Heartbroken

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Hi!

I am new to the allnurses forums. I just recently moved to Texas from Florida. My husband is in the Air Force and we got surprise orders here in May of '08.

I hope that you all can just lend an ear tonight. I am feeling very frustrated and I guess I need to vent to fellow nursing students and Nurses who understand what I'm going through.

I decided after years of being married and having children to finally go back to school to get my nursing degree. It has been my dream for forever! I succeeded against great odds to get admitted in to an ADN program in Florida. I pretty much sailed through the prereq's and made the Dean's list the first semester. I received an A in both A & P I and A & P II. I loved it! Fast forward to mid-January, my husband calls to say we've recieved orders to San Antonio, TX. I was totally devestated. I was due to graduate in October of '09.

Everyone assured me, including the Dean of the Univesity I was attending, that I would have "no problem" getting in to another school. Well, I had a bad feeling in my gut. I arrived here and found out that I needed some more prereq's (different ones than were required in Florida). I registered, with a heavy heart, for these new classes that I needed before I would even be considered for a spot in the nursing program. By the way, I am attending San Antonio College.

I am finishing my semester this week, with a current average in Chemistry of 88 and an A in Ethics. I need Micro, English Comp II and Lifespan, which I am enrolled in to take in the spring. I applied once to SAC and was turned down because I had not finished all of their prereq's.

What I'm really upset about tonight is that, I have been asking questions to Baptist Health Systems. The person told me today that she is not sure that I would be accepted, with a 74 score on the NET (which by the way I took after 10 years out of school), that they generally let in people with a score of 75! What gives!!! One point?!?!

I am beyond frustrated and heartbroken. I know that nursing is competetive now, but I'm having a hard time being one who was accepted and then being one who is being denied. I do feel that I would be such a good Nurse and I'm heartbroken that I am having such a hard time.

Again, I'm so sorry for such a long email. I am just crying tonight and needed to vent to people who know what it is to feel the passion for Nursing that I do!

Thanks:)

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:icon_hug: Beedar, I'm sorry that you are having to go through all of this to transfer into a nursing program. I hope that a door opens for you and that you get in. Can you retake the NET? If not, have you considered some of the other programs around San Antonio? I know this is really difficult for you. Getting into nursing school is ridiculously competitive. I hope things work out for you. Take care!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi there and welcome to AN! I too was a military spouse (hubby is now retired). I started NS one place, got the LPN, moved unexepectedly and had to repeat a bunch of classes - ugh! I can really sympathize. Have you considered any LPN to BSN routes? How long are you going to be in TX? This is always a biggie because when we unexpectedly PCS it may not always be the place of our own choosing as far as our education goes. I would suggest:

1. Talking with any and all NS that will discuss this with you. San Antonio is a big military town - most of them should be able to answer your questions.

2. Consider things outside the box: the LPN to BSN program or some type of bridge program from LPN to ADN.

3. Don't give up - it will happen.

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I'd continue to take the prereqs and then reapply to SAC. I'd also look into retaking the NET if it's possible. You have decent grades so I really don't see any reason why you shouldn't be accepted.

Also, look into Austin Community College. I think they have nursing class available in Kerrville and Fredericksburg. If gas prices stay low, driving may be something worth considering if you don't get accepted here in San Antonio.

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Thanks so much to all of you who replied. It helps to receive words of encouragement. I know that I will make it eventually, it's just going through the motions to get there.

I can re-take the NET, so I guess I'm going to do that.

I also looked in to the Austin Community College, but it would be a little too far for me. I have two young kids at home, so I'm trying to avoid a commute as much as possible.

I am going to reapply again to SAC, I think I'll get extra points for already applying once . . .go figure?!?!

Again, thank you so much! I'm glad I found this forum, because I think my poor husband could use a little break of me complaining to him about my great quest to become a nurse:)

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Good luck.

Once you get the LPN, as trumaRus suggested, you could do the RN on-line via Excelsior, www.excelsior.edu. Texas is very EC-friendly.

Hey, you have two darling children and a loving husband serving his country. Sounds like 3 out of 4.

:)

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Could you go back to the school you just left? Lots of mil spouses live apart and I guess are 'used' to it with deployments and such. Next Oct really isn't that long of time until you graduate! I lucked out I guess, I graduated from nursing and then my mil spouse and I moved cross country.. but had orders come sooner, I would have stayed and finished.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

There's also a private RN program in San Antonio called Galen, if you're willing to shell out more tuition money to avoid the waiting lists and prerequisites. Good luck to you!

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I transferred programs and it can be frustrating, but hang in there! Getting into nursing school is a long and sometimes annoting process but once your in it's worth it. You CAN do it! Although the road may seem long, just think of the outcome! Also I attend ACC and I know they have an online program and the people in it LOVE it. It has been really wonderful for the students with children! You would only have to drive in for clinicals and labs and I've known students who had clinicals close to SA and San Marcos. Whatever you do, don't give up! :nurse:

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Beedar,

Been there!

That's why I have more college credits than required for a BS, but only have an AAS.

It is frustrating when the finish line keeps getting moved on you.

Hang in there, and keep at it. Eventually, you'll get there.

(((hugs)))

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I too am a military spouse having to transfer programs. I just finished my first semester in a nursing program and will have to transfer after next semester. We are currently living apart until I can be accepted for transfer into another program (hopefully by June). I have been interviewed by 5 schools to find which one will accept my courses and of the 5, 2 will allow me to enter midway in their programs. Both do require me to take additional core courses. It is very frustrating, because I currently have 80+ hrs of core courses (many of which are not required by the transfer schools) and will have to take more. It sometimes feels like I will never finish.

Nursing school is very stressful and having to switch gears only compounds it. If you have waited this long for your dream, don't give up. It is only a minor set back that you can overcome.

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My husband is also military, and I have nursing pre-reqs done for a few different states because we have moved at least once every 2 years. I just finished my last semester of school and I had to stay behind in South Dakota in order to finish while he went ahead and moved to San Antonio. Not only did I not have him around, I had to send my 3 year old daughter to her grandparents on the other side of the country because I had night clinicals and no baby-sitter. I definitely understand what you're going through!

I don't know if you have heard of this, but I looked into this program the last time I was in Texas :) There is an online degree program offered through either Delmar Community College (ADN), or Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (BSN). The classes are completely online, and whatever school you choose will help you set up a clinical site. Since you're in San Antonio and there are so many schools and hospitals here, this probably won't be a problem. Here is the link for more information on this program:

http://www.eline.delmar.edu/degree.htm

I tried to do this program a few years ago, but we got orders as I was setting up my clinicals (of course). The advisor is really helpful and will do a course eval for you. Also, I know some others on this site have gone through this program, so if you do a search you can find more info. Hope this helps!

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