Low GPA and older student with passion for nursing. Please help!

Students Pre-Nursing

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Specializes in Pediatric Home Care, Dr Office/Clinic.

I feel the same. You are not alone! I'm 45 & will be 49 when I finish RN school (I still have about 1 year of prereqs left & then 2 1/2 years of RN school) but truthfully I think it's all in our heads, you're never to old to follow your dreams & passions. I remind myself of that everytime I start feeling discouraged & "old". You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to if you want it bad enough! We can cheer each other on! Just take a deep breath & go for it! Take things one day at a time & one exam at a time & before you know it you'll be an RN! ������ Good luck!

PS Definitely try & go for BSN. Alot of hospitals are switching over to requiring new nurses to have a BSN over an ADN.

Hello to the other aspiring nurses- and of course, the actual nurses!

CaliStudent and Ibeck, you are an inspiration to me! You let me know that I'm not alone and quiet that little voice that says,"This is ridiculous- you're too old now, you'll never make it!" If you start to get down- check this out ☺! I'm turning 48 this month and am studying to get my HiSet ������. I was a terrible teenager, refused to go to school in 8th grade. I was even enrolled in private school, but although it was a great place for motivated students, it did not have mandatory classes. Therefore, I spent my time in the smoking room until I was old enough to drop out. Fortunately I had my 1st child when I was 24 and getting pregnant turned my life around. Baby #2 at 28- fast forward to now. Babies grown, have the luxury of only working about 20 hrs a week- it's now or never.

Obviously I'm not at the prereq stage but am watching from the sidelines (while studying lol) and hoping your journeys lead to a great nursing career!

Specializes in Perioperative / RN Circulator.

I went back to school last year at 49 to get my prerequisites. I, too have a BA from 25 years ago with a GPA under 2.5 It's frustrating when some schools won't even look at you because of decades old grades; but then my very old ACT score and new grades got me an acceptance and I'm starting my ADN program this fall!

I was also accepted to an LPN program. You can get an employable credential quicker - though job options are more limited and pay is typically lower - and do an accelerated LPN-RN bridge later. It seems that LPN-RN programs will look at other things like work history and recommendations rather than just GPA / test scores.

Honey I am in Nursing school at 56 years old! If I can do it you can too! You young people who say you are "too old" is making me feel ancient!!

lbeck0614

14 Posts

I don't feel old at all actually! I am a late bloomer for sure, and I have been through hell and back to finally be able to start a life at 39. Thank you for all tje wonderful inspirational advice everyone! Giving up is NOT in my DNA.

miss_mia

4 Posts

I am currently finishing my first semester of city college and a bit nervous when looking at my GPA and grades overall. I am not a slacker by any means, but can become discouraged easily and tend to doubt myself. I am pretty much average when it comes to my grades meaning some B's and a few C's here and there. My biggest problem is I don't test well. Testing makes me nervous to the point I cant concentrate and Jinks myself. I'm passionate about the medical field and already have done a program through the school with internship, and my current job which is at a nursing home as well. I don't want to give up on this goal of mine and need some encouragement and a few questions answered. Will nursing schools turn me down for C's? and Is there any nurses out their that had the same problem as me when they where a student?

Specializes in Perioperative / RN Circulator.

It's going to depend on the nursing programs you apply to you, how many C's, and what class or classes you get them in. I got in with one C on a nursing pre-req - in A&P II. I'm kicking myself for not doing better, but it was good enough.

lbeck0614

14 Posts

I'm sure PLENTY of nursing students were not straight A students going in. Where there is a will, there is a way! Don't let people's negative opinions deter your passion for nursing.

I wish you the best. Things have not ever been easy for me either and they continue to be really hard.my advice for Nursing school: if you want to succeed, don't work- or work very little. Nursing school is a full time job in itself. Good luck to you!í ½í¸‰

guest517

92 Posts

I admire your passion and determination! If I were you, I'd go the ADN Route at a community college. Speak with a counselor at the college so they can outline the road you'll have to take before applying for the program.. It'll be much cheaper and you can always transition into getting a BSN down the line after earning an ADN and becoming an RN if advancement is a priority for you! Your age is fine, you'll notice the large variety in ages if you do get accepted into nursing. Its very common for people to go back and get another degree if they want a new career path, especially in nursing since its really n demand right now.

Good Luck

Specializes in Critical Care.

Hi lbeck0614,

GO FOR IT! I have a friend who is an Anesthesiologist. When he first went to college (right out of High School), as he puts it, after his second semester, he was "politely asked to leave" (he was kicked out). He joined the army, stayed in for 20 years, and then went back to school as a Biochemistry major at about age 40 and got good grades. Despite his early abysmal academic record and his age, in his mid 40's he was able to get into Medical School and then get into one of the most competitive Residencies (Anesthesiology), and the rest is history.

My suggestions:

Take only one prerequisite science course the first semester back in school - you need to get acclimated gradually to being back in school and studying hard, as these are hard classes. You need to ROCK these classes. Get all A's (a B or two would be acceptable, but all A's will make a statement). Then after the first semester try to sign up for two courses, and then three by the third semester back IF you don't have to work too many hours per week. The reason you should eventually take two or three courses per semester is you want to show the acceptance committee(s) you can handle a full academic course load. Just start out easy and build on that foundation.

Also, do your research and find schools that are easier to get into. They exist. I think you'll find that certain Associates Degree programs are not as competitive as the BSN programs. And once you get your ADN you are an RN, and you will find many ADN to BSN programs that you are automatically qualified for if you want to continue to the BSN (and maybe beyond to the Graduate level).

If you can find an Associates Degree Nursing program in your area, do your prereqs there and you might have the opportunity to take classes with professors who are also decision makers for the school's Nursing Program.

You can do this.

lbeck0614

14 Posts

Thanks! Like I said, I only have one prerequisite left to take. I know it's a difficult class, but I already have a 4 year Science degree, so I think I've got this too!

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