To become a nurse,how smart do you have to be.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Science was most definitely NOT my best subject. I got a C in bio, a C+ in physiology and a C in chemistry. (For some completely unknown reason I got an A in micro)

Add to that mix the fact that I took all of those classes back in 1989-1990 and just started nursing school Sept 2004...lots of stuff to remember that I didn't even learn!

But in nursing school, they have been great at teaching/reviewing the stuff we need to know. I do wish I had a deeper understanding of some things, (fluids and electrolytes anyone?) but I just go look up what I am trying to understand. AndI also get lightbulb moments "Oh, so that's what it means!" kinds of stuff[

So no, you don't have to be a straight A student prior to nursing school. I was a B student in highschool, and I already shared my abyssmal science grades.

But my grades in core nursing are almost all A's or thereabouts.

Just concentrate on learning what they are teaching. The other stuff is necessary without a doubt but even if you don't have it all down, you can either look it up or have lightbulb moments like me.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jan 15, 2006

I forgot to address the other part of your post.

Yes there is life outside Nursing school. I also work 18 - 20h/week, have two kids (17 and 11), go to various school functions for them, and am a leader for my daughter's girl scout troop. We also have multiple and numerous allergy shots appointments, orthodontist appointments, and my husband has cancer (remission). Plus I am carting them around to wherever they need to go--dance class, soccer practice, friend's houses etc.

When you get busy, and you will!, remind yourself that you are not overburdened, your life is enriched. Your time management skills are being improved.

I love the pace. Its stressful getting up at 4:45 in the morning but times like now, when I am school break and just working, I am bored out of my mind.

Its an adventure to go to nursing school and like nothing else in the world. Its the biggest trip and the most exciting thing I've come across and I will really miss it when I am 'just working' again.

CrystalClear75, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

No, In my opinion, you do not have to be "smart" just to be in the nursing program. I got b's in most of my biology's and a c in micro. And I'm getting c's and low b's in nursing right nowand I study my but off so if you are MOTIVATED and have the opportunity to dedicate a good amount of time to your studies, then I think anyone with an average intelligence can do it. Of course, there are some who don't have to study as much.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Grades are subjective and are not the best test of what you have learned. However, it is the way our system of schools determines if we are going to on to the next, more advanced levels of learning. If nurses had to be "brains" I don't think there would be as many of them as there are. I'm not putting anyone's intelligence down. It's just that getting through any program of study is directly related to how much effort you put into learning the information you need to know to move onward. Don't fret about what you think you may have not learned in A&P. You will re-visit these subjects again in nursing school. Everytime you study an illness in nursing school, the discussions will start with a review of the anatomy and physiology of the body systems involved. In nursing school you will be combining the information you learned in your pre-requisite classes along with nursing actions (which will be new information to you) to learn how to help bring patients back to wellness. You can do this. If you've made it through your pre-requisites, you can do the nursing part of it. It's just that you are going to take another forward leap in your education. That is to integrate all you've learned to this point to come out with some very practical ways to help people out. We were all in your position once--worried about the unknown that lay ahead of us. You'll never know what it's like until you go there yourself. If you put in the time to study and learn, it it not likely that you will fail.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Don't fret about what you think you may have not learned in A&P. You will re-visit these subjects again in nursing school. Everytime you study an illness in nursing school, the discussions will start with a review of the anatomy and physiology of the body systems involved. In nursing school you will be combining the information you learned in your pre-requisite classes along with nursing actions (which will be new information to you) to learn how to help bring patients back to wellness. You can do this.

Well, this is good news!! Because I feel like there's so MUCH I didn't get a lingering grasp on in some of these classes! And then it's the old "use it or lose it".....I worry because I sit in a cube all day and interact with a PC and deal with topics not even closely related to the human body!

I took a nursing dosage class about 15 months ago; took the dosage test last December (required as a prereq for a program here) and passed with 100%. If I had to retake it right now, I doubt I'd get 50%. I'll be taking the class again this semester so I can retake the test as it's only good for a year anyway. (It's only a 4-week CE class).

Thanks for the reassurances!