kagi

The written exam was a piece of cake to be honest. In testing situations I just get so nervous and I am currently working on overcoming my anxiety with the help of some counseling and just simply building confidence. I do not want anxiety to be the wall that is holding me back from pursuing my life goals. Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it.

My undergrad isn't like great, it is an overall 3.2, but my grades my last year during undergrad really kicked ass (3.5 and above grades). For now I know for sure to plan to retake these courses I did fairly poorly in, I am just indecisive of getting my applications ready or not or even if it is worth my time to try to apply this year. I think the 2 year BSN is a great idea actually. Another thing is that I am just not so sure of what to do during basically my 1 1/2 years off (because I will be done taking retaking my prereqs in Winter 2012). Another slap in the face is that I haven't passed my CNA state test yet (yes I have failed it 2 times already because I was a nervous wreck), and will be planning on taking it for the third final time in August after I am done with my courses this summer. What should I do? I don't want to sound like a loss cause - I think I am highly capable of pursuing my dream I just don't know what to do for now and next year forward.

I am pretty set on heading for my BSN since, lack of better word, I want to apply my previous bachelor's degree and not let it go to waste. I graduated with a BA in Communication in 2010. Do you think I still have a shot though (like being on a waiting list) and just apply just to try? I will be finished retaking all my prereqs at the end of Winter quarter. Since I am assuming I won't be able to start in an ABSN program in Summer 2012, what other things should I try doing during another lag year?

So I finished all my prereqs (besides Statistics which I am taking in Fall) for ABSN programs and as the title indicates, my grades are not very up to par. I received a 1.8 in Physiology (I feel so much shame posting this but I am trying to come to terms to it because I am not used to getting horrible grades) and a 2.7 in Anatomy this Spring quarter. I started giving up in Physiology to try to salvage my grade in Anatomy, but it was a double loss. I am planning on retaking all the classes I got a 3.0 and below in (Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry). Should I even bother trying to apply for ABSN programs this year that start in Summer 2012? Application fees are expensive. I am still trying to hunt down people for letters of recommendation. I feel I haven't racked up enough volunteering hours and I am also doing research for the Autism center voluntarily as well. Do I just sound like I am not ready to apply for Nursing school yet? My heart is 150% in pursuing Nursing but my grades are just so discouraging. I have also racked up plenty of debt taking these prereqs since I do not qualify for grants since I already have a BA. I have been trying to find the reason for my bad grades. However I do not think it is excusable. I put in many hours of study time and sacrifice plenty of recreational time. I think many of my friendships are suffering because I just simply can't make time for people I enjoy being with. More over, it is so effing hard to make friends in these prereq classes or find others to study with because many have established cliques. Coming back to community college feels like high school all over again. I enjoy the subjects that I am studying but my concentration and mood seem to destroy any retention of material that I learn. I have GAD, depression and suffer through panic attacks. Recently, I am seeing a psychiatrist and really hoping that this will help my abilities to be a better student. Adding to that, I want to be mentally stable for a career that not only I absolutely love but must care for others before putting myself first. Any words of advice? Much appreciated.

I am retaking a total of 4 pre-req classes. I feel so crappy about it, but I still want to keep pushing through and improve my grades and get into a program. Any one else out there who can relate or words of wisdom?

I feel a little freaked out coming upon this thread. I am not sure if I went about taking out my students loans "the right way" (I am $9500+ in student loan debt unsubsidized and subsidized). I took out a loan so I can focus on school instead of going to work. I used part of these loans to pay off my credit cards, and the rest towards rent, books, transportation etc. Instead of working, I am putting my time towards volunteer hours and research. I worked through practically of my undergrad (I have a BA), and got mediocre grades. I felt that work was hindering my performance in school. Even out of work, I still don't have great grades and retaking some classes to apply for Nursing school this year. I have spoken with other RNs about their student debt, and their debt sometimes racked up to 100k or more. However, they do not regret taking out the loans. One male nurse I have spoken to has used student loans all through his undergrad and nursing school which racked him up to about 120k at the end of Nursing school and pays abut 900/month towards his loans. He is currently living in Wyoming, owns a nice car, has a baby on the way, two dogs, nice house recently got married - so the student loan was appealing to me because he is still living an idealistic life even under a big umbrella of debt. I understand that it is better (and also very rewarding, big props to those who are getting those A's and working full time) to be working and going to school at the same time - but even taking these damn prereqs for Nursing school is a big challenge for me (and I am assuming many others too). I find that I shouldn't worry about the debt right now (and this sounds naive and maybe unrealistically optimistic) because I will find some way to pay it off since it is fully my responsibility to do so. Yes, it will be hard, but as long as I keep working towards my goal, I think it I can eventually pay it off. :S

I know that it looks good and it is a great experience to become a CNA before going to nursing school, but who is NOT getting their CNA or got accepted into Nursing school without their CNA?

I realized that I can't audit my class since I need over 6 credits to keep my financial aid anyway! Ogh! Guess I have to power through it... *bump

Heeelllooo everybody. I have been browsing through here for about a year now. I appreciate everyone's support for one another, it is very motivating. I also feel less alone reading through all these posts. It is a great reminder that there are others out there going through similar experiences and struggles all for the same goal. :) I graduated in Spring 2010 with a BA in Communication with a 3.2 GPA roughly. As I was finishing up my degree, we covered certain aspects of health, which long story short (very long story short!), made me dig into the profession of Nursing. Shortly there after, I started volunteering at the medical center, observing and interacting with the RNs. I felt so compelled, and immediately started my prerequisites after I graduated in the summer time. In my time investigating, I found that an Accelerated Bachelor's program might be a good option. I think that I shouldn't let my BA "go to waste", lack of better word. I have completed Nutrition, General Chemistry, Medical Terminology, Cellular Biology, Developmental Psychology, Microbiology, and now I am currently enrolled in Anatomy and Physiology (both are 5 credit classes with a lab, at this CC they do not combine A&P as a whole course, i.e. A&P1 and A&P2 separated between two quarters). I am also currently volunteering/shadowing on an Internal Medicine floor as well as doing research for Autism. I have been volunteering since my undergrad, but started research last year. We are wrapping up Spring quarter in mid-June. An important fact I have to include is that I am not doing so hot in my prerequisites. I am not sure if I just burned myself out or I just have not acquired great study skills to glue the material in my head. I love and enjoy the content in these prerequisites. I feel that my time not being that studious through high school, plus during my undergrad has caught up to me and is now kicking my ass. (I am 21 years old, graduated with my BA early, I have worked through my undergrad degree and went to school fulltime). This is my first year not working and going to school at the same time (however I did work part time during that first summer quarter, I was taking Nutrition and Chem). Currently in Anatomy and Physiology, I am hanging onto a 2.5 in both classes and this is going to kill my prerequisite GPA which is not even that great (it is currently holding on the ledge of a 3.1 right now, ugh). I can't quite figure out what is my problem. I strive to do very well, and am capable of doing well, but I do not know what is affecting my grades intensely. I am pretty much positive that I have to retake Anatomy, Physiology, General Chem and even Developmental Psych (UGGHH!! I should have taken it online!). I aced Microbiology, Nutrition, Medical Terminology and Biology. I understand these are not "bad" grades, but they are certainly not good enough to get into an Accelerated BSN. I was aspiring to apply to a couple Accelerated BSN programs located on the east coast, and a couple on the west coast. The schools that I have in my "top 10" start accept applications between August-November, graduating class 2013. I recognize that this may not be possible for me. Now, my questions (lol): - Should I audit my Anatomy OR Physiology class? I was thinking about auditing ONE CLASS and then retaking either Anatomy or Physiology in the summer. Is this a wise choice? I understand there are some programs that only take the first grade and disregard the repeated course's new grade. Will retaking 4 classes make me a undesirable applicant? I am not sure how badly this will damage my application. More over, this is just another year to be set back. Some programs let you complete your prereqs after they accept your application Which gives me a little ray of hope. How does this affect the application process though? How can they judge your application when it is incomplete? Opinions? Advice? Anything is much appreciated!!!! I know we all can do this! There is nothing more that I want to do in the world but be a nurse!