Should I listen to the results or should I follow my heart?

SpssSpss · May 17, 2014

Why don't you try applying? If you make it in then let that be your answer!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 17, 2014

What your grades say to me is that you are more interested in these other subjects and you pay attention in these classes. You will not get in with all C's. That is a fact. Maybe with 1 C you can get in but not all. There is more to nursing than passion. Just because you have passion does not mean you will make it. You need a fundamental understanding in A&P to understand nursing. Maybe try and retake those classes.

NCH, RN · May 17, 2014

Unfortunately most nursing programs do have a minimum GPA requirement, and a university would be pretty competitive. You may want to look into the requirements at different colleges around your area, maybe work for your associates somewhere else, and then finish your BSN at the University.

I hate to say it, but even the community college that I'm applying to has a GPS requirement of 3.0. If it comes down to it, LPN courses may be easier to be accepted into (not saying that the course work is any easier though), and then you can apply for a LPN to RN bridge program, you'll have to check the requirements for that though too, I'm not sure about your area.

Your core class grades do not mean that you'll be a bad nurse, it just means that you'll have to work extra hard to keep yourself up to speed in the science aspect. You were strong in English and psych, there are always nursing jobs that will benefit from that.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · May 17, 2014

Good day, Hopelessly:

If you were doing poorly in all classes, one might argue you are not good at taking tests (to try and argue in your favor). Yet to do very well in your other classes, most of which do not require the same type of thinking required in the health field, shows (based on what you posted) you don't have problems taking tests. In our geographic area, you would find it hard pressed to get in with that GPA and grades for the key classes.

I'm a strong believer in heart over head, and that a lot of things can be conquered with attitude (vs. aptitude) and effort. If your attitude/heart and effort went into the key classes, can you explain why you got C's in them compared to A's in the non key classes?

Thank you.

mge9450 · May 17, 2014

I was a history major in college and always thought that I wanted to be a teacher. Much like you, I did very well in humanities courses and struggled through math and science - they have never been my strong suit. This worried me when I knew I was called to be a nurse. It required a lot of time and effort on my part to do well in those classes. As an above poster said, nursing is more than a passion; it is a science.

My advice to you would be to re-take the classes you've struggled in. Take advantage of help offered by professors and other students, take advantage of your school'a tutoring center if they have one. Study every chance you get. Your perseverance will eventually pay off! Good luck to you!

Peanut&Buttercup · May 17, 2014

There are a ton of career possibilities in health care; nursing is just one of them. With your grades, it is extremely unlikely you would be admitted to a nursing program. Why not look at other, less science intensive, healthcare career options?

Everline · May 17, 2014

I never excelled in science or math in college. I graduated with a high gpa because my degree was heavy in the social sciences and humanities. When I decided to go to nursing school many years later, I took my pre-req science classes one at a time. All my focus was on ONE science course (with lab) per semester. This way, I was able to concentrate and get all As in my courses. Yes, it took time this way, but it got me into nursing school. If you really have the desire to be a nurse, go back and retake those science courses slowly. Get tutoring. Direct your energy into them without other classes to distract you. If you still can't do well, then you will have to re-evaluate. This is just a suggestion because you will more than likely have to raise that grade point average to get into school where you are. Another option is to look into other schools and other options in healthcare.

Hopelessly · May 17, 2014

Hi pmabraham, thank you for your feedback! :)

I would usually read the chapters over twice and since there is an online learning tool called ConnectPlus for AP I would go on learnsmart to practice and quiz myself daily. However when it comes time to the exams I become really nervous and panic on the spot because the wording is different. Obviously I know professors want students to think critically that is why the exams cannot be the same as the one on ConnectPlus. Same goes for Chemistry. I would practice problems and know how to do it but when I take the exam I panic and have a hard time recalling which formula to apply for each problems. For Drug Calculations I was really surprised when I got a C because when I was doing the practice problems before my midterm and final I was very confident in myself. But once it came time for the exams I panicked when I looked at the problems. Again it was hard to recall which method and formula to use. Once I see all the questions I just panicked and get overwhelmed before starting the exam.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 17, 2014

When you say you "know how to do it" in your science courses, do you understand the reasoning behind it? That can be why you are having difficulty. I had a lot of difficulty with the science in high school, even with my father (a biochemist with about 300 degrees) tutoring me because I didn't understand the WHY. Once I figured that out, my science courses in college were a breeze. I went from a D science student in HS to an A science student in college.

The thing with science is that it is more so critical thinking and understanding why, than wrought memorization for the most part.

giraffe4 · May 17, 2014

It is completely normal to feel nervous during a big exam. I always am no matter how much I studied or how confident I felt. I suggest looking at your notes before you take the exam. It helps remembering formulas or any other information you have to memorize. Not everyone is a 4.0 but strive to get an A and remember it is your future. Just keep telling yourself that! My GPA was a 2.35 last semester and I brought it up to a 2.86 because I almost got straight A's. (3 A's, 1 B) I am doing a summer class and 3 more classes in the fall semester and that should bring me up to a 3.0+ so remember it may look bad now but you can do it. I did.

RunBabyRN · May 17, 2014

Have you ever met with a tutor to work on exam skills/test taking strategies? Nursing school has a whole different kind of exams, and if you have too much test anxiety, you won't survive. I don't mean that in a mean way, I mean that in a holy-%&(#-these-tests-are-hard way. Most exams have more than one right answer, and you have to choose the one that is MOST right.

I agree about retaking the courses, IF you can. You may or may not be able to, as a C is technically passing, and some schools won't accept you if you've retaken courses. There may be programs with a lottery system, which may be your ticket into a nursing program, but you'll still need to bring up your GPA, as most require either a 2.5 or 3.0 minimum to apply. The most important thing is having a strong understanding of what you've been taught. Passion alone is not enough, unfortunately.