VCstudent

? Backstory: In 2021 two days before Thanksgiving?, I was offered a spot in a nursing program and accepted (feeling like I had to or would lose my opportunity). When I told a few family and friends they responded with more trepidation and doubt about how difficult school would be. No support from them. Winter ❄️ was a whirlwind of getting titers, exams, books ?, uniform etc. all squared away. Then I began the local ADN program but with a feeling of being unprepared and undeserving of my spot. I was doing well, passing with a B+ average but I didn't have a social support net and the teachers would really drive it into us how important is was to have that, so I panicked thinking I would eventually fail because of only having myself and became depressed ?. I also felt guilty that I was neglecting my pug ? because of the demand of nursing school. It eventually led to me deciding to leave and focus on my mental health. I went on an SSRI and sought talk therapy to help begin sorting myself out. That same year I transferred into my local university to obtain my bachelors in health science and I graduated ?‍? this Spring with an overall GPA=3.359. My GPA would have been higher but I was still trying to manage my depression with school and two internships in my senior year. I did manage to get straight A's ? with my heaviest course load and make the Dean's list the semester before my last. Throughout school I was mindful of my GPA because I know that is a big factor in nursing school admissions. I'm looking at attending an ABSN or Entry-level Masters nursing program ? (University of San Francisco has a clinical nurse leader program I want to attend) but I am afraid of repeating what happened in the ADN program. The feeling and dream of becoming a nurse has never left me. I feel in my heart ❤️ I would be a compassionate ? and attentive nurse that could have a positive influence on people in their time of need. I am honest with myself that I would need to go back on medication ? while in a nursing program (many of my past ADN cohorts told me they were on an SSRI and I kicked myself for not doing the same prior to the ADN program). I don't know who will see this? I am looking for some encouragement and advice. Thank you for reading. ?

After reading a lot of these responses this thread is making me depressed. I feel that it would be helpful if people would also indicate which state and county they are in to give some perspective of which areas are or aren't effected. I am in CA and in my county there is a shortage of experienced nurses so they spend millions of dollars on short-term contracts. I am aware of the possibility of not landing a job here and I'm aware that relocating will likely be necessary. Now I am going back to reading the thread to look for a response from someone that can offer some hope. ⛅

Love the story and will look out for part two

Where do you work? I have been looking at relocating to Texas once I finish nursing school. I have looked at Austin and Dallas, they seem to be fun places to live.

I suggest you retake the courses you did poorly in to improve your G.P.A. because the nursing admissions consider the three science courses in the decision. Are you currently living near the college you took your courses from? If so? look at their policy for retaking a course, some don't allow it if a grade "C" or higher was earned. Therefore you would need to go outside of the school district to another junior college to retake the course you want to improve the grade on.

I am in the same boat as you and have been trying to focus on minimizing my expenses (having my car paid off and being credit card debt free) because I know I will have to take out loans to survive. I was very strategic with where I chose to live because less money towards rent meant less money borrowed for it, if push comes to shove and I need to focus solely on school and clinicals. Are you living rent free or do you pay rent? If you pay, look at cheaper places maybe even renting a room?

I'm a pre-nursing VC student that was curious if you were in the VC nursing program yet? I hope you didn't have to wait long.

I loved how thought out and well written this article was and cherish this insight. Thank you for your experience!

I attend junior college and have nearly finished my pre-requisite course before I apply for the nursing program. I would like to know from everyone's personal experience what to focus on to better prepare myself for the program.