I don't think I'm getting in...

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2002

Wow that is tough. I know when I started nursing they told me I needed to be in top third of my high school graduating class with a 3.0. I made that but they told me they only had seats left for high school grads not older students so I went two years and did my pre reqs then they told me it would be another year as again no seats for older students. I told them they were age discriminating. I got a lawyer and got a seat shortly thereafter.

I kept plugging away and I think the schooling won't hurt you. You could always take courses that are similar with another major like surgery..........does that sound like something you might want to do?

renerian

JennyRN2B · Oct 25, 2002

Ashemson,

I am in a similar situation in that I too am just returning to school after 12 years. I will not find out if I have made it into next years program until the Spring. However, it is in the back of my mind to be prepared for that. I guess I have decided that IF that does happen, I will just keep taking anything that I might need that does not require me to be in the nursing program. I know there isn't much left, but have you thought about your electives?

I have 3 children also and I know going to school is going to be a huge adjustment. I think if you want something bad enough you keep on keepin on until it happens. If nursing is really something you desire you keep in there until you get in. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Jenny

farmmom · Oct 26, 2002

OMG so what you are telling me is that being 34, four kids and not alot of extra money to drag this out a life time .I may still be wasting my %&*%%^&& time

well I guess that I will give it my all and pray every night that I did not do this for nothing. I still have prereq to do:(

Mkue · Oct 26, 2002

Is this the only program you can apply to?

MK2002 · Oct 26, 2002

You are seeing exactly what happens when word gets out to the public that there is a demand for nurses. The response is dramatic as schools become more and more flooded with applicants. Some schools already have waiting times of 3 - 5 years.

Here in Texas the wait is long and getting longer. Last week I attended a 2-hour Information Session for the Nursing department at UTH. One of the school representatives told the crowded audience that there are 144 spaces, and that 600 applicants had already applied for next Fall. The school expects to receive well over 700 applications by the deadline. I suppose that, if this trend continues, then in a year or two the school will have 1,500 applicants.

What this means is the required GPA will become higher and higher as time passes. As the economy gets weaker and more people go to school--since they obviously have nothing else to do--the admission situation becomes worse.

Does anyone remember the last shortage from over a decade ago? The same huge response happened then. The applicants just kept coming in droves as the media continued to tell students that the great shortage had finally arrived and that the first wave of baby boomers now needed care. By 1995 it was difficult for a new graduate to get a job--the next problem you might have to deal with some day, if media projections turn out to be nothing more than an illusion again.

TeresaRN2b · Oct 26, 2002

Have you looked at other options? Um, if I were you I would see about finding an LPN program for now. It is a lot easier to get into the RN programs as an LPN than it is directly into the RN programs. Plus it would probably help you to succeed in a RN program. I wouldn't normally suggest that, but under the circumstances I think that might be your best option.

I'll share with you a little of my experience with nursing school. My first attempt at nursing school was when I was 19 (that was 10 years ago). The cut off GPA to get into the program I wanted was a 3.7! I got a 3.92. I mean I was almost perfect A student and would you believe I flunked out. They raised the grading scale so you had to do an 80 or better just to stay in the program. I had never had to work for an A in my life. School was always easy for me. I was totally unprepared. These programs are tough. The reason a lot of these schools have high GPAs is because if you can't make the grades in the prereqs you won't pass their classes. That being said this time going in I have maturity and experience and a much deeper determination. If you have that you can succeed. I am a medical assistant now and have worked in a doctors office and a lab. I think that getting your feet wet in another program might help you a lot. Don't give up! Start looking around for other schools and other options if you really want this. It's taken me 10 years to get back to doing this. Hang in there.

Teresa

MK2002 · Oct 26, 2002

You have an excellent point. Getting admitted is one thing. Staying in is another. When the competition to be admitted becomes very intense so does the same for grading practices. Not everyone will earn A's. The least qualified are the most likely to fail. And if you have to work while attending school full time...well.. forget it! Been there, done that.

I can understand what you suffered through. The dramatic enrollment increase a decade ago influenced me not to pursue a nursing career back then. I knew that, not only would I have to cope with intense competition, a couple years later I would also have to deal with an oversupply of labor and the struggle to get a job. Sure enough that was exactly how the events unfolded. Now 10 years later the same scenario is upon us again.

Ultimately, those most determined will succeed. But the costs can be very high. Among other challenges, you must expect various obstacles, such as high student loan debt since working while in school is unlikely; a series of illnesses as you study longer and harder to compete with the best students; and dealing with the possibility of moving some day years later if you have to relocate for your first job after college graduation.

NancyRN · Oct 26, 2002

I agree with Teresa about LPN being a good alternative for you.

I had four children at home and my father was sick when I started school. It took me five years to get finished. In that time, all four children left home, and my father died. I feel as if I sacrificed years I'll never get back. If I had gone to LPN school it would have taken just 10 months, and I'd be earning about $2 an hour less than I am as an RN. You can always go back for your RN when your children are older and you have more time. Keep in mind what's most important to you.

camkib · Oct 26, 2002

I just wanted to say that I think everyone here has given good advice. As older students(I'm 31), struggling with the possibility of not getting accepted to a program is difficult because we have more responsibilities and (let's face it ) less time to go for our dreams. At times I feel really discouraged that I might not make it into my school's program. This is my second time going through this as I was a student trying to get accepted in nursing during the last shortage.

Looking at other programs such as LPN are a good idea...I have already decided that if I'm not accepted for next fall that I will pursue a second related degree such as lpn or radiography and apply again for the following year. I don't want to get discouraged and quit altogether like I did the first time around.

Stay encouraged...you WILL become an RN!

ashemson · Oct 26, 2002

Thanks for everyone's stories. Actually I had considered going the LPN route, but upon returning to school, I only had 2 semesters of prereq's before I was ready to enter RN program. So I figured I might as well go that way. I just really hate the thought of having to wait years before ever getting accepted. Thanks for everyones input.

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2002

Ashemson, I am also from Kansas City and I know what school you are talking about, I remember you telling me. I know you really want to go the school you mentioned but Have you thought about other nursing schools in Kansas City like Saint Lukes, Research college of nursing, or even Penn Valley. All three of those schools are pretty good schools and I know Research offers REALLY good financial aid packages because that is where I go.