Feeling Discouraged, any advice?

[RatchedRN80, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I need some advice. I have been struggling the last 3 years to finish my nursing pre-req's and I finally completed them. I also just took my TEAS V exam. Here is my issue: I was relying on acing my TEAS exam in order to get into any of the nursing schools in my surrounding area. I studied for 2 months for this test using the ATI study guide and McGraw Hill TEAS book and I only got a 70%. I am baffled. I knew everything from front to back in that book, I studied videos online. I know I am smart but somehow I only pulled off a 70%. When taking the test, I felt like I was reading a different language in the science section. It did not cover anything I learned. As most of you know I can only use this score for the next 3 years when applying because most So Cal nursing schools only take your first attempt. My overall GPA is not great- 2.9 and my nursing pre-req GPA is a 3.5. I am currently in an EMT class to get some extra points on my nursing apps. Every single So Cal school I have researched says you need a certain amount of points to get in or even placed on an alternate list. For example, to be considered at Saddleback a minimum of around 68 points is the average to be accepted and I only rack up 52. I just lost major points by only getting a 70%. I have a super slim chance of getting into any nursing schools in my area. The schools that I am applying to are College of the Desert, Palomar, Mira Costa, Saddleback, Goldenwest, Rio Hondo, Long Beach City, Riverside City, San Diego City. I feel so defeated. I feel as though I just wasted so many years of my life trying to get ready to apply and now my TEAS score has ruined my chances. Does anyone have any advice on how I can get into school sooner or any schools that I missed maybe that don't require a really high amount of points to get in? My dream is to be a nurse, I've been struggling so much to get this far... I'm a full time mom of 4 and I am doing everything I can to get into a school that will have me so I can be successful and purse my dream. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[13grad71]

Can you try Cypress College, Cerritos College, College of Canyon, CSUCI. Or try Ventura College or Moorpark College. Both have a minimum of 70% TEAS V score. My cousin graduated from MC. Lectures are every Monday and one 12 hour clinical per week. So total of 2 days per week commitment.

[babeinboots, MSN, NP, CNM]

It might be further than you want to travel but a couple of the community colleges in the Los Angesles Community College District have first come, first serve policies (like Los Angeles Trade Technical College) or lottery (Los Angeles City Harbor Community College) to determine who is accepted. As long as you meet the minimum requirements, you have a pretty good chance of getting in. I think Southwest Community College and East Los Angeles Community College are also a little easier to get into.

Don't give up! I was flat out denied the first time I applied to my program. I wish you luck. If you have specific questions about LA Trade Tech or Harbor, I can answer them for you.