Can't get into nursing school!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hey ya'll, so here is my dilemma. I am a pre-nursing student, all of my pre-reqs are done and I'm ready to apply to nursing school. However I talked to the advisor at my school and was told that there is a slim chance I will get in. (I actually appreciate the realism- I would rather someone tell me straight up then string me along so this isn't the problem). There are 80 seats in the nursing program and over 1,000 people applied last admission. I go to a community college in a small state (there aren't many colleges to choose from) and they require the NLN. My school uses a ranking system for admission based on your classes and NLN score. So for example, A&P if you have an A you get 4 points, if you have a B you get 3 points, etc. And they also calculate your NLN score into points for the ranking system. I get mostly high B's in all of my classes but didn't do so great on the NLN (and I can't take it again for another 6 months).

SO I am just feeling EXTREMELY discouraged. All of those 80 students who get accepted will have done excellent on their NLN and have 4.0 GPA's, I'm sure, especially when they are choosing from over 1000 students. And most of them dont have to work, well I do..I have to work full-time to pay my bills. I'm not right out of high school, I live on my own and take care of myself so not working is not an option. Some girls in my current class I am taking have been waiting 2 years to get into nursing school. This is just ridiculous to me. Why do people do this? I refuse to wait 2, and what sounds like more than 2 years to get into nursing school. It may never happen and you're just sitting there waiting and applying. How is this OK?! I am incredibly frustrated and just needed to vent on this site because I know others must feel the same way or are in the same boat. I'm considering changing my major at this point because I am not going to sit around and wait forever and ever for a REMOTE chance to get in. I may never get in and then I'm sitting around waiting for nothing. What is everyones thoughts on this?

Thanks for your comments ?

-Frustrated Pre-Nursing Student

That is what I am planning on doing. My GPA is a 3.3 but I am planning on getting my LPN than bridging back over. Also, I want to gain some experience before entering the RN life :)

1 Votes

I applied to a university two semester in a row and got rejected! :( This time I am applying to a local community college, and they said my score to get in is much higher than average! Just because one school doesn't want you doesn't mean you are stupid or not good enough! They just have different criteria! The university wanted an essay, resume, overall gpa, foundation gpa, and volunteer work, but the community college wanted my grades from three classes only plus my score on the Teas V exam. I studied for it for a month and got a great score which accounted for most of my points! Good luck and keep us updated. I know how frustrating not being accepted can be!

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My community college in Pensacola,FL. doesn't allow retakes.

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OMG I can totally relate to this! I started school in 2014, right after high school and I am still waiting to get in at my local community college. I transferred schools once because they told me at the previous school that the waiting list was a year long. At my current school, however, there are around 400 people who apply for 80 seats(they accept more than they can accommodate because many people will drop off). I am so frustrated because I have friends about to graduate(other majors), and I am still waiting for a spot. My school uses ACT score and letter grades from pre reqs to determine points. The ACT is my problem. I have also recently considered starting with the surgical tech program as it is easier to get into and you can continue nursing school after surgical tech school. You could work as an ST while in nursing school (hello, experience!), but this could be challenging. There are many other programs to start out with if you are feeling like you just won't get in right now. Be patient though, if I would not have transferred schools, I would currently be in the previous school's program right now. Do not jump the gun and move schools unless you are confident that it is the right choice for you! I wish I wouldn't have transferred because now I am set back more than I was originally. Good luck with your future endeavors!

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That's why there's no such thing as a "Pre-nursing" student.

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Here is the thing:

1. Are you rich? If so, you can retake your classes as many times as you want. However, some schools do not accept more than one repeat. Besides, you have high Bs, so stick to them. Having all As is not a guarantee.

2. Did you try looking into other states? Relocation might be an option. However, do not come to NYC; if you struggle to get accepted in your locale, in NYC you might as well commit a suicide.

3. Which program are you applying: ASN, LPN, or BSN? Expend your horizon and try applying to all of those programs.

4. My final advice to you is: study, study and study for your NLN. I am sure if you do extremely well on NLN this time, you may have a shot. You may earn 3s for your grades, but your NLN scores might be high enough to counterbalance the scores from other applicants.

Good luck!

1 Votes

Hi Pookyp,

I am also in Fl, i heard that it's getting really hard finding job as an LPN... Just want to hear your thoughts. And by the way , how do you like being a Practical Nurse? Are you planning to go back to become an RN?

Thank you

1 Votes

Hi Pookyp,

I am also in Fl, i heard that it's getting really hard finding job as an LPN... Just want to hear your thoughts. And by the way , how do you like being a Practical Nurse? Are you planning to go back to become an RN?

Thank you

1 Votes

Could you apply further afield? I'm a true believer that if you want something badly enough, you'll do whatever it takes to get there (as long as nobody is hurt in the process!).

For example, I'm British and my British qualifications weren't recognized. Additionally, I'm older and had been out of the education system for a long time. Hence I had to start right back at square one. So, when I went to take the math class that is needed for the nursing degree, it needed a pre-req to be accepted. OK, no problem...I'll take the pre-req...until I discovered that THAT pre-req required a pre-req...and...you've guessed it THAT pre-req ALSO required a pre-req......so, just to get the math credit, I had to take 3 classes (each one a pre-req to the next) until I could take the actual class! I'm certainly not fishing for compliments, I'm simply trying to demonstrate that it hasn't come easy to many of us, and we've all had our crosses to bare.

In your situation, could you move out of state? Apply further afield? Apply to a University rather than the CC route??

1 Votes
Specializes in Nothing.

I just got my fourth rejection letter in the mail today. I am done with the pre recs and have been trying to get into school with all of the advisors telling me that I am a perfect fit each time I apply. I am beyond heart broken and frustrated as well. The disappointment is now manifesting with despair and vomiting. I am so so so sorry you are feeling this rejection as well. I did feel less alone reading your post. So I’m taking it as a silver lining that I’m not the only one. My years of experience as a cna and ma don’t seem to matter in the slightest either so I am super happy I wasted all of this time building my experience up.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
16 hours ago, Strugglebus31 said:

I just got my fourth rejection letter in the mail today. I am done with the pre recs and have been trying to get into school with all of the advisors telling me that I am a perfect fit each time I apply. I am beyond heart broken and frustrated as well. The disappointment is now manifesting with despair and vomiting. I am so so so sorry you are feeling this rejection as well. I did feel less alone reading your post. So I’m taking it as a silver lining that I’m not the only one. My years of experience as a cna and ma don’t seem to matter in the slightest either so I am super happy I wasted all of this time building my experience up.

Being a "perfect fit" based on the basic admission criteria isn't the same as being competitive when compared to all the other people applying, which the advisors have no way of knowing. What are your grades, GPA and entry exam scores? Have you examined the possibility that you may not get into nursing school, but that you may be able to get into school for some other branch of health care, like respiratory therapy or surgical technician or sonogram technician, etc?

1 Votes

If LPN is not an option or desired become a Paramedic then do a Bridge to RN.

1 Votes
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