Stressed about getting into Grad school. In need of therapeutic commnication. :'(

[nerdynurse2b94]

I recently have been overwhelmingly stressed about getting into grad school. I currently am in my second semester in a 2 year ADN program at my local community college. The first semester we had one class and I earned a C. Now this semester we have two classes and I currently have a B and a C. I have done the math and the only way I can end this semester with an A and a B is if I make an A on every test throughout the rest of the semester in both classes. My goal life is to go the FNP route and earn my DNP and become a nurse practitioner.

My problem is not that I'm just not a good test taker or that I don't comprehend the material. It's that i honestly do not put in the study time. When I put in the study time my grades range from a 92-98. At the beginning of each semester I don't study like I should. Then when I notice my average is low I put it into hyper-drive and study a lot.

I think I may be burnt out. Last year I worked 60hr weeks in the summer semester while taking classes. Then I worked 40-50 hrs per week during the fall and spring semesters while taking the rest of my pre-reqs which was full time and included my A&P's. Then during the summer before starting nursing school I didn't take any classes but worked 80 hr weeks. During all of these semesters I hardly ever slept more than 4 hours per night due to stress, anxiety, mental breakdowns, and stimulants. During the summer before nursing school started I passed out on the floor at work. The NP at my office that I highly admire and that is like a second father to me diagnosed me with physical exhaustion. He wouldn't let me drive home and made my mother come get me. He told me i couldn't work for 2 weeks and that I needed to do nothing but sleep.

Could this be causing my lack of motivation now? I thought two weeks off of work would bounce me back? Has anyone experienced anything like this? If so how did you fix it?

I plan to apply to East Carolina University and North Carolina Chapel Hill for my BSN and then plan to follow through at either of these universities for Grad school. I am terrified that my C from last semester and the potential C from this semester may keep me from achieving what i want.

Is it possible for me to get into a DNP program with two C's? Has anyone gotten in to a DNP program with C's?

This is constantly on my mind. I catch myself calculating grades for the semester and my GPA for the next two years constantly.

[Susie2310]

Your post is full of your future ambitions, but what about here and now? You are in your second semester of an ADN program and you haven't yet mentioned even being interested in nursing.

[johsonmichelle]

I think you should concentrate on finishing your adn program. I'm in the last semester of an adn program and I'm not worried about fnp program. You still have a lot of obstacles to pass through , not only do you need to finish your adn program but you need to pass the nclex. Apart from passing the nclex, you also need to find a job and start the RN - BSN program.

[littlepeopleRNICU]

Yes, you can get in with two C's, but if you recognize your problem, why not fix it? Start putting in the study time from the beginning of the semester. It ends up being less stress for you down the road and having to "put it into hyperdrive", as you said.

You mentioned not having motivation. If this is really your goal and you're passionate about it, why doesn't that serve as motivation for you?

I understand being tired and worn out. I started with my ADN, got my BSN, and am now in grad school. All the while working anywhere from full-time to overtime many weeks. And yes, even while I am in grad school clinical.

It sucks, but this is what I wanted and recognized that from the beginning.

Sorry if it sounds rude, but I just can't see the maturity there if you're willing to just admit you have no will to study from the beginning and know that's what you need to do it fix it, but won't. Either you want it bad enough or you don't. I'm not talking about your acute incident...you did it last semester, and it should've been a lesson learned then. Now you know you're on the path for a second.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

To be brutally honest, I've never met a nurse who couldn't get accepted into at least one FNP program. FNP programs are everywhere...

I do not mean to offend, but FNP programs are a dime a dozen and some have much lower admissions requirements than others. One for-profit program accepts anyone with a minimum 2.6 GPA into the FNP program. A 2.6 GPA is essentially a 'C' average.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

I believe you are putting the cart before the horse. You need to not only complete the ADN program but most DNP programs require a BSN as well. That being said there are so many programs available you will be accepted somewhere. FNP programs seem to be a dime a dozen currently without consistency of curriculum. I'm graduating from a BSN to DNP program 5/21/16. It has been the most difficult educational undertaking I've ever experienced. I did not choose the cheapest, shortest program, or a for profit school. I do feel prepared to begin my new career.