Too late? The repecussions of bad decisions earlier in life

[Ashaka]

CALLING ALL KNOWLEDGEABLE NURSING ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS OR ANYONE WITH AN OPINION!

Do I have a complicated transcript for you!

So basically, here's the sitch:

I want to be a nurse. BADLY. I have played with the idea, left and now come back with more life experience knowing this is where I need to be. I have a BA in Psychology and am looking into Accelerated BSN programs or entry level Masters programs. My hopeful destination is an eventual degree as an NP, albeit not positive in which area of just yet. (the ADN programs here have a 3-4 year wait list, yikes!)

Now the problem:

Through my undergraduate schooling I was floating. Floating between ideas, dreams, majors, schools, etc. The end result was 4 different schools in 4.5 years, changing my major from Biology to Pre-Nursing to Psychology, and work experience that varies from physical therapy outpatient clinics, Part time Saturday Surgical secretary in a local hospital, Health educator for disadvantaged youth, personal training and now finally an entry level position at a supplemental health insurance company as a health coach (also known as a wellness coach).

My ambition led me to take my prerequisite classes when I was 19 years old, with misguided study habits, an underestimation of workload, unequal balancing of work, school and social life, and the discovery of having anxiety, well, led me to a 2.5 GPA in Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology. This was 4.5-5 years ago. (Most nursing programs I have looked into require students to have taken the prerequisites within 5 years of applying).

Also, I faltered in my first year of college with a dazzling 1.7 gpa. I graduated with a 3.5 in my major gpa, 3.0 in my last 60 credits and a 2.8 overall.

NOT IMPRESSIVE, i know.

I am currently studying for the GRE's, I have an idea of who my letters of reference will be, and I am anxious to feel confident I am a competitive applicant.

SIGH.

So, this long convoluted story leads me to this question:

Since my prerequisites are essentially "expiring" in the admission counsel's eyes, should I simply wait another year or so until they have "expired" and retake them to boost my pre-req GPA? I feel with renewed passion to go into this field, as well as discovery of better study habits, and understanding of having ADD/Anxiety as a learning condition, I am more readily equipped to tackle this feat.

I understand some schools will take into consideration your GRE, Letter of intent, Letters of Rec, Work experience, yadda yadda, But I know at initial glance, my GPA in both undergrad and prerequisites are rather shameful. After all, you need to be offered an interview first, before you can wow them with your charm

PLEASE ADVISE. HUMBLE ME. GIVE ME A BITE OF THE REALITY SANDWICH. what are my chances? Should I wait? retake the pre reqs? Gather more experience?

I am ready to accumulate student loan debt, study stress and test anxiety again. I miss it so much. :redbeathe

[Justanotherday]

I would take the courses over again whether or not they were expiring. You will be so much more committed this time around!

[SerenePeach]

I would take the nursing pre-requisites over again (A & P, Micro, Chem, etc) to get a better GPA. Although you already have a bachelor's, lots of work experience and are taking the GRE, schools want to know that you are competent in the basic core fundamentals, and your current GPA doesn't reflect that.

Also, don't some schools (and especially Direct-Entry Master's prorgrams) have a minimum GPA requirement? Like I said, I think it would be in your best interest to re-take these courses, as they are expiring soon anyway.

[RN9742]

I agree with the others, I would just go ahead and retake those courses. No reason to wait another year till they "expire" IMO. It will bring your overall GPA up and give you a better shot at getting in. I know the schools I am applying to look at your CGPA and then look to see if you have a C or better in those required pre-reqs.

[JAYBRI811]

If you really want to do it, no excuses just do it and have faith you'll get in.