Needs help navigating school

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

It sounds like you're in a difficult situation, and it must be very stressful to have your future career depend on this next step. Let me break this down and offer some suggestions to help you move forward:

Clarifying the Situation

• Completed prep records class. You've finished the prep class, which is great! That's a positive step forward.
• Microbiology grade. Congrats on earning an A in Microbiology—that's a substantial accomplishment!
• Application confusion. There seems to be some confusion or roadblock regarding your application for the next nursing class. Specifically, it looks like you're waiting to be accepted into a fundamental nursing course but are now facing delays or refusals from the school you're applying to.

 Next Steps

• Contact the school again. Reach out to the admissions office for clarification. It can help to speak with someone higher up, such as a department chair or the head of admissions, to understand why your application is being delayed or not accepted. Always document who you talk to (name, title), what they said, and when.
• Ask for specifics. Get a clear answer about what you must do to move forward with the class—for example, if you are missing prerequisites or other requirements. Do you have a school catalog or anything in writing, a contract, or a receipt from the school?
• Timeline. See if they can provide a timeline for when you might be able to join the class or if there are any waiting lists or next available sessions.

Seek Support

Your situation sounds urgent, and you must try everything to advocate for yourself.

• Advisor or mentor. If you have an academic advisor or mentor,  speak with them about your concerns.

• Consider reaching out to your Microbiology instructor. They may be able to refer you to the right person or office, and they have a working knowledge of the institution.
• Can you contact any other pre-nursing students in your prep or Microbiology class? Often, fellow students have helpful information.

Explore Alternative Schools

If your current school is unresponsive or you're worried about waiting too long, you might consider other schools offering the RN program you need.

• Search for local or online options. Many schools offer nursing programs with varying timelines and entry requirements. If you have the flexibility to move or study online, there may be options that allow you to complete the nursing program sooner. Make sure the nursing program is accredited.
• Look for schools with open enrollment. Some nursing schools have open or rolling admissions, which can be more flexible regarding when you can apply and get started.

Dealing with the Urgency

• Stay organized. Make a checklist of everything you need to do to finish your nursing studies (e.g., complete Microbiology, apply for classes, pay for courses, etc.). This will help you focus on what needs to happen next and avoid delays.
• Look for alternative licensing routes. If you're stuck at a particular point in your program, check for other ways to get licensed or gain employment in healthcare. At the same time, you finish the program, such as working as a nursing assistant or in a different healthcare role to build experience and keep your career moving forward.

Stay Positive and Persistent

This is a frustrating situation, but persistence is key. You've made it this far, but you'll face a few hurdles before you get where you want to go. Keep pushing forward, and remember there are usually multiple paths to achieving your goal.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth