Frustration with community college

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

Hello! This is my first post in this forum, although I have been on others here at allnurses.

I just finished a LVN program. Before entering and during LVN school, I was actively taking pre reqs at my local cc with hopes of applying for the RN program. This semester, I started with my last two classes - Micro and Physio. About two weeks ago, I had a family emergency (my son was hospitalized) and decided to drop the classes. I had missed the drop period by 6 days, so accepted the fact that I would have a "W" on my transcript.

I don't regret dropping my classes because my family is #1 and my focus has to be on them right now. Come to find out, I have automatically disqualified myself from applying to the RN program for SEVEN years! I have 3.5+ gpa, but since I have a "W" on two core science courses, they won't even entertain my application.

I know I have other options, expensive ones, but they are options. I am thinking about either going to a private school or TCN w/ Indiana State, but I don't know if I would also be disqualified from applying there because of my "record". Very frustrating to work this hard for the past five years only to shoot myself in the foot.

Does anyone know about the admissions process through Indiana State? How likely are they to turn me away due to my "W" on record?

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Your experience is the first that I've ever heard of being disqualified from applying simply due to having Ws on one's transcripts. I can only say that competition is getting greater and greater by the day and program directors are finding new ways to keep out the masses. Yet you read today that students who can speak Spanish can go to Mexico and become nurses then come back to the US. Fools in charge, if you ask me.

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Specializes in LTC.

What CC are you looking at? I know not all of the CCs operate like that. Chabot in Hayward just requires that you have gotten a C in all prereqs. As far as ISU, I didn't see anything about having a W on record but you can't repeat a science class more than once.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I have heard of that, and I think it's stupid. Because people have lives and to have the sense to drop at a time you know it's not going to work out should be understood. This is not a rule at all colleges though. I would look into other ones. Have you looked at BSN programs?

Don't think that you don't have options, you do, just not at that particular college.

Good luck!

BTW I'm 99% sure that Indiana does not have that rule.

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

Wow, that is terrible! I had to drop 2 classes thru out my pre-req college years. One was a personal emergency with my daughter and the other was because I couldn't hack the material. Maybe they are adding it to the long list of reasons to disqualify because they don't have enough openings/staff? I guess they would consider it an easy weeding-out tool?

Life happens- these colleges should be ashamed of themselves.

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

This applies to CCSF in San Francisco. I am meeting with someone from TCN this week and hope to get more information.

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

It is a stupid rule...almost as stupid as accepting applicants by lottery and not even taking into consideration the GPA. I haven't looked into any BSN programs just yet, but I am going to start doing more research to find out what options I really have without waiting 7 years :)

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Seven years? that is ridiculous. I understand that it may put you back a year, but considering your circumstances do you think that you can petition this? I mean, shoot, your child had a health emergency that took him to the hospital. I'd understand if you blew off the classes, but you didn't.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i had about 4 W's on my transcript and i got into the RN program 1st try. that is a stupid rule they have.. my prayers are with you... don't give up

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sorry hun. You should look around, im sure this must be some school that will take you.

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