Long Beach City College Nursing Program

theloneran6er · Mar 16, 2010

Hello all!

I am new here but have been scouring the site for about a year now. I also just applied to the RN program at LBCC but found out that I was not accepted today. My friend was accepted and said he got a letter today, I did not. So I went to the nursing office and asked the lady at the front and she confirmed that I was in fact not selected. I also asked if she knew why or if they would let us know why and she said no. I feel very let down, disappointed in myself, and just generally bummed out. My counselor had told me that I had a pretty good shot at getting in but I guess that wasn't the case. Perhaps someone can shed a little light on my problem?

I have the following grades:

Anatomy: A

Physiology: A

Microbiology: B

English: B

Sociology: A

Speech: C

Psychology: in progress, likely an A

All proficiencies have already been met.

I also just received my Bachelors, however, my GPA from CSULB and LBCC combined is only 2.43 due to some unfortunate events a couple of years ago having to due with me not dropping a lot of classes. (Which I think may have affected my eligibility) Now I'm regretting that I turned in my CSULB transcripts since my LBCC GPA alone was 2.83. I'm wondering if that had a lot of weight on their decision or if I'm just beating myself up. And now I'm freaked out because I know they are increasing the minimum cumulative GPA to 2.5 for the next semester, which I do not have, and now they already have my CSULB transcripts!

I am so sad that I didn't get in and I would really like to know how far off I was to getting in, why I didn't get in, and what I could do to improve my chances for next semester. I was also wondering if I should try to talk to the department head to find out where I went wrong and if she could suggest anything or if I should just keep applying.

With all that said, I'm beginning to wonder if I will even ever get in due to my poor cumulative GPA. They also mentioned something about alternates? How does this work and does it really exist at LBCC?

If anyone has faced a similar plight and still managed to get in with a low GPA, how long did it take? I'm 30 years old and trying to make a career change and I have been completely overwhelmed by this rejection. I have also applied at Cerritos and will apply at all of the other local schools for the spring.

All of my friends that are nurses have been telling me that I'll get in but I just feel very discouraged.

Any insight, advice, or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

theloneran6er · Mar 16, 2010

@molly

My friend got the exact same letter that you did, I think it means you're in. Don't quote me on that though!

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what did you get in the sciences and what was your cumulative gpa? Is this your first time applying? I'm dying over here... :crying2:

molly198722 · Mar 16, 2010

@ loneran6er:

i'm sorry you did not get in to lbcc. maybe cerritos will be better since you didn't need to give them all your transcripts. i'm sure you will get in to a program. i didn't get in last semester to any of the schools i applied to (6 schools) and LBCC is the first one that's going well, at least i hope i get in officially. since you have a degree already, you should try accelerated programs.

science gpa: 3.6

overall: 3.8

i suggest just applying to as many schools as possible. i actually live in santa monica but i decided to move to whichever school accepted me. you will get in eventually!!! best of luck and keep your head up!!!!!!!

jamaica820 · Mar 16, 2010

Hello! I'm sorry to hear that you did not get accepted to LBCC. I agree with Molly that it is best to apply to as many schools as possible. Cerritos you will have a better shot because it isn't as focused on high GPA. They choose applicants with a random assignment technique.

I would say that you will have a better shot at LBCC next semester, after you complete psychology. In the information meeting for LBCC the instructor had mentioned a few times that even though some of the general ed is not required to get in, they look very highly upon anyone who has these complete. I think if you complete all of these and work on increasing your GPA you will have a much better shot.

I have completed all my general ed. requirements and all my science courses with an A in every class except English I got a B. My overall GPA is 3.9

Oh and to answer your question about alternates - I believe this is a group of applicants that will be selected to take the TEAS if a certain amount of ppl who have already been selected don't pass the TEAS. AND the possibility of this happening is very likely. Usually not everyone passes the TEAS so you might still have a shot! Keep focused on your goal and nothing can stop you! This experience is just making you more prepared for when you enter a program!

Char1932 · Jan 7, 2011

Hi -

Not sure if you remember me but you gave me some great advice when I first started the program at LBCC and I am hoping you can give me more. I would first like to say congratulations on graduating. I hope that you have found employment and are happy. I am starting women's this Monday with ---- and ------ as instructors. Can you tell what to expect in women's and how difficult it is? As always, thank you in advance.

Grumpygs, MSN, RN · Jan 9, 2011

Hi Char!

Congrats to you on getting so far in the program! The difficulty depends on the instructor - and Dr. Hines just retired so you won't have her though I thought she was great in clinical! So, just do like you have been doing - read the books, study what you can. You cannot always pick a patient before going to clinical because you never know when someone will be in labor... But they do a section on womens surgeries where (depending on the instructor) you may be allowed to research your patient the night before.

I would say that if you have survived the tests and clinical so far, you'll be fine.

As for me, no job yet :crying2: I applied to hundreds of places right after I got my license, but so far nothing has panned out... I'm trying to keep my chin up and have decided to continue with my education while still searching for a nurse job.

I certainly HOPE that the job market gets better before you are out of school - it will be here before you know it!

Also, one BIG piece of advice that the school does not tell you, if you can afford it (they are NOT cheap classes!!!) and have the time - get your EKG, ACLS and PALS certification AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! Hospitals almost always ask if you have these and while some will provide the training once you are hired, most new grad RNs have them in hand already when they apply for jobs. It saves the hospital the time and cost of providing the training and it helps you be at least on the same level as others that are applying!!!

Good luck! Robin RN!

karenonp · Mar 21, 2011

Hi everyone,

LBCC sent me a letter that said that I am "provisionally accepted" into its ADN program for Fall 2011. What does "provisionally accepted" mean? The letter also schedule me to come to a mandatory Advisement Meeting #1 in April.

thank you.

jamaica820 · Mar 21, 2011

I remember the confusion I felt when I received that letter!!! YES! You are accepted! The meeting is somewhat of an orientation and will be very useful information and a good chance for you to meet more ppl. Congratulations!!! And good luck to you!

karenonp · Mar 22, 2011

yayayay!!!! Thank you for the response Jamaica!!! I AM SOOO EXCITEDDDDD :) Now I can study without thinking about this acceptance letter :)

karenonp · Mar 24, 2011

jamaica820,

I will start the program this fall, so I have a few questions about the program:

1) what is your typical day of school like? How many hours are you in class? How many hours are you in clinics?

2) What time do you go to school and what time do you get home from school?

3) Do you have a class and clinics on the weekend?

4) How are the professors? are they strict or more easy going?

5) How many hour do you spend on studying?

6) Do you have time in a week to have fun?

thank you.