Pre-Nursing Courses, ABSN, and GPA

[corinth13]

I'm 20 years old and I live in the Portland metro area. I'm currently attending PSU; I just finished two years of courses; mainly gen ed stuff. Last summer I had an internship up at OHSU; best experience I've ever had in my life. I fell in love with the place. But I also have a love for teaching and working with kids as well as healthcare; I watch Discovery Health for fun. So I feel as if I am at a complete cross road. Teaching is SO dismal in this state; I'm scared to dole out $50,000 in loans to not be able to get a job to pay my $500 loan payments. I am getting my CNA 1 license this summer through PCC and am very eager to start; I've began studying already. But I have a few questions.

1. GPA: During my first year and a half of college I was trying to figure out my own personal health issues. Basically I had an undiagnosed vestibular disorder and lived with migraines/ dizziness 24/7 since I was 16. Now I'm doing better health wise. But, my grades are not the best; right now I have an undergrad GPA of a 3.16. I have taken A&P 1 and Chem 104; both were jokes. I feel like a complete idiot. I did incredibly well in science at the high school level and now; it's like what is wrong with me?! I do not know what you guys would recommend for that. The two C's I recieved were in the two science courses. Are PCC's courses better; like are the classes smaller, the professors more available/ helpful, etc?

2. ABSN: I plan on getting my BS from PSU still; my family wants me to finish and I really want to finish up. They have a degree in Health Sciences and it would allow me to take pre reqs for nursing as well as get a BS from PSU. What is known about ABSN programs locally? What do they require? I've looked at UofP, Linfield, OHSU, and Walla Walla.

3. Pre-Req Courses: How do you guys maintain a high GPA while managing to stay sane and work? I'm looking at taking Cell Bio at PCC this summer and since it's been 7 years since I've done Algebra; a remedial class. Are remedials normal? Is taking 2 classes normal?

Sorry for all these questions; I'm just looking for answers and maybe some hope. Are my chances still good? I'm a really determined person, I love learning, I love school, and I hope I can get some answers! :)

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Sounds like you should repost some of the Portland-area-specific stuff in the Oregon Nursing Programs forum under the "Region" tab at the top of the page.

[Justanotherday]

Yes, I would say needing to take Algebra is *very* normal! Both my kids who graduated high school and started community college needed to retake Algebra because it had been two years since they had done any math. The remedial classes there fill up before the college level ones do. I just took Algebra this past spring semester and I feel like I understand it now better than when I was in high school.

[corinth13]

Thank you both for the suggestions! :) Does anybody know if I can copy and paste this to the Oregon board?