I am seriously looking at nursing. I have a long good/bad history with schooling

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Hello All,

My name is Phil and I've been researching for the past several days on nursing programs and what it takes to succeed. I found this site and I've been reading through the forums. What a wonderful group of people, thanks for sharing your stories.

This is my situation. I'm 28 years old. When I was young my father pushed me very hard to excel in school and by the 8th grade I knew calculus. I got mostly A's and some B's in high school and competed in national math contests. Then unfortunately my dad died when I was 16. I became depressed and I got my first F in 12th grade. I later go to Drexel University and got kicked out sophmore year. I started to carry baggage around and hated school. I began to avoid schooling/books and studying hard. I avoided any challenging programs. I go to 2 other schools with varying grades and never graduated.

However, I had a revelation recently and letting go of the baggage. What I realize now is that I actually love school and the baggage I carried prevented me from doing my best. I know if I did my best and did what it took to get into nursing school and succeeded, I'd be TREMENDOUSLY fulfilled. I'd be so proud of myself and restore some lost self-respect.

So, back to reality, this is my situation:

In these transcripts are varying grades. But for the most part very horrible.

Drexel U 2000-2002 2.5 gpa

Community College off and on 1998-2007 3.0

West Chester U 2005-2006 3.1 gpa

All this time carrying this baggage around I barely tried in school and the kid who excelled in high school went on vacation. But now he's back.

So now i have a lot to prove to myself and the nursing schools that I got what it takes.

So what should be my plan to get in?

Right now my immediate plan is to re-enroll into Community college and study my butt off. Show myself and the schools a really high gpa and that I can do the program because that is what I know in my heart. I just have to apply myself 110%.

I know that I can excel in ANY program, if I give my heart, pour my soul, and give my all. Any words of wisdom that can point me in the right direction from the great people on this forum would be appreciated.

-Phil

Who's been through a lot despite not being on Earth for that long.

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I'm kinda in the same boat. I already have an associate's degree in education and had planned to go to art school but my current financial situation holds me back from that. I decided to go to nursing school in a community college to get a career with a good income. Granted, I knew it was a lot of work and nothing like the art field, I knew I could take it on because I felt that I have enough brainpower. My previous GPA's never fell below a 3.2. I'm currently in Anatomy and Physiology and Chemistry for Nurses. Chem is a cakewalk since I took chemistry in high school however, Anatomy has been one giant struggle for me. I work 40 hours a week and I try to keep up with all the memorization needed for anatomy. I brought my 75 up to an 81 last week but my last exam probably brought me back down. It's nothing like drawing and painting all day everyday but I have found myself to love the challenge of pre-nursing.

I'm just rambling now but my point is, I think if anyone put their utmost effort into anything, they will succeed. I am working my ass off to do well in school but I know it's not enough and that I can do better.

I feel that nursing or any medical occupation will always be in demand and nothing can go wrong by getting educated. If you feel compelled to go to nursing school, I say go for it!

Good luck to you.

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Have you earned any academic degree yet?

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No but at the community college I have an associates degree in arts and sciences. Also went to a trade school in 2010 and now I'm a licensed massage therapist.

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ThePhilster...academic forgiveness is your best friend. At my school, I was able to retake a few classes that go towards the prereqs in the nursing program. Also, you might find out about a semester reprieve. This will allow you to basically erase up to 2 semesters that you obtained a 2.0 or lower for that semester (this is available at my school). You need to call an academic advisor and ask about options. Yes, now you have to work like crazy to make good grades in your remaining classes. Good luck to you! Hope you get itnall figured out!

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I took all my pre requirements for the Nursing programs . The problem is I droped so many times and I took again. And now this is affecting me. What should I do please help me.

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Muniz, I would have a meeting with an academic advisor. I was able to do academic forgiveness and a semester reprieve which helped my GPA a ton! My first time in college I didn't take too seriously. I would find out what your options are. Good luck to you. I hope you can get it figured out.

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Your GPA isn't really that bad. I wouldn't even consider academic forgiveness, I'd just do your best and try to get As in all pre-reqs. I think you have a fighting chance.

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What type of program are you interested in? Associates? Diploma? Traditional BSN? I asked about the degree earning...no BA/BS means no accelerated BSN programs. I think the allnursing folks gave you excellent advice. Determine where you would like to go to school and then call the schools to see if they will work with you (and your long academic history).

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Thank you Angsturd,.should I go to acadmic advisor at my school or should I go at school that I want to apply?. All my sciens classes Anatomy and Microbioly I droped 2 times.

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Muniz, go to the school you are currently taking classes. I talked to the head registrar and she helped me so much. Maybe even talking with an advisor...either one can direct you. The forgiveness and the reprieve helped me pull my gpa from a 2.69 to a 3.2. I worked very hard, retook 2 classes and made A's in my last 3 classes I needed. I was hard work but well worth it!!

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What type of program are you interested in? Associates? Diploma? Traditional BSN? I asked about the degree earning...no BA/BS means no accelerated BSN programs. I think the allnursing folks gave you excellent advice. Determine where you would like to go to school and then call the schools to see if they will work with you (and your long academic history).

(I hate to muddy the waters further (sorting out all the options in nursing education is hard enough already :)), but there have been a few people who have posted here in the past that they got into an accelerated BSN program with most of a BA/BS in something else completed, but without an actual degree -- so, apparently, there are are at least a few programs out there that may be willing accept people under those circumstances. Certainly couldn't hurt to ask ...)

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