Can't get into nursing school!

rubato, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2013

It is frustrating and the same story all over the country. Nursing schools are incredibly competitive. I also go to a community college with 10 times the amount of applicants for spots available. I did have a 4.0 and got in, but had a friend with a 3.7 get turned down twice.

The advice most often given is to retake classes. Is that an option? You could try to get As to replace some of those Bs?

The only other advice I can give would be to try to find another school that isn't so competitive, but that may be hard in your area.

I hope you can do something. Good luck.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2013

That's awful, that point system is a bummer. My school uses TEAS scores and GPA to get in. It's also a small community college with only about 40 seats but we only have at most probably 200 applicants. I didn't get in til my third time applying, but in all honesty I just wasn't ready so I am glad they didn't let me in til now. If I were you, I would go ahead and apply at other schools and deal with the commute of it's an hour or less. You'll be commuting for clinicals when it's time anyway. My school is about 35 minutes away from me, the only college in this area. I would have changed my major and gone for my EMT is I didn't get in this year. They also tell us not to work if we can help it, but I don't see how they would know that you were working, unless there is a place on your application to put that, or how that could count against you. Lots of people have to work.

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2013

jellybean321 said:
SO I am just feeling EXTREMELY discouraged. All of those 80 students who get accepted will have done excellent on their NLN and have 4.0 GPA's, I'm sure, especially when they are choosing from over 1000 students. And most of them dont have to work, well I do..I have to work full-time to pay my bills. I'm not right out of high school, I live on my own and take care of myself so not working is not an option. Some girls in my current class I am taking have been waiting 2 years to get into nursing school. This is just ridiculous to me. Why do people do this? I refuse to wait 2, and what sounds like more than 2 years to get into nursing school. It may never happen and you're just sitting there waiting and applying. How is this OK?! I am incredibly frustrated and just needed to vent on this site because I know others must feel the same way or are in the same boat. I'm considering changing my major at this point because I am not going to sit around and wait forever and ever for a REMOTE chance to get in. I may never get in and then I'm sitting around waiting for nothing. What is everyones thoughts on this?
Thanks for your comments ?
-Frustrated Pre-Nursing Student

I know that is is frustrating, but this is the reality right now. My school had 200 applicants for 32 spots. I only have one school in my area as well, and it was all or nothing for me when I applied. My sister has been wait listed in Virginia for 2 years. Like the previous poster said, is there any way you can retake some of your B's?

You are overgeneralizing when you say "most of the people who got in don't have to work". That is not a fair statement. We all have a burden to bare, many who get in work, some are single parents who work, no one students situation is worse than another. I am 39 years old, wife, mother to three kids, worked full time, AND took 18 credits a semester and EARNED a 4.0. DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF OR SELL YOURSELF SHORT. Just because you work, does not mean the grades are not obtainable.

Fireman767 · Jul 13, 2013

so from what it sounds like someone who gets 4.0s and did excellent on their NLN shouldn't get into the nursing program? i understand you dont have 4.0s and you work, but there are people who do work, get 4.0s and do well on pre-entry exams. I understand why your not happy with the way the system is, but it is a very fair system, and with todays competition for nursing schools this is a fair way to keep people who are a lower risk of not doing well or failing out. Sadly in the smaller areas its more fierce. maybe look at further schools.

Nurse2B2016 · Jul 13, 2013

Quote
I know that is is frustrating, but this is the reality right now. My school had 200 applicants for 32 spots. I only have one school in my area as well, and it was all or nothing for me when I applied. My sister has been wait listed in Virginia for 2 years. Like the previous poster said, is there any way you can retake some of your B's?
You are overgeneralizing when you say "most of the people who got in don't have to work". That is not a fair statement. We all have a burden to bare, many who get in work, some are single parents who work, no one students situation is worse than another. I am 39 years old, wife, mother to three kids, worked full time, AND took 18 credits a semester and EARNED a 4.0. DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF OR SELL YOURSELF SHORT. Just because you work, does not mean the grades are not obtainable.

WOW!! you just motivated the CRAP out of me!! I commend you and want to be like you!! I don't work but have two active little ones and was stressed over taking 10 credits! I might just take another class bc you make me feel LAZY LOL! Thanks for this. I needed a kick in the butt!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 13, 2013

How do YOU know if you are not going to get in??

Apply; if you get wait listed, re take the NLN, and keep trying.

whattodo4 · Jul 13, 2013

Hmm sadly this seems to be the case in many places, nursing is very popular , 2 year or 4 it's tough. Anyway I would retake the nln when given the chance and if need be even retake the B classes. Have you applied to other schools? And yes I know that is not always an option because even if you have all the prereqs done most colleges won't let you apply to their nursing program until you have X amount of in school credits, but applying to more than one school may still benefit.

My pre nursing friends who sadly did not get in, on speaking to them their back up plan was to get some clincial experience , chha, cna etc... And apply again. Now since your school only uses a point system it does not appear it would help but if you decide to apply to schools that don't use a point system , it mite be helpful. In any case do not give up

Boxer Mama · Jul 13, 2013

I agree with retaking the courses to get a better grade. Nursing programs everywhere are very competitive to get into. I work from home, have three kids and I spend literally six days a week at soccer practices/games, help my kids with their homework and getting all their stuff done, volunteered at a hospital, took classes and still have a 4.0, so it can be done. If nursing is something you want, then keep at it and find a way to make it work! There is not much that would have stopped me from getting into school. While waiting, you could volunteer at a hospital to start making connections that will be needed once you graduate. When a door closes, another opens....you just have to go find that door!

swansonplace · Jul 13, 2013

Have you thought of the lpn program. In florida, LPN's get in automatically. How about a plan B career. Physician's assistant, physical therapist, lab tech, respiratory therapist, dietician, bachelor's instead of community college, dentist, chiropractor, biology, etc.

pookyp, LPN · Jul 13, 2013

\ said:
Have you thought of the lpn program. In florida LPN's get in automatically. How about a plan B career. Physician's assistant, physical therapist, lab tech, respiratory therapist, dietician, bachelor's instead of community college, dentist, chiropractor, biology, etc.[/quote']
That's what I did. I'm in Florida as well and my GPA was not good enough for the RN program. So I applied to my local lpn school and got a call like 3 weeks later saying I got in. No pre reqs. Just a TABE and TEAS score. I graduate in almost 4 months. 12 month program. After this I plan on bridging. If you really want it (like I do) you'll get in anyway you can. Good luck!

SFrenette2 · Jul 13, 2013

I went the lpn route, now I'm working as a nurse and bridging over for my RN.