Mental Health & Nursing School

[MJ 0990]

I'm currently researching nursing schools to apply to. I graduated with my Bachelor degree in Communications but with a 2.51.

I'm aware of the difficulties with a 2.5 GPA, etc.

While getting my Bachelor Degree my father was dying with terminal cancer, so I cared for him. He was just more important than school.

My Associate Degree transcript looks horrible. I withdrew from multiple semesters entirely, but I always went back the next one and did graduate.

At that time I was struggling with Bipolar Disorder at 18-20, I was diagnosed young, but came out on the other side at 27 now. When it comes to nursing I feel as if it is an advantage. I cope, communicate, and am more self-aware than many as a result.

I feel like I want to put it in an essay with my applications but fear that it will automatically disqualify me as a liability.

Does anyone know anything about this?

[Sour Lemon]

How the subject matter is received will depend entirely on who's reading it. I don't think I would risk it.

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

Have you considered exploring this from a different angle, like focusing on what challenges in life have taught you? This can be done without defining the challenges themselves.

I'm one who did horrible my first go round with college (like flunked out!). Fast forward 25 years and graduated with honors for my RN to BSN.

II try (not always successfully!) to focus on where I am today but my life's experiences are interwoven into who I have become. One of my favorite lines from the movie Steel Magnolias - "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"!

Good luck! Nursing school and nursing aren't easy by any means but they are so worth it!