I'm working on my pre-reqs for Nursing

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Does anyone else get a little discouraged when half the students in your class are working on prereqs for nursing? Summer classes started and mine are all online, so it's largely discussion board based and you have to post your little biographies etc the first week.

I don't know why it seems a little discouraging. Maybe because I know it's that many more applying for the programs, so it's that much more competative. Maybe it's out of fear for future job prospects. Maybe it's completely narcassistic. I don't know.

When I started taking college classes before I decided on what to do, I never heard anyone say nursing when we went to class that first day and talked about our plans and interests. Three years later (I haven't been attending straight through) it's literally half of the other students in each class.

It's okay though. I'll keep on doing what I'm doing and not worry about it in general. I just noticed this morning, and wanted to see if that's how it is in everyone else's classes lately?

I just signed into AllNurses JUST so I could post this exact same message! And you said it better than I would have! I just decided to go back to school for nursing a few months ago (after already getting a bachelor's in something else)... and the first FOUR people I met at my first class yesterday were there to do prereqs for nursing!! This one chick was all "Yeah, I already finished my A&P, Biology, and got A's in all of them..." And now, this is my first prerequisite, so I'm not there yet, and I'm already freaked! I've always been an A student, but I didn't think I'd be competing against so many other people, just for a spot in a nursing program! What do people do when they don't get into a program? I don't want to stay at the community college forever.... Surely some of these people aren't as serious about nursing as I am.... right:eek:? I feel like a lot of people are flooding the schools because they just want a good paying job. I already have a good job, but I feel called to the field of nursing, like it finally *clicked* in my brain and I know that's what I need to do. That's gotta count for something!

Specializes in Alzheimers and geriatric patients.

EVERYONE at my school is going into nursing. I guess now that the economy is failing they think it'll be the most secure job, but what about the people who really want to be nurses to help people? It is very frustrating, especially when they try to play the "lets compare my wonderful grades to yours" game. It can really bring you down if you dont think you are on the same level as they are. A girl in my english class last semester found out who in the class was a nursing major and throughout the semester she actually went to each of us and bragged about her 3.4 GPA and her 21 on the ACT, and how she had already taken all these science courses and got A's in all of them. I just wanted to hit her. It was like she was letting us all know that she was definatley getting a spot and we were all losers!

I've learned just to block those people out. If you spend your time worring about what they are doing it'll distract you from your studies.

PS- not to sound like a hateful B**** but i saw that girl who was always bragging on campus the other day. And guess whose big mouth didn't get into the nursing program! I mean, i try to be civil but lord she was annoying!

Best of luck to everyone trying to get in to nursing!

Yeah! Go Mimi and Krystin! It's like I want to say "good luck to everyone (but not if you're applying to the same schools I am!)"... which is a bad attitude to have... But yeah, it irritates me like none other when people say things about how they want to be a nurse so their job is "secure," or "pays well." I will be praying that the people we end up working with are nurses because they truly want to help and care for people... one can only hope.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

My Organic Chem class was pretty much 85% nursing majors. Its a little disappointing I agree, but you can tell the ones who will make it and the ones who are only there because it "pays well." It is just so much work and so much stress just to get to the point of being admitted to a school that I think most will have dropped out by that point. It takes a strong, determined person to be a nursing major.

Whew. I'm glad it's not just me. Now I don't feel quite like such a jerk. I guess the other pre-req'ers in my classes probably feel the same way I do too.

Lucky for me I'm stubborn when I know something is right, and I've never been so sure of anything since my marriage which, I'm happy to report, is still the best decision I've ever made.

I guess I am in the minority. I was actually hoping to have some nursing majors in my classes. I am looking forward to possibly getting to build a friendship with others who are in my shoes and build more support through out my "journey" toward becoming a nurse. I never really thought of the competition factor of it all because I figured I am the only one who can control what I do to make myself a good competitor for getting into the program. For me, the more support I have the better. The classes themselves will weed out most of the ones who won't make it as a nurse and those that really aren't in it for "all the right reasons" might eventually change their minds and move on to something else.

Who knows, maybe I will change my mind as I get closer to my goal, but for now, I really hope I have others who are in my shoes while I am going through this journey.

Specializes in Radiation Oncology.

I agree with ya'll too! My pet peeve is these classmates I am taking my pre-reqs with....some are scary!! I see these people who show up to class 20-30 minutes late everyday, can't keep up in class, text in class, and barely squeek by and I wonder what the heck they are thinking?? Or the best yet...."I can't wait till I get my RN so I can make the big bucks." hahaahahaha! Or the ones that complain that they don't have enough time to study and blah blah, while they are still living at home with mom and dad and not working at all!! I have to bite my tongue everyday.

Kyla, just wanted to reply to you really quick - I know what you mean - I think we were more freaked out by how MANY people in our classes are going into nursing. The first girl I was talking to, who said she was doing nursing - I thought, awesome! somebody in class who's doing what I am... and then I met another... and another... and another! Then they started talking about their reasons for going into nursing (one girl was like - "I'm just trying to get out of my current job!"), and bragging about their grades.... it was just too much. I too wish I could have a group of ladies (or guys!) in class to have something in common with when it comes to nursing, but when it comes down to it, a lot of people just aren't going to be that nice and supportive about it. I think that's what got me scared.

i did the same thing when i took micro. last summer. there was one straight a student who was going into the vet. program and i remember thinking whew! another straight a student was going for her bsn and although i studied with them i still remember thinking ok good less competition. sad i know, but the nursing is def. competitive so it's normal to think that way. well i did end up with an a in micro and getting a spot for the nursing program for fall 09!

I guess I am in the minority. I was actually hoping to have some nursing majors in my classes. I am looking forward to possibly getting to build a friendship with others who are in my shoes and build more support through out my "journey" toward becoming a nurse. I never really thought of the competition factor of it all because I figured I am the only one who can control what I do to make myself a good competitor for getting into the program. For me, the more support I have the better. The classes themselves will weed out most of the ones who won't make it as a nurse and those that really aren't in it for "all the right reasons" might eventually change their minds and move on to something else.

Who knows, maybe I will change my mind as I get closer to my goal, but for now, I really hope I have others who are in my shoes while I am going through this journey.

I agree w/ your post. I usually get the phone numbers of other nursing students to see how they are progressing and for additional support. It's really sad that so many ppl feel insecure that others are going into nursing. For whatever reason they are choosing the nursing field it's their business.

Kyla, just wanted to reply to you really quick - I know what you mean - I think we were more freaked out by how MANY people in our classes are going into nursing. The first girl I was talking to, who said she was doing nursing - I thought, awesome! somebody in class who's doing what I am... and then I met another... and another... and another! Then they started talking about their reasons for going into nursing (one girl was like - "I'm just trying to get out of my current job!"), and bragging about their grades.... it was just too much. I too wish I could have a group of ladies (or guys!) in class to have something in common with when it comes to nursing, but when it comes down to it, a lot of people just aren't going to be that nice and supportive about it. I think that's what got me scared.

I suppose it can seem a bit overwhelming when you look at the sheer numbers of people who are working toward the program, and you are probably right, there will be many people along with way that are not going to be supportive about it. I guess the best we can do is just not let it get to us and know we are doing the best we possibly can to get where we need to go. Seek out the ones who are serious (and not annoying :p) and surround ourselves with all the support we can get.

No one said this was going to be easy. :)

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