I am seriously looking at nursing. I have a long good/bad history with schooling

Hello All,

My name is Phil and I've been researching for the past several days on nursing programs and what it takes to succeed. I found this site and I've been reading through the forums. What a wonderful group of people, thanks for sharing your stories.


This is my situation. I'm 28 years old. When I was young my father pushed me very hard to excel in school and by the 8th grade I knew calculus. I got mostly A's and some B's in high school and competed in national math contests. Then unfortunately my dad died when I was 16. I became depressed and I got my first F in 12th grade. I later go to Drexel University and got kicked out sophmore year. I started to carry baggage around and hated school. I began to avoid schooling/books and studying hard. I avoided any challenging programs. I go to 2 other schools with varying grades and never graduated.

However, I had a revelation recently and letting go of the baggage. What I realize now is that I actually love school and the baggage I carried prevented me from doing my best. I know if I did my best and did what it took to get into nursing school and succeeded, I'd be TREMENDOUSLY fulfilled. I'd be so proud of myself and restore some lost self-respect.

So, back to reality, this is my situation:

In these transcripts are varying grades. But for the most part very horrible.

Drexel U 2000-2002 2.5 gpa
Community College off and on 1998-2007 3.0
West Chester U 2005-2006 3.1 gpa

All this time carrying this baggage around I barely tried in school and the kid who excelled in high school went on vacation. But now he's back.

So now i have a lot to prove to myself and the nursing schools that I got what it takes.

So what should be my plan to get in?

Right now my immediate plan is to re-enroll into Community college and study my butt off. Show myself and the schools a really high gpa and that I can do the program because that is what I know in my heart. I just have to apply myself 110%.

I know that I can excel in ANY program, if I give my heart, pour my soul, and give my all. Any words of wisdom that can point me in the right direction from the great people on this forum would be appreciated.

-Phil
Who's been through a lot despite not being on Earth for that long. Last edit by ThePhilster on Oct 14, '11
It sounds look you already have a plan, take any prereqs you need and apply. Just be prepared to explain how you're in a different place now than when you had a less than awesome GPA.

Hello Phil! Your post is very touching and my story is a little similar to yours. But I'm glad that you know one important thing about life and that is that you have the power to control your destiny. With that being said I will give you a few pointers that I feel can definitely help you get into the nursing program. First you will have to go back to community college and take your pre-requistes which include sciences (Anatomy & Physiology part I and part II, microbiology, chemistry etc). Also, try to volunteer in a hospital so you can prove to the nursing department that you like to help people. Volunteering in a hospital would also help you get a reference letter and it looks good on the resume. While in school it will be very important to get good grades and pass all your pre-requistes. Also, try getting along with your professors. This would benefit you in the long run b/c they can offer excellent reference letters. This is commonly looked at by the nursing department. ALso, when the time comes study hard for the entrance exam (if there is one for your school)....This all helped me get into the nursing program!!!!! Hope you do great and never give up....all you have to do is focus and organize your time. Hope this helps!

Hi, Phil and welcome! I found your story touching and inspirational because, I too, have had some difficult life experiences. I don't think I'd like to go through that again, but those years were a valuable learning experience and I morphed into a much stronger person. It lead me to what I believe is my purpose: Nursing.You learned so much in your journey and you have a great plan. I think doing your pre-reqs at the community college is sound advice; I went that route too. It will also provide you the opportunity to get your GPA up. I am a new nurse; I graduated a year ago at the age of 37 and I have been floating on air ever since. I also have chronic health problems and I'm a single mother. So, if I can do it, anybody can. I may have a long way to go to reach my life's goals (my own place, etc), but I've never been HAPPIER!!!Just don't give up! Nursing school is exhausting and stressful. Make friends with your peers because they will become your family. Study together. Make tons of flashcards. Volunteer at a hospital (or assisted living facility, etc) to get your foot in the door. Keep your eyes and ears open and be a sponge. Good luck in your pursuit and keep us posted on your progress. This site is full of supportive nurses.

Quote from TheDreamJourneyHello Phil! Your post is very touching and my story is a little similar to yours. But I'm glad that you know one important thing about life and that is that you have the power to control your destiny. With that being said I will give you a few pointers that I feel can definitely help you get into the nursing program. First you will have to go back to community college and take your pre-requistes which include sciences (Anatomy & Physiology part I and part II, microbiology, chemistry etc). Also, try to volunteer in a hospital so you can prove to the nursing department that you like to help people. Volunteering in a hospital would also help you get a reference letter and it looks good on the resume. While in school it will be very important to get good grades and pass all your pre-requistes. Also, try getting along with your professors. This would benefit you in the long run b/c they can offer excellent reference letters. This is commonly looked at by the nursing department. ALso, when the time comes study hard for the entrance exam (if there is one for your school)....This all helped me get into the nursing program!!!!! Hope you do great and never give up....all you have to do is focus and organize your time. Hope this helps!

I tried community college 3 times with 4 different majors after high school with grades from A's to F's and in the end a GPA around a 2.0...At 28 I went back to school for nursing and graduated with honors because it was my time, I was ready. You sound ready too. Go for it!

Perseverance is one of the main qualities needed to succeed in nursing school, now that you've made your decison, stick with itNursing has surplus-shortage cycles and is currently in a surplus cycle, the surplus cycle is likely to continue for a few more yearsTry to graduate with minimal loan debt because it may take 6-18 months to find a nurisng job

I had a miserable 2.8ish GPA with a freshman semester of a 0.21 when I applied to go back to school for my ADN. I graduated with a 3.0, finished my undergraduate bridge with a 3.89 last June and currently carry a 4.0 in my MSN classes (99.66 in the current class). Life brings us to different levels of understanding. It sounds like you know what you want. You might have to look at many options, including an ADN first then jumping into a RN-BSN program (which you can now do online in about a year and a half) but if you are determined you will find a way!Best of luck!Tait

What a sad story. U have been thru so much, but you are being strong, despite all the set backs.The only way I got thru study was to do a little every day. Don't give up ur other activities, but do make a study plan and STICK TO IT. I found doing a little everyday was better than cramming, say on a weekend to get caught up. And you will probably have to cut down on ur social life. This sux badly. But the only way I could keep up was to say no I can't come out. It worked but it was very hard. I gave up a relationship as well to get my degree, being involved with someone and trying to study didn't work at all (for me anyway, not judging anyone else on here). Just say very focussed on ur studies, and put them first. If u have to work, study part time as full time work AND study is very difficult.Whichever institution you end up going to see if you can see a counsellor re your dad - or just talk to some close friends about him. This may have affected u more than u think, and I'm thinking, if you have to go to a ward where ur dealing with death & dying a lot, it may affect you.Good luck.

Quote from ThePhilsterHello All,My name is Phil and I've been researching for the past several days on nursing programs and what it takes to succeed. I found this site and I've been reading through the forums. What a wonderful group of people, thanks for sharing your stories.This is my situation. I'm 28 years old. When I was young my father pushed me very hard to excel in school and by the 8th grade I knew calculus. I got mostly A's and some B's in high school and competed in national math contests. Then unfortunately my dad died when I was 16. I became depressed and I got my first F in 12th grade. I later go to Drexel University and got kicked out sophmore year. I started to carry baggage around and hated school. I began to avoid schooling/books and studying hard. I avoided any challenging programs. I go to 2 other schools with varying grades and never graduated.However, I had a revelation recently and letting go of the baggage. What I realize now is that I actually love school and the baggage I carried prevented me from doing my best. I know if I did my best and did what it took to get into nursing school and succeeded, I'd be TREMENDOUSLY fulfilled. I'd be so proud of myself and restore some lost self-respect.So, back to reality, this is my situation:In these transcripts are varying grades. But for the most part very horrible. Drexel U 2000-2002 2.5 gpaCommunity College off and on 1998-2007 3.0West Chester U 2005-2006 3.1 gpaAll this time carrying this baggage around I barely tried in school and the kid who excelled in high school went on vacation. But now he's back.So now i have a lot to prove to myself and the nursing schools that I got what it takes.So what should be my plan to get in?Right now my immediate plan is to re-enroll into Community college and study my butt off. Show myself and the schools a really high gpa and that I can do the program because that is what I know in my heart. I just have to apply myself 110%.I know that I can excel in ANY program, if I give my heart, pour my soul, and give my all. Any words of wisdom that can point me in the right direction from the great people on this forum would be appreciated.-PhilWho's been through a lot despite not being on Earth for that long.