How do you think I'm doing for a Pre-Nursing student???

Katie828 · Jun 21, 2012

Reality: You are not going to get into nursing school if you continue with these types of grades.

Good news: You have very few credits so far, so raising your GPA is possible. You need to figure out how to study, manage your time, and get good grades. I suggest you meet with an advisor or peer mentor. Also, I think it would be wise for you to only take 1 class at a time until you learn to be a good student. Do not take classes with the idea that you can just repeat them.

Encouragement: Chin up! You can do this, but it will require you to examine yourself and your study methods.

duckyluck111 · Jun 21, 2012

Do you know what the problem seems to be? I would try to identify what the problem is. Are you a bad test-taker? Are you skipping classes? Are you not completing assignments? Are you doing the work but falling short of expectations? Do you have too many outside commitments? They say you should allocate 2 hours outside of class for every 1 hour in lecture.

Make use of your school's writing center and tutors. Talk to the professor's ahead of time about assignments, to make sure you are understanding the scope and expectations of the project. Sit in the front and don't miss any classes! I have found that professors are more generous with their grading if they know you and know that you are putting in the effort.

Like the last poster said, you have time to raise this up. The grades you get in the core prerequisites are often weighed more heavily than your general education requirements (you could ask an advisor at your school if that is the way it works).

Good luck to you and good for you for being proactive about your future!

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2012

In all honesty, yes, this transcript does look bad....But as one poster said, you don't have many credit hours so you have time to raise your GPA. My school only allows you to "grade replace" or retake 3 courses so be careful of any rules similar to this that your school may have. I wouldn't get in the habit of taking something with the idea in mind that 'oh I can just retake this.' This may should harsh, but the classes you are doing poorly in are easy peasy compared to nursing classes. If you are making bad grades in things like English, History, and Algebra, you will have a next to impossible time with nursing courses...IF you keep with your current study habits.Look into getting a tutor. Minimize distractions when studying. Make school your main priority. I know this is easier said than done, but figure out what you are doing wrong ... What's causing you to make poor grades...and work to fix it ASAP. As another poster said, you really need to be putting in 2 hrs minimum for every 1 hour spent in lecture. See if your school offers some type of "supplemental instruction" or tutoring center. Talk to your professors. In other words, get with the program now, while you have a low amount of credit hours, so you can raise your GPA high enough to get into nursing school when the time comes. I don't know if you will make a good candidate for nursing or not... But if you work your butt off to change things now, it could happen. Good luck!

sailornurse · Jun 21, 2012

Do you even know what type of learner you are? Find out by going to the advisor and asking to be tested. Are you a visual or auditory or hands on learner or a combination? Do you read BEFORE you go to class? Do you take notes in outline form or are you trying to write down evey word the teacher says? Do you highlite the text book? Are you waiting until the night before the test to study? Do you re write your notes? Are you in a study group??? I don't know about that philosophy grade, did you have to write a term paper? Go ask for help, run.

patriece1991 · Jun 21, 2012

Honestly...I know people in my program who had excellent GPA's before nursing school and are either struggling or even lucky to be passing in the program. You must get a 75 to pass in my program. Below 75 is a D and you fail. You can only fail 2x and you are out for good. But really, I do not think you would get accepted with these grades. Not only are the grades bad and your GPA very low, but the fact that all of your grades are so low, or classes are having to be repeated does not show much dedication or hard work on your part, to the nursing faculty.

However, if you repeat these classes and do better...the new grades may override your old grades. If you really want to be a nurse...you need to dedicate more to your school work because the nursing program is 100x's harder than any gen ed you could ever take! It takes your complete dedication! So I would say...start over. Use advice of other posters (decide how you study and learn best)... Raise your grades! Really dedicate yourself, and apply! Good Luck!!

timmedico · Jun 21, 2012

I'm not sure if retaking the courses will replace the current grades...but if applicable do that. Nursing schools everywhere are very competitive; not only that, you'll need skills learned in math (You'll need history and philosophy to graduate from either the RN or BSN or both). If you retake the classes, hopefully your grades will improve, thus raising your GPA.

Trying your best each semester is a great idea! If you can push yourself to the max to get that A, spend more time studying and less socializing/etc, set and strive for your goals, then I'd say go for it. College itself is kinda like an academic boot camp for "Marines"...weeding out those who either can be successful without a college degree or those who just don't care; and then there is nursing, which would probably be training to become a Green Beret...only for those who are fully devoted to nursing and the studies related.

Find the minimum GPA needed to apply to a program. Set your "GPA goal" at 4.0. I know 4.0 seems impossible, but when you strive for the best your results will show it (meaning you'll have a GPA of something in the 3-4 range). Remember, the program is extremely competitive, so you have to get the grades that'll make you stand out. :) Also, becoming a CNA or attaining other certifications will help you (either during nursing school or giving you points on your application).

If you really want to become a nurse, go for it! Don't give up, do your very best and hopefully you'll make it in! :)

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2012

You have got to pull your grades up and change your study habits. I had two C's and I got into nursing school, but I am definitely the exception and not the rule. Nursing programs (for the most part) are incredibly competitive and difficult to get into and then once in you need at least a C to pass all classes and stay in the program. At my school our Nursing GPA is adjusted. 100-92 A 91-85 B 84-77 C all other grades below 77 are considered failing. It's not like these classes are easy either, I've had to study more than I've ever studied in my life. Know the reality of nursing school and speak to an advisor.

jval · Jun 21, 2012

At my school you need a 3.0 overall GPA and a prereq GPA of 3.5. Although a 3.5 gets you eligable the program is so comepetitive that no B's in any prereq courses are accepted. People retake courses they got B's in just for that A.

Like the other poster said, be aware if you are only able to retake a certain amount of times.

I'm also in California.

If you don't solve your problem, your transcript won't be competitive enough. Also, learn more about the nursing programs around you at junior colleges. The junior college in my town is based on a lottery, so transcripts are not important as long as the prereqs are met.

Stephalump · Jun 21, 2012

Well, to answer your question, you aren't doing too hot. You're definitely improving (from Fs to Cs, but that trend has to keep on going up, but your classes are only going to get harder.

A And you need to turn around quickly. The other posters are right - you're early in the game, so you have a chance to somewhat recover your gpa. The more you fill it with Cs and Ds, the harder it's going to be.

My suggestion is to forget about nursing school. Not entirely, but as your focus. Your focus needs to be each individual class. Learning, studying, tutoring if you need it, and basically just being a great student. If you get that down, you'll have a shot at nursing school, and a shot at STAYING in nursing school, which is equally as important. Work on getting those As to pull you over the minimum gpa requirement schools have.

CDEWannaBe · Jun 21, 2012

Are you sure you're up to a nursing degree right now? You have to understand Algebra, to take Chemistry, and then Physiology.

Doing well in school doesn't just require intelligence and tuition money, you have to put in the work, show up for every class, and fight through the difficult parts until you understand them. You will have to do that if you expect to get into nursing school and be successful as a nurse. Frankly, I don't want a nurse or doctor who barely passed his or her classes.

When I got my first degree (20 years ago) I wasn't mature or disciplined enough to be a good student. Make sure that you really are ready to take on the challenge of becoming a nurse. If you decide you are, then take it seriously and use EVERY resource available to help you succeed.

leenak · Jun 21, 2012

I agree that you might not be ready.

You have some challenges and everyone is different but you have to figure out why you are getting such poor grades. Do you not understand the material? Are you not devoting enough time to your classes? Do you need to go to lower level classes?

You might need a tutor, a course in studying tips, remedial math/writing/etc classes.

When I first went to college, I'd say I wasn't a good student, I was a B- student. Many years later, I've a solid A student. It really took a different mind frame for me to get from there to here though. If you can't pull up your grades to the B range (and potentially A range), then you might have to look at other options.