Advice for prior student, please :(

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Hello everyone,

I'm new to the board and am looking for some advice. I'm feeling very down about my dreams to become a nurse.

I have a bachelors degree in psychology and took the pre-reqs for my school's elite accelerated nursing program around 3 years ago. My hard work paid off - I was accepted. It was a very fast paced program that, once completed, you earn an MSN. I spent my savings and just about everything I own to join the rigorous program while also taking care of my toddler son. I'm a single mom at that! Despite so many of these obstacles - I was doing quite well. Unfortunately, nearing the end of the first phase of the program, I was shy of 0.05 points to secure my C in med surg. In fact, there were about 15 or so of us who were just shy due to various reasons. I brushed it off and started back - having an A in the class up until the final exam. My little boy - who was 4 years old at the time - became very ill. I had to take him to the hospital several times where he was misdiagnosed. He dropped down to about 21 lbs. Finally, during a trip to the ER, the problem was found and he began to recuperate. During my final exam, he became ill. I emailed my professor that morning - it was an early exam - and let her know what was happening. I received a message back that because I notified them about the exam while it was taking place - I would not be given a make-up exam because I had to email/call prior. Despite having an A in the class and having excuses from doctors, I was dismissed. A part of that joy has not returned.

A year later, I faced the facts that I dearly missed the field of nursing. I had been able to save a little money and went to speak to the local community college about their program. It sounded great - and because of my woes in the previous school, I just needed to take a (dreaded) speech class and take a few classes to raise my GPA. I did just that - acing the classes. I work 50-hour weeks at a job I despise, take care of my kiddo, and still managed to ace the classes. When I went to follow-up with the advisor to make sure all was well, she had the dreaded news that the school changed their curriculum and point system. As I looked over the new requirements, I couldn't help but cry. According to their new point system, I am heavily penalized for having been in a nursing school before. Also, they take the Eng. 101 grades, math, etc., from when I was 19 (and couldn't care less about school). No retakes are counted - first attempts only. So, despite having even been a journalist years prior, having dissected a human cadaver for advanced anatomy, and being the top student in my chemistry class - it doesn't matter anymore. All they look at is from when I was in my late teens (I'm in my mid-30s now). Also, I have to take the ACT - something I haven't looked at in years. I'm devastated. Part of me wants to give up - there seems to be so many obstacles weighing me down - however, when I look in the mirror, I see the nurse practitioner. I still have dreams that I'm back and I wake up so happy. I don't have much money left but I have the heart and drive. Everyday my heart breaks as I sit at the job I hate. Can someone please advise me? Maybe someone has experienced this as well? Sorry for the novel - thank you for taking the time.

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The community colleges in Alabama has changed their curriculum as well. As of Fall 2016, they go by a point system based on grades from ENG 101; BIO 201 and 202; the highest math you've had. They don't have an expiration date so that helps me because I made one B and all A's in the other classes. But they do offer "bonus" points for never having been in a nursing program. I was a nursing student back 10-12 years ago so I will be penalized for that. It's 10 points you get if never been in nursing school. Then they go with your ACT score.

I hope I get in next Fall, but I'm not sure how many points will be the cutoff.

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As time moves on, programs change their requirements. Those new requirements are never to the advantage of the individual. If you want to complete your goal, you are going to have to deal with what is on the table now. It does you no good to lament the past. Look around for a more favorable program and decide if you can handle the changes you will have to make in order to benefit from that program. About all you can do at this point.

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I'm actually in Alabama as well. Birmingham. Yes, I will lose those points as well and will have to deal with the C I made in Eng. 101 many, many years ago. Are you prepping for the ACT? I'm 36 now and it's been a while. Not sure if there is a good prep course. Thanks for responding! You're not alone

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Yes, this is very true. Just have to keep pushing forward and stay focused. It is no good dwelling on the past. Thanks for your comment.

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ACT scores don't expire either so I don't have to take it again since I took it in 12th grade. Have you ever taken it?

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Would you consider going the LPN route? You could the bridge to an LPN to RN program, and eventually do your RN to BSN. It might be kind of a circuitous way of doing it, but it could work.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

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