Finally Accepted. Not feeling how I expected...

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Let me tell you a little bit about my journey with applying for nursing school and getting accepted... I applied last September to the only BSN nursing school within 60 miles of me, with my life circumstances it was really my only option. It was either get in or go to the community college down the road to settle for an ADN (Which I definitely DID NOT want to do) Everyone raves about the BSN school that I applied for. I have heard multiple times that the education is excellent, so I was really doubting that my average standardized test scores (ACT and TEAS scores) and my 3.8 over-all GPA and 4.0 science GPA weren't going to be enough. To my dismay, my scores and GPA weren't enough at first. In December, I got a letter letting me know that I was on a wait list. I was sick to my stomach, even though in the back of my mind I figured I would be put on the wait list, and my family was also extremely upset. It took me up until about a month ago to heal from the news, my plan was to just take some useful nursing related science classes in fall 2014 and reapply again. On the letter that informed me that I was on the wait list it said, "if you do not hear from us by June, please reapply to be considered for fall 2015." I thought that there was no freaking way that I could possibly be one of the very few people to hear from them before June, but I was. The school called me yesterday to inform me that a seat has become available, and they wanted to know if I would fill that seat for fall 2014. Of course I said yes, but shortly after the excitement wore off the anxiety set in...

Now for the important feelings that I actually need help with... I understand if you don't feel like reading that incredibly lengthy explanation above.

There's so much paper work that has to be done in such a short amount of time since I was one of probably 5 people that got accepted on whim. I will be honest, since I was not expecting to be accepted for fall 2014, I was prepared to have an extra long, stress-free summer. This all kind of caught me completely off guard. I am seriously terrified. I feel like I don't have enough time to mentally prepare myself. My whole way through college people have scared me by saying how hard nursing school is.

I am horrible at standardized tests. I have straight A's for the most part but I always get the middle-most score on standardized tests. I got a 19 on my ACT and a 70 on my TEAS. That being said, I am already freaking out about the NCLEX. What can I do to prepare myself for that now? I know it's 2 years away, but I know my time and money at nursing school will mean nothing if I can't pass that test...

Maybe I am just being paranoid, I don't know. I thought I would be super happy and feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I honestly feel even worse than I did while I was on the wait list. I guess I am just looking for some reassurance that there is a light at the end of the nursing school tunnel.

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What you're going through is totally and completely normal. I went through the same feelings, and I can assure you that excitement WILL kick in.

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Thank you. I am glad someone else has felt the same way. :smug:

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Hi I just got accepted into a nursing program.. And I felt the same way as well.. Honestly there is no way to prepare for the Nclex now.. Just enjoy your summer and the days you have of freedom!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

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I strongly dislike standardized testing also. When it came to studying for the TEAS and Kaplan exam, I felt sick to my stomach because of nerves. Then I realized that I just have to stay calm and do my best. Stay calm and relax because you know the information. You are smart and you have such great grades.

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@arinafl thank you so much! You are so kind. :)

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The NCLEX is far down the road for you. If the BSN program is as good as it sounds, they will build a LOT of NCLEX style practice into your curriculum for your (and their) benefit. It is in your program's best interest that a really, really high percentage of graduates pass the NCLEX on the first try (as in 99%+). For example, you will have HESI or ATI tests and case studies to complete along the way. HESI and ATI are 2 competing testing companies most nursing schools contract with. Some of these tests may count towards your grade in some classes; some may even be "high stakes" tests that measure a student's progress. They are high stakes because a minimum score must be achieved in order to remain in the program. Typically, a student is given more than one chance to achieve the minimum score and if you do well in your classes and do a lot of practice questions along the way, you should be fine should your school require this type of test. Some schools only administer high-stakes testing as an exit exam towards the end of the program. In all cases, HESI/ ATI testing is meant to simulate the NCLEX. Your GPA tells me you are an excellent student and will do well in nursing school and the NCLEX. Yes, nursing school/ NCLEX style questions are a different animal, but there are a lot of strategies out there (for instance, on this site) to help students tackle and dissect NCLEX style questions. Once you get the pattern down, they become easier to answer.

I'm sure you will be very excited as your start date approaches. Just be sure to have everything in order -- all the school supplies you think you might need labeled and organized, a date planner, etc., as well as ALL personal stuff taken care of -- everything at home organized and clean, etc. Also, the first week of class, I would make time to seek out students in later semesters who can give you advice on which classes to focus on and which readings are "must-reads"/ priority versus which classes you can get by using the lecture notes/ power points. If your program is anything like mine, there were definitely some classes that required a LOT more attention than others. Time management is key, and upperclassmen are your best resource in finding this type of info out.

Also, we had a student in my class who was called and offered a seat the second day of regular classes. Amazingly, she ended up with all As & 1 B. She was totally freaked out the first couple of weeks, but is now so happy she decided to go for it on such crazy short notice.

Finally, you sound like me -- a bit of a worrier. I have found that it can be good to worry a little; a little anxiety is what keeps us on our toes. I spent the entire first semester in constant fear I would forget to do an assignment or complete a quiz by the deadline. There were staggered, sometimes downright goofy deadlines for each class and it was a juggling act to keep them all straight. For instance, for one class that only met once per week, the quiz would not open until 48 hours after class and would close 2 days after that (over the weekend no less) -- it was easy to forget about it and I suspect this was on purpose. :) I ended up being the only one amongst all of my friends who never forgot to submit something or complete an online quiz by the deadline. I attribute it to my constant mild anxiety. Obviously, don't let your fears get the worst of you, but as others have pointed out, what you are feeling is normal. Also, it's amazing to me how many students who initially were on the waiting list in my program ended up being the top students (as in totally kick A stellar) so don't go in with any fears about not being competitive. I have a feeling you will do great!

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@norlns24 your answer was extremely helpful! Takes a little bit of the worry off of my mind. Thank you!

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Don't buy into all the horror stories.

A great many people find that nursing school isn't the huge ordeal that many claim it to be; likewise, many find the NCLEX not to be a particularly difficult challenge.

Regarding the NCLEX, keep this in mind: Approximately 85% of US-trained, first-time takers pass the test... 85%...

Really, it ain't no thang.

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I really try not to buy into the stories because everyone told me college was going to be this huge, stressful ordeal too, but it wasn't at all. I try my best not to listen to everyone that says, "oh it's going to be very hard," because I have found that the people who think it is the hardest, are the ones who try the least. I appreciate your reassurance, you have no idea how much better your statistics and words make me feel. Thank you so much!

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I say make yourself a good to do list, find the group on Facebook of students who will be your classmates (maybe they can help you get up to speed with the to do list ;) ) and go for it. You can still relax this summer, and this is a fantastic opportunity for you. If you give it up, there is no guarantee you'll ever get another shot. If you were waitlisted this year, next year's applicants could be more competitive, and you might be flat out rejected. Go for it! If you are and 'A' student I think you can handle this. As long as you are SURE nursing is really what you want, there's no reason to feel like you can't pursue this chance.

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I say... find the group on Facebook of students who will be your classmates
And I say not just "no," but "HECK NO!!"

Facebook creates far more opportunity to derail your nascent career than it does to help it.

Do not, Do Not, DO NOT... join a Facebook group.

If you doubt me, do some searches here for the numerous horror stories linked to FB and FB groups.

Instead, form actual relationships with a few real people... and offer far more support than you solicit... then, when you need it, you will be seen as a *giver* and not a *taker*

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