Worried About Not Making It (CA, San Diego County)

willowita, ADN, RN · Aug 4, 2012

People get rejected. It happens and it's not the end of your nursing career. :) You just have to pick yourself up and try again. Sounds like you've gotten to that mindset so that's the step in the right direction.

You say that you were rejected from your program of choice. So how many schools did you apply to? Just the one? I live in the LA area and it's a matter of applying to as many schools as possible to increase your chances of getting in. If you apply to several ADN and BSN programs, something is bound to pan out. Your overall GPA and pre-req GPA is not bad. I'd say it's pretty good. You just have to keep applying. Maybe look at programs that uses a different selection criteria. Lottery, different point system, etc.

tigerlogic · Aug 4, 2012

Start working as a CNA. it's good experience and you can retake some classes as you work and/or to apply to programs that put more emphasis on essays and less of a point system. Good luck!

PCroizier · Aug 4, 2012

Hi

I am also from SD. Just don't give up! I applied to City and to Grossmont for fall and was rejected by both. I took a summer CNA course to up my stats for the next round of applications but I found out I was accepted to SDSU for their spring cohort, which is better to me since I was going to do an rn-bsn after an adn program anyways.

My stats for reference were

AA degree

4.0 pre req

3.72 overall

3 hardship points

83% teas

I don't know what that totals anymore without looking it up but it wasn't enough for this fall.

Are you eligible for sdsu? Try that route also.

Good luck!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Aug 4, 2012

just wanted to say chin up! I think of you every now and then and wonder how you are....glad to see you are still trudging along! You are on the right track. Many schools have LVN programs in the SD area, just search. also the board website should list schools (BVNPTE).

good luck!

Distraught_Concerned · Aug 6, 2012

Thank you everyone.

Your score was incredibly high, PCroizer. Looking at the current multipoint system, you would have scored somewhere in the mid-70s. I haven't acquired an AA degree yet but I am looking to get a CNA certificate this Fall. It's not in time for my Spring 2013 application though, so I'm still hovering around the lower 70s. Not looking so good for me :x, I'm pretty worried now.

I am an SDSU student, but I was so confused my freshman year, I acquired almost exclusively B's those two semesters. I've improved a lot since then, but is there anyway I can really recover from that? I took a couple of core classes those semesters too, and that set me back even further. I've got Psychology and Communications class set up for retake this fall, but there's no way I can get into Microbiology and Human Anatomy courses anywhere in San Diego because they are just so sought after.

I can try to improve my cumulative GPA, but that only applies toward SDSU because community colleges have a "fixed set" of classes that count toward your GPA (English, Intermediate Algebra, Communication, Psychology, Social Science).

Nursing school is so hard to get into, it's a really overwhelming experience. The RN who helps us take care of my grandmother is only twenty-two years old. I'm really hoping I can make it before I am thirty....

This is my Plan D or F, I've lost count. I've gone through so many back up plans that even despite everyone's help and support, I'm starting to accumulate doubts. What should be my next course of action? Continue racking up points and applying? I'll have my CNA by the end of Fall with some volunteer experience too. I could get my LVN or an AA degree for an extra 5 points. I don't think trying to retake all my core classes would be a realistic idea, and they only count your first attempt at the TEAs exam.

I will be trying to apply for Grossmont, City, Southwestern, SDSU, and maybe San Marcos. I just can't go too far outside of San Diego country because I have to look after my grandmother who's she's trying to cope with the recent passing of my grandfather.

@Missnurse01: Thank you! I remember the night you coaxed me through that maniac rejection phase I went through. I am still incredibly thankful for that. I don't know where I would have been if I didn't calm down and get my head back in the game. It's incredibly hard and there are plenty of obstacles, I just really hope I am strong enough to overcome them!

PCroizier · Aug 6, 2012

Southwestern requires cna for application. From what I've heard grossmont is the hardest. When you apply to sdsu again consider applying for the spring semester. I have a score in the middle sixties for their criteria and I was accepted. I know however that fall is much more competitive and those in the seventy's were those that were accepted, at least for the fall sdsu forum on this board.

Toni82 · Aug 12, 2012

Don't get discouraged. You can do it. Keep trudging along and you will make it. It all depends on what applicants are applying when you do. It's really a numbers game. Your gpa and scores are good. Do what you can to improve your stats and keep applying. it will happen. It happened for me.

dreamerNU · Dec 6, 2012

I'm so glad I was able to find this forum. Hi Distraught_concerned! Your first post about your situation relates to mine 100%. This past April (on my 21st birthday), I had found out I was rejected by the National University program in San Diego. The whole summer I basically had an "I don't care" type of attitude since I was so miserable and depressed. Anyway once fall 2012 came along I picked myself up and tried again. Currently I'm not in any program but my first choice is at Southwestern this January 2013. JUST this fall 2012 semester I achieved my AA degree, got CNA certified, and accumulated volunteer hours.... Yeah I pretty much had no life this semester. My pre req GPA is a 3.5 and the fixed set GPA is a 3.3 I would day that's average... I also have 3 points for the life experience section, I speak Tagalog, and I received a 76 on my teas. Overall I should have a 79. I guess the bottom line is don't give up. I use to cry every night for weeks, but I just picked myself up and hopefully the outcome this time around will be better..

Columnist · Dec 7, 2012

Moved to California State Nursing Programs for more response.

NursKam, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 22, 2012

Dust yourself off and try again! If you really want to become a nurse you will find a way. It may not be an easy road and it may not be the way you planned it out. But hey, God laughs while we're making plans! YOU CAN DO IT! Have faith in yourself and turn in apps anywhere and everywhere! Consider private schools. The costs suck but not achieving your dreams sucks worse.

brookedavis20 · Feb 20, 2013

I am also really worried about the point system. What are the chances of getting in with a 4.0 GPA and Teas 80-89%? I added up my points and so far I only have 79-81 points. Is that enough for Grossmont/SWC?