worried..

AllThingsPink · Jan 13, 2010

I think you should continue. It depends on your program for the pre-reqs and how much time you're willing to give to the program. It took me a long time to complete the pre-reqs and I've been working towards it for about 4 and a half years. I finally applied and begin nursing classes next week.

I am not a brilliant person when it comes to book smarts... if anything I have more street smarts and must spend a lot of time studying in order to acheive a decent grade. I think ANY person, with a pre-nursing major, thinks the science classes are their obstacle. I had to retake Anatomy and Physiology twice; the first time in Anatomy I got a D and retook it and got a B. Physiology I dropped because it was impossible to get a C... and after retaking it, got a B. It's doable. You just have to be dedicated. Yes, science is a big contributor but you can do it. Honestly, if I can do it, anyone can do it. ;-) I wouldn't recommend taking classes with Anatomy, Physiology and Micro but if you have no choice and want to get them done so you can apply ASAP, it's definitely going to be difficult. Best of luck in your decision!

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Jan 13, 2010

I would recommend that you find out the requirements of the specific schools that you would apply to before making that decision. If you know that the school ranks based mostly on GPA and their average admitted student has a 3.8, then you're not mathematically likely to raise yours enough. However, some schools have a minimum requirement only and then it's a lottery of qualified students, so you'd have as good a chance as a student with a 4.0. You need to be realistic, yes, but not necessarily fatalistic.

dozndawg · Jan 14, 2010

This is my honest answer...in my school if you were not the top of each pre-req class then you if you made it on the program struggle from day one usually not making it past the first semester. Now that's my program. Other programs are not as demanding and if what you really want is to be a nurse then go for it. Don't hold back study your brains out and start studying NCLEX books from day one. You also have the option of doing the LPN thing and then transition to RN you want or find it too difficult. Either way ask yourself this "how bad do you want it?". If you really want something bad enough anything is possible

StayLost, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2010

If you are a junior then I am guessing that you are planning to get your bachelors degree. I can tell you that it is practically impossible to get into a competitive program with a 2.9 GPA.

At the University that I went to, you could not even apply if you had lower than a 3.0 GPA. In my class, the lowest GPA accepted was a 3.7. I had a 3.8 and some had a perfect GPA and many applied many times before getting accepted. In fact, we had to gain extracurricular experience to make our application stand out. For me, I tutored biology for 2 years. This is not just my program, but ANY competitive BSN program!

If you are serious about becoming an RN, you should apply to a community college program that has a waiting list for an associates degree. Then, if you want to continue on to your bachelors, find an RN-BSN program and see if you can be accepted.

Good luck

slacktime · Jan 14, 2010

Dearest Worried,

As a recent ADN grad and as an assistant professor, I am sorry but I think it's not gonna happen.

I am not saying you would not be a good nurse but schools select students that are most likely to pass nursing board exams. Past performance predicts future performance, your listed past performance doesn't predict success in a nursing program.

Nursing programs are competitive to get into. Different schools use different ways to select students for their programs. Bottom line is you have to be in the top 20 -30% of applicants to be accepted. GPA isn't everything but you need to get A's in at least half of science prerequisites required for the program and Bs in the other half to be competitive. No C's.

In the program I just finished, applicants don't even get credit for prerequisite classes finished with less than a B.

All is not lost, no, no, no! Find a program you want to get into, review their selection process and get good at what they require. Take the prerequisites one at a time, get an A in all of them. Apply, you will be competitive. It may take years but it can be done.

Sorry for the brutal honesty.

One1, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2010

What I noticed is that you dropped a lot of classes. Prerequisites can be hard, but so will be nursing school, and there you will not have the opportunity to drop and retake classes at such a rate. Maybe you want to consider if you have the perserverance to make it through this (tough) kind of program. Somebody suggested getting a Bachelor first. That might be a great way for you to take classes in other academics as well, and if you are still dedicated to nursing after you finish, you had the chance to bring up your GPA and you know that you really want this. To help make the decision, you could also get a CNA license (takes app. 1 semester) so you can start actually working in the healthcare field. That way you have some income, you can show healthcare experience on your nursing school application, and you will definitely know if the healthcare field is for you. Another option would be to volunteer in a healthcare setting. Long-term volunteer committment will again bring you experience, help you make your decision, and show that you are dedicated.

bambam1288 · Jan 14, 2010

To be honest I would be worried about once you enter nursing school. Your GPA will drop and in your situation this could be a big concern. If you can buckle down and start getting A I woud continue. Nursing school is hard and you need to have a good grasp on your scinces to make it through. I would take a look at your skill set and see if your suited better for a diffrent path. Nursing is all about scince, math and crtical thinking.It took me 2 and half years to get into my nursing program and I had a 3.4 GPA and a C in anotomy( which really made it difficult). One bad grade in your prereqs. makes it difficult to get into these programes. I would look into university of phinox, or a community college you might have a better chance of getting in. I wish you all the best in the path you choose.

starnurse2be · Jan 15, 2010

listen,

i majorly messed up prior to nursing school....like, i got KICKED out from my university for getting less than a 1.7 or something. i brought it up to a 2.56 and the school i found would accept anyone with a 2.5 you just had to wait on a loooong waiting list. when there is a will there is a way! i found the school that worked for me and did what i had to do to get there, which included moving.

once in nursing school, having been given a second chance, i am doing great. i consistently get a's and b's on tests, and score above avg in everything. i'm a year in and i've scored 95/100 on both of my finals. when there is a will, there is a way!!

do not give up.

for me, it was not an option. i knew i had messed up (young, dumb and stupid) but nursing is my passion and i am so glad i stuck with it and found a school that would work with me.

i dont think i'll be a bad nurse because of my less than stellar gpa.

good luck to you.

megan-student · Jan 15, 2010

Hey there, Yes I agree with One1. If I were in your position I would go and talk to someone from the nursing school. At one of the schools I applied to, the more dropped classes you've had the less points you are awarded. At least if they were honest with you, you wouldn't be wasting your time or money. If your heart is set on becoming a nurse I would get a standard bachelors degree. There are several programs near me that give preference to people with previously earned bachelors degrees. Good luck with everything!!!