Downplaying Enthusiam

x_factor · Nov 24, 2012

I know how you feel. I've told maybe two people that I plan to apply "next semester" (which I do), however I haven't mentioned anything else about it or any specfic dates. Friends and family know I am doing pre-reqs, and it's a common topic of conversation "oh things are going good" or "yeah, working on that class project this week". However, I have many common worries and concerns about acceptance into a nursing program, and don't talk much about my plans to apply next semester. Most of my friends think it'll be another year or two before I apply anywhere, and do not know of my plans to apply to my school's ADN program next semester. For my school, you need a near-perfect GPA, and a high HESI score (and you only get one chance to take the HESI at my school, if you fail, you must wait a year to re-take it), to even be considered. So when I do apply, I don't plan on telling anyone. Only if and when I get accepted will I finally say "hey guess what, I've been accepted into the nursing program!". If I do not get accepted, no one will even know I applied to begin with, much less got rejected.

Kandy83 · Nov 24, 2012

wow i thought i was the only who did this.. i just got recently accepted into a rn program.. and my mom seen my letter so she kind of knew.. and she asked me y wasn't i excited. i just have a great big fear of failure and i don't want people to ask expect things of me i don't want to disappoint:unsure:

astronomia · Nov 24, 2012

I'm the same way. My GPA is only a 3.8, which is considered "hardly competitive" at my school, so I'm too ashamed to even apply. I'm trying to finish out all my core classes and pre-reqs before applying so I can boost my GPA as much as possible, while all my classmates are always excited to apply the moment they finish their last necessary pre-requisite. It seems like no matter how hard I try, my best just isn't ever good enough, and I'm ashamed to let people know how badly I want something that it doesn't even look like I can achieve. If I'm not in class, I'm studying or working an abysmal minimum wage job to help pay for school, and I feel like that puts me at a disadvantage towards the ubiquitous number of students I'm in classes with who are fresh out of high school and their parents are paying for everything for them, so their only responsibility is school. I can't remember the last time I had enough free time to do something I enjoyed because I'm working so hard for something I may not even be given a chance at. But oh well, that's life, I guess. The best I can do is keep trying and hope I get an acceptance letter in time :)

zoe92 · Nov 24, 2012

I applied for spring to one out of state school and got wait listed. So I decided to apply to six schools in my state (4 public, 2 private) for fall 2013. Now when everyone is asking about how school is and when I will be in a nursing program (family and friends at Thanksgiving), I said I am applying for fall & don't even give school names. I feel like I am always saying "next semester, next semester", like a broken record. I feel like nothing will ever be certain since I really don't know where I will be living or attending school from 2013-2015.

smoup · Nov 24, 2012

THis is more common than I thought. At least we have this forum. We can do it!!

violetgirl · Nov 26, 2012

Yes, I understand... I do this too! Started off wanting to become a nurse, then I transferred over to Columbia for a different major because I thought my grades were too low and now I am back retaking a science class in hope to apply to nursing school someday. I am sure my family thinks I am off my rocker!!! But, my real problem was the fear of not getting into nursing school and feeling like a failure. So, now I push that fear away and now say to myself, "what do I have to lose" this is what I really want to do.

If I don't get into nursing school after 100+ apps in a 5 year span ... Then maybe, I'll crawl back to Columbia for that B.A. degree in something else. HA!!! Do what it takes for you to be mentally healthy, and sometimes that calls for not giving away your dreams too soon!

PS: Stay away from the "dream-stealers!" They will suck you dry, really.

x_factor · Nov 26, 2012

PS: Stay away from the "dream-stealers!" They will suck you dry, really.

THIS! This times a billion. I've went through it, other people that have walked in, out, and through my life are the reason it's taken me so long to pursue nursing, despite it being my passion. And other people are why I feel I can't be openly proud and say out loud that I am happy to be working towards nursing school. I have to remind myself everyday I'm doing this for myself, not for the approval of others. Yes, stay away from dream-stealers, they will most definitely suck you dry.

biotonursing · Mar 7, 2013

I feel your pain! I am trying to change my career from biology/lab work to nursing. I wish I had known during undergrad that I would be feeling this unhappy with my biology degree, I would have worked harder at maintaining a good GPA. Even though I have gotten A's in the pre-req courses taken over the last year, it has barely bumped my GPA. I applied to two schools this semester and told only my boyfriend. If I don't get into one of these programs, I am so lost as to what to do. Take un-necessary courses for another three years to bump my GPA? Ugh. Trying to keep up the faith, I will get in to Maryland, I will get in to Maryland..... :0)

lalacb123 · Mar 7, 2013

I feel the same way. Those of us that choose nursing can't just walk into nursing school like people can who choose other majors/degrees. I don't want to tell people that I'm applying anymore because the first question people ask is, "when do you start?" and I can't directly answer that question until I've been accepted. I have recently applied to a school and should find out if I've been accepted by the end of this month. Is anyone else expecting acceptance soon?

Everline · Mar 7, 2013

I see the original post was written last year, but I can relate. When I decided I wanted to go to nursing school and I started taking pre-reqs, I didn't tell anyone outside my immediate family (my husband and my daughter). I didn't know how I would do in heavy science courses and did not want people to be asking me about them or to have to tell people I failed. It would have been added stress I didn't need or want. After I did well in a few classes, I told my mother. But the main reason I told her was she was visiting when I was scheduled to take the HESI. I told her not to mention it to anyone and I think she has kept her word. At this point, I am still keeping fairly quiet about it. I just found out I am an alternate for a spot in the nursing program beginning in May. That would be a semester early as I was due to start in August. I have told no one but my immediate family about this possibility.

I guess one of the reasons I don't talk about it with people (besides the added stress) is I don't want to hear other people's opinions or get unsolicited advice from people about why I should or should not do this. People can be a major bummer and I want to keep positive. I have done my research and I believe I have realistic expectations. If I need advice, I will seek it out.

I imagine I will be more open about nursing school and my ambitions as I go through the actual program. But even then, I expect to be more private about it than I suspect most people are.