Re-taking credits

RunBabyRN · Jul 11, 2014

I made the same mistake. Some schools won't allow you to repeat courses you passed, even if you didn't do well. You'll have to check the policy. Next, you need to find out about the nursing program's repeat policy, because they may or may not accept repeated courses. I had some I'd retaken because I'd failed the first time, and many programs wouldn't accept my application because of this. Do your homework (literally and figuratively). I had to take other transferable courses in order to raise my GPA, and luckily, most of my prereqs I didn't take until later, when I was more serious.

Good luck!

dnelson120 · Jul 11, 2014

Hello! I would definitely recommend re-taking classes to boost your GPA since its so important when it comes to applying for nursing school. Look into the nursing programs that you are interested in because they might have different minimum GPA requirements, and/or might say things like "first attempt only" on sciences classes and stuff like that. I understand your frustration: my first 2 years of college were terrible, so it's taking me a little longer to reach the goal. Don't give up!!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2014

Good day, Winordietrying:

12 credits while working 40 hours doesn't leave a lot of room for study; plus, some classes like often require hours per day of homework (at least if you are like me where math doesn't come second nature).

On anxiety/depression have you gotten help? This past fall, my anxiety levels were high, and a neurotransmitter test showed they were out of sorts (I was in perpetual fight/flight mode). Supplements helped me get back on track.

If you retake classes or take new ones, try to leave a lot more room for study time if you need to work. https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html helped me a lot. In terms of general rules of thumb, I've found the following to help me:

* Non math, non science classes - two hours per week of study time per credit. So a 3 credit psychology class would involve 6 hours per week study time outside of class (as a minimum).

* For math classes - three to four hours per week of study time per credit to allow for homework.

* For science classes with a lab, treat the lecture and lab as two separate classes, three credits each; for those I typically go with three to four hours per week of study time per credit.

The above are just estimates that may have to be adjusted per class depending on how you are doing; doing great, maybe trim down the time a little bit at a time. Doing poorly, then spend more time.

Thank you.

Spangle Brown · Jul 12, 2014

It can be done. A friend had a GPA of less then a 1. Now she is in nursing school. When she went back, she hit the books hard and made straight A's and B's.

Like what was said. Do your research. Find out what the grade forgiveness policy is. Make sure you have resolved what ever the issues were that caused you to have problems.

Scorpiochic26 · Jul 12, 2014

If you feel overwhelmed, retake a few classes to get up your gpa and enroll in lpn program. My school actually has open spots most semesters for lpn because EVERYONE is fighting to get into RN program!! So if you complete the lpn program, you can do a bridge program (Lpn-RN) where the competition (# of applicants) is much lower and may work out better for you. That's at my community college. Each school is different! If you want it, GO GET IT!!! Good luck!