Worried pre nursing student

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Hi ladies and gents, i'm very new to this forum, so this is my first post. I really need some input, because the last couple days i've been over thinking everything and it's really been getting to me. This may be long, so I apologize...

I've been an on and off student since I was out of high school. I was always so indecisive about what I wanted to do, therefor I was never the most studious. the last semester that I attended at my local CC I received some less than stellar marks (F's) just out of shear unmotivation and immaturity. I don't know what I was thinking at the time and I don't think it matters now, being that it was back in 2011. All I know is that I declared my major as psychology and I figured I'd just pursue that. At that time I transferred to a different University and went there for 2 semesters. My grades were steady B's for the most part, again because I felt unmotivated with my major. I didn't feel right about continuing with psychology so I took a semester off to really think about if that's what I wanted to pursue. I decided to take a specialized career placement exam, with results in the field of nursing. I then spoke with family members and friends who are nurses and they encouraged me to look into it more. Basically in 2013/2014 I did some serious soul searching and planning. I moved back to my old area and attended my old CC. From 2014/2015 I took A&P 1 and 2 and Microbiology. I Aced all three courses. I also retook some past bad grades and Aced those as well. Within that time, it became more apparent to me that nursing was really what I wanted to pursue....

Alright cool, but now I feel haunted by my bad academic behavior from the past, being that those old failing grades are still on my transcripts, but not calculated in my GPA. Don't get me wrong In general I have more B's a few A's from the first couple years I attended college, however I can't get over the fact that If I was as motivated then as I am now I would have straight A's and wouldn't be worrying like this.

I took the Teas test for the first time last fall. My score wasn't good enough for the ADN program but I was accepted into the LPN program for this coming fall. The director of my school encouraged me to pursue the LPN-RN bridge program, which sounded like a good idea when I really started thinking about it. I will be starting that program in a month, and I'm very excited and nervous about it. My plan is to eventually transfer to a BSN program, but i'm worried other programs may not be as forgiving of my past.. It's been on my mind the last couple days and for some reason I can't shake it.

Besides the bad grades that I retook, I have general nursing prerequisites that I took previously that are mostly B's and a couple A's. Including my sciences, my nursing prerequisite grade is a 3.5.

After reading my story, would you say I have a chance of getting into a good program? Is there advice that could be given to me? I've never been more committed to anything in my entire life.. I'm just feeling discouraged that i'm not a traditional student and I have a not so stellar academic past.

Thank you,

Kris

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Others have been in this very position and have been successful. Start with the LPN program and focus on that for right now. I believe bridge programs are a bit easier to get into, so focus on getting that LPN license and work hard! It seems like you are motivated to do just that.

Congrats on making it into the program!

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Thank you! And that's exactly what I plan on doing. I'm just worried about applying to other schools. I know I'm getting to ahead of myself and I should just focus on the program I'm starting, but it's just something I can't help worrying about.

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My GPA is a 2.7 with my bachelor's degree. C+ in Intro Bio, D in Sociology/Intro to Psych. A few math classes first year of college brought my GPA down. Found out I struggled with ADHD went on medication off now know how to focus stay on track in school. Depression first year of school reason GPA stunk. Long story short on the road to taking pre requisites for my BSN and take the TEAS soon.

If not accepted into the BSN program will go LPN route. Know a few second degree friends had stellar GPA pre requisites for ADN program TEA score was around a 70. Most of them were wait listed wanted to be a nurse. The LPN program here guarantees admission if have a passing TEAs score and a degree, they prefer you to have a degree. With their pre reqs done they had more time to study then those in the LPN program since they really were missing a day of school, four instead of five. LPN is a great back up your a nurse. Granted very few job's but their is job's. Can work you way into a bridge go online so forth and so forth. Know an LPN who works as an LPN enrolled in a BSN program not a LPN to BSN program very few of those up North what a shame.

Best of luck to you!!!

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Specializes in ICU.

You are over thinking it.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

When you apply to nursing school you must provide ALL transcripts.

Yes...our past affects our present. Those Fs matter. Does this mean you won't get into nursing school? No.

What it does is it makes life more difficult. Like bad credit makes getting a loan more difficult. You must not blame anyone or anything for your Fs. You received the grade for the work done.

It is good you have improved and that also matters. If asked be straight up about maturity and learning from your mistakes and most important...PROVE IT.

You will learn in school..talk is cheap. I am a big believer in making life EASIER for myself. Meaning..life is already difficult..why make it even harder? Control what you can. Grades..you are in control of how hard you work. Get to class on time. Don't miss class. Be prepared for class. Be motivated. I always wore nice clothes to class and tried to look like I take this stuff seriously.

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I feel you. I was Pursuing my degree in child development and felt Although, it was something I enjoyed; my calling in life was something else. While pursuing that career I only got B's and failed one class. To make things worst I got a C, in chemistry and a C in intermediate math. Once I realized that I wanted to become a nurse I was always haunted by how bad my grades seemed compared to those with a 4.0 GPA. I have been working my butt off to better my grades and gain experience. I still have three semester to go, so we will see what the outcome is. My point is that There is always a light in the end of the tunnel. !Just keep working hard and don't focus too much on what's done. What's done is done. On the bright side you already have been accepted into an LPN program! Congratulations! Keep up the good grades while in LPN and prove to them that you deserve a soon in their RN program! Best of luck to you!

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To windsurfer8 - I do plan on showing all my transcripts, and that is exactly why I am worried. I explained how I made up those bad grades with A's, however yes I do have a past of inexcusable bad academic behavior and those old grade will show, but will not be calculated. Thank you for responding, but I think you missed my point. I know talk is cheap, and I have learned to make life easier on myself by learning from past mistakes and not repeating them. This passed year I worked my butt off. I was 100% committed to Acing my science prerequisites the first time through, in which I did. I know I have what it takes to be a good nursing student.

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Mommyfuturenurse - This makes me feel better, thank you for your input. Are you currently in a BSN program?

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To windsurfer8 - I do plan on showing all my transcripts, and that is exactly why I am worried. I explained how I made up those bad grades with A's, however yes I do have a past of inexcusable bad academic behavior and those old grade will show, but will not be calculated. Thank you for responding, but I think you missed my point. I know talk is cheap, and I have learned to make life easier on myself by learning from past mistakes and not repeating them. This passed year I worked my butt off. I was 100% committed to Acing my science prerequisites the first time through, in which I did. I know I have what it takes to be a good nursing student.

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Thank you! This makes me feel better. Are you in a BSN program now?

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Good. The thing is we all make mistakes. Now is the time and move forward. Also you seem to be learning from the mistakes and how they can affect you for years.

Do as you are. Be upfront and honest. Work hard. Prove that you deserve the opportunity. Often overcoming past mistakes can build character and show what kind of person you truly are. Best of luck.

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