I got my congratulatory letter!

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 14, 2013

Wow, that is a big class, by comparison to mine. My school only accepts about forty students for two campuses. I was on the alternate list the first year I applied and didn't get in. I did finally get in on my third time trying and start in August. But with a class as big as yours you probably will get in! So you will probably have to attend orientation and do everything as if you are actually in, just in case you get that call. I didn't do well in my first A & P, it was a condensed five week session, but I did get an A in A & P II. I don't think my grades got me in as much as having a recommendation letter from my A & P II instructor. She is an MD and well respected so I definitely played my cards right in her class, did all the extra credit too. I hope you get your slot! I'm about your age too, so here's to pursuing your dreams at any age!

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jun 14, 2013

Second year applying to nursing school.
Only thing is I was chosen as an alternate.
I get in if others that were accepted don't come for whatever reason. Meanwhile, I have to take the Pharmacology Class and of course pass it to remain on the alternate list.
They accept 100 nursing students and pick 10 alternates. Most years they use all of the alternates so I hope I'll get in. ( I'm number 7 on the list)
I feel like I have jumped through hoops of fire to get this far and I really want to be excited but am afraid of being let down.
I am a surgical tech making a career change at 54 now and I'm ready to dig in.
Love reading the posts here as they are very helpful and inspiring. My best piece of advise to anyone taking prereqs. is to get A's on those science classes. I had live in company when I took my APII class and made a C. I'm sure that's why I didn't get in the first year I applied and why I'm on the alternate list now.
It's funny cuz I thought I would be certain which direction I was going to be going by now but I'm still "circling the wagons" so to speak, waiting now on an open spot. I did get my AA degree along the way but seems rather useless for the moment. Keeping my fingers crossed that we all get in!

I'm a scrub tech as well! I love it. I'm also in my 3rd of 7 semesters of Nursing School. Love it too but it's keeping me busy:) good luck to you.

palamino98 · Jun 15, 2013

Yes. I have to go to the 8 hour orientation and take Pharmacology. That class starts on Monday.

So step by step I will inch my way in there lol

You really gotta just laugh about it. We get so wrapped up in the classes and the grades and the pressure. I do have the advantage of age/wisdom. I try not to take it all so seriously.

I work like a mule but try to keep it all in perspective. I am guaranteed a spot next year if I don't get in this year but I don't think I would take it. It's kind of now or never.

I hope Pharm isn't too bad. Have you guys taken that yet?

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 15, 2013

Congratulations! If it's any consolation, we had 12 alternates to begin with and all 12 got in (out of 64 full-time, 32 part-time, 32 accelerated and EMT/LPN bridge)

Pharm seems to differ from school to school in complexity. It was a very time consuming course. Our school considers it the only nursing course you're allowed to take without being previously accepted into the program. So, it's run exactly like the other nursing course. No rounding of grades, no extra credit, LOTS of reading and you have to pass all math quizzes with a 90% or better or you fail the ENTIRE course :eek:

Lots of memorization and this is where your Physiology really comes in to play. Review how different systems work and that will help you when trying to memorize functions of drugs. Especially when it comes to the nervous system. You'll want to know the sympathetic & parasympathethic down cold. (e.g. constricts pupils/dilates pupils, increases respiration/decreases respiration, raises heart rate/slows heart rate, etc.)

If your school offers supplemental instruction or tutoring for this course, I would highly recommend taking it, if it's a complex course at your school. Going to SI made the difference between getting a B and getting an A in this course for me. Our supplemental instructor was GREAT! I think I learned more from him than in the actual class itself :) He was a 2nd year nursing student, so he gave us lots of advice on what to expect in the program as well. I really enjoyed the SI sessions!

I can't say that I loved Pharm, but I got an A in it and I've never worked that hard in a class before. It was a LOT of memorization. If you have a math portion, don't freak out by the "pass with a 90% or fail" rule. It's actually a lot easier than you think it might be. If you're good with fractions and dimensional analysis (conversions), then you'll do fine in the math portion. Once I learned to equate all the drugs with the physiology, that's when it all "clicked" for me.

Make yourself flashcards of each drug with the Generic Name, Prototype, Indications, Dosage Information, Route of Administration, Contraindications, Potential Side Effects and Nursing Implications. If you do this for each drug, you'll have a great study tool for your exams. Learn how the drugs physiologically affect the body and it will help you recall them by function. (At least, that's what worked for me!)

Best of luck to you and I hope you get some good news that you'll be in the program this year

Live.&.Learn · Jun 15, 2013

I was on the "wait-list" and got the call, and we only take 30, now going into my second year! Best of luck to you!!!

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Jun 16, 2013

This post gives me hope. I was wait-listed for a MSN (Psych) program. I was very disappointed, and Now I feel hopeful.. thank you! and good luck to you!

palamino98 · Jul 8, 2013

Well I made it in!!!!

I went to orientation nor knowing and started Pharm. not knowing. But I did finally get called in to accept a spot.

I'm still in sticker shock. Trying to come up with all the start up $ I need is scary.

Ok so I'm studying hard but the conversion math is killer. My instructor goes so fast in lecture I don't catch it all and it's a huge class. 82. It's help in the school auditorium.

Test wed and not feeling good about it. The book we had to buy uses ratios but she teaches conversion. I'm a little list and I'm not sure if 20 he's of cramming is going to straighten me out.

Anyone have any advice ?

myriahalexis · Jul 9, 2013

This gives me hope too! I applied for fall 2013 for an ADN program that accepts 60 people with 45 alternates. So far I have two people ahead of me so I'm just super anxious!!!!

palamino98 · Jul 9, 2013

This gives me hope too! I applied for fall 2013 for an ADN program that accepts 60 people with 45 alternates. So far I have two people ahead of me so I'm just super anxious!!!!

Good Luck. The waiting is tuff. Wow they accept 60 and have 45 alternates? That a high ratio of alternates. Our school just expanded to taking 100 with 10 alternates. I'm from another college and all the alternates were outsiders.

Very HAPPY to be in. Let me know if you get a spot.

myriahalexis · Aug 2, 2013

So I got the call this morning and they offered me a spot! I'm so happy that I stuck out the wait and kept hope alive. For anybody still waiting patience is the key. Now the stressful and exciting times begin!