Published Feb 23, 2006
Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN
773 Posts
OK. Long vent - sorry.
I have applied to two BSN programs. I'll call them "A" and "B". After applying to program A, I received a letter indicating the credits they accepted, my GPA (per their calculation method), and eventually, a call for an interview. Great - now I just sit and wait until April. Program B is the reason I have the lump in my throat.
Program B gets your application and sends a letter acknowledging receipt. This letter also contains a phone number for any questions you have regarding admittance. That's it. Then you wait until April. Well, today I called the school in an attempt to find out if they accepted my credits. I really don't thinks its an unreasonable question since I applied in August 2005 for the Fall 2006 class. The guy that answered the phone treated me like sh*t on a shoe. I am a cordial and professional person. In that type of manor, I explained my application status and asked if he could let me know if they accepted my credits. He curtly replied that acceptance letters don't go out until April. I let him know that I understood that he could not give out program acceptance information yet; however, I would just like to know if my credits were accepted. If they were not, then I could enroll in the proper classes next semester and fulfill their requirements. He was very condescending and said, "I'm not telling you that! What if I had to tell every student if their credits were accepted?!?!" (Uh, the letter says to call with questions Mr. Smiley) Normally, my personality would have led me into a healthy or maybe not-so-healthy debate on his attitude; but, I'm trapped. If I stand up for myself, I could lose my shot at the program, so I bit my tongue. Now I am blue.
To add, I feel really stupid and self-centerd feeling blue. I just completed a fairly rigorous orientation at an oncology center. These patients are battling for their lives, yet, I'm whining about nursing school. The funny thing is - this is just the tip of the iceburg! I still have to balance the checkbook, pay bills, talk to my son's teacher because he talks too much in class, get my kids to their respective activities, and pay my husband some attention. More anxiety and depression. OK, now here's the icing on the cake........if I'm on the verge of tears today - how will I ever survive nursing school? Thus, the perverbial lump in my throat. Oh well, I guess I oughta rent Love Story, Steele Magnolias, Terms of Endearment, or all three and let the waterworks flow. Thanks for listening.
lexcourben
117 Posts
Hey AussiePupOwner,
Don't be so hard on yourself. You didn't do anything wrong. The gentleman on the other line was probably having a bad day and unfortunately took it out on you.
When you consider all the stress we go through when you apply for nursing school it's no wonder you feel the way you do. There's so much pressure to ensure you have the right grades, the right classes etc. All that pressure has to come out somewhere. We're all entitled to feel like crying every now and then and that's ok.
I understand the household responsibilities but take some time for yourself and do something special for you. You can't take care of your family if you're not taking care of yourself.
Sandy
joshuaclay
134 Posts
wow. what a jerk! it's obvious that he's never had to go through the waiting game that you have to go through to get into a competitive nursing program. try not to take it personally though. he probably gets a million calls a day from people asking for info, and he might have misunderstood you. i'd still want to speak to his manager though....there's really no excuse for bad customer service.
try to keep your chin up. nursing school is sure to be stressful too, but there's really nothing quite like the stress of waiting for news. at least in nursing school, you have some degree of control over your stress (you can study more, get more rest, etc.). i hardly ever stress about anything, but lately i'm overwhelmed by something totally beyond my control! i feel your pain!
You guys are probably right. My husband won an award at work. It is a weekend for two paid for by the company he works for. Our anniversary was December 1st (15 years) and we were going to use it for that, but.......we still haven't used it. Too busy (heavy sigh).
I think another downer occurred when I went to the college to do my interview/essay. Now, I don't want to get flamed here :flamesonb and forgive me if I offend someone if this pertains to your situation; but, while waiting to start the essay, I overheard SEVERAL conversations that were along these lines: "I really wanted to get into (insert any profession but nursing), but they are pretty full, so I just figured I'd apply here and try nursing. If I don't like it, I can always drop out." I wanted to stand up and scream----"Hey, I REALLY, REALLY want to be a nurse....it is actually more of a calling for me than simply a career choice. Now, if you have any doubt that you really want to do this...then leave and give me a better chance!"
Sorry, I really must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Those of you that "know" me via my postings, know that I'm usually not a negative person.
CHATSDALE
4,177 Posts
re the guy on the phone..there are some people who just have to show their hiney and to show how important they are..they are all over and you will meet him and his twin brother the rest of your life FORGET HIM
if those brains cannot get into their chosen fields they most likely won't get into a nursing program either
in a year you will be so concerned about an upcoming test on a/p that you will not even think of the crumbs of today
I overheard SEVERAL conversations that were along these lines: "I really wanted to get into (insert any profession but nursing), but they are pretty full, so I just figured I'd apply here and try nursing. If I don't like it, I can always drop out."
OH MY GOSH! there's a guy in my a&p 2 class who is going for nursing out of sheer boredom. i asked him about his plans and he said "oh i dunno...i'll probably only do it for a year or two..."
!!!
i thought he was kidding, so i pressed the issue and he was dead serious. he's already got 2 degrees. he said he's just a professional student and likes going to school. give me a break! total waste of a seat in nursing school imho.
krob0729
222 Posts
You guys are probably right. My husband won an award at work. It is a weekend for two paid for by the company he works for. Our anniversary was December 1st (15 years) and we were going to use it for that, but.......we still haven't used it. Too busy (heavy sigh). I think another downer occurred when I went to the college to do my interview/essay. Now, I don't want to get flamed here :flamesonb and forgive me if I offend someone if this pertains to your situation; but, while waiting to start the essay, I overheard SEVERAL conversations that were along these lines: "I really wanted to get into (insert any profession but nursing), but they are pretty full, so I just figured I'd apply here and try nursing. If I don't like it, I can always drop out." I wanted to stand up and scream----"Hey, I REALLY, REALLY want to be a nurse....it is actually more of a calling for me than simply a career choice. Now, if you have any doubt that you really want to do this...then leave and give me a better chance!" Sorry, I really must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Those of you that "know" me via my postings, know that I'm usually not a negative person.
you are absolutely right. They are taking up valuable spots for others who really want in. It wastes everyone elses time and effort to work their butts off to get in, just to have 'their' spot given to someone who wants to do it for a HOBBY. I hate it when I hear people say that. I've heard it plenty myself. And believe me, I have let my opinion be known.
Go ahead and cry honey...you'll feel better:sniff:
OH MY GOSH! there's a guy in my a&p 2 class who is going for nursing out of sheer boredom. i asked him about his plans and he said "oh i dunno...i'll probably only do it for a year or two..." !!!i thought he was kidding, so i pressed the issue and he was dead serious. he's already got 2 degrees. he said he's just a professional student and likes going to school. give me a break! total waste of a seat in nursing school imho.
If it were me, and I'm sorry if anyone thinks of me as a snitch after this, but oh well, that would be the least of my worries right now..lol....here goes......
I'd drop by the intructors office and tell them of the conversation and the guys name. Explain to them that you dont think its fair to the others who really want to do this for the rest of their lives, just to be told no, because someone is bored.
JMHO