Were you a Bad/good student before nursing school?

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I graduated high school in 2016, I always knew I wanted to study but before that I decided to move abroad for a year to work and travel (in London) I am coming back in July, and would like to apply to some nursing prerequisites, however I am a bit concerned because throughout high school I was not a bad student my GPA was 3.5 but I was very lazy, didn't bother studying, didn't join clubs, go to any events, I didn't do well on the SATs, I just had a complete lack of motivation and drive. I'm not the best in Maths and Sciences and I'm a bit concerned I will do poorly. I know I have the determination and study ethic and I really love caring for people, helping people, and the idea of the nursing career is really enlightening to me. Was anyone ever in the same boat as me? How did you (if you did) surpass it and get through pre-requisites/ nursing school?

I really appreciate the responses. Thank you guys so much.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

How exciting for you - to be able to travel & live in London.

Maturation is a wonderful thing. A definite career goal (nursing) is a much stronger motivator than HS graduation... which for many of us, was pretty much "just get me out of here with a diploma".You're not the same person you were in HS, and you'll continue to develop and change over the years. So, don't sell yourself short.

Nurses are not angels of mercy, we're health care professionals. Ours is a knowledge-based profession, grounded firmly in the sciences. Becoming a nurse takes MUCH more than wanting to help people. The nursing educational process is very challenging for many people due to the rigor that must be applied and the strict goals that must be achieved.

Your HS GPA indicates that you are undoubtedly have the intellectual horsepower to succeed but it may require you to develop stronger study skills. Start with your pre-requisites at your local Community College - which like most CCs is 'open enrollment', so SAT scores are not that important.

You can do this.

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I was an average student in high school, except for Culinary classes, mostly tried enough to pass, but otherwise could not be bothered. I was the sameway in Culinary school, if the classes or labs had to do with cooking then that had my attention. The pre reqs did not. This go around, maybe because I am in my 30's and not a teenager, but I have interest in every class, and try my very best in every class.

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Yes, I was thinking the same thing... That a lot of great nurses didn't always start off with great grades, haha! I know if I applied myself and like you said figured out the best way for me to study, I will accomplish great things! Just have to start some pre reques... Thank you for the great advice, you are really motivating and kind! I appreciate it very much!

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I aswell. I just wanted to get high school over with! (I didn't even want to go to culinary tbh, haha!) at the time I knew I would move abroad the following year so I couldn't have cared any less how my grades were even though I did fairly well. I realize how determined people become when they want something badly and I think it happens to many pre-nursing students who end up makin it through to the end!

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In high school I had a 3.0 GPA.

Once I went to university straight after I graduated, I realized what was expected of me. I've had many moments where I've doubted myself, but i've never given up.

I am now getting ready to apply to nursing school with a 4.0 and a score in the 99th percentile on an entrance nursing exam.

What matters most is worth ethic. The vast majority of people that make it didn't get anything handed to them. You've totally got this. Just keep at it and you'll go places.

Good luck!

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....and what did you think of my homeland?? :up:

~Union Jack ~~ British born and raised ~

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I'm not a nurse yet. Heck, I haven't even started nursing school. But I was accepted for this upcoming fall. I had horrendous high school grades. I hated school, transferred a lot, and ended up getting my GED rather than attend a 6th high school. I rushed into college and did terribly. I had no idea what I really wanted to do, and was not mature enough. I dropped half my classes and the rest of my grades were b's, c's and d's. Actually, the first two semesters I had all F's because I had no idea what I was doing. Took time off and worked. Had a few life events that directed me towards nursing. Now I love school. I have consistently made the Dean's List, am part of an honor society, and was accepted to both nursing schools I applied to. Make sure you are ready for school. When you decide that you are, focus on your prerequisites. If you have to do the first few semesters part-time so you know what to expect, go for it. Don't overwhelm yourself, especially in the beginning. If you have time, maybe look into volunteering somewhere. Check out what schools you want to go to and what they require and focus on that. Some only focus on the prereqs while others weigh admissions tests heavily.

Good luck!

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Its a miracle I graduated HS, I literally skated by with a 2.3 or something of that nature. 11 years later, I am about to graduate from my LPN to RN program and I have a 3.96 GPA. I was not disciplined or motivated to do well in high school, once I found something I loved, I ran with it. Your HS GPA was quite good, I suspect you will be fine. My major road block was learning how to study in a way that worked for me -- I had really never done it before. So I figured that out during pre-reqs so once my nursing program came along, I was more than ready. Good luck!

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HAHA! I love it here, I tried getting a job as a healthcare assistant tbh, just so I could already start getting some experience but most jobs require experience of atleast a year! :( so I just stuck with waitressing it pays well anyway! Haha!

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HAHA! I love it here, I tried getting a job as a healthcare assistant tbh, just so I could already start getting some experience but most jobs require experience of atleast a year! :( so I just stuck with waitressing it pays well anyway! Haha!

Yeah, London is a fun place! I couldn't live there permanently though - the weather alone is enough to put me off, and that's before the cost of living! Perhaps you should look into the salary of our NHS nurses!!! Then when you return to the States you'll feel like a millionaire!!

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Yeah, London is a fun place! I couldn't live there permanently though - the weather alone is enough to put me off, and that's before the cost of living! Perhaps you should look into the salary of our NHS nurses!!! Then when you return to the States you'll feel like a millionaire!!

yeah same with me. That's what puts me off completely! The weather is god awful haha!

oh, trust me I've researched xD it's horrendous. Nurses deserve even higher pay in the US in my opinion... Here, forget it! That's why there's such a lack of them! Londons great for now have a little fun while I'm young, but not forever like u said!

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