Another discouraged, unhappy camper here

coolpeach · Apr 1, 2008

I know what you mean. I will be so upset if I don't get in when April letters go out. I have done everything too (Phi Theta Kappa, 4.0, A on hesi entrance, taken all of my pre regs except one which I can take in the program).

I considered going BSN, but I would have to stay at the CC for another year or two before I could even apply to the BSN program. All the pre reqs for the nursing program didn't include History, government, Statistics, Sociology and a handful of other classes which I would need to move into a BSN. What is even worse is that a lot of the classes I took to get into the ADN program I don't need to get into the BSN so they would be wasted.

I remember when I started on this quest I was so nieve. I honestly thought it would only take a couple of years LOL.

Actually on this board just a couple of days ago someone wrote a post, and was upset because they were also going the ADN route, and it was going to take 5+ years. Another poster must have misunderstood, and thought they were doing BSN. They advised them to go ADN because after all that only took a couple of years. It a widespread myth.

Hotflashn · Apr 1, 2008

I am so, so sorry. How disappointing. What is their entry criteria? I don't see what more you could have done. Did they want you to have more units completed, or what? Is there anywhere else you can apply?

Initially, I hadn't considered BSN - like you said, too long, plus I am not a spring chicken either, so didn't want to spend more money on school. A counselor suggested going for it since I am waiting on waitlists (2 year wait or so) anyway. So I have been plugging at the BSN prereqs. You might do the same while you wait for next year.

I am so sorry, what a bummer. You worked really hard. I know somehow your work, dedication and effort is going to pay off in the long run. Hang in there.

NurseJeanB · Apr 1, 2008

I am so sad for you. This is one of the biggest complaints of nursing schools is that so many qualified people get turned away. I am in a BSN program, and it is 2 1/2 years, but it took me a while to get through prereqs. so I am no spring chicken as well. I wish you luck in getting into a nursing school program.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Apr 1, 2008

Applying again next year means, IF I get in, it will have taken five years to get an associate's degree. It just seems excessive, added to which I am 50 years old now, so I just don't feel I have the time to "spare."

Scooter:

I understand your "spare" time frustration, but if this is truly what you want to do, continue on your quest however you have to.

I am so sorry you weren't admitted to the program you applied for. Heck, if you didn't qualify, who the heck did?!?!?

I am 52 and will be graduating with my ASN in May. Hang in there and be persistent -- you can do this!! :heartbeat

rholman · Apr 1, 2008

Good Morning,

I totally understand how you feel. I posted a few days ago about the same thing. I am starting the ASN program this summer part time at Seminole Community College. They have a evening, weekend program but it starts every Janauary and I won't be finished taking the pre-reqs in time to apply for 2010, so I will apply in 2011. It will take me 5 years before I am done, providing I get accepted into the Nursing program the first time. If not it will be 6 or 7 years before I am done. I am 42 so I am looking at the possibility of me being 49 -50 before I graduate an RN.

Like you I was very dissapointed but I received a lot of encouragement from members of this forum and decided to go for it no matter what. 5 years is going to come anyway so why not spend that time working towards your goal. I encourage you to apply to other schools and keep pushing forward. Best of Luck!

misserella8036 · Apr 1, 2008

I'm so upset and disheartened. I didn't get in to the ADN program, and I truly don't know what else I could have done to better my chances. I have 34 credits so far (all from this community college whose program I applied to), an A in every class so a GPA of 4.0. Member of Phi Theta Kapa. Never missed a day of class or even been late in almost two years, but apparently it's still not good enough. Applying again next year means, IF I get in, it will have taken five years to get an associate's degree. It just seems excessive, added to which I am 50 years old now, so I just don't feel I have the time to "spare."
Sigh. Oh well. I know there's nothing to be done, but I just had to get it off my chest. I am considering applying to the local state college as a transfer student to go for my BSN. This late in the year my chances are practically nil, but I guess it's worth a try even though I would have to cram in Chemistry level I AND level II during the summer, just in case I got in. Ironically I didn't consider a bachelor's degree before now because I thought it would take too long. Little did I know.
Good luck to anyone else still sweating bullets.

The average age of nursing students at my school is 45. Many nurses wait till later in life to go back to school. Then they discover (as I did) how long it actually takes. Trust me - you are not alone. I have been working on my prereqs and trying to get accepted for 6 years -in the fall I will finally start nursing school. So it will have taken me 8 years to get an adn. :rolleyes: But I stuck to my guns because it's what I really want. If you really want it - don't quit. In the mean time take classes that will eventually transfer to a bsn. You can get a bsn online in the future and you will already have some of the classes!:yeah:I don't believe any money spent on education is a waste. Education means power in our society. So keep on learning! You'll be a great nurse:nurse:

Scooter321 · Apr 1, 2008

Thank you all so much for your support. I guess the reason a 4.0 isn't good enough is that I didn't have as many courses completed as some of the other candidates, despite the fact that I only have micro (currently doing that) and a single elective left to do. They give points for each course, more for an A, more for a science course, etc. My 34 credits presumably didn't add up to as much as some of the competition. My micro lab partner got in (a lovely girl, and I'm so happy for her). She has done enough work at the school to actually graduate--she has more than 60 credits--and she has a high GPA too. I guess if there were a lot of other applicants in the same boat, I didn't stand much of a chance.

I spoke to my advisor today. She did say that there was still a very small chance for me. When people drop out (and some usually do) they look again at the remaining applicants, and this time they would take into account the two accelerated courses I completed a few weeks ago, giving me a few more points. I'm not holding my breath, but I'm not quite down for the count yet.

Oh well, I'm going to go ahead and do the application to the state college for the 4-year degree, but my chances are almost nil. If no luck there, I'll probably do what you all suggest and not give up--I'll keep plugging away with courses that will not only count when I apply next year but would transfer to a BSN later.

Thanks again. I love this site!!!

Hotflashn · Apr 1, 2008

Though it probably does not seem like it, it sounds as if your college actually did you a huge favor. If you didn't get accepted because you don't have enough of the general education courses completed, it really isn't a bad thing. Most schools want applicants to have all the GE work done before entry into the nursing program. Trying to manage the NS curriculum and GE is just too much for most people to undertake and remain successful ... even 4.0 students. In my pharmacology class there was a gal that was in (ADN) NS and trying to take her NS classes, pharm, Human Dev and nutrition, I think. I am pretty sure she flunked out. At least she flunked pharm.

Really, most programs basically require an associates degree prior to entry into the program. So an ADN is more like 4 years and a BS can take 5 years, or more (much more!) if you plug away part time like me.

Just use this time to try to get everything else done. Try not to think about not getting in as some sort of a rejection - it wasn't, you simply were not ready. You applied too soon, is all. Now you have a year to get done what needs to be done, and really should been done so you can sail along when you get into NS. Get all your GE and any extras that you can finished, keep that 4.0 (should be easy if you have already gotten As in the biosciences) and you will very likely get in. That will be the right time. Trust it. It will help keep your blood pressure down. One more year, yes, but in the end, the year you spend now will make for a healthier, smoother, more comfortable and less stressful NS experience. Think of it as an investment. You can do it - you ARE doing it. Carry on.

GizmosMom · Apr 1, 2008

I hope you don't give up, Scooter, but I can certainly feel for you. Gads, what do they want you to do for heavens' sake :confused: I'm also considering the nursing school route and I'll never see my 50th birthday again, but I gain a lot of confidence from the posters at this forum.

Here's to hoping things will work out for you - and I believe if you've come this far, your dream will happen :redbeathe

Scooter321 · Apr 1, 2008

Though it probably does not seem like it, it sounds as if your college actually did you a huge favor. If you didn't get accepted because you don't have enough of the general education courses completed, it really isn't a bad thing. Most schools want applicants to have all the GE work done before entry into the nursing program. Trying to manage the NS curriculum and GE is just too much for most people to undertake and remain successful ... even 4.0 students. In my pharmacology class there was a gal that was in (ADN) NS and trying to take her NS classes, pharm, Human Dev and nutrition, I think. I am pretty sure she flunked out. At least she flunked pharm.................

Thanks for the support. If I apply again next year, I will basically be killing time until then. The only gen ed course I don't have completed already (apart from micro which I am doing right now) is a single elective. I had planned to take that over the summer so that I could enter the nursing program with nothing but core subjects left--the courses we are not allowed to take until in the actual program. As I didn't get in, I may do chemistry and other courses that are NOT required for this degree but would be transferrable for a BSN later. I feel that if I just sit back and wait, I will lose impetus and it will be that much harder to get back into the swing of it next year. Believe me, I had DEFINITELY planned to have all my gen ed work done before starting the program proper. I know it is extremely challenging, particularly with a job, even without having those extra courses to deal with.

Thanks again, everyone.

dee78 · Apr 1, 2008

I'm so sorry that you didn't get in but as the others have said, just keep trying. Anything is possible, someone may not accept the offer and you could be called. I had to decline my acceptance into a nursing program 6 years ago, so people do decline and their misfortune could be your gain.

Stay strong.