should i just give up?

allnurses Guide · Jan 6, 2008

i am a 17 year old junior in high school. my dream is to become a nurse, but now i think that will be impossible for me. i do horrible in school. i am failing algebra 2, chemistry, and french. no college will accept me with horrible grades like that. Should i just give up on being a nurse?

Are you kidding????? Hon, I graduated high school with a LOW "C" average! I did terrible in chemistry and algebra 2.... I did great in French though. I'm sure there's a class that you are great in too!

I think... that you may have a little growing up to do. You have lots of time! Enjoy high school! Do the best you can! If you want to be a nurse, it will happen! You don't have to go to Harvard to become a nurse. Like I said, I had a very low GPA out of high school and I got accepted to a good state school in my home state. Plenty of state schools and community colleges have good nursing programs.

Good luck!! You'll be fine!

zaggar · Jan 7, 2008

i do horrible in school. i am failing algebra 2, chemistry, and french. no college will accept me with horrible grades like that.

Probably within your town are at least 2 or 3 colleges that exist so you can achieve your goals. They are called community colleges and technical schools, and they are there to show you that you can do anything you want. It's their whole purpose in life. They will accept you.

They are your stepping stone to getting a great job.

ASSEDO · Jan 7, 2008

nursing school is very tough and being a nurse you will use math daily. if you can afford it, go to sylvain learning center or get someone to tutor you to get your grades up to well above average. some programs will not accept below a 3.2 gpa.

you will need to be proficient in math, chemistry, and english to obtain entrance in a nursing program.

good luck

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 7, 2008

There is not a whole lot you should give up on at 17 years old!

You've been getting some excellent advice here. Take it!

Get yourself together and figure out why you're doing so poorly in school right now, and work on whatever those problems are.

Then, look at the technical school and/or community college route. Most of them do take everybody and then work with them to get them where they need to be.

I also agree with the poster who said you don't need to be in a big university right now, anyway, even if they'd accept you; you aren't ready for that.

But no, definitely don't give up!!

panamabrt · Jan 7, 2008

I barely graduated from high school and barely got through respiratory school. Yet the older I got the easier it got. Also, High school is not like college.

Math was my downfall.....Here is what I did at the age of 34 to graduate from nursing school...

After putting off algebra for so many years with the two degrees and my RN graduating year coming up, I took a year off of school(yes at the age of 34), tested out at sylvan learning center at a 6th grade math level (right on target) began sylvan and hired two tutors until the next semester of algebra and used them through the semester and passed with an 'A'. It cost me a couple gran but to me, if you want an education, where there is a will there is a way....even if it meant I graduated a year later and was broke off my butt...I did it...now...I dont use it.

Buck up lil' soldier :innerconfthe nurse angels are on your side...me included! Follow your dream....Let us know how you are doing...:)

whipping girl in 07, RN · Jan 7, 2008

Don't give up, and don't assume that what you want to do at 17 is what you'll want to do for the rest of your life. I wanted to be an English teacher when I was in high school and I changed majors several times in college before I settled on nursing. I began as an ICU nurse and now I do something that I never thought I would. One of my husband's friends from high school barely graduated and now he's a doctor. My husband graduated third in his class and was voted most likely to succeed and he's a motorcycle mechanic. But he is successful, because he's happy and married to me, but we're far from rich!:cheers:

sailornurse · Jan 7, 2008

NO do not give up. I have read the posts and many have given you great advice.

High school does not define you.

(I went to my 20th HS reunion, was very disappointed in that the most likely to succeed had not accomplished much but was very pleased to find that the quiet, easy going, making our own paths people had been successful in our own ways.)

In HS I did get good grades but really did not have any study skills or time management. With time & as you mature you will develop these skills, the evidence is there since you are already seeking help from people in the profession.

You probably know that there are different degrees for nursing, LPN, Associate Degree (2 year), Bachelor (4 year). Start with looking at nursing programs in your state and start inquiring. The community colleges offer remedial math & English programs. Go talk to your HS guidance counselor. Can you take a math class in the summer?

I got into an LPN program straight out of hs, I was pretty ignorant of what nurses did but I had my dream. I am now teaching nursing at the same place I got my ADN.

PM me if you have more questions.

Good luck, Stay Focused!

nursedee63 · Jan 7, 2008

Never give up on your dreams. Try getting a tutor for the classes you need help in or find someone in your class that does well and ask them to help you study. Sometimes it's just a matter of knowing how and what to study. I always seemed to study all the stuff that wasn't on the test. You may even want to ask your teachers if they have any suggestions for you to prepare more effectively since they know what will be on the tests. Good luck kid and don't give up!