where to start?

[lee vega]

hi guys, i'm in high school, and have a low gpa. i'm wondering if i can still get into the nursing world.

I have been hearing about rn's, but the more i read hear, i see theres more levels.

i live in Houston Texas and i'm wondering what kind of programs i should start with, i'l probly only be able to get into lower standard colleges. Any advise on fields i could get into (other kinds of nursing fields) were i can start, or subjects i should study? and how long these courses take, and maybe pay difference.

excuse my spelling. and thanks for any help.

[RNfromMN, BSN, RN]

I'm going to a community technical college to get my nursing degree. As I recall, my high school grades weren't brought into consideration at all...all they wanted to see was my diploma.

I'd check with the college you want to apply to...they'll tell you exactly what you need to know. Good luck.

[RN and Mommy]

I would recommend starting at a community college first. That is what I did. My high school grades were not very good, but I maintained a good GPA at a community college for 2 years then transferred over to a 4 year college. They didn't really even look at my high school grades after having a good GPA at community college.

[jimthorp]

I'd check with the college you want to apply to...they'll tell you exactly what you need to know. Good luck.

Do this. :yeahthat:

Even though I had a degree from the same school where I applied to the nursing program, I still had to have had high school bio and chem with a B or better even though I had college level bio and chem (both grade B from PSU). Not sure how they didn't have my high school transcript still on file or why my college grades didn't override those from high school. The high school sent it again for free so I didn't make a fuss.

[lee vega]

thanks guys, this helps me alot.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

My cousin's story comes to mind. He graduated from high school with a D- GPA. He worked hard physical labor jobs after high school, and then decided this was not the life he wanted. He managed to talk his way into a college. He graduated early, and with honors. He then took his stellar college GPA to law school. He's a practising attorney today.

That's a far journey from graduating with a D- GPA in high school.

My point is this - if you work extremely hard - it is possible to turn the situation around. You can create a new future in college. Keep in mind though, that your college transcript is forever. It doesn't 'go away' like your high school transcript does.

I agree with the others, about starting at a community college. I'd also pay close attention to placing yourself in the proper courses. If you need to take remedial classes because you don't have the proper foundation from high school...just do it. Each semester passes before you know it.

After you get your feet wet in a community college, taking general ed courses, you can get a feel for your next step. This could be LPN or RN. I'd be careful to avoid horrendously expensive private vocational schools.