how could I be so stupid?

Readyforthenextstep · Nov 4, 2008

I am so angry with myself. I have been planning and planning for application to the hybrid nursing program and I completely failed to see what was clearly written before me on my very own high school transcript. I took an entire year of biology and NO chemistry.
After receiving about 18 emails from our school about academic advisement week I figured I should go there one final time in attempt to have an advisor make sure I was on the right path. Every time I have gone in to the student services at the MEC they have never even looked at my stuff and said YOU NEED CHM 101. Even yesterday I practically had to beg the advisor to look over my stuff and make sure I wasn't missing anything. Sure enough, I WAS.
I am not blaming MY oversight on NVCC, but what is the point of an advisor if we are supposed to be so self sufficient that they don't even want to do their job? All I wanted was a fresh pair of eyes to make sure I wasn't missing anything and I had to beg for that.
So all my hopes and dreams have come crashing down upon me and the only way I will ever make it in to the Hybrid nursing program starting May 2009 is if they are willing to make an exception.
It wouldn't be the end of the world if I got into the traditional program but it sets graduation back an entire 9 months and I my family can barely afford to get by without me working. I am scared that if I get a job that my grades will seriously suffer, not to mention my marriage, I barely see my husband as it is.
Please, dear God, have mercy on me and soften the hearts of NVCC for me just this once...

I totally feel you!!!!I am sorry for you I don't know what help I can give you, but understand that NOVA has a serious problem. I ask for help many times to be wrongly guided! Everytime I went to my campus (loudoun) the advisor was not there. When I ask any advice on nursing they said they have no clue I should go to the medical campus! I was like but why in the world do you offer classes here and cannot help the student?

Good luck.

krenee · Nov 5, 2008

It is very true that the advisors at NVCC are clueless about the Nursing program - I assume with the exception of the MEC. Everything I knew about getting to the Nursing program, I found out myself doing research on the internet. The advisor helped not at all!

I had a screw up with my Chemistry too - didn't realize I had taken it but got a D so I had to re-take it - I had to find a spot which took some doing, and started a week late, but I managed.

I'm sorry that it might push you back, but it won't stop you from reaching your ultimate goal. Just look at it that way.

Kelly

Cilantrophobe · Nov 5, 2008

ok, what would you do in my situation? i don't like to drop names but i contacted the dean of nursing asking her if they are willing to make an exception and let me apply for the hybrid program. instead of giving me a yes/no answer, she said "since you still have chemistry to complete, i would suggest that you plan on applying for the fall semester."

well of course that was going to be my backup plan but am i supposed to just take no for an answer and not put up any fight? taking chemistry in the spring does not interfere with starting the hybrid program in the summer. and if i fail chemistry, just pull me out of the program as you would if i failed the math exam at orientation....what the freaking difference?

i just don't know what to do. part of me says fight for what you have been fighting for since you started school, and another part of me says just leave it alone.

if anybody knows of a way i might be able to take chemistry and have it completed before march 25th i'm all ears. i checked with gmu and marymount and neither of them offer a 1st 8 week session.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 5, 2008

Sorry this has all happened, yes it sucks, and sure, one can blame the school a bit, as the advisor should have picked up on a missing class, but they can't be totally responsible. We had a checklist and it stated ALL the pre-req classes, did you have one of those? Did the advisor sign off on it? If she did, then maybe you have a fighting chance. NVCC just started thier 2nd weeks, have u checked if they offered a chem or if ELI does?. best of luck

Cilantrophobe · Nov 5, 2008

Sorry this has all happened, yes it sucks, and sure, one can blame the school a bit, as the advisor should have picked up on a missing class, but they can't be totally responsible. We had a checklist and it stated ALL the pre-req classes, did you have one of those? Did the advisor sign off on it? If she did, then maybe you have a fighting chance. NVCC just started thier 2nd weeks, have u checked if they offered a chem or if ELI does?. best of luck

Yeah I had the checklist, and looked over my stuff over and over but my mental set saw chemistry on my transcripts and it just wasn't there. I already said that I take full responsibility for this but I am still mad at the school. I asked them to look at my stuff a million times and they didn't.

It doesn't matter anyways because they aren't willing to make an exception. I didn't expect that they would be. I am sure they get a million similar requests every day, I am no different than any other 4.0 student who makes the same request. I already checked the schools entire spring schedule more than once to see if ANY chemistry course was offered during the 1st 8 week session of spring, NOTHING. Oh well. This is happening for a reason so I will just deal with it.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 5, 2008

the 2nd 8 week schedule for this Fall just started, are there any Chem taking place now? A prof may still allow u into the chem class

Cilantrophobe · Nov 5, 2008

Well I checked and there was a class but the ELI counselor said it is too late to add the class. She did say that they may add to the spring schedule so I will keep my eyes pealed for that but if not it's a lost cause. I will definitely learn from this mistake.

And to anybody who reads this who is hoping to get into the nursing program. Don't let those advisers be wishy-washy with you, demand that they look over your stuff ass soon as possible. If I had done that back in March when we moved here this never would have happened. It is their job to show us what we are missing. If we are supposed to be so self-sufficient to catch all of our mistakes they shouldn't be paid.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 5, 2008

If it were, i would try and contact the prof!! See when it started and see how many classes u missed, and then goto the next class, arrive early and see what that prof has to say! If you have high marks in ur previous classes, she/he may realize ur capable of catching up! Can't hurt to try! Sometiems u can find their work email, or better yet, contact the science dept at whatever school and ask to speak to that prof, (get thier phone # and email) All they can do is say no

Cilantrophobe · Nov 8, 2008

I decided to just go with what is happening. I really wouldn't mind being in the traditional program.

What classes do you guys take over summer break? I noticed there are classes like NUR 135 (drug dosage calculations), that class is not listed on the "Becoming a registered nurse" pamphlet. Who would take that class? Is it part of the traditional nursing program, schedule?

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 8, 2008

NUR 135--drug dosage is one of those classes you don't "normally" have to take. They recommend you take it, I never did.

During orientation one writes a basic math exam (they send u a practice one with ur acceptance package) One has to obtain 90% on that basic math test, if not, you have to take the NUR 135. As well (at least for us) there was a practice drug dosage exam the 1st semester and if ya failed that, they strongly encouraged you then totake NUR 135, which from my understanding was a bit difficult to do as the 'real" dosage exam takes place during the 2nd week of the second semester.

As stated I never took the class. They use the henke med-math book. ISBN 9780781762649, another good book is Calculate with confidence by deborah morris.

As wel there are MANY free websites and the dosage help in the student forum! If you suck at math,it cant hurt to take the class. As wel lthe school provides FREE tutorial help on the 1st floor of MEC.

During the summer break between 2nd and third semesters,they usually offer NUR 255 and in the past I belive NUR 254 (not this past summer) But I do belive their are changes to the progam in the works.

As well some students apply for summer fellowships. One has to start looking very early for those, usually the Dec/Jan timefram for the following summer. or you can be a slcker like myself and do nothing,lol

krenee · Nov 8, 2008

I took NUR 255 (Nursing Management) and a co-requisite that I hadn't finished before I started the program. I recommend that you take everything you can before starting the program - Pharmacology, Psychology, your Humanities, elective, Medical Terminology . . . off the top of my head. You'll thank me later!

Kelly