Didn't make it.

mrsboots87 · Dec 26, 2015

I don't mean this to be harsh, but you need to focus on yourself and stop getting upset with those who got in because of your own assumptions that they are not as deserving. Nursing schools can't just let everyone in who wants to be a nurse. It makes the program look back when atteition rates go down because sub par applicants got in. There are also accreditation issues with just letting anyone in and sorting it out as they go.

Whether someone one just wants a paycheck or was "called" to nursing doesn't matter as long as they are a good and caring nurse. They all had to go through the same pre req classes and score well on the same HESI. There is no waking up one day and just applying to nursing school. Even if all they want is a paycheck, they still had to work hard in school for their grades.

Stop focusing on everyone else and how upset you are about not getting in. It does you no good and is kind of rude to make assumptions about the motivations of those who scored higher then you on HESI.

It sucks. You're hurt. Dust yourself off and move on. Apply again. Apply to other schools. Score better on HESI to become competitive. But most importantly, stop judging others because you didn't get in. Do something that helps you get in. Others don't affect you.

WereBadger · Dec 26, 2015

I hear your disappointment, but you have to remember that this is one program at one school. Take some time, then start thinking about how you're going to make this happen, because it WILL happen. Is there anything that you can do to make your application more competitive? Are there any other schools that you can consider? Your path might not be the one that you imagined at first, but it will be the right one in the end.

elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 26, 2015

do you have any other options as far as nursing school goes? is the one you applied to the only one in the area? i live in a generally small region and we have about 3 different programs one could apply to, and driving on US1 i noticed a 4th id never heard of in a small local plaza (probably not very reputable or even regionally accredited but you get the point)

im sorry you weren't able to get in. but schools cant really allow just anyone to get into their programs and have them weeded out simply because that will give their program a bad reputation. well, thats one of the reasons anyway, there are a number of reasons why it's impractical to let just about any applicant in. I know personally, i wouldn't want to attend a school where 500 students attend, and 250 of them failed, even if i knew that they were slackers or just not cut out for it. a great deal of grant money that comes to the school is based on how many students pass, and stay for higher education. so if students were constantly weeded out, no money would come in. And can you imagine instructors trying to set up clinical sites for 100+ students among a handful of hospitals? incident reports for students that perform well academically but are maniacs clinically? it would be a mess to say the least

you mayve applied against a pool that simply outperformed you this semester. it doesn't mean youre not worthy, its more of the luck of the draw. granted having a solid HESI score may've made your odds better but, you mentioned having test anxiety. Would you really have wanted to fork out all that money for nursing school, just to fail out because you get anxious during tests? Better it happened now where you can work to sort that out before the stakes become MUCH higher (and much more expensive)

just a few things to think about. Lick your wounds, and when you're ready take another stab at it.

Purple_roses · Dec 26, 2015

Apply to that school again. Apply to several other nursing schools in your area (or even out of your area, depending on how far you're willing to travel). Just because you didn't make it in the first time doesn't mean you'll never be a nurse.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 26, 2015

That whole rant about the character of those who got in? Not cool- especially since you want no negativity from us.

The simple truth is the reason you did not get in is the law of supply and demand. There is a huge demand for seats in nursing programs. The supply of seats is limited. (Lack of faculty, lack of clinical sites, many, many reasons.) So the schools select the most qualified candidates. You were not one of them. (It's a lot like the organ transplant business. Do you think the thousands of needy recipients are ranked by desire? )

Do you really suppose the others want it less than you? Do you know them and their back stories? Stop making assumptions about the desires and qualifications of the other candidates. That is unbecoming. Stop putting your eggs all in the same basket.Make yourself a better candidate, leave the attitude behind.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Dec 26, 2015

Apply to more than one school.

They can not just let everyone who wants to be a nurse in the program....there simply isn't enough teachers to go around.

It will be the same story once you graduate....no jobs....going up against 50 qualified applicants for 1 job.

When I got into nursing school, it took 3yrs.

Applying to at least 3 school each time.

And I am sure everyone who applied and didn't get picked is feeling the same way.....that they "deserve" to get in too! That they also "worked-hard"

Yes it is hard to get a rejection, but if this is what you really want you will find a way

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Dec 26, 2015

You need to apply to more schools and various types of programs. There's no guarantee when it comes to school admission (and job applications), sometimes it just doesn't happen even if you're the perfect candidate. Good luck.

kkbb, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2015

First, I am sorry that you were not accepted. It hurts, and you can allow yourself to be disappointed. It sounds like the school was very upfront about how many spots were available. The reason they have limited spots is the BON keeps a close eye on schools and how many students are at clinical sites. There are strict rules about instructor to student ratios. The school you applied to can only handle 35 students. They can't just take everyone who applies because the BON could take away their accreditation. Also, do you really want to be in a simulation lab with 50 other students, where you have to fight to practice any of your skills? No, you don't.

The other hard fact is that the TEAS and HESI are used to see how well you do with tests. Schools need students to do well on the NCLEX on the first time, because the first-time pass rates are posted to the public and with the BON. The BON requires minimum pass rates. Schools pick students based on some formula to calculate who can perform the best in class as well as the eventual NCLEX.

As others have suggested, look and see if there are other programs you can apply to. It might be that you need to wait a little bit. It has taken me almost 6 years to get everything accomplished to start school. If you want it, you will find a way. Hang in there. But don't worry about anyone else's reason in being there. They have their reasons, just as you have yours. No one reason is better than the other. And, to be fair, it doesn't matter how much we want to help others, we ALL want the paycheck at the end of the day.

Jessies_hope · Dec 26, 2015

I don't mean this to be harsh, but you need to focus on yourself and stop getting upset with those who got in because of your own assumptions that they are not as deserving.
It sucks. You're hurt. Dust yourself off and move on. Apply again. Apply to other schools. Score better on HESI to become competitive. But most importantly, stop judging others because you didn't get in. Do something that helps you get in. Others don't affect you.

I can appreciate your comments but as I said in my op - I am NOT saying I want it more than others. I am not "judging" anyone, and I certainly don't have an "attitude" as others suggested toward anyone. I don't even know any of the other candidates. I am simply disappointed and very hurt that on Christmas Eve, I got the unfortunate news that even though I have put everything on the line to get here, I didn't make it.

I also appreciate the compassion and encouragement from other posters and knowing that sometimes you don't get in on the first time. My score was decent. But the program I applied to is extremely competitive and for a good reason; they are one of the highest ranked in the nation, so of course, that is the place I want to be.

I am not judging anyone and I am sorry that you (or anyone else) may feel that I did.

FL_Nurse92 · Dec 26, 2015

Apply to multiple schools, it's not the end of the world! Believe that everything happens for a reason, and you are exactly where you need to be at this very moment! Many people don't get into nursing school the first time they apply, it's normal!

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2015

Why is it so hard to get into nursing school? Let me please ask that you not make mean comments here, I'm already heartbroken. But I seriously don't understand why it's so, so hard to just get IN to nursing school. I have heard that nursing school is hard enough as it is, and I don't have a problem with that. Let people in who want to be a nurse and the school itself can be the factor that makes or breaks you.
Heres my story (long story short) I have wanted to work in healthcare my whole life. I finally decided it was time this year and quit my job in Oil and Gas Accounting to go full-throttle. I worked hard, maintained a 4.0, got a job in a hospital, did all the right things. I took the HESI A2 and got a decent score, but I was less than comfortable with it and studied more and re-took it 2 days before the application to my desired program was due. Unfortunately, test anxiety kicked in and I raised my score by one point. ONE point. If you know the HESI, you know it can be taken twice in a year. That's it. So I turn in my application and anxiously await the decision. I kind of knew that my score wasn't enough to put me on the top of the list but I did hope to make the alternate list. Nope. 106 people applied, which is double what we were told was the norm for Spring admittance. They selected a measly 35 candidates. Out of 106. That means that 70ish people got rejection letters on Christmas Eve. I wanted it so bad. I feel like I deserve it and worked extremely hard to get it. I'm not saying I want it worse than anyone, but I am having a really, really hard time not feeling like there's some in that 35 who thought "what the heck, I'll take the test and see what happens" and got in. They don't even know if they want to be a nurse, they just think it's the fastest way to make a decent living. It kills me. I have made huge sacrifices to get here and just like that, my plan is derailed. I'm not saying I won't try again, but being logistical, the same test score must be used for the next application window, as I can't test again for at least 11 months. Same score for fall semester...hmmm. Test again in fall for spring...it's an entire year setback. And taking a $40k paycut and being set back a year when you have 4 kids, is a major derailment.
It breaks my heart. I feel responsible now for picking up more shifts so that we can build savings up again and not live paycheck to paycheck because I didn't make it. I feel like I let everyone down, including myself.
I know I will get past this and things will eventually work out how they're supposed to, but today, that doesn't help me understand why I can't just get my foot in the door and show them how bad I want this and how hard I have and am willing to keep working to get there.

This sentence does indeed convey that you are judging people so you can stop with the denial.

Perhaps this will help you understand why you can't just get your "foot in the door and show them how bad I want this" You already did. When you re-took your HESI exam, intending to "show them", you showed them nothing.

Schools have entrance requirements for a reason. Resources are limited so they have to allocate to the most likely to succeed based on as objective criteria as available. Your promise to "show them" does not make you a competitive candidate. Neither does an excuse of test anxiety. Nursing school is a series of tests with another big honking test at the end from NCLEX to get your license to practice.

Nursing schools don't just want to let you IN to school, they want to get you OUT. They know how difficult their program is, you don't. They want you to succeed, at least the reputable ones do. The scammy for-profit schools will take your money and laugh all the way to the bank as they have you on the hook for thousands of dollars with no guarantee of your passing or getting that promised job to pay back your loans.

Sometimes the answer to your prayers is "No" or "Not now". Perhaps you were lucky to not get into a program you are not prepared for. Even without a new and improved test score you can improve yourself. Review the parts of the HESI you did poorly in, apply to a different school, deal with your test anxiety issues, rework your "I deserve it" attitude.

You will then get into a school that will be your partner in success.