Need Some Advice!

[Blueorchid, ASN, RN]

Help!

Alright, I've posted a few times on this site before but here it is, down to the final crunch time. Honestly, at the moment I'm just looking for support.

I decided I wanted to be a nurse coming out of a very low point in my life. My freshman year I did the silly new student thing and ended up getting below a 2.0 GPA. And being an excellent high school student, when it finally hit me that I'd made such a huge mistake, I fell into clinical depression. That coupled with a one semester academic suspension at the end of my freshman year ( I was allowed to come back the semester afterwards and chose not to) has been a gigantic weight on my shoulders for the longest time.

The truth is, I've made huge gains since then. Once I got out of said depression, started getting help and taking the right medication, my grades bounced right back to what they used to be. I haven't gotten below a B since the Spring of 2007. My semesters of bad grades now equal my semesters of good grades and I've brought my cumulative GPA up to a 3.1. I haven't taken medication for depression for almost a year now (its remitted). I graduated from community college while taking my prerequisites once I decided I wanted to be a nurse with a 3.625...with honors at that.

I've worked at a nursing home for a half a year and a physical therapy clinic going on a year now (both places as a physical therapy tech- though I have done a few simple CNA tasks). In both places I've received comments that I'd make an excellent nurse. I'm getting EMT-B certified this fall while I wait for nursing school. I feel that I have so much going for me now and with a school set in mind I have high hopes for getting accepted...I want to go there so badly. Yet the fact of the matter is, having crashed down so far in my freshman year I'm still scared to apply. The deadline for the application is September 1st and I'll get all my paperwork in if it kills me.

I have the letters of recommendation and the transcripts, I've taken the necessary test and passed (though I can do better and plan to retake it) yet I can't help but feel there is this large road block I have to overcome to get things done.

Has anyone else ever bounced back from a low GPA to become a nurse? I'd really love some advice right now and things that helped people keep going and trying at it. To be honest, I really don't want to hear stories about students who feel they're in the same boat as me with 3.5 and higher GPAs- you guys are the ones I respect and its a slightly different situation, please respect my wishes for that. Any other help would be welcome.

Thanks

Blueorchid

[pharmgirl]

Blue.......it sounds like you've done a great job of getting yourself together. I, too, had a terrible transciprt from my first time attempt at college, albeit, it was several years ago. Everyone makes mistakes and/or has personal issues of one sort or another. You can do this, look at the strides you have already made!!

My suggestion, when you apply, in the little essay portion of your application, explain that you have "re-examined and learned the value of an education" or "have matured". Something to the effect that you are starting fresh and want to be deemed appropriately. The past is the past, let it go and make sure the Board of Acceptance knows also without going into a world of detail and "woo is me's".

Congratulations on your progress and go apply!!! The only thing that could happen is they say "not right now" and if that is the case, you keep trying until they say "yep, let's do it". You have incredible motivation to have come this far.........dont let anything stand in your way now. Good Luck, you'll be in my thoughts.