Grieving over not getting into nursing school

[ladyjo]

Greetings,

I just wanted to start a thread for those of us who feel lost after not getting into nursing school. I live in a rural area where there are two options to go to school--get a secondary BSN through a competitive state school program (which I did not make the cut for this year) or go through the local JC (which picks qualified students through lottery, which I was not chosen through). I have a 4.0 in all of my prereqs and have been taking well over the required classes needed over the past 3 years because I love science and medicine so much. I went to a great school for undergrad and have a decent GPA from then. I scored 89% on my TEAS test. My current career is in medical malpractice research and consultation. I have given up time with my kids and not pursued other avenues because this is what I wanted to do. I realize that my living in an area where I have 2 school options is the main problem. And I have a young family and just can't commute 90 minutes to school each way, each day. I'm 44 years old, and I feel like this was my last shot at jumping on the path I discovered I love so late in life. And I'm very, very sad right now. I'm not writing to complain that I deserve something more than others. I just want to know if there are others out there who feel as down as I do.

[mirandaaa]

I'm not sure what the qualifications were for either of those schools, but I am rather surprised to see that you were not selected with your 4.0 and 89% on the TEAS. Those are great accomplishments.

It is a bummer, but just remember you can always apply again. If they have a spring start, sometimes they have few applicants than the fall starts, so you may get lucky there.

Good luck!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I'm not sure what the qualifications were for either of those schools, but I am rather surprised to see that you were not selected with your 4.0 and 89% on the TEAS. Those are great accomplishments.

It is a bummer, but just remember you can always apply again. If they have a spring start, sometimes they have few applicants than the fall starts, so you may get lucky there.

Good luck!

I'm assuming you don't have a 4.0 in your other classes. If your cumulative GPA is low, that is where your problem lies because most BSN programs look at that, not just the prereqs. Also, what else was required to get in? Was there an interview, an essay you had to write? Each school has different requirements to get in. You need to paint us the whole picture, not just a part.

Unfortunately, everyone and their brother wants to go to nursing school these days. So it's extremely competitive to get in. It just is. California is one of the absolute worst states to try and get into. They are severely impacted. I think I read that their is a 40% new grad, unemployment rate. It's going to be very hard to find a job afterwards. Just some food for thought because it sounds like you have a decent job now. You don't want to end up quitting it for something that may or may not happen.

I would say look at the LVN route, or look into another another major in the medical field. I know personally, I could not deal with that dumb lottery thing. That would be so frustrating especially seeing people who I did better in the prereqs getting in before me. Good luck with your decision!!