How do I know I am smart enough to become a RN?

lovinlife11 · Mar 3, 2013

I actually never questioned whether I was smart enough, if you are dedicated enough to your goal it will happen. Some people have to study more some people have to study less. It's all in how motivated you are to achieve your goal. Just my opinion, good luck in whatever you decide!!

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2013

Well..............my nursing program had a 98% success rate at the NCLEX. So I thought...........well if I can't get through the program then I won't make RN.

Take the pre reqs. Taking biology and microbiology pre reqs (I know that different programs have different pre reqs) and seeing the results from those often separate those who will or won't make it.

blackvans1234 · Mar 3, 2013

Take anatomy and physiology, that is usually an indicator of how you will do in nursing school.

Please remember that nursing school is not indicitive of your success as a RN.

Rhi007 · Mar 3, 2013

Let me ask you this:

- do you have common sense?

- are you empathetic ?

- are you thick skinned?

If your answer is yes to any of these you will make a great RN. In most cases, PCWs make the best nurses because they already have the basic skills and knowledge

satherp5 · Mar 3, 2013

I've asked myself that a bazillion times. Trying to change the question to, will I work hard enough to make it through nursing school? Will I stay focused on what's important and not let unnecessary distractions in?

Go for it. Give it a try. Worst that could happen is you realize that it's not right for you.

blackvans1234 · Mar 3, 2013

I've asked myself that a bazillion times. Trying to change the question to, will I work hard enough to make it through nursing school? Will I stay focused on what's important and not let unnecessary distractions in?
Go for it. Give it a try. Worst that could happen is you realize that it's not right for you.

This is really it. Im in school now and have met plenty of students that fail out because they don't have the dedication.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2013

Your problem isn't that you're not smart enough, it's that you're afraid you aren't. You write a pretty good grammatically-correct sentence, which gives you a leg up on about a quarter of the posters on AN right there. :)

Look more at the confidence angle than the qualifications angle. Not to put too fine a point on it, there are RNs with IQs of 90 and with IQs of 190, and all stops in between. Smart is as smart does, and you can do it.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2013

You write a pretty good grammatically-correct sentence, which gives you a leg up on about a quarter of the posters on AN right there.

Ain't it the truth!

To OP, I second the suggestions to take a few prerequisite classes and see how you do. I started preparing for nursing school at a time of super high anxiety and low self esteem and getting through prerequisites well gave me the confidence that yes, I could get through nursing school and yes, I could be a good nurse once I set my mind to succeeding (therapy and antidepressants were also very helpful during this time).

Stephalump · Mar 4, 2013

Ain't it the truth!
To OP, I second the suggestions to take a few prerequisite classes and see how you do. I started preparing for nursing school at a time of super high anxiety and low self esteem and getting through prerequisites well gave me the confidence that yes, I could get through nursing school and yes, I could be a good nurse once I set my mind to succeeding (therapy and antidepressants were also very helpful during this time).

Yes! Sometimes you won't find the confidence until you're already in the trenches.

Nursing school has been incredibly tough, but it has done so much for me, personally. I'm constantly amazed by the things I really CAN do. Things I probably would've had doubts about, had I sat and thought about it.

I say dive in. Time will tell. :)

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 4, 2013

I tried. That is how I found out. I figured, if I try my best and fail, at least I tried.

queserasera, RN · Mar 4, 2013

I'd say the pre-reqs. Your dedication to succeeding in the pre-reqs. That's a good indicator.