There seems to be obstacles everywhere.

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I live in San Diego and I became a CNA in June of 1999 throught the ROP Program. I passed the state board exam test. I also took the Healthcare Essentials course at the Grossmont Health Occ Center in Santee (although I did not like my teacher). I knew that both programs were prerequisites for the Health Occ's LVN program. However, I was not aware of the TEAS test, nor was I prepared for it. I never knew I had to take a test for admission. I thought I had to just do the prerequisites, and maybe I could get in. How naive I was. Since I am awful at math, I failed that part of the exam very badly, so of course I never got in. I just gave up on Nursing altogether. And my fingerprints for my CNA certification kept being rejected (more than once) by the machine up in Sacramento. Apparently they were smudged. So I was (and I am) back to square one. Now in 2012, it's even harder to get into an LVN program. That's why Kaplan or UEI sound good. I know they're way too much money, but at least you don't have to deal with prerequisites or the TEAS test (unless I'm wrong?). I just don't know where to turn or go. I think I'll just forget about Nursing, although I really want to become one. Any advice? Is there any way to avoid the TEAS? Thank you all.

I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you really need to buckle down and do what needs to be done if you want to be accepted by and do well in nursing school instead of looking for an easy way out. It will do you no good to be accepted if you can't even master the very basics. The material and exams get harder the further you go, not any easier. And the NCLEX is a beast in itself.

Completing your chemistry, biology, & A&P prereqs will prepare you for the science portions of the TEAS, HESI, or whatever other entrance exam a particular school may use. From everything I've seen from taking the HESI and studying for the PSB-RN exam (for another school), the questions are very, very basic.

Basic math is a necessary skill, not just for nursing school, but for life. Take remedial classes and introductory classes if you have to, but you should be able to do the math portion of any nursing entrance exam with no problem.

It takes a lot of drive, motivation, and discipline to do well in college level courses. Not to mention study time. But when it's something you really want, you CAN do it.

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I'm not looking for an easy way out. It just seems like it's very hard just to get accepted into any nursing school, even LPN (which is what I'm aiming for).

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I also think I did bad on the math section of the TEAS test because I wasn't prepared for it. I did not study for it or anything. I wasn't even aware that there was a test to take. I was very naive then. If I only knew then what I know now.

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What level of math is tested for on the entrance exam at Grossmont Health Occupation Center?

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Forget it, I'm not going to even bother anymore. If I have to take and pass the TEAS test then I'd rather not even try to become an LVN or an RN. The reason why is that if I never pass the test, then I will never be admitted, right? I don't think they'll admit anyone who didn't do well on the test. Besides, here in San Diego a friend of mine was interested in becoming an RN a few years ago. However she was told at one of the community colleges that their RN Program had a three year wait list. In fact the school counselor said to her, "I wouldn't even bother with that." She eventually became a Pharmacist. I'm not even sure if the book for passing the TEAS test would help me. However I will take a look at it. If I didn't have such a severe learning disability with math, then it would be easier, I think.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
Forget it, I'm not going to even bother anymore. If I have to take and pass the TEAS test then I'd rather not even try to become an LVN or an RN. The reason why is that if I never pass the test, then I will never be admitted, right? I don't think they'll admit anyone who didn't do well on the test. Besides, here in San Diego a friend of mine was interested in becoming an RN a few years ago. However she was told at one of the community colleges that their RN Program had a three year wait list. In fact the school counselor said to her, "I wouldn't even bother with that." She eventually became a Pharmacist. I'm not even sure if the book for passing the TEAS test would help me. However I will take a look at it. If I didn't have such a severe learning disability with math, then it would be easier, I think.

At my community college they have half credit TLC classes that help get you up to speed in subjects like math, reading and English comprehension. Maybe you could look into something like that and start building your math skills up that way.

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Oh really? Yeah I could probably do that. However if I go into any school, it will have to be when my son is in school full time (he's only 4 years old right now).

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Forget it, I'm not going to even bother anymore. If I have to take and pass the TEAS test then I'd rather not even try to become an LVN or an RN.

If the fact you have to take a very standard entrance exam is what stops you from pursuing nursing, maybe you should look deeper into how passionately you want to pursue this career.

Once you begin nursing school, I assure you a routine entrance exam will be the least of your concerns, as it gets much more difficult.

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

The reason why every entrance test and every nursing class tests on math is because of how critical math is in nursing. If the math portion is severely holding you back, you may need to remediate in math.

I would not want a nurse who is incompetent in math to care for me. I would hate for someone to give me 112 mg of synthroid instead of 112 mcg because of a calculation error.

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Oh I know all about that. I'm not bad at calculations and measurements. We learned about that in my CNA class. I'm just not good at advanced math like algebra, etc.

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Oh I know all about that. I'm not bad at calculations and measurements. We learned about that in my CNA class. I'm just not good at advanced math like algebra, etc.

I suggest a tutor, if nursing is what you want to do. You will run into algebra while pursuing your RN. A typical college algebra course is a standard pre-req at most colleges.

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I'm actually thinking of becoming an LVN rather than an RN. But we'll see.

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