Desperately seeking school

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I am new here, but have been lurking for some time. Thank goodness I found this place! You all have given me more helpful information than any other resource. I am 58 years old, healthy as a horse, and trying to get into nursing school. (My mother is 83, and she still works!) I have a BA in Biology. I am married, no kids, live in Westchester County NY. When I lost my job in the stock market crash, I decided to follow my first love: nursing.

Long story short: It seems just about impossible to get a straight story from any nursing school you talk to. I have complete a bucket-load of pre-req's (A&P I/II, Micro, Chemistry, Psych, Statistics, Sociology). I have taken my GRE's. I know I will get great recommendations from my teachers who say I am an outstanding student. I also got my CNA and passed the state test on the first go.

I feel as if I'm going insane. The schools I am applying to seem to change their requirements at whim. I am applying to Pace and Columbia, but I need to look at options. What about College of New Rochelle? Others in my area?

I know all of you are dedicated and hard working. But most of all, you seem to know how to "work the system."

Maybe it's just a down day for me, but I'm discouraged and don't know where to turn next. Ideas?

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Im not sure what to say. I dont know how to work any system. I just picked one school , found out the requirements to apply and followed throught it. I think the only thing I have noticed is that there are different requirements depending on where you want to apply. This would make it difficult to apply to many schools. At my school they added 1 additional class this year if you do not pass the proficiency test. ( I was told by a school employee in the dept where the tests are given that hardly anyone passes the test regardelss of their science background)

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Thank you, Anne! I did the same thing: picked two schools and got the pre-req's done. Like you, I found out indirectly that I also needed Sociology for one of the schools.

I have what they call an "interesting resume" that includes working as a research assistant at Harvard Medical School, selling instrumentation to hospitals, universities and pharm R&R, and financial analysis. (Heavy number crunching involved.) Also my family life was "interesting" in that I had/have special needs sibs. As the eldest of nine children, I did a lot of childcare from an early age. I also was a hospice volunteer, and helped care for my mother-in-law when she was dying of MS. Pretty mixed up package, eh?

I guess my problem now is analysis paralysis, fear of failure, and needing to hear positive voices. The school where I'm taking my final prereq is a hot-bed of negative conversation and gossip. Up til now I've kept my ears shut, but now it's wearing me down. I've done well in my Pre-Req's (all A's and one B+) and I love being in school.

I just keep questioning myself "What could I have done better/different?"

I have to get my confidence back, then I'll be fine. The people here are all inspirational and helpful.

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Are you kidding? You are overqualifed for Nursing school.

Thank God you dont need a resume to apply at my school or I would never get in. I bet you will do fine, try not to worry so much.

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Anne36 - You are too kind! Thanks for the much needed encouragement.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I'm assuming you are looking for Accelerated BSN programs? If so, here is a list...

Accelerated BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Programs

I'm in NJ, and just got accepted to one here, it's 15 months long. Usually the prerequisites are clear-cut and no surprises where that is concerned.

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"What could I have done better/different?" Probably not much. You are obviously competent, have figured out several systems already and I'm sure you are doing fine with this one. Don't worry about the naysayers, they usually are more inclinded to complain than to do the footwork in finding out what works.

Take a deep breath and let it out slowly, I think you will be fine at any school you choose to attend. :o)

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Thanks for all the encouraging comments. Now that I've started the application process, I am feeling much better.

I have a very good chance of getting in to one of my top picks. It turns out I was being too hard on myself.

I better shape up in a hurry if I'm going to be successful. As the saying goes, "I can't afford the luxury of a negative thought."

Thank goodness I found this board. You people are full of good old-fashioned common sense!

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