Needing some encouragement?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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So, basically I went to a state college my first year in college. Then I bumped around and never took it seriously. Because of this one developmental class I never finished I got on academic probation for a year. So I transferred to a community college (which has been a great idea). The way they take applicants is through the lottery system but they are still competitive. Well when I started I took four classes during the semester I suffered with depression. So I quit showing up it effected my gpa. When I retook the classes I took only one or two per semester. But in my English 101 class I received a c and my basic anatomy and physiology. Which isn't exactly a&p it's just a preview class. And my psychology class I received an A. In my developmental math classes I received a c. Those classes don't transfer to a four year university except psychology. Sorry about the long read. I just don't know what to do in this situation. My counselor said I still have plenty more classes to take and I can do good and redeem myself. But those classes also give me points toward the lottery that I'm not gonna get now. :(

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Well, you're looking for encouragement, so all I can tell you is "good luck, work harder"....?

Get your grades up so you can be a competitive candidate. You already know that at the moment you aren't, but with hard work, perseverence, etc, you can bring your grades up and try again.

So....good luck :)

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It's just that I know the programs are so competitive. And idk if someone else has been in this situation and got accepted first try.

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It's just that I know the programs are so competitive. And idk if someone else has been in this situation and got accepted first try.

I've no doubt there have been others in your situation, as I've been reading similar messages for years. Getting accepted first try, though, is a rarity with this kind of academic history. I don't want you to give up hope, there's no reason for that as you CAN put in the effort and improve your grades.

Have you discussed the possibility of nursing programs with your academic advisor? There will be pre-requisite courses you will need to complete (and do well in) prior to applying to most any nursing program. These typically include microbiology, anatomy and physiology (transferrable, qualified courses), English, biology or chemistry.....are you set up for this yet?

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Well I haven't taken those yet, I in it didn't do well in three courses which were developmental math and the biology class when I did the retake. I still have those courses to take, including speech.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

When I was younger I struggled significantly with depression and anxiety. Looking back, I doubt I would have made it into my nursing program and I was lucky in that I stayed on the path to finishing my psychology degree and took a lot of time working on myself and growing and gaining world experience. It eventually came to the point where it was now or never and I found I was able to deal with my mental health issues in a much more mature and effective manner. Maybe you just need to give yourself time. I know what it's like to be staring down the road to a future unknown but it's the unknown that is freaking you out in the first place. You don't even have a degree yet. You still have plenty of opportunities to take your time, do well in what you need to do well in and focus on making sure you're as strong a candidate as you can be. I know if I had thought nursing was for me when I was getting my first degree, I know I would not have had the emotional fortitude and confidence to deal with all the stress and demanding things you deal with in nursing.

This is also a time where you can learn to be flexible in your plans. Do you HAVE to go into only one nursing program? There are likely several to apply for. Give yourself time, be kind to yourself and make sure you set yourself to have a backup plan or two. If you stay focused on what you really want to do, you'll get there.

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Specializes in hospice.

Are you getting the mental health help you need? Because without that the rest is probably just details. You can work harder than anyone else ever did, but if untreated mental health problems cause you to sabotage yourself again, none of that will matter.

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.
Are you getting the mental health help you need? Because without that the rest is probably just details. You can work harder than anyone else ever did, but if untreated mental health problems cause you to sabotage yourself again, none of that will matter.

This is so true, if you do get in the lingering doubt and depression might further sabotage your chances of graduating.

It's just that I know the programs are so competitive. And idk if someone else has been in this situation and got accepted first try.

With what has happened, why are you worrying about getting accepted on the first try. Get your affairs in order and set your sights on the second or third try and feel blessed if you get in on the first. Don't make unreal expectations on yourself.

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This is also a time where you can learn to be flexible in your plans. Do you HAVE to go into only one nursing program? There are likely several to apply for. Give yourself time, be kind to yourself and make sure you set yourself to have a backup plan or two. If you stay focused on what you really want to do, you'll get there.

Well it was very situational. This was over a year ago. Afterwards. I was taking one class per semester, and I took a semester off because of family issues. I also had to appeal academic probation. But luckily the grades only effected English and basic biology. But my backup plan is to apply to the lpn program then bridge to rn if I dont get accepted to rn program.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

When I first started going to college I took an English 101 class. At one point or another, I just stopped going and never properly withdrew. Needless to say, I got an F in that class, which remains on my transcript to this day. I later retook that class and did my best in many other classes and eventually graduated magna cum laude. Today, as I work on my nursing degree, I have a 4.0 gpa. I tell this story to say you can improve your grade point average significantly over time and go on to achieve your goals.

That being said, you need to get it together. I'm not saying that to be mean. Many people have issues that could cause them to do poorly in school, but some of those people manage to do well in spite of those challenges. If you still have issue with depression or whatever tends to make you have poor academic performance, figure out how you are going to manage these problems and not let them impact your learning, attendance and grades. As others have said, this is a good time to work things out. Have patience and take it slowly. Most of all, keep striving.

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I was in your shoes. I went to a big University and I transferred to a college back home to help my sister with her 25 week old preemie. Everything went down hill from there. I struggled in school, sometimes I did not have a ride to class, so I would miss too many days. I got married had four kids in six years. My husband was military and was always deployed, in training or pcs'ed in another country. I never gave up. I didn't have any family nor friend support while my husband was away, so if my children were sick, I had to miss class. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and my health took a turn for the worse. I went from 145 lbs to 91 lbs in 3 months. I also lost my father, grandmother, grandfather, and brother in a 3 year span. I never gave up. All this happened over the course of 6 years. Now I am a nursing student. I received all A's in my sciences and all B's in my other core classes. I did have to repeat a few courses to bring my gpa up. My health is perfect and my mother in law moved from Jamaica just to help me achieve my goals. Trouble does not last long and hard work pays off. As long as you pick yourself up and aim to do better than yesterday, than you never failed. Failure comes through giving up and never trying. Do not let your past determine your future. Allow the present to be your guiding foot steps towards success. I wish you the best.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

A great Woody Allen quote comes to mind "80% of success is showing up". I have never met a truly successful person that doesn't have a profound commitment to what is important. Nothing is ever going to be completely smooth. There are always going to be bumps in the road. The way you react to them is up to you - as a challenge or barrier.

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