I've been accepted!

Congratulations!! That is some very exciting news! I'll let out squeal for you the next time I go to Walmart ( which will likely be tomorrow)

It turns out I jumped the gun. The acceptance was the university only that doesn't not ensure admission to any specific programs. I'm trying to get in touch with someone to find out what I need to do to get into the program, which is unlikely at this point.

I feel like an idiot. I feel like I'm letting my family down as I chose the wrong school first (for profit, ACICS accredited with BON approval only), withdrew (for those reasons) to get into a regionally accredited school which pushes my projected graduation date even further back while on one income (which may be even more reduced income as my husband may be losing his job sometime during the summer with a second child on the way).

Our situation doesn't really allow for me to keep trying the following year, so I'm kind of back to the beginning, trying to figure out what I'm going to do this fall. I'm likely going to end up in the Surgical Tech program as I can't possibly afford to wait until next summer to get into a 4 year degree program. So it's either Surgical Tech program this fall (which wouldn't start until October which would be nice as I'd get to spend a few weeks bonding with baby before having to start school) or end up flipping burgers. I can't keep my family in a bad financial position in hopes of getting into nursing school some day. Maybe it'll have to wait until the kids are older and my husband has a more stable job and we can better financially prepare for me to be out of work for an extended period of time.

I'm truly bummed about it, but unfortunately it's reality, and I have to accept that.

Just want to say that I am pulling for you! You will make the right decision for yourself and for your family. Surgical Tech actually sounds really cool- I feel like as long as you can try to maintain a foothold in the healthcare field somehow (whatever job that may be- nursing, tech, admin, etc.), it will only support your continued career goals and also keep you personally satisfied because that is where your heart is. You described what you went through with regards to BF/pumping and I think it showed enormous strength. Maybe it is for a reason that there is a little roadblock- so that you can spend those weeks with your new little one, just like you mentioned. You will get there- do not give up!

Thanks!

I talked to the nursing department yesterday and got a lot of good information. The website is confusing as far as what's required prior to the acceptance into the program. They do have some spots available for fall still, but I have other classes I have to take. Which honestly is kind of a relief in a way. I know I'm not going to do well on my math placement test, so I'll have to do all remedial courses before I can be accepted anyway. It's kind of a weight off my shoulders and takes a lot of pressure off knowing I have the time to take care of it.

I have an advising appointment with the DON Wednesday morning and my math placement exam Thursday morning. It was kind of interesting because she had asked if I had been in a nursing program before. I told her that I was, but I withdrew because of accreditation (I left it at that as not to talk negatively about the school). She automatically knew the school I was referring to based on the very limited information I gave her which gives me the impression that the school does not have a good reputation at all.

At the advising appointment the DON will go over my transcripts and go over what I need to do in the fall and spring to satisfy entrance requirements. They had me fill out the application for fall, which I did right away.

I'll still definitely start school this fall (the right way this time), but I think it'll be easier to juggle a newborn and pre-reqs. It'll still be very hard and require a lot of time management and support, but I know it'd be more difficult with nursing courses added. Plus this gives me a little more flexibility in my schedule so I can, hopefully, still get some bonding time and can still get the kids to appointments.

I really hate the idea of it being 3 years now, though still no guarantee of acceptance, but it is what it is, and I'm grateful knowing that I still have a chance to go this route. It's more of a difficult pill for my husband to swallow, but as difficult and long of a road we have a head of us, I know it's going to be well worth it. I know he'll be grateful that I stuck to my guns and pushed through, and I'll be grateful that he continued to stick by me to allow me to do this, no matter how hard of a time he's having with me doing it (financial reasons, not because he doesn't want to see me succeed).

Everything is going in the right direction, and I'm really looking forward to getting back into the classroom!