Denied Nursing School.... Again

[kkb91]

I was sadly denied nursing school again. I have applied the last 2-3 years and keep getting denied. I'm 27 years old with two kids. I feel like a failure because I can't get in. My grades probably aren't like they should be, but I have taken too many classes that won't bring my GPA much. My GPA looks like a 2.9. I'm ready to give up. Is there anyone out there that has felt the way I do and have succeeded? I feel like I will never get in. There's only one or two schools that I can apply to, and I have applied to both. One of them is highly competitive, and the other is pretty competitive as well. I just feel like I am not good enough.

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

They're in Oklahoma I think....a bit far to be an option.

Thank you for clarifying. I don't know how I came to the conclusion that she was in NorCal.

[lilith26]

All I can tell you is, don't give up. I personally believe (partially) that there is a path for everyone and sometimes the timing must be off?

Like you, I've been there, applied to how many nursing schools in the past (my record was 16 within one semester, about 10 years ago). Paid the application fees, took the different number of required classes because, as we all know - every school's requirements are different. Out of all, only ONE accepted me - and it wasn't even into the program, but their pre-nursing, and it was 7 hours away, and they said, "After a year you can MAYBE get into the program; MAYBE."

At the time, there were all these factors - I was in debt, I was suffering from extreme depression, and was in such a fragile state that making that move and commitment was something I was not ready for.

Now, ten years later, I applied for a program because despite all these years, it's always nagged me to follow down this path. I've dealt with my depression, learned to handle money better, and I took the prerequisites again, and finally, I FINALLY GOT INTO NURSING SCHOOL, just last week.

I'm not saying that it'll take you that long, I'm not saying you'll get in at some point. I'm saying, sometimes things don't line up successfully and it keeps you from being able to unlock that door. Hold steadfast, be patient with yourself - be KIND to yourself - and maybe at some point down the line that door will open.

I feel you, your frustration, self-doubt, I get you. Just don't give up on yourself. Even if it takes years, things can still work out somehow.

[onemoreday, BSN, RN]

All I can tell you is, don't give up. I personally believe (partially) that there is a path for everyone and sometimes the timing must be off?

Preach it lillith26!

I got my bachelor's in biology, thinking all I wanted to do was research. Overloaded myself to take high level science courses and ended up struggling with my GPA. Realized academia, what I had been preparing to do for 4+ years, was not for me. Left the country, came back. Started a master's. Was taking two trains and a bus at night into the city and Was living beyond my means with what I called "all the drive but no direction". Dropped out of that and moved back in with my mom (who had moved across the country) to get my life in order. The director of the Masters program told me to look into nursing. Started taking pre-reqs, have an absolutely miserable class experience, get involved with what turned out to be an abusive relationship that sucked up all my time and money. Told myself I was just putting a pause on school so I could work and get in-state tuition... Didn't go back to school until I walked out on my abusive boyfriend.

Was working two jobs and school and not sure I'd get into the nursing program.. got married, moved across the country, started CNA work, loved it, really ignited my interest in nursing, I applied to two schools, didn't get in to school. TWICE. Seriously, I was pretty sure I could handle school but the application was KILLING ME. (At this point I also had to order transcripts from like 5 different schools across the country. Why are they not cumulative?!? I also had to dig up syllabi and course descriptions of some.)

I've now worked as a CNA four years in three different hospitals and a nursing home. My resume is PATCHY.

But I got in!! I actually used my convuluted path to nursing in my interviews, and you could too. I have worked, worked and worked, to get in to nursing school. I have retaken classes. I have taken all the extra learning I could at the hospital, participated, volunteered with other nurses, picked my coworkers brains about nursing. We arent people who decided to go into nursing on a whim. We didn't just watch too much General Hospital or whatever. Patient care is something we are passionate about. Yes you might have bad grades from your youth, but you are a very different person now. I'm more mature and more stable both in my finances and my relationship. I'm just that much more ready for school.

It might be easy to rag on yourself but know that everyone comes to where they are from a different path and if you can emphasize what you have learned from your past, how your journey has actually made you a stronger and more unique candidate, it could actually help.