay! First thing, cross off ANY of them that are nothing more than self doubt. You are your own worst enemy and harshest critic all in one. Always. Don't let yourself, talk yourself down.

Then cross off anything to which involves someone telling you that you can't, or you won't, or you're not good enough. Unless they are on the academic program selection committee their opinion doesn't matter.

Now look at what is left. What are they? Bad grades? First, Do they even matter? Look at EXACTLY what your program wants for admissions. There were girl's in my program who scored amazing on their entry exam and were rejected because that was the ONLY thing they focused on was a good TEAS score. Our program looks specifically at your GPA for all Science-Program related classes and pre-req's only. Your Overall GPA didn't matter. So a C in English wasn't going to be detrimental. For the girl I mentioned, she had taken only the Bio I pre-req and had scored a D. She had been hoping the art class and french class she'd taken would boost her GPA since she scored a A in those. Second, Can you retake them? If so? Then do it... look at where your short comings were, where you struggled, and try harder... get tutoring, look up things on youtube, be more interactive with your professor, try a different professor... never be afraid to ask for help.

What else is left? You said you were behind? So what? There isn't a race is there? You'll graduate with a different cohort and maybe make different friends you might not have otherwise, it might take you a semester longer, a year longer... it's okay! You'll certainly have more time to get all the documents ready that you will need once you get accepted! Seriously, I now firmly believe it is NOT too early to make sure all your immunizations are at your ready. So many in my cohort had issues either getting theirs, or something not being right on the forms.

Alright! What else ya got? Rejection? Cry. Get mad. Cry again. Complain of how hard you worked. Cry some more. Then pick yourself back up and try again. Find out what you can do to make yourself a better candidate for the program. Or, look for other programs! Apply all over the place.. and apply to EVERYTHING. You might want that BSN right out of the gate, but starting out even in LVN can be the first door to dream of yours. Don't slam it shut just because it's not the shiny golden path.

Motivation. I am going to leave you with tons of motivation. Write these down. Plaster them EVERYWHERE! In note books, on your walls (not directly, unless you want that), on your planner, on some washi tape across the top of your monitor (seriously I've done that), in your car, on the fridge.... they will help... only if you let them. Take the ones that make you feel the most inspired, and just run with them.

I would mention where they come from if I knew... my husband post-it notes random inspirations to my monitor every morning (he's usually gone for work by the time I wake up) so I don't know where he gets them.

"Yes! You can."

"Think about why you started."

"Make things happen."

"We only regret the chances we didn't take."

Stop wishing. Start doing."

"Take a chance."

"Nothing is impossible."

"Dreams don't work unless you do."

"What defines us is how well we rise after falling."

"The expert in anything was once a beginner."

"It's OKAY not to be perfect."

"Mistakes are proof you are trying."

"Imagine. Believe. Achieve."

"It isn't always easy, but it will be worth it."

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

This is one of mine... specifically the one I have on my monitor (since I do a lot of my work at my PC):

"Why worry? If you've done the very best you can, worrying won't make it any better." (-Walt Disney)

nurseD1994 · Jul 18, 2014

Thank you so much, you have no idea how much better I feel after reading this.

My school school gives us a "pre-nursing adviser", one that has not experienced the nursing career or anything she just tell us what courses we need. They have actual nursing advisers for the students in the program. I trying to change my adviser. I have been looking into other programs such as ADN the LVN. I will take your motivational quotes and put them to good use. Also I'll do the paper thing too.

Thanks so much!!!!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2014

Hugs DonaldTyler

Donald, immortalessence offered the best advice. Allow me to go into a slightly different direction that a school, career, vocation does not define you. You are not a failure based on getting into a school, getting a given job, etc. You should pursue your dreams, you should give it your very best. Just know that at the end of the day, if you did your best, if you looked at improving you compared to you before, then you made a positive difference. You are not a failure.

Hugs.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Jul 18, 2014

Donald-

You and I have something in common: we are perfectionist. I can relate to you. The thing is we WILL have ups and downs. Life does happen when things may not go our way at the moment, but we keep striving. Sometimes a little motivation from others may help. Why not find a study partner who is also pursuing nursing and you both motivate each other? In one of my pre req classes, I've established a bond with a student and we became motivators for one another. We help each other because sometimes hard to do it alone. Hang in there. :)

Now that you are aware of the needed science classes, why not find a student who taking the class now in the summer and ask for his/her lecture notes, study guides,syllabus etc in advance that way you're well prepared. Also,plan to go to the success center to see a bio tutor, have a study partner, do the all the homework and use all the resources your school offers to help you succeed :) hang in there

Last, talk to a NURSE advisor instead. Schools don't really advertise which academic advisor specialize in what, but ask around and talk only with them. I recently had called the Dean of Health Science to express my concern with wanting to improve my grades and my chances of getting in the nurse program and felt that I wasn't getting properly guided with a regular counselor. She gave me names of three specific nurse counselors for their ADN program. So next week I will meet with one, but more importantly, establish a memorable relationship so when I do apply, my application will be noticeable in the future. The moral of the story is work your way around the pack and find that resource who believes in you. Hang in there :)

nurseD1994 · Jul 18, 2014

Thank you all so much! I will take all of the advice and use every ounce of it, I'm so glad that I found this website.

GoodnessFlows · Jul 18, 2014

If you feel a deep seated desire to be a nurse, don't let anyone stop you. I went to a nursing seminar at my school, and they had a school counselor come in to talk to us. He was very upfront about how competitive nursing school is, and how hard it is to get accepted into a program. I left there feeling as if his goal was to discourage us from pursing our dreams. I didn't let it stop me, however. Guess what? He is my actual counselor now, and VERY encouraging of my dream. You may ask the difference in his attitude? Well, he can see my drive and determination, and he is cheering me on every step of the way. What I realized is that many adviser's give the doom and gloom speech to potential future nurses first, because much of what they are saying IS true, and it would be dishonest if they painted everything rosy. The other reason, and this is just my opinion, that they paint a darker picture, is to weed out the people that aren't especially committed to seeing the journey through. The student that decides to fight through and stay, just may be the student that can be successful in nursing school.

Anyway, don't give up, and now go and get those science pre-reqs started!