Afraid it will never happen...

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The waiting lists at the CC's around here are really long and the universities have prerequisites that are just different enough to require taking lots of classes. I have several done, but not enough to apply to any yet. I'm going to apply to all the CC's I am eligible for at this time. I'm working on figuring out which prerequisites will transfer where and which are needed to apply to the most programs possible. I keep hearing about how you need to have a 3.8 or higher and I don't (though I'm close) because of my first time in college in 1996. I also am hearing how important it is to have health care work experience and to be extensively involved in extracurricular activities. I don't have those things; I've been a full time mother for the past 8 years.

Lots has happened during that time, including the birth of two very premature babies. My two sons are how I know I want to be a nurse more than anything else - except being a mom. As a tribute to the son I lost and in gratitude for the one who came home, I want to be an NICU nurse. I've seen both sides, watched my first son die and later watched my second son struggle and survive. I know in my heart this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

I just found out a class that I had dropped wasn't dropped. It was their error, but now I have an "N" on my transcript. I don't have any way to prove it was their error because I deleted the confirmation email about a month ago, thinking I wouldn't need it since I'd dropped the class in September. I don't yet know how this is going to affect my chances. I have recently applied for general admission to the schools whose nursing programs I plan on applying to and have been accepted to all so far, but have yet to hear back from a few.

I'm sorry for rambling. Did you ever feel like it wasn't going to happen? Any advice on how to get past it? I'm just feeling discouraged at the moment. It's probobly largely due to a lack of sleep since the baby has been really sick lately. I know it's probobly awful that I feel discouraged and I'm not even in nursing school yet. I'm sure this feeling will pass and I'll start to feel better as I get more prereq's finished. Sometimes it helps to get it all out though...

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. You have certainly been through a lot and you should be commended as you strive to become a nurse. I don't know what area of Michigan you are in but here is a link to all the Michigan nursing schools.

http://www.allnursingschools.com/find/Michigan/nursing-schools.php

Don't give up hope--it will happen!!! And don't apologize for long posts; we all do that and that's what we're here for.

Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out.

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I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your son. :icon_hug: Here's a hug!

Hang in there. It's so easy to get discouraged. We all do it. Keep plugging away in the right direction. CC's may have a list of their requirements but they accept individuals for all different reasons. Don't give up. Where there's a will there's a way! (I have absolutely NO healthcare experience. I'm surprised to hear your CC wants it.)

:nurse:

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I too am very sorry, best wishes to you.

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sorry to hear about your misfortunes....I feel the same way as you do. I've tried to get into some prereqs for my CC for three semesters and the classes are always full........in the mean time I've been amassing General Education Units and after this semester I'll have over 50 units........I still need to nail the big science courses A&P, Micro, and Chemistry and then I'll be all finished............but at this rate it feels like I'm gonna be in CC forever.

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Thanks... :) I guess I wasn't entirely clear. The CC's have long waiting lists, and the BSN programs "like" to see healthcare experience, extensive extracurricular involvement, and 3.8 or higher GPA. Their entrance requirements don't state that, but due to the large number of people that meet the requirements, they go for those who have the most to offer.

The CC's all do things differently. Some are on a point system with no waiting list, which is great, but you have to have a really high number of points to make it past the cutoff. The total possible points is 90 and the cutoff last year was 75. Basically to get maximum points, you have to be a resident of the district, have a Bachelor's, have the prerequisite courses done PLUS every single other course you can take without having to be admitted to the nursing program, which is about 30 credits, have over a year of full time employment in the healthcare field, have followed a health careers pathway in high school, and have a 3.8 or higher GPA.

Some you just have to complete the prerequisites, take the entrance tests and meet the minimum GPA and you're on the waiting list. Even those give priority to residents of the county. The waiting lists are 3+ years long.

I've been advised to retake a few classes because I had B's in them, and to take lots of other classes beyond the prereq's to show I am capable of doing well. I still can't get a definite answer as to how the one class is going to affect me. I'm really frustrated that their error is causing me so much trouble! I guess it's just as much my fault, though, since if I hadn't deleted the withdrawal confirmation a month ago I could prove it was their error.

I guess I'm just going to keep plugging away and get on the long CC waiting lists and see what happens. Maybe I can get a job at a hospital during that time.

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Wow, your story is heartbreaking and inspirational. This is no doubt your path in life, unfortunately it has not been easy for you to go down. I encourage you to take a look at other ways to reach your goal. It is also very competitive to get into a program where I am. I'm going to retake three classes to improve my chances and something else I have considered if I don't get accepted to any ADN or BSN programs is to apply to LVN programs. They take about a year and it will definitely increase your chances of getting into a RN program in the future. What you will learn will just make nursing school easier and I've heard that some of the best RN's were LVN's first. Another bonus is that many hospitals will be eager to pay for your tuition when you're ready to continue school. Just think about your options and remember that it never hurts to have a plan B or plan C!:)

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