Application Denied!

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I got the shock of my life when my application for nursing school was denied. My worst case senario was the waiting list, at least there would've been a chance for me to get in. I didn't even want to think about the possibility of being denied. I work full-time and even made arrangements with the assistant director of my department to work around my schedule. I had my hours all planned out.

I'm extremely upset by this. I've worked so hard on my pre-reqs for 2 1/2-3 years (again, I work full-time that's why it has taken so long) and I have a 3.32 GPA. I honestly thought I'd get in, needless to say it was a shock. I cried when I got the news. I'm so desperate that I looked into other schools in my immediate area, even Orlando (which is over an hour away--and that's just one way) and I got nowhere. One of the other schools only has daytime classes, the other two have nursing programs in Orlando not in my area. I called one of them today and they wouldn't give me any information unless I submitted to a phone interview, and then came in for what sounded like a beauty pagent type interview to make sure I was a "good fit" for their school (their words, not mine). It sounded like my academic merits wouldn't mean very much to them...it would be based solely on my personality.

So now, I guess I'm out of luck. I know it was going to begin with since I work full-time, but I have to eat. I'm not married and I'm solely responsible for my own income. I really wanted to go to nursing school and I'm totally crushed. And if some people at work find out, they'll have a field day with it. And they will find out since my supervisor is friends with the biggest mouths in the office. My most supportive family member, my sister, lives 600 miles away. The others don't understand how hard it is for me to work this hard only to have my world destroyed.

If anyone has any tips as to what I should do next, I'm open to suggestions.

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Would your sister mind moving in with her and applying to a school in her area? And maybe work part time while living with her to help her with bills? Or maybe save up some money and move in with sis so you won't have to work, and you'll have money in your account for living expenses?

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First off- I'm so sorry :-(. Did your school send a letter with what you can improve on? If not, call them and see where you came up short. It could be GPA- while a 3.2 is great- it may not be good enough for a competitive program. I have a 3.55 and wasn't sure if I'd get in. If GPA is it, then speak to your counselor and see if you can retake classes for higher grades. Do you have a Nursing Counselor? We have one and she did great steering me in the right direction. Chin up- I've heard of being rejected multiple times before admittance. I know that does not make you feel better, but its the truth. Try again!

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Pookyp: My sister's place is filled to the rafters. She and her husband have 3 kids and a baby girl on the way, and it's a high risk pregnancy. There's no room for me up there. Plus, since my job is reimbursing me for my tuition (based on my grades), I would have to stop collecting reimbursement for 12 months before I can leave the hospital I work for. They would sue me for the money otherwise. I live paycheck to paycheck and I have no savings. On my salary (if you could call it that) I can barely afford my bills.

Melela: My school doesn't offer any information as to why they deny you. They just send you a denial letter with a copy of another application. We don't have nursing counselors and the academic advisors are of no help. My grades are excellent, All A's and B's, except for Music Appreciation (culture/humanities requirement) where I got a C. I took an additional humanities class and got an A to make up for it. I guess there are so many people, I got left out in the cold (I'm sure I'm not the only one).

I'm completely exhausted and I want to be done with school so bad. I want to get on with it, get into nursing school, become a nurse and kiss my crappy job goodbye.

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Im so sorry. :( I also live about that distance from Orlando. I got in to my program with a 3.28. I was even in the top-half of the acceptance pool. Not sure which direction from Orlando you are, but just know that there are options in the area!

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I'm so sorry. That must have been quite a blow.

Have you considered retaking some of your B's to raise you GPA? I don't know about your specific school, but I know in my program we needed a 3.8+ to be accepted and a few people had to get there by retaking classes.

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Specializes in OB.

Sorry to hear that. I'm 1hr and 15 minutes away from my school and for now I only travel once or twice a week (every 5 weeks you start a new class, or two). Good thing about my school is that it is an accelerated/bilingual program. Once I start my nursing classes (hopefully next fall) the schedule will change and classes will be 8 to 15 weeks long. I agree with other posts, don't give up!

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At my school they will only allow you to retake a course if you get a D or F, since a C is the minimum passing grade. The minimum GPA currently is 3.0 and I'm over that. I'm going to have to take a couple of classes due to financial aid. It will be more than six months before I can start the nursing program if I get in for Fall admission so I don't want them sending me bills.I have no intention of giving up but it just really sucks and I really have no support. Only a couple of people outside of my family know because I'm embarrassed that I didn't get in since I was so sure I was going to.

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Look at other schools and see whose selection criteria would favor your grades, qualifications, GPA, etc. Not all RN schools rewuire the same prereqs. Not all require an interview. Some allow you to retake a class, but they will average grade1 and grade2 together for the GPA cauculation, not just take the highest grade.

LPN schools would be thrilled to have you. Your prereqs will be a great strength and advantge there.

It's impossible for most people to work full time an still succede in RN school. The schools overload you with real work and busywork, and they want students who don't have to work. Or who just work a maybe 16 hrs.wk as a CNA or something. Nursing classes aren't like your other college classes. They are easily 3x the work. You'll have tons of reading, tons of paperwork, tons of memorization (sorry, but to me anything that requires flashcards or lists to learn it is rote memorization). RN school is not at all like regular college.

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I understand your disappointment. It's truly nerve-wracking! I am a foreign BSN graduate from years ago. All I remember is having to pass a college entrance exam and apply to the college of choice. But I guess things are done differently here in the USA.

Keep at it and don't give up. Good luck to you!

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Good morning Streamline, thanks for your comments (and to all of you as well!). But my school has night classes in their nursing program. I know nursing school isn't like normal college. But I don't have the advantage of not being able to work. If I want to keep a roof over my head and food on my table I have to work. I don't have the luxury not to. Hi begosh! I've already looked into other schools but none of them have evening classes. Mine is the only one. Again I have to work. As far as LPN, I have no desire to be an LPN, I never did want to be one. If I'm going to go to nursing school I want to go all the way. Nothing against LPN's but its not something I'm interested in. I already work in healthcare and have for many years.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

/What about working nights an then you could go to school days?

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