Sucked in ALL pre-reqs

*Blessed2BaNRS* · May 13, 2007

Wow, nicden, I don't know what to say, except that I am sorry. BUT, don't let anyone tell you that they wouldn't recommend nursing to their daughter. If becoming a nurse is your dream, your passion, then you will do what it takes to go for it. I will be honest and say that if you didn't do well on your pre reqs, you may find that nursing school is going to be much harder. And most schools have a higher passing grade than regular classes. At my school, the pass rate is 75%. If you make .01 point below that, you are out. And a lot of schools base their acceptances on (at least partly) GPA. Granted, there are schools out there that are based on a lottery, or entirely on the nurse entrance test, so if your school is like that, then you do have a good chance of getting in. It will take lots of dedication and studying, so plan on that. And do your best. You have already shown that you are capable of making the grade. A 3.5 IS good. If it is meant for you to become a nurse, let nothing stand in your way!! Good luck~

smk1, LPN · May 13, 2007

well, what is the reason that you didn't do well in the prereq's? Some problems are ones that may be able to be fixed. was it time management? (if so you have to find a way to fix this FAST), was it memory trouble? (you could start using some memory tricks to help), too much working oustide of school? (if so is it possible to cut back and do more on student loans?), lack of understanding even though you studied hard? (this would be problematic because everything is based on a solid A&P foundation).

In short try and identify what the issues were that kept you from performing well so that you may be able to fix the issues before NS.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · May 13, 2007

I agree with the above poster--why did you not do well in your pre-reqs? I would start there.

I just finished my first year of nursing school and I do have to say that coming into the program with a good foundation (eg micro, a&p, etc.) IS important, you need a good basic understanding of all those.

Hang in there and good luck :)

nicden · May 14, 2007

Thanks to all of you!!!

I do believe a MAJORITY of my problem was time management. I do work (and have no other choice) full-time, married, and a child. I'm just trying to find that balance. When I am not in school, studying, or taking care of the family, I am just sooo tired. While I am not attending summer school, I will freshen up on a&p.

I just knew someone would say, try something else, maybe nursing isn't for you. I am so glad I didn't get that response, yet. This has encouraged me to move forward.

Thanks again!

treeguy · May 14, 2007

I agree with the above posters. If you really want to be a nurse then you can't listen to all the negative people. Everyone can find something to complain about for almost anything; don't let it get you down.

I think you should take out loans, so you don't need to work, and give it your best shot again. Hopefully the nursing school will look at your transcripts and see that you put forth the extra effort to improve yourself.

justme1972 · May 14, 2007

I would start by retaking some classes to pull your GPA back up, unless it's a course that you have had a particular nightmare with, and would rather die than take it again.

Taking a class over again, and pulling it up two letter grades, will raise your GPA more than 3 or 4 courses that you get A's in, if you have over 30 hours.

future L&Dnurse · May 14, 2007

I wouldn't give up and try something else, if nursing is what you really want to do then you'll figure out how to make it work. I definitely understand time management with a job and kids ... I am there also. I have two (4 and 3) and am married. When I took my prereqs I was also working (part time) although I have since quit.

I think I agree with Hopefull about retaking some classes to pull your GPA up and demonstrate that you can do better than Cs. I also agree with taking out loans so you don't have to work. I will graduate with a lot of student loan debt but once I am working, the payments will not be that bad since when I start working I will double our income.

The single biggest thing I have done to manage my time is to demand that my children have a set bedtime that does not EVER change. They are in bed BY 8pm every single night, no ifs ands or buts. Then, I study like mad until 11 or 12 every night, no ifs ands or buts. Later if there is a test coming up. My husband does not take overtime at work and will happily take the kids to the park or send me off to the library with textbooks and laptop in hand, so I can study if I have fallen behind. If you can enlist friends or family to help take time with your child so you can study more often, that may help - and your child will probably love spending "special time" with grandma or a good friend, too. I also refuse to depend on powerpoint handouts in class and take my own notes instead - writing it down instead of just reading makes a big difference for me in how much time I have to spend reading the textbooks.

treeguy · May 14, 2007

I have mad respect for all you ladies that juggle school, work and children all at the same time;)

LydiaNN · May 14, 2007

I went to a 4 year program where we were admitted as freshmen, so there were no college level pre-reqs. But we did have to maintain a 2.5 overall and in nursing courses, and there were a few students who barely made it. They passed their NCLEX and I know for a fact that at least one of them is still in the field, many years later.

smk1, LPN · May 14, 2007

Is there any possibility that you can stop work, or cut back your hours? I say this because NS is FAR more time consuming that A&P and the other prereqs and it just gets more and more busy as the terms/semesters go by. If you can't give up work, then you might have to cut corners on housework, the kids might have to get a bit more independent, set a strict schedule for studying. Precooked freezer dinners, paper plates and clorox antibacterial wipes have cut my cleaning time down, and my cooking and dishwashing. Bring notes and study materials to work so you can study on your breaks and lunch time. Good luck!