Alternate #5 is an emotional rollercoaster ride

[gamerchick209]

I feel like I am stuck in limbo. My school takes 40 students by merit, and I am number 45. Overall it feels great to be considered an alternate and towards the top of the list to say the least, but I cant celebrate. I was given all of the same documentation that those accepted had received, just in case I get the call, but I cant celebrate. I am an optimistic person, one who usually sees the glass as half full, but this week has been a rough one. I want so badly to shout to the world "I GOT IN!" but I cant. Getting the call, not getting the call. In, not in. Where do I stand? Reading some back dated posts from my program shows me that it is possible that I will be called. Last semester they called 13. 13! Thirteen first choice applicants had to decline their spots in the program so those waiting as alternates can celebrate too. So #5 feels like a shoe in, right? But I cant celebrate, not yet. I'm stuck in limbo. I applaud those who did get in. I know first hand the hard work it took to get to that place. I am not jealous, I am not bitter, and I am not regretful. I admit it is hard seeing the timeline that was given to those that got accepted. I know when their E-docs are due, when they register for 1st semester nursing classes, when they walk together as a group to take nursing badge photos, and when they attend scrub fittings. If I'm called to duty late in the game and miss all the "group stuff", its o.k!! Sigh. I'll only be bummed for a minute. However, I just want my chance to celebrate even if its late, solo, and goes unnoticed. So here's to all of you picked as an alternate. May we all get the call of our life, and a quick opportunity to celebrate before the madness. CHEERS!!

[gamerchick209]

Thank you!!! Made it just in time. Orientation and uniform fittings will be in 3 days! Im celebrating on the inside, but my outside still looks in shock. lol:woot:

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

Congrats on getting in! From here on out, you'll find that NS is a marathon, not a sprint... but at times, it'll feel like it. As to uniforms, if your school requires you to wear scrubs, I would suggest ordering a size up from what fits you unless what fits has already been well laundered and is now shrunk to whatever size it'll be. Since NS can be stressful, I would almost suggest ordering one size up from that anyway, to allow for any increases in weight. It's a whole lot easier to take 'em in than to let 'em out... and hardly anyone looks good in scrubs unless the scrubs are tailored.

Never be late, always be early. Read the material ahead of time, if possible. Review the material you're about to learn before the lecture. You'll get more out of lecture that way. Review again a few days before exam. And... rote memorization/regurgitation for those exams is now a thing of the past.

It'll be the hardest thing you'll ever do, academically.

[megansmith25]

You are so lucky! Congrats! I am #7 on my list but was told by the advisor yesterday that due to many students not doing well who are already in the program and on the verge of failing they cannot call any alternates until they know for sure and will "hopefully" know something next week but for sure by Christmas! This is my last chance as the point scores go up and mine was not very high to begin with. This is so unfair!