i am not smart, still should i take a nursing program?

WheresMyPen · Jun 9, 2016

It was hard for me but I still was top of my class. I cut down on work hours, had no social life, and had a tight knit friendship with the other students. We started with 40 people and 8 of us graduated. We got closer and closer, studied together, and had to many many sacrifices. I was never a good student until nursing school. So if I could do it, I think you can. You just need to have the motivation and determination to do anything and everything you can to not only pass, but really learn the material. Nursing math is pretty basic but I didn't always have a good track record with math. I get nervous on tests and make careless mistakes. I also have a learning disability (ADHD). I asked a lot of questions, I did the study guides, I read the assisigned chapters and took notes, I studied numerous amounts of NCLEX questions and made countless flash cards. Was it difficult? Hell yes! But I was determined and I passed with flying colors :)

you really can do what you put your mind to!

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

good day. i feel the desire to study practical nursing in george brown college but i dont feel smart should i still take it? any advices? is it really difficult? how about math? i am not good at math. but i really want to study nursing.

The only information you give us to assess your ability is that you "don't feel smart" and are "not good at math". Desire will not get you far without ability. Perhaps you have some good qualities, as well?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

Our negative beliefs often turn into self-fulfilling prophecies. In other words, those who lack self-efficacy and feel incapable usually do things to confirm these beliefs.

Hence, if you think you aren't terribly smart, you will continue to do things to confirm that you aren't terribly smart when you might be smarter than you think.

Your first step is to ditch the negative self-talk and work on your perceived weaknesses such as math. Proceed from there...

crazydoglady89 · Jun 9, 2016

Honestly, unless you have a learning disability (and even then, a lot of it can be worked), it will come down to hard work. This is anything in life, not just nursing school.

There are a few gifted people out there who can read something once and remember it. That's not me. I am almost embarrassed at how much time I have to spend studying nutrition (people say it's so easy!), but my prof for this "easy" class is WAY harder than my A&P prof. Be ready to work hard!

Take some pre reqs and see how you do. Instead of going in with fear, go in thinking you just might enjoy it. The key with the pre reqs is repetition and exposure. Even if you don't know what you are reading, read it and move on. Read it again the next day. Keep moving through and if you are persistent, it can be learned. You will have peers who need to study for 1 hour. You might need to study for 6, and that's fine.

If you have it in your heart to be a nurse do it!

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 9, 2016

If you are willing to work very hard and "become smart," then I encourage you to follow your dreams and give nursing a try. However, I am not going to "sugar coat" it for you: it may be extremely difficult if you are not a good student. You may have to work very hard, do things you don't want to do, and make some personal sacrifices to achieve success in nursing school.

It's all up to you. Are you willing to do what it will take to succeed?

NerdyKnitter, CNA · Jun 9, 2016

I'm still doing pre-reqs, but I tend to believe that anyone (outside of having a true cognitive deficit, like a serious brain injury) can become a good student and go into the field they're passionate about. You've been given great advice, so I simply wanted to add some encouragement. I would suggest reading some self-improvement books to help you improve how you think about yourself and your abilities. It takes a fair bit of confidence to pursue a challenging career. Best of luck to you!

RegularNurse · Jun 10, 2016

I have taught at the LPN and RN level. Nursing school is pretty basic and only requires vigorous study; not raw intelligence. The math in nursing school is basic arithmetic and algebra.

You will find as you enter the workforce that the smartest people are coincidentally the hardest working. People don't get PhD's or become VP because they are brilliant, they simply have worked hard and earned this positions.

Work hard, show up, and you will be a success in whatever you do.