Has the nursing school wait discouraged anyone?

Wicked Wahine · May 4, 2008

The wait really can be discouraging. Just remind yourself that you'll be X age regardless of whether you're in nursing school (or still waiting) so you may as well just keep plugging away at it!

Good luck!

coolpeach · May 4, 2008

I have been discouraged the whole way. The entire time I was taking my pre reqs all my professors kept beating us over the head with how impossible it was to get into nursing school, and how most of us would never get in, and on and on.

It was a very confusing situation as there were several schools in the area, but all them had different criteria, pre reqs, and support courses. I knew people who took an extra year or two of pre reqs so they could apply to more schools.

I decided that I would only apply to one school against the advice of everyone. My thoughts were that if I put all of that extra energy into one that it would produce more results then trying to spread myself thin and doing all that extra stuff to apply to many.

It payed off, and on my second app I got into my school, and I start in the fall. Its all very depressing, decouraging, and confusing. All I can say is sit down, put it all on paper, and figure out what will work with the schools where you live and stay on track.

Natingale, EdD, RN · May 4, 2008

Well I believe in a higher being. There is someone more powerful than any NS Chairperson.

Same boat as you, in regards to researching since 2003. Im FINALLY accepted for Fall 08. The 2 rejection letters I did receive only sparked a fire in me to take MORE classes that coincide with the Nursing curriculum and Ace those suckers. So it was a long battle (far from over btw) but I asked myself if I got into the program in 03, would I have been ready?

Im ready now, and focused.

Remember all good things are worth waiting for. What could be better than seeing (your name here) RN

Sidenote : I work in a hospital, and I was telling my colleagues about getting accepted. Once I graduate when I write down my order for Dunkin Donuts (nightshift) its going to say

Shelly-Ann RN : One medium hot chocolate $2.00

Im going to go RN crazy.

Hausfrau · May 5, 2008

So it was a long battle (far from over btw) but I asked myself if I got into the program in 03, would I have been ready?
Im ready now, and focused.
Remember all good things are worth waiting for. What could be better than seeing (your name here) RN

I totally relate to what you are saying. This could be a whole 'nother topic in it's self BUT.... having had a baby 10 months ago I actually think I am a stronger, better person now. I think the last 10 months have given me a crash course in self improvement that will actually make me be a better nurse. I have a bigger desire to pursue it as a career and i think it's just another case of "all things happen for a reason"...

Natingale, EdD, RN · May 5, 2008

I totally relate to what you are saying. This could be a whole 'nother topic in it's self BUT.... having had a baby 10 months ago I actually think I am a stronger, better person now. I think the last 10 months have given me a crash course in self improvement that will actually make me be a better nurse. I have a bigger desire to pursue it as a career and i think it's just another case of "all things happen for a reason"...

Yeah its weird, I dont know you from a hole in the wall.. but I know -exactly- what ur talking about, and its that special bond that students, nurses, professors have ..its weird. We all went, or are currently going through the same thing one way or another. I never met so many people that are so supportive of each other. Except for this one hospital where they eat their prey (new nurses) --The bond is truely amazing, dont give up!

Hotflashn · May 5, 2008

I started looking into nursing school 20+ years ago and was discouraged way back then! It wasn't nearly as trying and complicated and impacted as it is now, but as a young, new mother, it seemed too much. I started chipping away at it about 5 years ago. There have been times when it has been so discouraging, frustrating, exasperating and even depressing that I have asked myself why I am doing it. Then I just get back to chipping away at it! I know that deep down - no matter how much I complain about such things - I LOVE challenges, and if I put my mind to something I tend to be pretty tenacious. A person needs those traits to get through this!!

I just hope that when I come out on the other side someday, I find it was indeed what I REALLY wanted to do, not just a goal I was hyper focused on attaining. I am a "mental mountain climber" and it appears too easy for me to complete a goal only to move on to something else without looking back. Its all in the climb, not the view from the top... the journey, not the destination. Restless spirit, I think.

Hotflashn · May 5, 2008

having had a baby 10 months ago I actually think I am a stronger, better person now. I think the last 10 months have given me a crash course in self improvement that will actually make me be a better nurse. I have a bigger desire to pursue it as a career and i think it's just another case of "all things happen for a reason"...

You are a stronger, better person now!! Babies do that. Pretty amazing, isn't it? We think that they are going to come into this world and we are going to teach them, and they become our greatest teachers! In many ways are children are more powerful teachers than our parents.

Enjoy - it passes quickly. I know probably everyone tells you that, but that is because it is true.

coolpeach · May 5, 2008

Hotflashin,

I know exactly what you mean. It's strange, but when I got my letter last week I didn't feel at all like I thought I would. It was sort of anticlimatic. I mean I made it in after all that work, and time (5 years), but now what? I keep having to remind myself that I haven't actually made it to the top, and I have to actually make it through nursing school now (which I hear is tough).

I think I am like you....I enjoy the climb. In 20 months I will be a licensed RN, and then I will have to work on my BS or to get into some other program or a promotion or something because without something to climb toward I am useless. lol

KellasCat · May 5, 2008

I am so right there with you....I started working on my prereqs then started doing really well in my job so school was put on hold - so over the course of the last 10 years I've been off and on the school bandwagon....now I have all my prereqs for a BS degree - although I will be appling for both 4 year and 2 year progrmas. But now my Anatomy and Physiology are over 5 years old so I have to retake them UGH!

So at my local community college you have to take an assesment test and pass before you can register for either Anatomy or Phys----different test for each class.

While studing for finals I did this however - even though I registed as soon as I was able - during the first week - all the Ant classes are full :banghead: . So now I have to either attempt to take both A & P at the same time during the fall semester or it will be another year before I can apply due to the way the deadlines fall!

I keep telling myself there is a goal in sight and I'm closer then before but it's sooooo furstrating.

MedicalNerd · May 5, 2008

I can completely relate to all of you about this situation. I have really been in a somber mood this last week and I am so frustrated at how I have no control over my future!

I quit my full time job in '05 to finish up the remaining pre-req's to apply to the RN schools in my area. It took me 3 semesters to finish them up and I started applying to my local schools. It is really sad to say that I am still applying because I still have not been accepted. I have applied now 4 semesters and I am just unbelievably frustrated because all of the schools are "lotto" (so they say) and I still have not been a luck one! The application pool is up to 600-800 per school and they only accept 30-70 per school.

I am getting to the point of no return, I am turning 27 this year and my husband is going to be 31 and we still don't have any children because we thought it would be best to wait until I had finished the program. I am feeling like I am never going to get in and get done so I can have children! It is such a tough place to be right now I and I can't imagine being in my 30's and not being able to have children!

Someday's I just ask myself is this really worth it? :rolleyes:

amjowens · May 5, 2008

I can't believe how such passionate potential nurses are being treated in this system. It's completely wrong. If there wasn't such a demand for such type of nurses, I'd see things differently. And, when I do my clinicals and see some of the types of nurses who are practicing (many wonderful, but it seems like just as many who have no business being in nursing), it makes me angry.

I'm currently in a LPN program. There are a couple of students who have to retake courses (even if they earned an "A") just because they are over 3 years old (nutrition being the main course). And not only are there waiting lists for ADN programs, but if you're not accepted and pre-science courses lapse a certain number of years, they have to be retaken. I'm a little worried because my A and P, Micro, and others were taken right at the limit of when I was accepted to my ADN for Spring '09. My advisor says as long as I'm accepted, the time limit stops where it is. For example, if I didn't attend Spring '09 for some reason, I'd be retaking at least two major courses before I could reapply. I don't see a lot of information on this site about this kind of issue, but with lottery systems leaving students waiting years, it's just one other "wrong" in this arduous process. I'd seriously look into this policy with each school, as it seems there's a different policy at each school. There's actually some kind of board at my school, and the policy is undergoing changes, nobody seems to know a definite answer, and different answers are had by different issues. In the end, a win for the schools ($) and a lose for the dedicated student. And they're trying to graduate wonderful, compassionate nurses????