Helpless

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Feb 26, 2017

You can do this. It is tough to get in, but I believe you will find a way if you keep chipping away at it. Wishing you success!

My 1st recommendation is change "helpless" to "I can do this".

SunshineNRainbows, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2017

Your chances for UTA are very low. They only admit around 40 Houston students a semester and precedence falls with those who have a previous Bachelor's and are partnered at local hospitals. In general, I think you are not looking at the types of programs that are correct for you.

Did you get an ADN? Have you thought about an ADN? Your HESI, unfortunately also makes you noncompetitive for UTH.

I do not mean to sound mean, but realistic. You need to open your range and look at other programs. It sounds like you are young, in which case moving to say Dallas and living on campus might not be a bad idea. Also, look at UT Austin (I'm not sure what their requirements are only that I do not qualify, so I stopped there). Look at TWU, Prarie View, A&M has a Nursing option too...

And then look at the ADN programs, it may not be ideal, but it also may help you get a start.

Living_True · Feb 28, 2017

Your chances for UTA are very low. They only admit around 40 Houston students a semester and precedence falls with those who have a previous Bachelor's and are partnered at local hospitals. In general, I think you are not looking at the types of programs that are correct for you.
Did you get an ADN? Have you thought about an ADN? Your HESI, unfortunately also makes you noncompetitive for UTH.
I do not mean to sound mean, but realistic. You need to open your range and look at other programs. It sounds like you are young, in which case moving to say Dallas and living on campus might not be a bad idea. Also, look at UT Austin (I'm not sure what their requirements are only that I do not qualify, so I stopped there). Look at TWU, Prarie View, A&M has a Nursing option too...
And then look at the ADN programs, it may not be ideal, but it also may help you get a start.

I am not here to judge, but for advice and suggestions. I do appreciate you taking the time to read my post , and giving me some feedback. I have thought about retaking the Hesi exam especially since it is still fresh to me. Except I am not sure about the critical thinking section I have no nursing experience ,and am not sure how to prepare for that section. Everyone has their own opinion, out of the searches I have noticed others have had worst G.P.A and scored lower ,and still manage to get into programs ,and others who have had great grades do not get accepted. I guess we I will know with time, I am not sure what the recruiters focus on, but I am seeking another way. I am 21 years old ,and would like to pursue a career ,while I have no major responsibility. I think my mistake was not knowing where I was trying to get or how to get there. I was not familiar with the cna, lvn, adn etc programs till now. I took the pre-reqs and was awarded an associates of arts. I feel that to a disadvantage of course because I am no where near an RN if i do not get accepted. Thank you for the information on UTA they also require about 3 nursing courses, which I have not taken. I will continue to explore my options. Thank you for being blunt with me :up:

SunshineNRainbows, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2017

Again, I was not trying to be mean, only blunt. I do tend to say things how they are. Most people with lower scores getting in have some kind of background in a medical field or a previous degree. And I completely understand, I'm not saying lose hope. My point is I think the choices you have made may be "reach" schools, and you may want to look at other options. For a first Bachelor's there are many more options and many more programs in the area that do not accept applicants with prior degrees. You have more options than most of us!! Definitely, retake the HESI.

Keep in mind UTA has limited clinical spots in Houston. They only accept about 40 a semester with the first positions going to those who work for the hospital systems offering clinical spots. Then previous degree holders (being that I am currently taking the final 2 pre-reqs, almost everyone has a prior degree, I know maybe 1 or 2 without a Bachelor's in a class of 350+).

Apply to the schools you mentioned, but keep your mind and options open... there are so many more schools in the area! HBU, Prairie View, TA&M, TWU... expand your search and applications because that was you will increases your chances.

SunshineNRainbows, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2017

Also, I've been applying for a year. This is my second round of applications. I have a 3.8 Nursing pre-reqs, 3.86 Science, 90 HESI, and 91.8 TEAS. I started my first cycle with one of the aforementioned schools, denied. My second cycle (current) I applied to more, and if this doesn't work out I have chosen a larger base for my next application cycle expanding out of the local area.

If you have questions, feel free to contact me via PM. I'm willing to talk about my journey and the things I have learned if it can help.

Good Luck in whatever you do!

Living_True · Feb 28, 2017

Again, I was not trying to be mean, only blunt. I do tend to say things how they are. Most people with lower scores getting in have some kind of background in a medical field or a previous degree. And I completely understand, I'm not saying lose hope. My point is I think the choices you have made may be "reach" schools, and you may want to look at other options. For a first Bachelor's there are many more options and many more programs in the area that do not accept applicants with prior degrees. You have more options than most of us!! Definitely, retake the HESI.
Keep in mind UTA has limited clinical spots in Houston. They only accept about 40 a semester with the first positions going to those who work for the hospital systems offering clinical spots. Then previous degree holders (being that I am currently taking the final 2 pre-reqs, almost everyone has a prior degree, I know maybe 1 or 2 without a Bachelor's in a class of 350+).
Apply to the schools you mentioned, but keep your mind and options open... there are so many more schools in the area! HBU, Prairie View, TA&M, TWU... expand your search and applications because that was you will increases your chances.

I agree with you ,and I completley understand. I did have a major disadvatage not knowing much more of what other options I had. I did not intend to sound rude to your comment or response either. I was being honest this has probly been the hardest thing I have tried to overcome. I have learned people will lie to you mis- inform you to get there way. Simply, because it is highly competitive ,and if its not that no one is really willing to help you as much as you could, simply just ask for tips. I been there so I know. I do not have any medical experience, although I did volunteer at two hospitals. Besides that my pre- reqs I definatly am considering to re-test I am just worried to score low on sections I scored high on. Also, how do I even prepare for the critical thinking section when I have no experience. I have definatley taken your prior comment personal (In a good way) because come on now a limited amount of applicant? What are the chances? The possibilites? So I must look at other ways around to what I have devoted so much of my time to aquire, to reach my actual goal. I do not want to feel as if I have waisted my time for nothing ,and end up doing something I dont like or nothing at all. I have no backup career I do not know any alternates for those who couldnt become nurses. I will continue to look around and see what other options I have i truly appecaite your advice

SunshineNRainbows, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2017

The critical thinking portion does not require prior knowledge. It's about what is the safest, most ethical, and legal conclusion for the patient. Study a little about the nursing process (it's a 5 step process), what we call the 9 rights (it will help you decide how to respond to certain situations), and there are many online resources for Nursing ethics and scope of practice. Those will give you better ideas going into critical thinking!!! One thing that really helped me with that was UTA Nursing 1300 Intro to Pro Nursing. We went over a lot of that material.

PD82 · Feb 28, 2017

I suggest looking at ALLLLLL of your options. There are so many nursing schools and nursing routes in which you can go- its a little over whelming lol.

My story: I knew I wanted to be a RN, and applied to a few programs but lacked the points (its super competitive!!). I got accepted to a LVN program, and although it was not my ideal choice at all, I did it and graduated. I am now in my final semester of a ADN program and feel my lvn experience has been very helpful. I plan to start my BSN in July and complete it in 9 months (my basic courses are done). So although LVN to RN to BSN is a lot of steps, in reality the whole schooling process will take just under 3 years for me. The moral of my story is: no matter how many freaking steps it takes to get there, what matters is YOU GET THERE.

I do suggest getting a job, even if its just part time, at a hospital or facility you really want to work at. Start as a unit secretary and work up to a patient care tech. Most facilities will pay for your education if your full time, and a few offer their own ADN programs. UTA gives priority to partnered hospitals, so as an employee at one of those hospitals you might be able to get in easier. Plus, you will have a foot in the door and a job when you graduate. :up:

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 28, 2017

Critical thinking is not nursing-specific. It is application of logic.

I understand OP's frustration, but there may be some level of misunderstanding. Having 'connections' or family in health care does not increase one's chance of admission to nursing programs. Previous experience in health care may be a bonus, but it is seldom a significant factor for admissions. Bottom line? Nursing education curriculum is rigorous with heavy emphasis on science, as nursing is a "health science" profession. Compassion and empathy are admirable qualities, but without a decent GPA, it won't qualify you for admission into a nursing program.

Because of the unrelenting number of applications they continue to receive, admission committees normally follow a pretty simple process. They rank all the applicants according to the criteria that the program uses... e.g., GPA, admission test, etc. Then they start from the top down. When they reach the maximum number that can be admitted, they may create a list of "almost made it" to serve as alternative admissions in case someone from the top list decides not to enroll.

The most desirable schools will have the most applicants. For the most part, admission decisions are a data-driven process. If you want to improve your chances, improve your numbers &/or apply to more programs.

Amethya · Feb 28, 2017

I'm trying to do my Pre-reqs as well, and not yet to that point of taking the HESI. The advisor at UHD told me with my grades and determinations I can actually make it to UTH pretty easily, just gotta finish at least 5 more classes of pre reqs. The issue I have is that I work full time as a CMA at a school so it's hard, because once I'm done, that means I gotta start to sign up for classes, but that means a year or two of no work for me because on how busy I'll be. I'm taking my time finishing up my stuff, because the more time I give, the more money I can put into this as well.

Do you know the reqs for UTH? How much do they want on the test and so on?

PD82 · Feb 28, 2017

I understand OP's frustration, but there may be some level of misunderstanding. Having 'connections' or family in health care does not increase one's chance of admission to nursing programs. Previous experience in health care may be a bonus, but it is seldom a significant factor for admissions.

I respectfully disagree. In DFW many of the bigger hospitals- Methodist, JPS, THR just to name a few- "grow their own RN's" with partnerships at some of the most desirable nursing programs. As a matter of fact, Methodist will consider family members of employees for their RN program as well. UTA states on their BSN flyer:

"Priority will be given to applicants employed by partner hospital systems offering clinical sites during that semester of admission. Partner hospital clinical sites vary each semester. To receive priority, applicants must be employed at the time of the ranking and the first day of class. Employment at a partner hospital is not a guarantee of admission into the upper-division nursing courses"

I COMPLETELY agree that GPA and admission testing is very important and I don't think anyone should assume they would get right into a program for having 'connections', but they are definitely getting first interest at certain desirable DFW schools.