How would you become a RN with a degree in Bio and GPA of 2.3?

[tintutho]

Hi,

I find myself in a very difficult position at this point. I grew up in three cultures, was in Saudi until 5^th grade, then did middle school in India and finally high school here in the USA. Sounds easy, but the hardest part I think was finding my cultural identity. It is one of the reason I failed in college after attending 5 years. I had a pretty rough childhood, abuse (corporal punishment, extreme), getting stoned by a few Arabs, I killed a cat in third grade (rough play) etc. This all happened around late second grade into early third grade. The abuse continued up until 5^th grade. The list goes on. During such a rough time, I found myself suicidal in fourth grade. My mom saved me. However, I had an uncle there with me as well, someone who I knew for over 10 years and was also there with me at such a time. High school was very interesting. I think I related most to fez, from that 70s show except I was Indian. My English was very thick, I Dressed weird etc. But nonetheless high school in New York was fun. I graduated with a 3.6 gpa and rank 10.

Come college, I entered chaos. Right before my freshman year, I was able to get a phone and a laptop, and the world around me literally got 10x bigger (internet). Hence, the first year was proly one of the hardest. My family was no longer around me. I was immersed in an English/American world, where I learned to blend in (jeans and fancy shirt), but in my heart I think I was still very Indian. I dormed for 4 years with two other Americans/ friends in SUNY buffalo. That's where I found conflict, because I was starting to become an American too. Moved here in 2007. Anyways, I realized much of college-social life revolved around dating. Not to mention, according to my culture I am supposed to stay a virgin until I get married. Besides my family would not even, let me marry a foreigner or even consider it. Its considered dishonorable. So I had friends telling me and confusing me in so many different ways, telling me why I am wrong, and that getting married to a stranger (arranged marriage) is the best way to walk into a trap, that god is not real etc…. I was totally fine till they confused me. Anyways my first semester I had a 2.3 gpa went down to a 2.1 then back up to a 3.3 my second year. I enter my third year determined to work my hardest while still unsure of myself or who I was. I was also being pressured to get married by the time I was 25, hence the questions such as whether I should date etc. or if I should save myself till I was married.

Then tragedy struck at the start of the third year. My uncle died. It was someone I loved very much, and was a part of my life for over 10 years. It shook my world violently and having to attend school with a broken heart was difficult. So I started to get detached from everything around me. School became much harder with a confused mind and this void was getting bigger and bigger. To fill up the emptiness, I became a mild alcoholic. My grades in biological sciences continued to suffer. I had lost all drive. My love life was at an impasse, and I wasn't even sure if God existed anymore. I proly should have moved back home, instead of staying alone down in buffalo.

Long story short I graduated at the age of 23 with a degree in biological sciences and a GPA of 2.3. I wanted to be a RN. My mom is a RN and she used to take me to her workplace when I was young. I loved all the nurses they were kind and I spend most of my time observing their workplace when I was there (my sister had asthma so I was there frequently). Problem is I have a very low GPA and a great story to tell. Only thing is, I don't think the admissions committee will care much about the story. I was thinking about first getting a lpn degree. Then go the lpn- rn route. Should I take the TEAS exam?

If you were in my position, how would reach your goal of becoming an RN? Please help!!

[Alexander the Great, ADN, RN]

First off, I would consider talking to a psychiatrist or some sort of counselor in order to help overcome some of these traumatizing events that you have had to endure. I would start there in order to make sure that I was prepared to continue on with my studies.

Second, I would speak to an adviser at a community college and figure out the best possible route of obtaining my ADN and ultimately my RN. You may be surprised at how much the entrance exams are weighted in order to gain entry into a program and so long as you prepare for the exam and do well you would have a fairly good chance of getting in.

If you're able to, financially and emotionally, go through a program in which you have to dedicate a lot of your time towards I would go the ADN route. However, if you think that you can only put out for a good year I would go the LPN route and then bridge whenever the time was more convenient for you.

Lastly, I wouldn't worry about what a lot of people around you have to say. Stay true to your values and beliefs and don't let them influence you in a way that contradicts what you have stood for. Find friends that enjoy being around you for you and don't feel as if you have to change for anyone. It may be more lonely than to just follow the status quo but you'll find that you have better quality friends in the end.

[callinshotz, RN]

Hey! I'm right there with you. I've come so far but my GPA shows the struggle. Good thing is there are plenty of schools to consider that only look at your prerequisite gpa. So I wouldn't worry to much about the beat up GPA. Study for your exams and go hard in classes you retake. I hope you get in! Heck I hope I get in! Lol

[callinshotz, RN]

I second speaking to a therapist. Not necessarily a psychiatrist as they deal with more severe mental disorders that call for medication. I'd probably visit an LPC, LMHC, LCSW or licensed psychologist if I were you. Trust me they help.

[tintutho]

Yes! I plan on going hard. Thankyou for the support and advise.