please make this make sense

[FinallyORrn]

Hi, guys.

I'm not yet a student nurse, but I wanted feedback from those of you who are. I am really in the need for some advice, or some "hey babe, been there" stories. First, my story (bear w/ me!): I'm 34 and have dreamed of being a nurse since I was 19. Due to a growing family since that age, I've been working on my pre-reqs for the last 15 yrs. Very long time, but to me that's dedication. I finished w/ a GPA of 3.62. I applied to my nursing school of choice for Fall '06. Now, at this school Fall is studendously difficult to get into. It is very competitive. But, I applied none-the-less. I was one of 80 out of 800 to get a coveted interview, unfortunately I wasn't one of the 30 to get admitted. I had a great interview, solid app/recommendations, etc. Given what I knew about Fall semesters, I wasn't too surprised. I was also told that I was "so very close" to being accepted. I admit I was a teeny-tiny disappointed, but Spring semester was coming and I re-submitted. I was very positive about it. I knew that the letters were mailed out last Wed. So, on Friday I checked the mail every half-hour and when it finally came I could hardly contain myself. I should've contained myself...I was rejected. Again. For the second time. The air was sucked from my lungs and I just stood there in the middle of my front yard, crying. Luckily, we live in the country. I was/am devasted. When I called the school they told me this time that I was "so very, very close". Well, great. After 15 yrs of working my tail off w/ school, FT job, husband and...wait for it...8 children, I'm being told that I was very close. Again. The only thing I could do do prove/improve myself is volunteer and that will add to my application. But, this concerns my GPA. I was told that it is indeed good, solid, and competitive. It's just that it's not good enough. All this time and I'm not good enough. They "highly recommend" that I re-submit for Fall '07. Okay, I did that because I've come all this way and I know that I meant for this and I cannot simple walk away. But, if I wasn't good enough the first time I applied for Fall and the second time for Spring what makes them/me think I have a standing chance on getting in for next Fall? Who here has heard of someone being accepted after being rejected TWICE? Anyone? If someone out there has anything to offer, I would be most appreciative in hearing it. Thanks so much.

[ShockerGirl07]

hmm.. i dont know much about that one, im at WSU and I got in the first time i applied, and had a pretty good gpa, one c and all the others were b's and a's. We just had to take the TEAS test, and that was pretty much it for getting in the program. have you applied other places or are you wanting to stay in that area?

[FinallyORrn]

hmm.. i dont know much about that one, im at WSU and I got in the first time i applied, and had a pretty good gpa, one c and all the others were b's and a's. We just had to take the TEAS test, and that was pretty much it for getting in the program. have you applied other places or are you wanting to stay in that area?

I cannot leave the area. Besides owning our home and 10 acres, my husband & I have 8 children between us.

At Baker, if you are good enough you will be selected to interview. It's an achievement just to get that. Then it's the praying game. If you don't get in one semester, you tell them to put you on the list for the next. This doesn't mean that it's a "waiting list". You will take your chances w/ everyone else "left over" plus the new applicants that did well enough for interviews. You only interview once. It's very difficult to get in. There are a prestigious few who get in right off the bat -- those will 4.0, or pretty close. I thought w/ a 3.62 (all As, 2Bs) that I fell in to the "pretty close" category. I have never considered anywhere else, as I've dreamed of this school and their incredible program for 15 yrs.

[rags]

8 kids WOW! Let me be the director of that nursing program... I'd let you in just for the experience in PEDS alone!!!

Good luck to you. I hate the way that the nursing programs have turned into such a competitive thing. The anxiety kills you and then you get in, do all the classes and clinical, graduate and then... then... that dreaded final... THE NCLEX!

I went back to school (for the first time since graduating from High School) when I was 35 and believe me, you are going to realize how much life experiences help you though. DO reapply and if you don't get in ~ Apply again! Keep applying until they let you in for persistence if nothing else!!! Dedication means a lot in this field.

[FinallyORrn]

8 kids WOW! Let me be the director of that nursing program... I'd let you in just for the experience in PEDS alone!!!

Good luck to you. I hate the way that the nursing programs have turned into such a competitive thing. The anxiety kills you and then you get in, do all the classes and clinical, graduate and then... then... that dreaded final... THE NCLEX!

I went back to school (for the first time since graduating from High School) when I was 35 and believe me, you are going to realize how much life experiences help you though. DO reapply and if you don't get in ~ Apply again! Keep applying until they let you in for persistence if nothing else!!! Dedication means a lot in this field.

Thanks so much. Encouragement can really take the sting out for a little while.

[rags]

Your welcome, but I meant every word!

[firstyearstudent]

I cannot leave the area. Besides owning our home and 10 acres, my husband & I have 8 children between us.

At Baker, if you are good enough you will be selected to interview. It's an achievement just to get that. Then it's the praying game. If you don't get in one semester, you tell them to put you on the list for the next. This doesn't mean that it's a "waiting list". You will take your chances w/ everyone else "left over" plus the new applicants that did well enough for interviews. You only interview once. It's very difficult to get in. There are a prestigious few who get in right off the bat -- those will 4.0, or pretty close. I thought w/ a 3.62 (all As, 2Bs) that I fell in to the "pretty close" category. I have never considered anywhere else, as I've dreamed of this school and their incredible program for 15 yrs.

If this school is your only option I'd redo some pre-reqs to improve your grade (if you can afford it). This is not necessarily a waste of time if it's been a while since you've taken a course. (Some schools even has recency requirements -- for instance you must have taken anatomy within five years -- because it's important that this stuff be somewhat fresh in your mind). I'd also do volunteer work. Then, most importantly, I'd have a face to face with someone potentially supportive at the school and tell them how much you want to get in and that you will do whatever it takes to get accepted. So tell me what that is and I'll do it.

I'm sorry it's been so difficult for you to get into a school.

[kkorso51]

All I can tell you is there are lots of people who are successful today who were rejected many times. You seem to me to have the drive and 15 years is a long time for you just to give up now. I've been in school 5 1/2 years and am not even close to graduating. I just now made up my mind that I want to be a nurse. I lost so much time and energy going to classes that I didn't care about. But quiting now is not what I want to do. Besides when you finally do get in you and your family will appreciate that you didn't quit.

[bkthicklady]

Reading your story reminds me of myself a year ago:o . I was frustrated with applying to nursing schools and not getting accepted. I had completed all of my prerequites and my gpa was a 3.5 I knew it was not high; however, I was still hoping that I would get in. I recieved rejection letter after rejection letter, I fell into a deep depression. My family and friends told me dont give up, just apply for sept 2007 easier said then done, all I could think about is a wasted year. In early september my friend mention to me a LPN school in NJ, I went online and did a search for all of the LPN schools in NJ. I found three that were accepting applications for January. I studied my tail off, took the entrance exam and ace all three and got accepted to all three. I start January 22nd:balloons: . getting my LPN wil be my stepping stone to my RN. I wish you all the luck!!! Dont give up!:monkeydance: