Can't get into nursing school!

jellybean321 · Jul 29, 2013

thank you so much to all of those that have given great advice and mostly, supportive encouragement! I am just frustrated (as one posted mentioned) and am certainly NOT trying to knock anyone that got in/who have a 4.0 GPA. I'm only expressing my frustration and MY situation compared to the students I know in the nursing program. I am not saying everyone who gets into the nursing program doesnt work. I completely understand that everyone has their own life struggles. The LPN is definitely an option. A private college is out of the question as it is just way too expensive. I have also been implementing some back-up plans and back-up majors that I may be interested in. I will be completely honest; I will not re-take my B classes. For one, I would have to pay out my own pocket and that is not an option. I am 25 years old and live on my own, get 0 support from family, I come from a family who doesnt have a lot of money and we've all had to work just to get by. Not to mention I feel like re-taking classes I got a B in (which isn't a bad grade!!) is a little silly. Truthfully, I will not do that if thats what it takes to get into nursing school. I've spent years trying to get pre-reqs done and am not re-doing them all over again. Not trying to sound uppity whatsoever, I just choose not to do that. Unfortunately my biggest problem is the NLN score. I do horrible on huge standardized tests. I am certainly going to apply to the RN program next week but I will also be getting my ducks in a row to try the LPN program if I don't get into the RN program. I live in a small state so that makes it even harder to get into nursing school. Theres only 1 community college in my state with 3 different campuses. And for other allied health programs, they require different pre-reqs (except for A&P) but the rest is other classes. But...as I mentioned, I will certainly try and see where that takes me! I wish everyone luck trying to get into nursing school!! :)

sj20fame · Jan 25, 2014

JellyBean321 , did you ever get in? This is my second year applying... Hoping I get in somewhere this fall...sigh...

dt70 · Jan 25, 2014

I've written off the ADN route. I don't do well in standardized tests. I refuse to participate in any lottery games. I already have 4.0 with prereq's, retaking them and getting another A is not going to help. (:

meeep, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2014

The NCLEX is a standardized test too, and you will have HESI/ATI/Kaplan standardized exit exams throughout your entire program. You're going to have to learn to do well on standardized exams if you hope to become a nurse.

Nurse2B2016 · Jan 26, 2014

\ said:
The NCLEX is a standardized test too and you will have HESI/ATI/Kaplan standardized exit exams throughout your entire program. You're going to have to learn to do well on standardized exams if you hope to become a nurse.

True story

CountryGuy · Jan 27, 2014

I had a setback but it's not that much of an issue.

I just want to say I like this thread heading. Perfect for pre-Nursing.

I hope it stays near the top. No offense anyone ha ha.

JackLukasewycz · Mar 7, 2014

Why don't you move? I had to move from my home in California to Colorado to get into a school. If nursing really is the career for you, you'll do what it takes to get there.

MssNurse2b · Mar 7, 2014

Well, that's just the way it is. And I think it is fair. A lot of students DO work and have 4.0 gpa. Others take loans with living expenses and repay after the are done with school. You will still have to pay your bills while in nursing school, but I don't think you will be able to work, maybe little part-time, but not full-time for sure. It is a competitive field, you knew that when you chose this route, right? Schools don't only look at gpa, test scores, essays and volunteering/working experience is a big factor as well. Schools accept mainly A students not only because they have a perfect academic record, but also because it shows they can handle the load of nursing classes, which are much harder than pre-reqs. It wouldn't be fair to accept student with a lower gpa, while leaving a straight A student behind, don't you think? Anyway, if you don't get accepted, you can always try to get into private school. They are more expensive, but they do offer various scholarships based on your academic achievements. It a long run, it will be better for you to repay bigger loan rather than waiting 2 or more years for a spot in the nursing program in public school.

zzbxdo · Mar 7, 2014

In the end, there are still too many nursing programs, far too many new grads, too few jobs. I honestly think it should be tougher.

Josie, RN/LCSW · May 27, 2014

Most schools will not allow a student to retake a class unless they got a 'D' or below.

ameliagal · May 27, 2014

I was just like you!! I had my pre-reqs done and applied and was rejected 3 times!! I had to end up completing a general sci degree, taking the ACT 3X, and finished up the rest of my co-reqs and finally got in my senior year of college!! I didn't have super great grades or high test scores. The minimum score was 19 and 2.9 but they wanted at least a 26 on the ACT and 3.6 overall gpa. I had 22 on the ACT and 3.5 gpa. I had to retake anatomy( I had a C the lst time and got B the 2nd time) and I had to retake a math class that I got a D in. Very frustrating!!! I had to take summer classes too for 3 years so I could meet requirements for other area schools. My program only took 60 people, I found out many of them retook classes too. I wasn't working a lot at the time because of time conflicts but I'm working now that I"m in nursing school, 32-40hrs as an overnight stocker. I believe everything happens for a reason though, the general sci degree took care of all my co-preqs and electives so all I have to focus on is nursing courses.:) I also had a lot of backplans, if I havent gotten in this time I would have signed up for a CNA course at the local community college or applied to LPN program. Good luck to you!!! Don't give up!! I had a lot of discouraging professors and peers. You don't need these "super perfect A+ grades to get accepted" I also wasn't involved in extracurriculars, except volunteering at the local hospital a few days a week in the summer.

angikat · May 27, 2014

jellybean321 said:
Hey ya'll, so here is my dilemma. I am a pre-nursing student, all of my pre-reqs are done and I'm ready to apply to nursing school. However I talked to the advisor at my school and was told that there is a slim chance I will get in. (I actually appreciate the realism- I would rather someone tell me straight up then string me along so this isn't the problem). There are 80 seats in the nursing program and over 1,000 people applied last admission. I go to a community college in a small state (there aren't many colleges to choose from) and they require the NLN. My school uses a ranking system for admission based on your classes and NLN score. So for example, A&P if you have an A you get 4 points, if you have a B you get 3 points, etc. And they also calculate your NLN score into points for the ranking system. I get mostly high B's in all of my classes but didn't do so great on the NLN (and I can't take it again for another 6 months).
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

This sounds just like the program I just got in to. It's based on NLN and grades in a points system, just as you described. I have heard from a lot of disappointed classmates from my pre-req's and I know a lot of people have to go through this frustration. I waited until I was sure I had the points to make it before I applied. Usually most that apply do that because they wanna try and make sure they get in. I got an extra 5 points for being an LPN but had I not already had those points then I wouldn't have applied until I had all my pre-req's done with high grades and at least 10 points from my NLN scores. It took me 2 years to get all pre-req's done and get my points up so I could secure a spot with my first try. I was lucky and done well on the NLN first try but looking back maybe I should have taken it sooner just in case it hadn't turned out the way it did. I would guess your grades would make it but you just need to raise the NLN score. Have you taken all of your pre-reqs? If not then getting more points that way would help as well. I know the journey can be frustrating because it takes so long it seems but it will be worth it. Good luck with your studies and never give up! I had to have a lot of encouragement and would even seek it when I felt myself getting impatient or I would have never made it through thus far.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses. Angi/LPN (?RN)