Anyone else waiting to start RN program?

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Hi everyone! After working incredibly hard to finish my prerequisites, I got accepted into my community college's RN program :)! The problem is that the programs where I live are so impacted, that I am an alternate to start Fall 2015 (if I don't get in then, I start Spring 2016). I'm glad, of course, that I am accepted, but it is really frustrating to work so hard to finish the prerequisites only to have to wait 18 (or more) months. I am an older student (37 years old, married with four kids), so I don't have time to wait around. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice. Anyone else in this situation? Thanks :)

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Yes, completely understand your frustration. I'm also waiting to get into the Nursing program here. I was hoping to get in Fall 2014 but I had to complete a prerequisite and like you worked really hard only to find out that I am going to have to wait a year. I'm also older too, 43, married with 4 kids. It's kind of funny actually, because I already have a Bachelors Degree, so now I'm going back to get an Associate Degree at the Community College.

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I'm in a similar boat, although my wait isn't as long as yours. I've finished all of my prerequisites for my ADN program, but there is such a backlog of students that I won't be starting clinicals until Spring 2015. I'm spending the fall semester chipping away at classes that I'll need eventually for my BSN.

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I know, it is crazy! I just finished up a CNA course, and will probably try to work as a CNA while I'm waiting to start the nursing program. Do you guys live in California? Adria89, since you have a Bachelor's degree already, have you ever thought of trying to do an entry level MSN program?

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Specializes in Hospice.

It took me two years to finish pre reqs going part time, and at age 49 I got my acceptance letter to the RN program, I will be 51 when I graduate next May. So while it seems like forever waiting to get started when you are "mature" like us, time will fly once you get going with your nursing program. I'll tell ya what is going to be the hard part of your plan, (well, NS is hard.... not gonna lie) but I too became a CNA after my first semester of NS, and that job is HARD.

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What college did you apply to? Normally, isn't someone who is accepted supposed to start the next semester? Your situation is as if you were put in the wait-list? Its kind of confusing.

Anyway, I hope you get to start soon!

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What college did you apply to? Normally, isn't someone who is accepted supposed to start the next semester? Your situation is as if you were put in the wait-list? Its kind of confusing.

Anyway, I hope you get to start soon!

Some schools (like mine) do a conditional admission. Once you finish the pre-reqs under conditional admission you submit an intent to enroll (in core courses) and some students can start in the next semester. However, the wait list for smaller programs is usually pretty high (only 40 new nursing students start the core courses each semester at mine) and that means that the ones starting this fall applied to the program in early 2012 and probably completed all of the pre-reqs in that time.

The wait to start the core courses means you just have more time to work, save money, and prepare for some of the hardest and most intense classes in your college career- during which you probably won't want to work, because all of your time will be spent studying and doing things for your family. I know my program made sure that we all know how much time it will take each week for lectures, clinicals, and studying alone. It's a full time job in itself! But one of the hardest parts of being in a wait-list program is the wait... and it's worth it. Unless you have another school you can apply to that starts immediately, patience is what it's gonna take. :)

Take this time to spend time with your family, brush up on things you need to know, take some free courses online to keep your brain fresh!

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Yes, it is a wait list, but I am accepted into the program to start Fall 2015. Not all schools do their admissions the same way. The school I am attending is Victor Valley College in Victorville, CA.

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Have you tried to apply to programs that don't have a wait list? That was a major determining factor for me. Really sorry about your situation! Hope you look into other possible schools.

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Specializes in MICU.

It is frustrating to be waiting to be in the program, my college used to have waiting list 2 years ago but made a change. Now any student who wants to be in the Nursing program must do an exam called HESI A2. Only the top 24-25 students will have the opportunity to start the program in the next semester. I did my exam in January and scored high and starting in the Fall 2014. If I were you, I would have applied in other community colleges with no waiting list. All the best everyone

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I too got accepted to vvc as an alternate 2015... yay...

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I too got accepted to vvc as an alternate 2015... yay...

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