Question about repeating nursing prereqs, transfer student

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Hi everyone!

Im going crazy!!! So I finally get to apply to nursing programs for Fall 2015 and as I spend time researching the different programs I am noticing that a lot of schools have a requirement where you can only repeat a prerequisite class a certain number of times.

A little bit about me:

I am 23, I have been going to community college right out of High school (graduated in 2010) and I have no prior degrees or certifications. About a year I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. Before that I took quite a few classes and ended up having to drop, get a W or fail most of them because of health, family issues, and also distractions. The community college I attend is quarter system and it is split up into a 3 class series of both anatomy and physiology mixed. 2 years ago I took BIO 40A (the first series to A&P) and ended up getting a D in the class. I retook the class a quarter later and got a B+. The following quarter I took BIO 40B and got another D, I retook the class the following quarter and got a A. Last Winter I finished Bio40C and got an A on my first try. During this time around I found out I have ADHD and I put in SO much time and effort into finding out ways to be successful in my classes (drug free btw!). I receive special accommodations: increased time and low distraction environment, with these accommodations and the amount of studying I put in I find it pretty impossible to get below a B in any of my classes. My GPA is 3.5, I know that is a bit low for nursing school especially because of the repeats.

My dilemma, do I even apply to these schools that only allow you to repeat 2 prereqs. (Which I have also had to repeat chem 1a, stats, eng 1a and soc.) ?

I don't know what to do. I am studying for the TEAS exam, which I will be taking soon and I just can't help but feel discouraged.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Oh and I have been volunteering at a local hospital, I don't know how much that would really help me but it is a good experience so far.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

You'll have to look at the different programs. In my experience, the CSUs don't seem to care too much about repeats, but they may or may not factor your old grades into your prereq GPA.

My best advice is to cast a wide net, and apply anywhere you'd consider. Knock the TEAS out of the park, too. What are you doing to prepare? I found that the ATI TEAS V manual was the BEST THING EVER.

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Yes, I have been using the ATI TEAS V manual to study. I have been studying at least 2 hours a day for the past 2 weeks and I will be taking the practice exams soon. I take the TEAS on Oct. 10th.

San Jose State is the closest of the nursing programs and they do not allow any repeats. Also their average GPA is 3.6 which I am pretty close to.

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply! I appreciate it!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Yes, I have been using the ATI TEAS V manual to study. I have been studying at least 2 hours a day for the past 2 weeks and I will be taking the practice exams soon. I take the TEAS on Oct. 10th.

San Jose State is the closest of the nursing programs and they do not allow any repeats. Also their average GPA is 3.6 which I am pretty close to.

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply! I appreciate it!

Are you able to consider other CSUs, or do you need to stay close to home? I know Sonoma State (where I attended) doesn't care about repeats. I can't remember SFSU or CSUEB's policies. Do some research on the current policies (as things change, and it's been a few years since I was applying). Consider moving a bit further if at all possible, if it means you can get in somewhere. If you can head inland (Fresno, Bakersfield, all those garden spots), you may have an easier time than you'll have along the coast and in the areas like SJ.

Don't waste your time applying to schools that only allow 2 repeats if you have more. Your app won't even be in the running, regardless of how spectacular your GPA or TEAS score. If you have more repeats than they allow, you won't be considered because you don't meet the minimum requirements. They have too many other qualified applicants to allow for exceptions.

Good luck on the TEAS! I found that the ATI manual was JUST like the TEAS, which I loved. If you haven't already, peruse the TEAS forum on here for some good tips. Just don't let anyone psych you out! :)

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I would apply everywhere, as long as I had the money to pay for the apps. But I would start with the places that I know have criteria that better suits my situation after I apply to the places that are at the top of my "List". In the end, the schools will sort out whether or not you meet their criteria for consideration and you are only worried about getting accepted, somewhere. Good luck.

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would scoring high on TEAS help cover up the repeats?

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would scoring high on TEAS help cover up the repeats?

In most cases, I don't think so, but it wouldn't hurt to call some places and ask outright. Also, you never know when something might happen behind the scenes during any particular admissions cycle where criteria might be changed for whatever reason, even if temporarily. That is why it is not necessarily a good idea to automatically take oneself out of the running. You know what they say about people who do not purchase a lottery ticket!

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So true!

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Are you able to consider other CSUs, or do you need to stay close to home? I know Sonoma State (where I attended) doesn't care about repeats. I can't remember SFSU or CSUEB's policies. Do some research on the current policies (as things change, and it's been a few years since I was applying). Consider moving a bit further if at all possible, if it means you can get in somewhere. If you can head inland (Fresno, Bakersfield, all those garden spots), you may have an easier time than you'll have along the coast and in the areas like SJ.

Don't waste your time applying to schools that only allow 2 repeats if you have more. Your app won't even be in the running, regardless of how spectacular your GPA or TEAS score. If you have more repeats than they allow, you won't be considered because you don't meet the minimum requirements. They have too many other qualified applicants to allow for exceptions.

Good luck on the TEAS! I found that the ATI manual was JUST like the TEAS, which I loved. If you haven't already, peruse the TEAS forum on here for some good tips. Just don't let anyone psych you out! :)

Thanks for that, I need some sort of reassurance! I won't give up!

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