Never getting into nursing school...

Dln14 · Feb 20, 2020

Are you able to relocate to a different area with less competition? If anything, at a private school like Chamberlin you should have no problem getting into. Just some ideas

mbowli34 · Feb 20, 2020

If you want it bad enough and keep at it, you WILL succeed. I know everyone says that, but it's true. My school requires the HESI. The first time I took it, I got a 67% and my school requires a 75%. I was devastated. I was sure this meant that I was never going to be good enough, and I was jealous of others who did better than me because it meant they were going to be nurses and I wasn't. But I did not put in the work required that time, I barely studied at all. Once I got enough courage to take the test again, I studied for two weeks. I was terrible at math, I got a 52% the first time. I studied mathdude on youtube and he helped so much. I did a ton if practice problems and then was ready to take my test. If I would have failed, I wouldn't have been able to attend my school's nursing program at all, they only allow you two attempts total so I was scared!! But since I studied and knew what I needed to do, I got a 91% overall and a 92% in math!!! I am someone who thought I couldn't do it until I did. You got this. Put the time in, transfer schools if you need to. If this is what you want to do for the rest of your life, you will find a way!! Good luck (:

jennmargar · Feb 20, 2020

I’ve felt what you have felt. I have applied to nursing school 3 times and was never accepted. However I will not give up and if this is something you really want, don’t give up either. Apply to other schools, volunteer, maybe apply for a caregiver job or take a CNA course. Many schools look at other things besides grades and scores. I wish I knew that three years ago when I was just applying to my local CC.

brandi737 · Feb 20, 2020

@Bserena94 Hey there. . . .Ok. Idk where you live but I'm in Cali and I can tell you that despite them saying the passing TEAS score was 65% at my CC ADN choices . . . the people getting in were getting 90s on the TEAS. Also, the GPA average was 3.5 or higher and A's in the 3 core sciences. If you really want it look around because some of the CC programs take a certain number of people off a wait list. I've heard of it taking several years to get in off the wait list but hey. . . if you want it badly enough it won't matter. I ended up going to a private school and I wish I had done that sooner instead of wasting a year on applications and getting wait listed. My program is intense but I have no regrets! Also, I got my CNA license while I was applying and I got a job at a local hospital and Its great experience. I recommend it. Good luck! Where there's a will there's a way ❤️

brunosabray · Mar 23, 2020

On 2/20/2020 at 9:20 AM, brandi737 said:
@Bserena94 Hey there. . . .OK. IDK where you live but I'm in Cali and I can tell you that despite them saying the passing TEAS score was 65% at my CC ADN choices . . . the people getting in were getting 90s on the TEAS. Also, the GPA average was 3.5 or higher and A's in the 3 core sciences. If you really want it look around because some of the CC programs take a certain number of people off a wait list. I've heard of it taking several years to get in off the wait list but hey. . . if you want it badly enough it won't matter. I ended up going to a private school and I wish I had done that sooner instead of wasting a year on applications and getting wait listed. My program is intense but I have no regrets! Also, I got my CNA license while I was applying and I got a job at a local hospital and Its great experience. I recommend it. Good luck! Where there's a will there's a way ❤️

May I ask which school you ended up attending?

KBhopefulRN · Apr 12, 2020

On 2/19/2020 at 8:48 PM, Bserena94 said:
Feeling discouraged. I feel like I’ll never get into nursing school and feel like I wasted so much time for nothing. Got a 64.7% on my TEAS exam (my school requires a minimum of 62%) and have a 2.6 GPA for my science pre reqs (B in anatomy 101, C in anatomy 102 and a B in Microbiology) and a 2.75 in my general Ed (mostly Bs with one C). I’m trying to get into my CC ADN program but from the looks of it I never will. Since I passed the TEAS with a passing score I can’t retake for TWO years. My school goes by a point system 100 points is the highest and I’m barely making 35 points...depressed.

You can take the TEAS twice in one year no matter what score you got. As long as you pay the money again ATI does not care. I know this from experience, I took the TEAS twice in one year; getting a 76% the first time and an 82% the second time.

Also, do not get discouraged! I felt the same way. I have a 2.6 cumulative GPA (18 yr old me did not take school seriously and kind of screwed 25 yr old me over). Retake as many classes as you can to raise the GPA, make sure to take them at the same school you originally took them (this is the way the better grade will replace the lower grade, atleast here in MD...and no one clued me into that). Although my Cumulative GPA is lower, my pre req GPA is about a 3.1, and it is rumored that my school cares more about that than cumulative.

I applied for Spring 2020 at my CC ADN program, and two other schools... got denials from all! Fast forward to applying for Fall 2020, I applied to my CC again and got in! The things that were different between my Spring and Fall applications..Higher TEAS score, and I had finished my last pre req that was in progress.

I literally never thought I would get in because of my cumulative GPA, and was dreading having to continue to apply and wait. But I got in, and so can you! Sorry for the long response, I just want people to know that you Cumulative GPA, although important is not an end all be all!

Bserena94 · Apr 12, 2020

Majority of the Cc where I live only accept your first passing score. After two years they allow a retake and will consider that new score at that time

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 12, 2020

On 2/19/2020 at 5:48 PM, Bserena94 said:
Feeling discouraged. I feel like I’ll never get into nursing school and feel like I wasted so much time for nothing. Got a 64.7% on my TEAS exam (my school requires a minimum of 62%) and have a 2.6 GPA for my science pre reqs (B in anatomy 101, C in anatomy 102 and a B in Microbiology) and a 2.75 in my general Ed (mostly Bs with one C). I’m trying to get into my CC ADN program but from the looks of it I never will. Since I passed the TEAS with a passing score I can’t retake for TWO years. My school goes by a point system 100 points is the highest and I’m barely making 35 points...depressed.

I'm going to be straight w/ you. Your GPAs are not good at all. I doubt you will get in with those type of GPAs - at least if you are in California, you won't.

What you have to remember is there are people applying into these programs w/ 4.00 in pre-reqs and 3.5+ GPAs in their undergrad or other classes. Most programs will want at least a 3.0. Why you might ask? Because nursing programs are rigorous and they need to know you can handle it. A 2.6 or 2.75 is telling me you may not be able to handle the courseload or you are just not studious.

You need to get that GPA up! That is your solution. You have time, so start to take more (easy) classes and you'll slowly see it creep up. It will take time, just know that. Retake those pre-reqs and get A's.

You can also try to see if other ADN or ASN programs out of state will accept the lower GPAs to get in. I have actually seen once on AN that there was an ADN school in rural Texas that accepted 2.5. Who knows where, but I"m sure there are programs out there. Just keep searching programs across the USA and see what you come up. That might be the one way you can get in somewhere.

I wish you luck. I hope you can find a way to attend a school. Might take some time, but where there's a will, there's a way!

Good luck!

Bserena94 · Apr 12, 2020

Not allowed to retake any science pre reqs but one. As far as my general Ed I can retake math to improve my overall GPA but point wise that is a 5 point difference on our multi point criteria system. What dropping me a bunch is the TEAS test and tbh my science pre reqs are good only one C. Not everyone an A student....

Nursingis4Lin · Apr 12, 2020

1 hour ago, Bserena94 said:
Not allowed to retake any science pre reqs but one. As far as my general Ed I can retake math to improve my overall GPA but point wise that is a 5 point difference on our multi point criteria system. What dropping me a bunch is the TEAS test and tbh my science pre reqs are good only one C. Not everyone an A student....

I'm going to be straight with you, I didn't have the best GPA for my area. I had a 3.0 overall GPA. I had a B in micro (after a retake), a C in A&P 2, and a B in A&P 1. My GPA was a hindrance since I was in a state that has a great job market (Texas) and great nursing schools that were looking at least 3.2 average overall and 3.5 science. My area was more interested in the HESI and I failed that the first time. I never thought I would be in nursing school and was about to graduate with a degree I didn't want nor work for.

However, God kept reminding me of my love for nursing. I couldn't leave my school without the degree I truly wanted so I worked my butt off. I got close to the director of the nursing program I was interested in. I made sure she understood that if I just was allowed the opportunity I would excel in nursing school. I applied for the first time through my school and didn't get in. I was going to give up. Nope God would not allow that. I told myself look at other nursing programs, do not give up because the fire in me knew I was destined to be a nurse.

After 3 months I received an email from the director of my uni's nursing program telling me there is a program for those interested in the school's nursing program. If I was interested she would put me in. The program consisted of doing all the work it entails and getting an 80 or above in my HESI in all sections. I accepted it. I work my butt off studying for the HESI doing well in the class and I passed my HESI this time.

I say all of this to say that you are going to be a nurse. If that means moving to another area or relocating so be it. If that means getting close to the directors of the program and having them put a face to your application so be it. You just need to continue having that drive. Apply and keep applying. Do not ever give up because what God has for you is for you. What is meant to be will be so don't give up. I was you last year thinking I would never be in nursing school, crying to be in anybody's nursing school and now I am in one.

Don't give up, don't let statistics make you think it is impossible. Based on my stats I was never supposed to be in nursing school and I am in one and doing well in it LOL. Please don't give up.

TLDR: DONT GIVE UP LOL

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 13, 2020

4 hours ago, Bserena94 said:
Not allowed to retake any science pre reqs but one. As far as my general Ed I can retake math to improve my overall GPA but point wise that is a 5 point difference on our multi point criteria system. What dropping me a bunch is the TEAS test and tbh my science pre reqs are good only one C. Not everyone an A student....

That's true - not all people who apply are A students. The ones that get in fairly easily and don't have to wait for years are.

Grades count. There are programs that look at people holistically, but in the end the people with the "A" grades and most points are getting in.

Good luck to you.