I have been reading posts on here for years, but today I'm going to make my first post since I'm really in need for some nursing student/nurse advice.
Since I was about 12, my dream job was to work in labor and delivery (specifically as a CNM), and my dream school was the University of Arizona. I promised myself then that I would do anything necessary to get myself there, but lately it's just seeming more and more out of reach. I started attending U of A in 2012, which alone was difficult since my family was anything but supportive of it. My family didn't understand why I couldn't get my ADN/RN from a local community college and join the workforce immediately and go back and get my BSN/MSN later in life. Being a stubborn teenager, I refused, and I attended U of A on all loans, praying that it would all work out. Though I understood the competitiveness of the U of A BSN program, I still felt that if I didn't try I would forever wonder what could have been.
U of A's program has about 200-400 applicants per cohort (around 200 for Spring, 400 for Fall), and a 3.4 GPA (pre-req and cumulative) is a must to be competitive. Pre-requisite GPAs are weighed the most heavily in the admissions process, being 40% of the score, cumulative GPA follows with 30%, overall making GPA determine 70% of your admissions score. The remaining 30% was split between your personal statement: 10% (which they are now phasing out), and your interview: 20% (which you only complete if you are one of the top 100 applicants). As a high schooler, I was skeptical I would be able to reach above a 3.4 GPA with classes like Chemistry and A&P being so heavily weighed, but I surprised myself and obtained a 3.7 pre-requisite GPA and a 3.8 cumulative GPA by the middle of my sophomore year. I applied to the program and ended up being in the top 100, I received an interview but was denied for admission since the average student admitted had a 3.9. When I inquired about my scores, it turns out that my grades were solely to blame since I received full points for my statement and interview. Though very disappointed, I decided to keep trying and have since applied an additional two times since then. It's been emotionally and mentally tiring to watch my friends and past classmates who I often received the same grades as be accepted to the program. I have to admit, it becomes so draining to want to be happy for them when they talk about their classes and how much they love being in nursing school, but in the back of your head you're thinking about how much you wish you could be there too. It becomes even more emotionally draining when they complain about their classmates skipping classes/clinicals, failing classes, or going to clinicals intoxicated, because all you can think about is how that person proved to be more qualified than you.
I am now about to be a senior planning to graduate with a Bachelor's in Public Health in Spring 2016. As I am looking into ABSN/MSN to Midwifery and MEPN schools, I couldn't help but get my heart set on OHSU's ABSN/MS to Midwifery program. I'm also planning on applying to Seattle U and UIC, but I have found that almost every ABSN/MSN Midwifery or MEPN program is almost equally as competitive. I hoped that pursing my master's would give me that chance I have been so desperately wanting, but after taking the GRE, receiving average scores, and reading about how competitive the schools are, I can't help but wonder if my mom is right. Maybe I should "quit while I am ahead," maybe I really can't do this.
And that's why I am turning to all of you for some advice. When is it time to let go of following your dream and pursue something practical (which in my case would be Public Health)? Are there any recent ABSN/MS or Midwifery graduates/CNMs willing to tell their story or offer some advice on what I should consider? Or does anyone have any suggestions for schools to consider?
Sorry for the excessively long and emotional post! I just feel like I need advice from nurses since most of the advice I have gotten is either "you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it!" or "why would you keep trying?"
Of course the top universities and colleges are going to be the most competitive. Certainly anyone smart enough to attend one of these schools in the first place knows this already.
As I see it, there is really only one question in front of you: Do you want to be a nurse, or do you want to be a graduate of a College which will never admit you into their nursing program?
The fact that you took the time to write all of that speaks for how badly you want to go into nursing. It seems you already know the answer to your question. U of A might not be feasible, so why not apply elsewhere? You could graduate with your bachelor's and apply for an accelerated program. You could go for your ADN even after graduating with a bachelor's, allowing you to apply for a less competitive RN to BSN.
If being a nurse is your dream, then go earn your degree. If going to u of a nursing is your dream, then decide whether nursing or the name on the diploma matters more to you.
Before becoming a nurse, I was a high school teacher in a very affluent community. The parents were by and large very well-educated and accomplished in their fields of choice, or they wouldn't have the money to live there. I'm not kidding when I say that some of my students had famous parents you would recognize if I listed them; others had parents in less visible but prestigious roles like head of cardiology at a nearby hospital. As you might imagine, there was an intense pressure for my students to do well. For many kids, a B was a "failing" grade in their households.
And yet despite the competition within the school, there were very few who actually got into Ivy League universities. I saw many bright, hardworking, over-achievers have to come to grips with not getting into their "dream" schools. But you know what? These excellent students cast a large net, and they all got in SOMEWHERE. And when I'd see them visit at Thanksgiving or Christmas break the next year, nearly all of them were enthusiastic about their schools. They'd gone, met other amazing people, taken challenging and interesting classes, and just generally found a way to make their college experience work for them.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that you seem to be fixated on getting into the "best" school rather than exploring which school might be the best fit for you. Hint: any school that doesn't admit you (multiple times) is not the best school for you; the best school for you is one you can get into.
If you are serious about becoming a nurse and a midwife, cast a larger net. Explore other schools and other ways to your goal. Instead of focusing on a route that is closed to you, forge your own path.
Moving on from your dream school doesn't mean you are giving up on your dream.
I started out going for a BS in biology. I entered college without any direction. I knew I wanted to be a nurse, but I wasn't accepted anywhere and I just wanted to get away. Frankly, I didn't deserve to gain admission to the prestigious school I was in- but for some reason, they admitted me. In high school I graduated with I think a 2.3 GPA. I nearly failed my entire senior year due to family issues. I went to college and did okay, but took time off when I admitted to myself that a degree in bio isn't what I wanted. I had landed myself on academic probation with a glorious 1.6 GPA. Fast forward a couple years and I began attending a local city school where I brought my GPA from the 9th circle of hell up to a 3.54. I finished my prereqs and applied to schools. I wrote amazing essays and applied to a couple of schools more than once, only to be rejected again. I had to re evaluate my approach, and I did what turtles said. I cast a wider net. I considered schools I thought weren't as good. Low and behold, I got accepted into one of those schools. As it turns out, the school that believes in me and my capacity to be a capable and effective nurse happens to have one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the state- higher than the famed schools that turned me down.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Not everyone can be a nurse.
I fully agree that not everyone can be whatever they want to be. However, the OP has a very respectable 3.7 GPA in her prerequisite coursework and a 3.8 cumulative GPA. Her GPA is commendable and I definitely believe she could be a nurse.
However, the actual execution of her plan to become a nurse is the faulty issue here. If the prestigious nursing program at the University of Arizona has rejected her more than once, it is time to start applying to other reputable schools. Arizona has many of them, such as ASU, GCU, NAU, and an extensive community college network.
Fixating on a dream school that does not want the applicant can be a recipe for disaster that wastes time, money, and direction. The majority of nursing programs at obscure state universities and private nonprofit colleges across the US would accept the OP in a heartbeat with her 3.8 GPA. However, she must be open to the idea of attending these schools.
Is your dream to be a nurse or to graduate from a top25? Seems to me the top25 is more important to you for whatever reason and therefore you are not really pursuing nursing, at all. I have a BA, MPH and now I am going to a fantastic ADN program - that has a reputation for producing excellent nurses. Seems to me you don't really want to be or nurse otherwise you would do it.
I fully agree that not everyone can be whatever they want to be. However, the OP has a very respectable 3.7 GPA in her prerequisite coursework and a 3.8 cumulative GPA. Her GPA is commendable and I definitely believe she could be a nurse.
However, the actual execution of her plan to become a nurse is the faulty issue here. If the prestigious nursing program at the University of Arizona has rejected her more than once, it is time to start applying to other reputable schools. Arizona has many of them, such as ASU, GCU, NAU, and an extensive community college network.
Fixating on a dream school that does not want the applicant can be a recipe for disaster that wastes time, money, and direction. The majority of nursing programs at obscure state universities and private nonprofit colleges across the US would accept the OP in a heartbeat with her 3.8 GPA. However, she must be open to the idea of attending these schools.
Again, good luck to her!
Oh, I completely agree with that. I do not think her GPA is terrible. But, I also feel because she is young and has tunnel vision on how to become a nurse, it may not be for her. The rest of my post talks about what she needs to do if she wants to become a nurse. She may not want it enough to do what needs to be done here. It's not that I don't think she has the smarts or any of that. A 3.7 is a great GPA. I feel like common sense has gone out the window a little. And it may be that she is too young to understand it all. But I also wanted to point out that taking a different career path isn't bad either. When I read posts from people I find a common theme. They look at nursing as their whole identity in life. That if they can't get in a program or fail, then they as a person are a failure, which is simply not true. Your career does not really define who are as a person. It's up to each person to decide what they are going to be in life.
When I graduate, pass my boards, and get a job, it's still going to be a job to me. I will be on duty as a nurse 36-40 hours a week. And while that is a large chunk of time, off the clock, I will be a mom to my son and a good partner to my SO. My success in my family and relationships is what defines me. And when choosing to get into nursing, since I will be spending a large chunk of time at my job, I wanted to do something I will enjoy doing, and not be miserable at because many times the unhappiness at our jobs spills into our personal lives. But it will not define who I am. If I make a mistake whether it's at school or on the job, it's ok. It doesn't mean I'm a failure as a person. I may have failed in school that day or on the job at some point, but it doesn't mean I'm a failure. And that is what I mean when I say that.
Bottom line is that if she wants to be a nurse, she'll find another way to do it. If she wants to graduate from U of A with a degree in nursing, it's the name of he school and not the education that's being sought after.
OP- what do you want to be, a CNMW or a grad the U of A nursing program?
I applied to NYU twice with a GPA that I brought from a 1.6 to a 3.54. I busted my butt to claw my way out of the grave I dug myself. Even showing the improvement, glowing recommendations, and masterpiece of a personal statement (toot that horn, girl), they still didn't want me. Univ of Arizona doesn't want you. If you want to be a nurse, it's time for you to let them go and pursue your dreams elsewhere. If being a nurse with a degree from somewhere else isn't a part of your dream, then that's okay. You can continue with your current track and make a beautiful career for yourself.
What we're all saying is that you need to take a step back with your big girl panties on and decide what you want to do.
Why not just go to a second-degree BSN program that is a BSN to MSN Nurse Practitioner program, then apply to a CNM program? If you apply to a CNM program with a public health background, and are already a family NP, you will be golden.
I practiced as a CNM for 10 years. It would have been a great asset to also be a Family NP, as I managed all kinds of those issues any way. It also makes you super marketable to be both, and would give you a huge edge over other NPs (who are starting to face a crowded job market in some places.
Of just get a second-degree BSN, then an L&D job and then apply to a CNM program. Just be sure that the second-degree program has more than a week of OB clinical and enough OB content, otherwise you will has little chance of getting an OB job after graduation. Ask questions about that specific area. Look at programs in other states that are newer--may be easier to get in.
I cannot think of any reasons for you not to get there. It just make take longer than you planned.
From our awareness, this is the only life we have, and it is gone in the blink of an eye compared to the age of the universe, and even the age of the earth, and just like the many cycles of life here, our existence might be gone in a second if we go extinct as a species.
Stop worrying about what other people think and don't do things to try and satisfy other people because in the end, all you have is your consciousness and your self awareness, and by the time you are about to leave this planet, you don't want to be full of regret. You were born with free choice. Do you think you were put here to just be worried about what others said about you?
To get to the point, do what YOU want. I do understand you...feeling like nothing but a sack of mediocrity. It tends to get the best of you when you're sitting down, thinking about what's the point of life and this whole system of things...but the fact of the matter is, you're here. And even if the road gets bumpy, do your best to enjoy those bumps, because that's a part of life. And if those schools didn't see your potential, then they probably wouldn't have respected you as a human being anyway. You didn't get accepted for a reason, and maybe you won't find out that reason until later in life.
Us humans, we get so caught up in our ego with so many small things that maybe don't mean much in the end. Just take a deep breath and follow your heart, and do yourself a favor and surround yourself with supportive people. It could be subconsciously affecting your performance even if you may not notice it.
You remind me of my friend, she always has to have a nice name brand purse, something with a label on the front or a monogram. Sometimes I get a little jealous because I like nice purses too, but I just have a nice no name purse. When we go out, I still get compliments on my bag, even though it isn't made by a well known designer. And it gets the job done, it holds my makeup bag and my wallet and my keys. It has a nice front pocket I put my stethoscope in to protect it.
My point here is that although its nice to have nice things or go to a prestigious university, there are many great universities and community colleges that will give you the same education without the competition or the price tag. And just because something is well known doesn't mean it is better quality. I use my no name purse everyday and have for years and its still in excellent condition, my friends $400 Michael Kors purse fell apart in less than a year.
Thank you everyone who replied! I really appreciate your help putting everything into perspective. I was a bit stressed and overemotional that day in particular. I know this is the right profession for me, it's just always difficult to hear such things from your loved ones. I never would have given up becoming a nurse and blamed it on my mother, she didn't want me going to a four year school at all, but look where I am today. I included that about my mom to explain my thought process at the moment.
Though, I do want to address a common topic of the replies. I know my post made it seem that a prestigious school was my goal, but that is not the case at all. I attended the University of Arizona primarily because I liked the school (in addition to the nursing program) and I wanted to travel outside my comfort zone and attend an out-of-state school.
I am planning on applying to NAU and GCU as they have ABSN programs in Tucson, but I wanted something to fall back on so I decided to finish my degree in public health first. I have also looked into Pima CC in addition to other CCs, but often the wait-lists are so long that it would be more beneficial to get a BSN from a 4 year program. There is also an issue at times with prerequisites. Some schools require different and extra prerequisites that I just would not have finished by the application deadline, making applications to possible BSN/ABSN-MSN schools even more tricky. Additionally, I am on all loans, so I would ideally want to be admitted to an accelerated ABSN-MSN program in order to graduate/get a job sooner and reduce the interest on my loans. I understand if that ends up not working out that I would either have to get my ASN or continue with public health until I was financially stable enough to pursue graduate school again.
Also, the schools I'm looking at for Master's programs (OHSU, Seattle, ect.) may be considered prestigious, but that was not my concern when I began looking at them. I'm interested in them for their ABSN/MSN Midwifery programs, and they just so happen to be prestigious as well. I honestly had no idea OHSU was considered prestigious when I first saw it on the list of accredited ABSN/MSN midwifery schools, but I was interested in it since it was located on the west coast.
Does anyone have any experience with these programs and can give me their opinions on them?
RNsRWe, ASN, RN
3 Articles; 10,428 Posts
Of course the top universities and colleges are going to be the most competitive. Certainly anyone smart enough to attend one of these schools in the first place knows this already.
As I see it, there is really only one question in front of you: Do you want to be a nurse, or do you want to be a graduate of a College which will never admit you into their nursing program?