Frustrated and Sad

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all, I need to vent and any advice would be appreciated. This is a bit complicated so please read the whole post before responding. OK J In my area there are 3 nursing programs. One is too expensive, the second is an ADN with a waiting list, and the third is a highly competitive BSN. I started at the community college for the ADN in Summer 2005 and met with my advisor who told me my placement test scores weren’t high enough to apply directly to the program, so I would first have to complete the “pre-nursing certificate” which is just some pre-req’s and then I could apply. Flash forward a year later I am done with the pre-req’s and apply for the ADN program and am immediately asked “why didn’t you apply when you first started school because your placement test scores exempt you form taking the pre-req’s?” Basically, because I was given the wrong info instead of starting the ADN in Fall 2006 I now was on the waiting list for Spring 2009. Aaaaahhhhh.:banghead:

I wrote a letter and met with the Dean of Nursing who was very rude and treated me like a con-artist. I was told if I got a letter from my advisor citing her error that I could be bumped up a few semesters to make up for it. I talked to my advisor who assured me she was very sorry and had no problem writing the letter. I submitted my official letter to the Dean and 2 days later received an email saying she never got the letter from my advisor so she couldn’t help me and my request to be moved up the list was denied. I tried to talk to my advisor and she completely ignored all attempts at contact.

So, I applied to the BSN program. I have a 3.85 GPA, 2+ years of direct-patient volunteer experience with Hospice, GRE verbal was 570/ writing 600, 4 great recommendations, plus I have been an A&P and Bio tutor for the last year and a half. I thought I would be a sure thing to get in. Nope, I didn’t get in for this Spring ‘07 because my GRE math was low….370. Bad, yes, but I was told by the school nursing coordinators numerous times not to even bother with studying for the math because they didn’t even look at it. Stupid me! :smackingf I shouldn’t have listened. So I reapplied for Fall ’07 and was planning on retaking the GRE in December, but well….let me explain….

My dad was diagnosed with cirrhosis (from an autoimmune disorder) last year and it was very hard not knowing if he was going to get a liver or not. Basically holding his hand while he was slowly dying hoping that someone was out there self-less enough to donate their organs and yet feeling sad at the same time for the life lost of his future donor. I remember so many late nights and early mornings explaining what this or that drug did and why he was taking it…and why did he hurt in a certain place. If I didn’t know the answer I’d find it. This past October he was blessed with a successful liver transplant followed by a bout of severe rejection in December that was stopped (thank goodness!) with Thymo.

Later in December I got sick and was in the hospital because I had been on my period for three months because my ex-doc misdiagnosed and mismanaged my PCOS. I am fine now, but have had an exhausting 2 months from three blood transfusions and anemia. Then last week my younger and only sister was admitted to the hospital for colitis and was having a lot of pain, fever and rectal bleeding plus about 12 BM’s a day. Nothing has worked so far, so they are putting her on cyclosporine (sp?). If that doesn’t work they’re removing her sigmoid and descending colon :sniff: . I am so overwhelmed with everything right now. Now that I’m getting better I have to hold it together for everyone because my dad is still recovering, and my mom is on the edge of a nervous breakdown over all of this.

Even through all of this the only thing my family wants is for me to get into nursing school...so back to that drama.

I reapplied to the BSN for Spring '07, but the school I’m currently attending didn’t mail the BSN program my updated transcript. I offered to hand deliver it because the deadline was Feb. 1st , but was told that it was too late and not necessary (?) and that she would just attach a note to my application with an explanation and list of my recent classes and grades. She also wrote that I wasn’t able to retake the GRE because I was sick, but I am in a math class now and would be done with college algebra by the time I would transfer in the fall.... Is that really ok???

So here I am stressed out and hoping for good news. It would make me and my family beyond happy to get into this BSN program. My parents are as obsessed as I am about me getting in and after the year we’ve had it would be amazing to have some good news finally. I can’t help but feel why has this been such a crazy obstacle? Did I handle the Dean correctly at my current school? The BSN program said I got a 10 on all parts of my application and 9.5 on the essay so one bad math GRE score negates all of that? I took the required statistics and got a B. Ugghh I should have reviewed for it.

If I don’t get in this time I will be so crushed. This fall I took 17 credits with 2 labs and got all A’s and a B while being co-caregiver for my dad, and still seeing hospice patients. I feel like I worked so hard and no matter what I keep getting shot down. My faith in God and the joy of helping people is pretty much the only thing that pulls me through all of this. I don’t even know what my question is really…I am just so stressed and rejected right now.:sniff: :crying2:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi there and what a story! You certainly persevere. I do have to ask why you are taking the GRE for a BSN? I wish you the best.

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Hi,

The GRE is required because it's an accelerated BSN. From what I hear they rely heavily on it in their admissions decisions. You do the first 2 years at another school, finish 60 hrs of pre-req's and then you can transfer in. The University is mainly a medical school...the only undergrad they have is BSN, cardio-perfusion, and health science for future teachers.

I guess looking at this now...I'm wondering if I'm missing something? Should I bring my transcript to the admissions office even though they said not to? Basically is there anyway to handle this better?

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Just take a deep breath and keep on going with the program. That's all you can do at this point, unless you want to widen where you cast your net and start the admissions process at programs further away from where you live. Don't get discouraged.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

(((((((Magical Thinking))))

:icon_hug: What an amazing story! You are a very strong person.

In regards to choosing a school...are those three schools your only options? Is there not a BSN program that is not an accelerated program to which you could apply?

I would not choose the ADN program solely based on all the issues you have had at that particular college. If you are having this many problems with them already, what is it going to be like when you are in the nursing program? Trying to get transcripts sent to employers after you graduate? etc. etc. etc. The obstacles and disregard you have faced thus far would be a HUGE red flag to me.

I wish you nothing but the best! Don't give up on your dreams. I think you would make an excellent nurse.

As an aside (not sure if you are a religious person), remember that God has a plan for everything and His plan is perfect. What if you had started that fall...would you have perservered in school with all those personal issues going on at one time? Or would you have had to drop out to deal with them? Your family probably needed all of you during that time.

Keep trying and don't give up! You are doing an amazing job of holding it together. The harder you work to reach your dreams, the sweeter it will be when you achieve them! Good luck!

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thanks so much for all the kind words . Those are the only programs in my area, so if I look further out I would have to move out of state. I'm more of a city girl and the only thing here for me is my family. I had really hoped to do school here though to support my family, but I think caliotter3 was right about looking elsewhere if I don't get in. One of my friends does want to move out west...mmmhh something to think about? :idea:

And to asoldierswife05. Yes, I am definitely religious I am a liberal Christian...try to love everybody. Although that can be really hard sometimes lol. I believe and appreciate what you wrote and I am always amazed when I look back at times like these how everything does fit so perfectly in retrospect.

Today was just a hard day. I really wish most people could understand how hard getting into and getting through nursing school is (and of course MD's and PA's too). It's such a wild ride sometimes.

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Specializes in PCICU.

((((hugs))))

Its really quite a shame that you had to deal with a school that refused to help you. Its too bad that there is such a shortage of nursing educators that there exists such a thing as a 2009 wait list. How horrible.

I wish you all the luck in the world, and you should come back and tell us how you did. I personally, would recommend bringing your transcript in just in case, even if they said it wasnt necessary. Your past experience has shown you that you cannot trust what everyone says, so try to back yourself up with as much as you can (and besides, what do you lose if you walk in your transcript...much more to lose if they want to see it and dont have it).

Definitely hang in there, and i hope your family's health issues get better. Whatever happens, dont give up hope. Your perseverance now will make the end (graduation) that much sweeter. Do whatever you need to do.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU.

We need people like you out in the nursing field, hope you are able to get in soon. Don't give up.

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Good luck and i wish you the very best

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Why not apply to a directy-entry MSN program? You're already taking the GRE, and these programs don't have the waiting lists undergraduate nursing programs do.

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Thanks for the advice :) there's only one direct-msn program and its not really an option. I have recently been thinking about moving away, finishing my bachelor's (would take about a year), and going to PA school. I planned on doing NP anyway. If I do get into this BSN program I'll definitely stay and continue the NP route, but if not I need to get a new plan.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Good luck

I think you need to play a little golf and stop worrying too much

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