I want to become Male nurse but am under qualified

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Mar 10, 2011

I think community college could be a good way to "fresh up" your grades, like you said. Also there's don't dismiss non-accelerated programs or ADN programs out of hand without looking into them more first.

Also you could look into become an LPN/LVN and then bridging over to RN later. There are just so many options, keep researching.

Malefocker, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2011

first of all don't give up before you even start!!!! Second of all for most schools I have seen (I am in california) there is a recency requirement for your science pre-reqs usually 5 years! So most likely you will have to re-take your sciences... if this is the case kick some butt on those science classes and try to get a job as a CNA or do something where you are working in a hospital so you can make sure that nursing is really what you want to do. There are a lot of people that get into nursing and realize that it is really nothing like they envisioned nursing to be. Look for programs that give you an advantage.. for example I work a full time job and was unable to gain much hospital experience while taking my science pre-reqs so when it came time to apply to a nursing school I applied to schools that were mostly GPA based because that is where I was a strong applicant... I got in and will be starting an entry level masters program in the fall. It took me 3 years of taking pre-reqs... Your thread spoke to me because I am also a male and my undergraduate GPA was horrible... but my school didn't even look at it.... I have gotten a 3.86 GPA since taking the general pre-reqs... anatomy, physiology, micro, chem, lifespan development, sociology, speech... every school is different so figure out what schools are best for you and apply!!! Good luck. See you in the profession!

P.S. If you are willing to relocate to california I definitely give you a run down of all the schools in southern california around orange county... I have been doing research on them for 3 years! :)

LPNweezy · Mar 10, 2011

i give sympathy for your situation, but i have to point out that its against this websites policy to have the word "nurse, LPN, RN, etc" in your user name without being qualified. you have to work hard to earn that title, and i'm sure you will one day be there- we all were a pre-student-nurse once, and it seems impossible, but you can do it. believe in yourself. just don't give up! go to a community college and take one class at a time, or- do what i did, and go to a trade school and get your LPN/LVN! :)

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2011

I became a female nurse recently I had bad grades with my first degree, so worked hard on my prerequisites at a community college, and got in to an accelerated nursing program. Some schools will hold your old grades against you but many will look more closely at the new grades. Your situation is far from unique, so use your checkered academic past to motivate you to kick butt in the prereqs.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2011

I became a female nurse recently I had bad grades with my first degree, so worked hard on my prerequisites at a community college, and got in to an accelerated nursing program. Some schools will hold your old grades against you but many will look more closely at the new grades. Your situation is far from unique, so use your checkered academic past to motivate you to kick butt in the prereqs.

LOL. Thank you for so smoothly pointing it out (female/male nurse thing).

I read the tilte like............"I want to be a male nurse"...............................OK. Then.................."but am under qualified"...............eeehhhh, what's missing then? lmao I sit here looking at the screen thinking "Sex change and career change at the same time would be difficult but w/e floats your boat".

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2011

LOL. Thank you for so smoothly pointing it out (female/male nurse thing).
I read the tilte like............"I want to be a male nurse"...............................OK. Then.................."but am under qualified"...............eeehhhh, what's missing then? lmao I sit here looking at the screen thinking "Sex change and career change at the same time would be difficult but w/e floats your boat".

LOL my first thought was "...but you're not a male?" too!

Mrs. Sparkle Pants · Mar 10, 2011

Retake the classes. Take more science classes than you need to, and boost your GPA. Oh, and look into becoming a nurse, becoming a male nurse is way overrated.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2011

Retake the classes. Take more science classes than you need to, and boost your GPA. Oh, and look into becoming a nurse, becoming a male nurse is way overrated.

I hate to point out, if you have a passing grade already in one course, you can not simply "retake" it without special permission. If they know you are doing so simply to "boost the GPA", they will refuse you.

ticklemenita · Mar 10, 2011

I like this website allnursingschools.com I was able to find a school for my cousin in a different state. She had a similar situation. I would also consider community college for your Associate Degree in Nursing, not simply to freshen up. We all take the same NCLEX. Knowing what your grades were like before why would you want to do an accelerated program? In most nursing schools grading is different and on a higher standard for example in my school A=92 B=85 C=77.5 and less than that you fail. I would go for a full length program it is worth it and a big adjustment. Good Luck!

LegzRN · Mar 10, 2011

Dude... we're trying to lose the whole "male nurse" stigma.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2011

Dude, you can take all the prereqs online through a number of community colleges at like 50 bucks per credit hour. Cheap and easy.